Chapter 212

Hannah's lips curved into a friendly smile. "Ms. Carter. Come on in."

The hospital room was a spacious, luxurious suite. As soon as Victoria stepped inside, she saw Primrose sitting by the bed, carefully wiping Elmer's hands.

Elmer looked up, surprised to see her. "Victoria?"

Victoria gently placed the fruit basket and flowers on the nearby table. Primrose, always polite and courteous, warmly invited her to sit and chat.

Hannah quickly poured a glass of water and brought it to her. "Ms. Carter, have some water."

"Thanks."

Elmer's face lit up with affection. "Hannah, you don't need to keep busy. Sit down and rest for a bit. You've been such a help these past few days, Primrose and I are very grateful."

"Mr. Brown, you're too formal. Samuel's busy with work, so it's my duty to take care of you."

Victoria sat quietly, her expression calm and unreadable.

After a while, the doctor came in for a check-up. Seeing this, Victoria quickly stood up to leave. Primrose also stood up. "Victoria, let me walk you out."

Victoria nodded, understanding that Primrose had something to say in private.

In the hallway, Primrose sighed softly, her eyes slightly red. "The doctor said that at his age, the surgery is very risky. We need to be prepared for the worst."

She looked at Victoria with earnest eyes. "Victoria, you know I've always stayed neutral about you and Samuel dating. But now, I have to ask you to let go."

Victoria leaned against the wall, wanting to say something, but her throat felt tight, and she couldn't get a word out.

"You saw it yourself. Hannah is a good girl. Not only in the family, but she can also be a great help to Samuel in his career. Samuel, being an artist, has never run a company. If something happens to his father, he needs someone reliable by his side."

Victoria listened silently, knowing that Primrose was right.

"I can see that Samuel likes you, but he's a filial son. He's caught between you and his father, and it's tearing him apart. So, Victoria, I'm asking you to break up with him to ease his burden."

Primrose didn't press her for an immediate decision. She turned and went back into the room.

Victoria slowly turned around, her head down, lost in thought.

"Are you really going to agree to such a self-sacrificing request?" A familiar voice, full of doubt and sarcasm, broke the silence.

Victoria frowned slightly and turned to see William's cold eyes.

William stood a few steps away, hands in his pockets, looking at her with a mix of mockery and challenge. "You only dare to act tough in front of me. With anyone else, you shrink back."

Victoria was in a mix of shame and anger.

She didn't understand why she always cared so much about her dignity in front of William, not willing to lose even a bit of it.

Before she could ask why William was there, Alice gracefully walked out of the room next door. "William."

William slowly shifted his gaze from Victoria to Alice. "Did the test results come back?"

"The doctor said my immune system's a bit weak, so I need to take it easy for a while." Alice glanced at Victoria, a quick flash of disdain in her eyes before she smiled. "What a coincidence, running into Ms. Carter everywhere."

Though she spoke in a joking tone, her words implied that Victoria was following them on purpose.

Victoria was exhausted, both physically and mentally, from dealing with Nora, Wendy, and the Brown family. She had no time to follow these two around.

But she didn't bother to explain. Alice had never given up on William and saw every woman as a rival.

"I won't keep you. I'll be going now."

"I'll walk you out," William suddenly said.

"No need. It's out of your way."

"How would you know if it's out of my way?"

His words carried a hint of sarcasm, making Victoria's heart tighten.

Victoria pressed her lips together and started to walk away.

But William didn't give her a chance. With a few long strides, he grabbed her arm and pulled her into the elevator.

Alice clutched her test results, her face turning pale with anger. She glared at Victoria before following them into the elevator.

"William, just talk nicely to Ms. Carter."

William's expression grew colder. "Would she listen if I talked nicely?"

Victoria glared at him, trying to shake off his hand. Just as she was about to retort, more people crowded into the elevator, pushing Alice to the other side. Someone even wheeled in a patient, filling the space completely.

Victoria swallowed her words, turning her back to William, trying to make herself as small as possible.

William stood close, their proximity too intimate. Her body pressed against his, making her heart race and her mind flustered. She leaned against the cold elevator wall, desperately trying to create some distance.

Especially when she caught Alice's jealous glare, she felt a chill down her spine.

William's warm breath tickled her ear, making her shiver.

Victoria cursed him silently, feeling her ears burn.

Seeing her trying so hard to distance herself, William's eyes darkened. His chest felt tight with frustration.

He let out a cold laugh and leaned in closer, trapping her in the corner, unable to move.

Victoria's heart pounded.

What was wrong with William? Why did he always take advantage of her?

She was furious but helpless, pushing against his chest.

William didn't budge, standing firm.

He raised an eyebrow, his eyes full of challenge, as if to say, "What can you do about it?"

Victoria struggled, feeling the elevator descend painfully slowly. The chatter around them only highlighted the strange silence in their corner.

The elevator was a confined space, amplifying every sensation. Victoria felt a strange tension in the air, a mix of embarrassment and something more.

William had only meant to tease her, but feeling her soft body tremble against his brought back memories of their close encounter in the car.

Those intimate moments, so close and heated, made him want more.