Chapter 241

Alton couldn't help but chuckle as he opened the car door with a playful flourish. "After you."

Once they were inside, he glanced at her and half-joked, "You trust me this much? Aren't you worried I might sell you off?"

Victoria shot back, "Would you?"

Feigning deep thought, he replied, "It's not that I wouldn't, it's that I don't dare."

With William around, he wouldn't dare no matter what!

Victoria asked, "So, where are you taking me?"

"Just a gathering of some industry bigwigs. It's pretty boring, but the food is great. Think of it as a chance to enjoy a good meal."

Victoria smiled, pleased with his answer.

But her satisfaction didn't last long. As soon as she followed Alton into the private room, she froze.

She hadn't expected to see Marcella and Delmar there!

Marcella's face darkened when she saw Victoria, while Delmar was momentarily taken aback before asking, "You're Victoria, right? Weren't you supposed to be busy?"

Victoria raised an eyebrow, her gaze sweeping over Marcella's guilty expression, instantly understanding the situation.

She gave Delmar a faint smile. "Plans changed."

"Glad you could make it!" Delmar seemed genuinely pleased, especially when he noticed Alton following behind her. His eyes lit up.

"Victoria, you know Mr. Bridges too?" he asked.

Marcella, now noticing Alton, recognized him as the man she had seen at the hotel a few days ago.

Alton led Victoria to a seat, smiling. "Victoria is a friend of mine."

"What a coincidence!" Delmar laughed heartily. First William, and now Alton. The more he looked at Victoria, the more he felt she brought good luck!

Marcella eyed Victoria warily, relieved when she saw no intention of exposing her. With a smile, she chided, "You should have called me when your plans changed. I could have sent someone to pick you up. You're new here, what if something happened?"

Victoria gave her a cold glance, too tired to deal with her hypocrisy.

"This place has some of the best security in the country. I had nothing to worry about." With that, she turned her attention away from Marcella.

Marcella kept smiling, but inside, she was seething.

Did Victoria think that just because Delmar favored her, she could rise above her station?

Not while Marcella was around!

However, Alton, sitting next to Victoria, caught her attention. She kept steering the conversation towards him, occasionally toasting him with a drink.

Alton, having navigated such social scenes for years, was no longer the naive young man he once was.

He had seen enough of human nature to understand people like Marcella.

But he maintained a gentle demeanor and a smile.

For him, it was all about interests now, not personal likes or dislikes.

So, he kept his emotions in check, responding to Marcella's enthusiasm like a seasoned player in love, neither rejecting her nor making her feel brushed off.

It was as if he gave her hope, yet not quite, making her feel that just a bit more effort would suffice.

Under this illusion, Marcella became even more eager to please him.

Victoria noticed all of this. When Alton poured her a drink, she whispered, "She's still my boss. Don't go too far."

Alton knew what she meant and smiled. "I'm not doing anything. It's all in her head."

Victoria rolled her eyes. "That's what makes it worse!"

He teased, "I didn't know you had become a little justice warrior!"

Their interaction, seen by Marcella, looked like they were whispering secrets.

She glared at Victoria, convinced she was deliberately opposing her.

Delmar, meanwhile, chatted with others, but his attention never strayed far from them.

At the same time, the scene of Victoria and Alton together was noticed by someone just entering the room.

William glanced at them briefly, showing no emotion, as if they didn't interest him at all.

Beside him was Alice, elegantly dressed in a red gown that accentuated her figure. Her captivating eyes could easily enchant anyone.

Together, she and William looked like a perfect couple.

Victoria hadn't expected them to be there. She immediately glared at Alton, who quickly raised his hands in mock innocence.

"Mr. Scott never shares his schedule with us. I just wanted to treat you to a good meal! Pure coincidence, I swear!"

Alton had clearly become more cunning over the years, and Victoria didn't believe him.

But since they were already there, and it wasn't her place, she decided not to show her displeasure.

Remembering their connection from the previous day, she smiled and greeted William. "Mr. Scott."

William responded with a simple nod, not even looking at her.

Victoria didn't mind. She had done her part in being polite; the rest was none of her concern.

Delmar immediately stood up to welcome them. "Mr. Scott, Ms. Garcia, welcome."

Alice's eyes flashed with disdain when she saw Victoria.

They were seated at the head of the table, directly opposite Victoria and Alton.

Alton leaned slightly towards Victoria, whispering, "You'll have to protect me later."

Victoria gave him a complex look.

Protect him?

Why should she?

Everyone here had a higher status than her.

She placed a delicate dish on his plate. "Eat more, talk less."

"You seem smart usually, but why act dumb at crucial moments?" He ate the dish she gave him.

Their familiar interaction didn't look like just friends.

Marcella noticed and teased, "Victoria, you and Mr. Bridges seem close. Did you two have a past romance? I'm so envious."

She scooted closer to Alton. "Mr. Bridges, do tell."

Her interest in Alton was obvious, and she shot a warning glance at Victoria, clearly staking her claim.

William, listening to Delmar, glanced over casually, his deep eyes growing darker.

Alice smiled, sipping her wine, her gaze towards Victoria filled with mockery.

To her, Victoria was only fit for someone like Alton, a fallen rich kid.

Victoria lowered her eyes. Before Alton could speak, she firmly said, "Marcella, you misunderstand. Alton and I are just friends. There's no story."

Alton, eager to avoid trouble, quickly nodded. "It's true! I admire Victoria's talent, nothing more!"

Marcella was pleased. "I see, my mistake for jumping to conclusions."

Alton stood up respectfully, raising his glass. "Mr. Scott, a toast to you."

William glanced at him lazily, taking his time before raising his glass.

Only then did Alton relax.

He didn't want any trouble!

Delmar joked, "When can we attend Mr. Scott and Ms. Garcia's wedding?"

Victoria paused mid-bite.