Chapter 230

Victoria's eyes were red as she looked at the frail Nora lying in the hospital bed, a cold smile playing on her lips.

Nora coughed weakly, her gaze fixed on Victoria. "I don't want to see you. Leave."

Victoria felt like a knife had pierced her heart, the pain spreading through her entire body.

"You think I wanted to come?" Victoria laughed softly, stepping back slowly. "I don't want to see you like this! I don't want to hear you talk about Bobby over and over! And I don't want to keep reminding myself that I'm the kid who never had a mother's love!"

She had been through this scene too many times. Victoria should have been numb by now, but the emptiness in Nora's eyes always made it impossible for her to let go.

"You've never looked at me properly. Now you're leaving, and you still won't look at me?" Victoria's shout was followed by a flood of tears.

"I don't ask for much. I just want you to look at me, but you never have." Victoria covered her face, her body trembling uncontrollably. "Not even once."

Outside the room, Alvin clenched his jaw, his fists tightly balled.

Victoria's cries were like sharp needles, piercing his old, unhealed wounds.

Inside, Nora's consciousness was fading, and she was unaware of Victoria's outburst.

All she knew was that the person in front of her wasn't her Bobby.

"Bobby, my dear son, Bobby."

Victoria closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face.

Yes, Bobby.

In Nora's heart, there was only ever Bobby.

Perhaps, even on her deathbed, she wouldn't remember she had a daughter.

Suddenly, a hand grasped Victoria's.

Startled, Victoria looked down to meet Nora's slightly open eyes.

For a moment, there was clarity in Nora's gaze.

"Victoria," Nora said slowly, "do me a favor. Go find Bobby, will you? Bring him here. I want to see him."

Victoria left the room, glanced at Alvin, said nothing, and stepped aside to make a call.

Alvin stood in silence for a moment before entering the room.

Soon, Victoria returned.

Nora seemed a bit more alert, even struggling to sit up, her eyes anxiously fixed on the door.

"Where's Bobby?"

Victoria looked down for a long time before raising her head. "I couldn't reach him."

Alvin looked at Victoria, his gaze steady for a few seconds before he slowly lowered his head.

"You couldn't reach him? What do you mean? That's impossible." Nora's previously calm eyes turned frantic again. "No, it can't be."

Victoria stood across from her, her hands clenched into fists.

"No, Bobby!" Suddenly, Nora coughed up blood.

Doctors and nurses rushed in, trying every possible method to save her. Finally, Tony stopped, looked at Victoria, and shook his head helplessly.

Victoria didn't cry.

She sat on a bench outside, her hands cold, the surrounding commotion feeling distant.

Alvin sat beside her. "You did reach Bobby, didn't you?"

After a long while, Victoria nodded slightly. "He refused."

He wouldn't even come to say goodbye to Nora.

Victoria and Alvin sat in silence.

Nora's funeral was simple, with few attendees.

Afterward, Victoria returned to her daily routine.

Time flew by, and after three years of study, Victoria was about to graduate from the University of Aesthetics Shine.

In those three years, she had made a name for herself at Starry Studio Gallery, her performance impressive across the industry.

Diana had high hopes for her, planning to hand over the management of Starry Studio Gallery to her once she returned to the Simpson Group.

But then, Diana's father Hugo Simpson suddenly introduced an illegitimate daughter, Marcella Simpson, who came back from abroad and forcibly took over the gallery's management. Marcella disliked Victoria intensely and often caused her trouble.

At first, Victoria didn't understand why Marcella targeted her so much.

Later, she found out that Marcella was friends with Samuel's fiancée, Hannah, from their college days abroad.

Samuel and Hannah had been engaged for three years but hadn't married yet.

Despite the Wright family's constant pressure, Samuel resisted, focusing on his career, wanting to establish himself before settling down.

The Wright family had supported the Brown family financially and through connections, especially during a crisis three years ago. They had helped Samuel overcome a significant challenge.

Given the Wright family's substantial support, the Brown family was expected to finalize Samuel and Hannah's marriage soon.

However, Samuel was dedicated to his business, believing it wasn't the right time for marriage. He wanted to secure his position first.

This caused dissatisfaction within the Wright family.

Fortunately, Hannah always stood by Samuel, understanding his ambitions and speaking on his behalf to her family.

Though Samuel hadn't given Hannah a grand wedding yet, he was a considerate and romantic boyfriend. He never missed a holiday or anniversary, always preparing thoughtful gifts. When Hannah was unwell, he took care of her attentively, earning praise from her friends.

Even though they weren't married, everyone around them knew it was only a matter of time.

The two families were deeply intertwined in business, making separation difficult.

This was why the Wright family tolerated Samuel's delays, hoping he would soon succeed and provide Hannah with a stable future.

However, to Hannah, Victoria was still a thorn in her side.

Even though Victoria and Samuel had little contact in recent years, Samuel never forgot his promise to provide paintings for Starry Studio Gallery, working in his studio whenever he had time.

This made Hannah uncomfortable.

As her friend, Marcella naturally disliked Victoria and went out of her way to cause her trouble.