Chapter 192

Victoria's eyes widened in shock, and she struggled fiercely, but the difference in strength between men and women was too great. She was held tightly in his arms.

After a long while, he finally let her go. Looking at the breathless Victoria in his arms, he curved his thin lips into a smile. "Victoria, you can't escape."

With that, he ignored her angry expression and turned to leave the hospital.

Victoria stood there, staring blankly at William's retreating figure, unable to snap out of it for a long time.

She suddenly remembered all the things he had done to her in the past.

The hurt and humiliation, the protection and indulgence, all intertwined into a dense web that enveloped her completely, leaving her nowhere to hide.

After a while, she took out a small mirror from her bag, tidied up her appearance, and, after confirming there was nothing amiss, turned to leave.

In the hallway, Samuel asked softly, "Finished talking?"

"Yeah." Victoria's expression was calm, with no intention of hiding anything. "He wants to sue my mom for Ms. Scott."

Samuel was taken aback and instinctively asked, "You're not against it?"

Victoria was silent for a moment before speaking softly, "My mom is the kind of person who will stop at nothing to achieve her goals, regardless of the consequences. If she really hurt Ms. Scott, I have no right to oppose William's actions."

Samuel gazed at her quietly, then gently put his arm around her shoulder.

Victoria suddenly remembered something and looked up at him. "What were you talking about with Ms. Scott earlier?"

"Just some casual conversation," Samuel thought for a moment and added, "More like an elder showing concern for a younger person."

Just a moment ago, Daisy had told him that once William set his sights on someone, his possessiveness would be unimaginably strong, and no one could predict what he might do.

Samuel didn't comment on this, just smiled.

Whatever William wanted to do, he was welcome to try.

The more William did, the more he would push Victoria towards him.

William was very efficient.

In just one night, all news reports about Nora's suicide were taken down.

Even the search terms were gone, and the media received a strict gag order. Anyone who wanted to stay in the industry had to keep their mouths shut.

This was the power of capital-arrogant and domineering, yet leaving people helpless.

Although there were still some sporadic discussions online, it wouldn't be long before they were replaced by other hot news.

Victoria went to Samuel's studio as usual to pick up the monthly paintings, thinking that she might be able to have lunch with Samuel afterward.

In the studio, Ryan was working on his laptop. When he saw Victoria come in, he was slightly taken aback, a hint of hesitation flashing across his face.

"Victoria, you're here." Ryan stood up, greeting her somewhat awkwardly.

"Yeah, I'm here to pick up this month's paintings." Victoria responded with a smile, her eyes searching the studio for Samuel. "Where's Samuel?"

"He has a public lecture at the university today."

"Alright." Victoria sighed in disappointment. "I'll just take the paintings and go then."

"Wait a minute!" Ryan called out to her. "Victoria."

Victoria stopped and turned to look at him.

They stared at each other.

Ryan pressed his lips together, not saying anything.

Victoria, sensing something was off, raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What's wrong with you? You seem weird."

Ryan hesitated for a long time before finally speaking. "Victoria, I need to tell you something, but don't get mad."

"What is it? Why so serious?" Victoria looked calm, with no sign of panic in her eyes.

"I just found out that Samuel's dad is setting him up on a blind date tonight," Ryan blurted out, his eyes fixed on Victoria.

Victoria paused for a moment, then her expression returned to normal. "I see."

Ryan was surprised. He had expected Victoria to be furious and question him.

But her extraordinary calmness left him at a loss. "You're not mad?"

"Mad? Why would I be mad?" Victoria asked lightly.

She shrugged and continued, "It might just be a well-meaning gesture from his parents. Nothing to make a fuss about."

Aside from that initial moment of surprise, Victoria remained exceptionally composed, genuinely seeming to trust Samuel from the bottom of her heart.

Ryan frowned in suspicion. "This doesn't seem right!"

Victoria looked puzzled. "What's not right? Trusting each other in a relationship is the most basic requirement, isn't it?"

"That depends on the situation! You're way too calm. This isn't how someone should react when they hear their boyfriend is going on a blind date. Can anyone be this rational in a relationship?" Ryan stared at her in confusion. "Victoria, do you really not care at all about Samuel going on a blind date?"

"I don't care. He's probably just humoring his dad. Nothing to worry about."

"Have you considered that the blind date was arranged by Samuel's dad? It might mean he doesn't approve of you as Samuel's girlfriend."

Victoria hadn't thought about it that way. She frowned slightly and said slowly, "Why does it have to be so complicated?"

"Of course it is! Dating might be between two people, but marriage involves two families. Many couples end up divorcing because of conflicts with their in-laws. Samuel really loves you, and I hope you two can make it. You need to handle these issues properly."

Victoria hadn't thought that far ahead. She looked at Ryan in shock. "Wow, Ryan, you, a single guy, can think so far ahead and so much!"

Ryan glared at her. "I don't usually think this much, but Samuel is my good friend, so I worry more."

Victoria laughed. "You're really a good friend to him!"

"But are you just going to wait? Wait for him to come clean with you?"

Victoria shook her head with a smile. "It's fine if he doesn't. Everyone's entitled to some secrets."

Ryan's expression changed slightly, and he cautiously asked, "What if it were William? If you knew he was going on a blind date, would you be just as indifferent?"

Victoria was about to say "I wouldn't," but the words got stuck in her throat.

A strange feeling of suffocation rose in her chest, as if something was lodged in her throat, unable to go up or down.

She didn't need to say anything; her reaction said it all.

Ryan pressed his lips together, deliberated for a moment, and then spoke softly. "Victoria, your current boyfriend is Samuel. You need to step into your role as his girlfriend."

As a friend, Ryan was very considerate and usually wouldn't bring up such personal matters.

He must have been really concerned to speak up for Samuel.

Victoria opened her mouth, but the words she wanted to say were swallowed back. In the end, she just smiled gently and said softly, "I understand."

Seeing that she had listened, Ryan was silent for a moment before continuing. "There's one more thing. Samuel didn't want me to tell you, fearing you'd get angry. But I think you should know the truth."

He paused, as if making a decision, and then said, "When your dad had an accident in Xandria, Samuel found out and immediately took leave from school, bought a ticket for the earliest flight, and went to find you. But..."

Victoria's expression turned serious. "But what?"

"But someone reported him for laundering money through high-priced paintings."