Chapter 71

Victoria was taken aback and nodded in agreement.

William asked Harry to pull the car over to the side of the road. After Victoria got out, the car immediately drove away.

Victoria stood still, looked up at the pitch-black night sky, sighed deeply, and walked towards the bus stop.

On the day she had arranged to meet Samuel, Victoria worked all day despite the pain in her arm.

Samuel was already waiting for her outside the Starry Studio Gallery in his car.

She tidied up her clothes and makeup, then hurried over with her bag.

Today, Samuel was wearing an off-white suit, his hair neatly combed, making him look both refined and elegant.

He opened the car door and got out, walking towards Victoria.

Victoria was about to greet him when suddenly someone jumped out from the side and grabbed her hand.

She was startled and instinctively shook off the person.

Upon closer inspection, she realized it was Sofia.

"Ms. Moore, what do you want now?" she frowned.

Samuel frowned slightly and stepped forward, standing protectively beside Victoria.

Sofia's cheeks were red, as if she had been crying, looking pitiful and tearful.

"Ms. Carter, I'm here to apologize to you. I'm sorry, I was too impulsive before. I hope you can be forgiving and not hold a grudge against my previous offense."

She spoke humbly, without a trace of arrogance.

Victoria frowned, "What do you mean by this?"

Such a drastic change in attitude in just one day made Victoria worry that Sofia might have some ulterior motive.

Samuel, standing beside her, remained silent, his usually gentle face now somewhat gloomy, revealing nothing of his thoughts.

Sofia wiped her tears and pulled at her clothes, revealing a bruised shoulder.

"Ms. Carter, this was done by Mr. Scott's men."

"Are you here to settle scores with me?" Victoria raised an eyebrow.

"No, I'm here to apologize." She bit her lip, forcing a smile, "I was blinded by jealousy before and did something foolish. Now I've come to my senses and want to apologize to you in person."

As she spoke, she bowed deeply.

Victoria was slightly stunned by her actions.

Such behavior didn't seem like an act of revenge.

But she didn't believe Sofia's words and remained cautious, "Ms. Moore, I don't care what your intentions are today, but I advise you not to have any bad ideas!"

"I really know I was wrong!" Sofia said urgently.

Her attitude was sincere, her eyes red, looking extremely aggrieved. "I heard from my father that Mr. Scott originally intended to have me imprisoned for a year and a half. Fortunately, Ms. Carter, you didn't hold a grudge, and Mr. Scott showed mercy and released me early!"

After speaking, she bowed again, this time genuinely.

Victoria was very surprised.

She didn't expect William to reveal her plea to the Moore family.

This not only vented her anger but also made the Moore family owe her a favor.

"Ms. Carter, you saved my life. Without you, I would have been ruined forever."

She choked and sobbed.

Victoria pursed her lips, glanced at Sofia, and then looked away, "I've received your apology. Let's leave it at that."

With that, she signaled to Samuel, who was waiting nearby, and prepared to get in the car and leave.

Sofia grabbed her again and handed her a card, "Ms. Carter, there's $200,000 in here. It's not much, but it's a token of my appreciation."

Victoria glanced at the bank card but didn't take it, "You've been hurt and apologized to me. We're even. Keep the money."

"No, no, this is my token of appreciation! Please, you must accept it!" Sofia held her hand tightly, her eyes red.

Victoria was about to refuse when Samuel suddenly spoke up, "Victoria, accept it. If you don't, she probably won't be at ease."

Samuel emphasized "at ease," and Sofia immediately echoed, "Ms. Carter, please accept it!"

Victoria hesitated for a few seconds before finally agreeing, "Alright, I'll accept it."

Sofia was overjoyed, "Thank you, Ms. Carter!"

After sending Sofia away, Victoria got into the car.

Samuel hadn't spoken since getting in.

Victoria had never seen him so serious before. She pursed her lips and tentatively called out, "Samuel?"

Samuel turned his head, his gaze falling on her slightly pale face.

After a moment, he spoke slowly, "Victoria, you told me before that you couldn't come to paint because your arm was injured by that girl, right?"

Victoria was stunned for a few seconds before quickly coming to her senses.

She nodded, "Yes."

"I should have guessed." He murmured, a hint of helplessness in his eyes.

Even after all this time, Victoria still hadn't thought of relying on him.

She could accept William's money and help, but she wouldn't owe him anything.

She said she didn't want to trouble him, but in reality, she was just keeping her distance.

Even someone as confident as Samuel felt a sense of defeat at this moment.

"Victoria, I actually mind a little." He looked out the window, his tone serious, "In the future, learn to rely on me, okay?"

Victoria's body trembled, and she turned to look at him.

His handsome and refined face was full of gentleness and care.

He asked her to learn to rely on me in the future.

A faint smile appeared on her lips, but her eyes glistened with tears, "Okay."

Samuel smiled, "Good girl."

As he spoke, he patted her head, "I know what you're worried about. Don't be afraid. With me here, no one can bully you."

Victoria's nose tingled, and she softly called out, "Samuel."

Her voice was hoarse and indistinct, as if filled with a thick nasal tone.

Samuel just patted her back and didn't say anything more.

The car fell silent, with only the sound of the engine running.

The car stopped at an estate.

This was the largest garden-themed restaurant in Silvermist City, called 'Aroma Garden Eatery.'

Victoria sat nervously across from Samuel's parents, feeling anxious.

She couldn't help but wonder what they would think of her.

"Dad, Mom, this is Victoria," Samuel introduced.

Victoria quickly stood up and respectfully said, "Mr. Brown, Mrs. Brown, nice to meet you."

Samuel's mother, Primrose Brown, looked Victoria up and down, nodding in satisfaction.

Other families already had grandchildren, but Samuel, almost thirty, showed no signs of getting married or even having a girlfriend.

Talking to him was useless; he had been independent since childhood and wouldn't let anyone interfere.

Although Victoria's family background and education weren't impressive, she was beautiful and young. They could teach and nurture her slowly.

If they missed this opportunity, they might never find someone Samuel liked, and he would end up alone.

Thinking this, Primrose's face was full of smiles, "Sit here, let's not be formal."

Primrose warmly invited Victoria to sit and asked the waiter to bring the menu.

"Victoria, order whatever you like. Don't be shy."

Victoria felt a bit uneasy and quickly declined, "Mrs. Brown, you're too kind."

Seeing Victoria's discomfort, Samuel took the menu and ordered some of their favorite dishes.

The atmosphere at the table became lively.

Victoria was a bit overwhelmed. She hadn't expected Primrose to be so easygoing and to like her so much.

During the meal, Primrose kept serving her food, and Samuel's father, Elmer Brown, though not very talkative, was also very kind.

They treated her as if she were already their daughter-in-law.

They even discussed whether to live in Prosperity City or Silvermist City in the future.

This made Victoria very uncomfortable.

She explained that she and Samuel were not yet in a relationship, "Mr. Brown, Mrs. Brown, actually, Samuel and I..."