Chapter 229
Victoria was a sharp observer and gave a slight nod. "Got it."
Just then, her colleague Ember came running over, shouting, "Victoria, Wendy's awake!"
Victoria's eyes lit up immediately. She was about to follow Ember but suddenly stopped and turned back. "I sent the money I owed you for the car repair to Harry."
William pressed his tongue against his teeth, a wry smile forming at the corner of his mouth. "So, I guess we don't need to see each other anymore."
Victoria didn't respond, just turned around and left with Ember.
William took a deep breath, letting the strong wind on the rooftop whip around him, as if only this could clear his muddled thoughts.
"William, you okay?" Alice asked, looking at William, who was standing on the rooftop, lost in thought.
William turned to look at her. "Yeah, I'm fine."
Alice pursed her lips slightly, her expression a bit uneasy, but she quickly composed herself and asked softly, "Do you know why your grandfather urgently called us back this time?"
William was silent for a moment before speaking slowly. "Grandpa's in the hospital again."
Alice had already heard this news from Catherine, but she still pretended to be very surprised and asked with concern, "How's he doing now?"
"His condition's unstable," William said, looking up at her. "Thanks for coming with me this time."
Garth had a poor impression of Alice before, but perhaps due to his serious illness, he had a change of heart and asked William to bring her back to the Scott Manor in Harborview City.
Even though William didn't fully agree with Garth's decision, he would still do his best to fulfill his grandfather's wishes at a time like this.
"William, don't be so formal with me," Alice said, her eyes gentle as she gazed at him. "Besides, your grandfather watched me grow up. In my heart, he's like family."
She gently held William's hand and said softly, "Don't worry, I'll stay by your side."
William calmly withdrew his hand from hers and turned to go downstairs.
Fortunately, the hospital wasn't too far, and with proper preparation, Wendy only suffered a fracture and a concussion, with no life-threatening injuries.
Victoria and her colleagues took turns caring for her, and Diana brought her delicious food every day.
But since waking up, Wendy had remained silent.
Carol visited once, standing coldly and looking at Wendy as if she were a stranger. "Are you happy now that I've been trashed by netizens?"
Victoria's face darkened. "Wendy needs to rest."
Carol glanced at her without speaking, then turned her gaze back to Wendy, expressionless. "I've decided to go abroad. I'm leaving in a couple of days. The house is listed with a realtor, and I've packed your things. Someone will bring them to you later."
Victoria looked at her in disbelief. "You're leaving? What about Wendy? What will she do?"
Carol shrugged indifferently. "What does that have to do with me?"
Her indifferent attitude made Victoria furious.
Victoria could empathize with the pain of being abandoned.
"If you feel sorry for her, you can take her in!" Carol sneered at Victoria. "Stop pretending to be a good person!"
With that, she grabbed her bag and left.
Victoria's hands trembled with anger, but there was nothing she could do.
How could some parents abandon their children so easily?
Under the covers, Wendy's eyes were open, tears silently falling onto the pillow.
The next day, Wendy's hospital room was empty.
There was only a letter left on the bed.
Victoria stood at the door for a long time before mustering the courage to pick up the letter.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside, and Diana arrived.
"Where's Wendy?" Seeing the empty bed, Diana was also stunned.
Victoria silently read the letter and said softly, "She's gone."
Diana looked puzzled. "Where? Home? But that can't be right. Carol sold the house. Where could she go?"
Victoria shook her head, looking desolate. "She's left the city for good."
She didn't say where Wendy had gone.
Diana was taken aback and quickly grabbed the letter. "This is ridiculous! She's not fully recovered. Where could she go alone?"
A colleague nearby tried to comfort them. "Wendy's just in a bad mood. Maybe she just went out to clear her head. She'll be back soon."
But Victoria didn't think so. She had a feeling Wendy wouldn't return.
She looked out the window, feeling a deep sense of loss.
It seemed everything had returned to square one.
Victoria's exam results came out, and she passed the University of Aesthetics Shine entrance exam with the highest score, transitioning from an auditor to a full-fledged student.
However, Samuel, who had given her the pass, was no longer at the school.
Victoria's life became busier.
From Monday to Friday, she worked at Starry Studio Gallery during the day, attended online video classes at night, and went to school on weekends to attend classes, submit assignments, and write papers. Her days were simple to the point of being monotonous.
Late at night, the sudden ringing of the phone shattered the silence.
Before long, Alvin came to Victoria's room.
"It's the hospital."
Despite mentally preparing herself, when the moment truly arrived, Victoria found she was far less composed than she had imagined.
Her heart pounded erratically.
"Get dressed. I'll wait for you downstairs." Alvin's voice was low and hoarse.
They hurried to the hospital.
Tony was waiting there. When he saw Victoria, he lowered his eyes slightly and said softly, "Go in and see her."
Victoria's steps faltered before she slowly walked into the hospital room.
Nora lay on the bed, emaciated, her cheeks sunken, and dark circles under her eyes. Hearing the door open, she struggled to open her eyes. "Is it Bobby?"
Victoria bit her lip and stepped forward. "It's Victoria."
"Why is it you?" Nora's voice was weak, and she was so frail that even though she still disliked Victoria, she no longer had the strength to scold or berate her.
"Yes, why is it me?" Victoria's lips curled into a self-deprecating smile. She took a deep breath. "It's ironic, isn't it? You despise me so much, yet here I am, the one by your side in your final moments. Isn't this your karma?"
On the way here, she had repeatedly told herself to stay calm, no matter what Nora said.
But now, she couldn't control her emotions!
She couldn't accept that even at the end of her life, Nora's thoughts were still only of Bobby!
What did she mean to Nora?