Chapter 4
As soon as Victor and I stepped through the mansion doors, Nina appeared with a wailing Tilly in her arms, looking fragile and desperate as she turned to him.
“Victor, Tilly’s been crying for you all evening. I tried everything, but she won’t-“]}
But this time, Victor didn’t take the child. Instead, he gestured for the nanny to take Tilly upstairs.[]
Nina’s face crumpled in confusion.[]
He threw his phone at her feet.[]
“Apologize.” The sudden fury in his voice left Nina speechless.[]
She glanced down at the phone, something flickering in her eyes–jealousy, maybe calculation.[]
Victor looked at me standing there with ice in my veins, and his patience snapped.[]
“Madeline is my wife. Stop sending messages that could be misinterpreted.”
Perhaps it was the first time Nina had seen Victor this harsh, because her eyes immediately filled with tears.[]
She dissolved into sobs, wounded and pitiful.[]
“I’m sorry, Miss Shaw. I didn’t mean to phrase it that way. Please forgive me.”
I looked up, meeting her gaze with pure frost.
I stepped forward and lifted her chin with one finger.
ar
“Miss Shaw? If you can’t manage to say ‘Mrs. Hollingsworth,‘ I don’t mind having someone teach you how.“[]
I leaned down, staring her down.
“Keep your little games away from me, or I’ll show you what happens to people who don’t know their place.”
When I released her, Nina’s face went chalk–white, swaying on her feet.
Victor frowned, stepping in to intervene.]
“That’s enough. As long as you understand your mistake, I’ll buy you and Tilly a place of your own. Don’t come back here or to the family estate.“]]
He positioned himself between us, subtly shielding Nina from my glare.]
Nina stared at him in disbelief.[]
Tears streaming down her face, she finally gathered Tilly and left the mansion.[]
But I never expected what happened the next evening.
Nina was on her knees in front of me, sobbing hysterically.
Victor stood beside her, his face dark as a storm cloud.
“Mrs. Hollingsworth, I was wrong! I never should have interfered with your lives, but Tilly is innocent! She’s just a child–please, I’m begging you, let her go!”
I frowned, my expression turning glacial.[]
“Watch your mouth. What gives you the right to accuse me?”
37.5%
Chapter 4
Victor stepped forward, radiating darkness I’d never
seen before.[]
“The kidnappers used a phone registered to your butler’s son.” He closed his eyes, fighting to control his rage.]
“Madeline, the child is innocent. Give her back to me, and I’ll let this slide.“]
I stared at him in disbelief. “You really think I did this?“||
Maybe my expression was too heartbroken, because Victor looked away.[]
1.“]
“The evidence points to you.‘
In that moment, I realized our five–year marriage had been nothing but a joke.[]
It took five years to understand that so
never should have entered my life.
I gathered myself and looked at him with comple
composure.
“Victor Hollingsworth, you’ve disappointed me for the last time.“]
At his confused expression, I continued, my voice flat and emotionless.
“If I wanted some one gone, I wouldn’t be stupid enough to use household staff.“]
I walked over to the trembling Nina. “You’d sacrifice your own child for this. That’s cold, even for you.“[]
I turned to look at the two of them standing together, my voice full of mockery.[]
After leaving, I called my assistant.]]
“Prepare divorce papers for Victor and me. Also,” I closed my eyes, and when I opened them, only ice remained.[]
“Pull all Shaw investments from Hollingsworth Industries. Recall overseas joint venture funding. Contact the Drakes–I want Hollingsworth stock to crash within three days.“]
I hung up. Outside the car window, the rain had stopped.
“Victor Hollingsworth, you’re about to learn what real regret feels like.“]]
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