Chapter 50

William didn't see that coming.

His eyes went icy, and his lips twisted into a sneer. "Are you threatening me?" he shot back.

Victoria held his gaze. "If that's what you think, then there's nothing more to say."

Suddenly, William got out of the car, towering over Victoria, looking down at her.

His eyes were like ice, cold and unfeeling.

He leaned in close to her ear, speaking slowly and deliberately. "Who do you think you are? Just because you're good in bed, you think I can't let you go?"

His voice was low, but it still caught the attention of people passing by.

William finished, expecting Victoria to blow up.

But she stayed calm.

She looked at him, her gaze steady and cold. "Of course, I know I'm nothing to you, Mr. Scott."

Her calmness made William feel suffocated.

She went on, "I've told you before, Ella loves you deeply, so she does foolish things. You're about to marry her, whether it's for love or some other reason, it has nothing to do with me. I don't want to get involved in your marriage. You promised me this wouldn't happen again, but you didn't keep your word. You won't do anything to her because of me or anyone else who means nothing to you. Please, for the sake of me being a pawn in your game yesterday, let me go, okay?"

William sneered, "Are you saying this because you've found someone new?"

His words stung, but Victoria was used to his disdain, especially after he'd been drinking. She wasn't fazed by his insults anymore.

"Yes," she said bluntly.

William's eyes narrowed, burning with anger as he glared at her.

Victoria was startled by the intensity of his gaze, but she stood her ground, looking at him without fear.

"Is it Joshua? Or Robert today? You're pretty good at seducing men!" William mocked.

Victoria didn't get angry. Instead, she smiled faintly. "William, say whatever you want if it makes you feel better. Just leave me alone."

"Is that how you ask for a favor?" William raised an eyebrow.

"Do you want me to beg?" she asked.

William didn't answer.

Victoria bit her lip, looked up, and met his gaze. "Fine! If that's what it takes, I'll beg! William, I'm begging you, please stay out of my life!" With that, Victoria actually knelt in front of William.

The November chill in Silvermist City was particularly biting this year, yet Victoria wore only thin clothes. Her knees hit the hard concrete, sending a jolt of pain through her body.

But she didn't care!

As long as she could get away from him, she'd do anything.

"Victoria!" William didn't expect her to kneel, his face turning pale.

"What are you doing?" he roared, reaching out to pull Victoria up, but she dodged.

"Please!" Victoria said, looking at him calmly. "Be merciful and let me go!"

Hearing this, William clenched his fists, the veins on his arms bulging.

He opened his hands, a sneer on his lips. "If that's what you want, fine. Be that way." With that, he turned and walked away.

When he disappeared around the corner, Victoria finally couldn't hold on any longer and collapsed, exhausted.

Was she eventually free from him?

Victoria closed her eyes, feeling a wave of bitterness. Her actions must have really pissed him off. But that was good. Finally, she was free.

To take care of Elara, Victoria asked Diana for a few days off and arranged to work online.

Luckily, with the internet being so advanced, businesses weren't just about offline sales anymore.

Even though she couldn't go to Starry Studio Gallery, she could still get her work done online.

Elara noticed how pale and tired Victoria looked from taking care of her and couldn't help but say, "Victoria, I'm fine now. I just need a couple more days to recover. Look at you-you've been so exhausted taking care of me!"

Victoria smiled and shook her head. "Elara, are you trying to get rid of me?" she teased.

"Of course not..." Elara quickly replied. "I'm just worried. Taking care of me and working... How will you manage?"

Victoria smiled and said, "It's okay, Elara."

Elara sighed, knowing she couldn't change Victoria's mind, so she let it go.

During this time, Robert came to the hospital to see Elara almost every day.

By the time he arrived, Elara had taken her medicine and fallen asleep. Victoria was working at a small table nearby.

Hearing footsteps, Victoria looked up.

She gave Robert a polite smile when she saw him. He nodded back.

His eyes fell on the corner, where copies of the "Construction Quality Management Regulations" and the "Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure" were displayed. He asked, "Are you still studying this?"

"Yes," Victoria nodded. "I want to learn more about my dad's case."

"Your dad?" Robert was surprised.

Victoria explained, "Yes. My dad was sentenced to ten years for a design issue, and I want to see if I can help him."

Robert frowned, thinking for a moment before recalling the nationally sensational stadium collapse case and the bridge collapse case ten years ago.

He realized the person involved was also named Alvin Carter. This, then, was Victoria's father.

Victoria noticed Robert's thoughtful expression and lowered her eyes.

"Do you suspect something?" As a lawyer, Robert knew the law wasn't always perfect.

Especially when powerful people stirred things up behind the scenes for their own interests.

"My dad was always serious and responsible about his work. I never believed he would make such a low-level mistake." Victoria bit her lip, her eyes slightly red.

Seeing this, Robert hesitated and asked, "Didn't your dad have a lawyer to defend him at the time?"

Hearing this, Victoria was stunned.

She was studying abroad at the time, and by the time she returned, Alvin had already been convicted.

She had never seen his lawyer.

Seeing this, Robert suggested, "If you really want to investigate your dad's case, you should first ask his lawyer. No one knows the ins and outs of the case better than him."

Victoria's eyes lit up. "Thank you," she said, offering him a sincere bow. "I know what to do now."

Robert quickly stopped her and said, "Not at all. I just saw how hard you were working to take care of Elara and gave a casual reminder."

Victoria smiled and said, "No matter what, I still have to thank you."

As they were talking, Elara woke up, and they ended their conversation.

Elara stayed in the hospital for five days before she could finally be discharged.

After helping Robert take Elara home, Victoria returned to her normal work routine.

Without William's interference, Victoria worked hard during the day and focused on painting her competition piece at night.

A week later, she finally finished the initial draft of "The Wounded White Deer."

On Saturday, feeling both nervous and excited, Victoria carefully brought the painting to Samuel's studio.