Family on Their Knees Heart Turned to Ice novel Chapter 126

Early the next morning, Bella was already waiting downstairs from Lillian's company. This time, her persistence paid off, and she spotted Victor.

At seven-thirty in the morning, Victor emerged from the building with messy hair, heading out to buy breakfast.

It was clear he had pulled an all-nighter, probably catching a few hours of sleep at the office. He hadn't gone home last night and was now just getting something to eat.

As someone who also worked long hours, Bella recognized the signs.

However, upon seeing him, Bella didn't approach.

She followed him for a bit, watched him finish his breakfast, and then saw him head back up to the office. She turned her car around and drove back to the Blake Group.

After work, she returned to her stakeout.

Since she arrived early, she once again witnessed Lillian clocking out right on time.

Bella couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.

She was a recognized talent in the industry, yet she often worked late into the night.

Lillian, on the other hand, a boss, was living such a carefree life. It was enough to make anyone burn with jealousy.

Just like the day before, Bella waited late into the night but never saw Victor leave. So, the next morning, she was back again.

And once again, she saw Victor coming out of the company to buy breakfast.

After a week of this, Bella began to suspect that Victor was actually living at the office.

For such a top-tier talent, hadn't Lillian's company provided him with a car or an apartment to sort out his accommodation?

The man had been at the office non-stop since he started. Bella felt something was off about this.

This was exploitation, pure and simple!

It wasn't just Bella; many companies had been trying to get close to Victor these past few days.

Naturally, others had noticed this pattern as well.

Bella hadn't approached Victor yet, but people from other companies had already tried to make contact with him.

They would corner him during his brief breakfast run.

So far...

Victor slammed a handful of business cards onto Lillian's desk.

“Look at this, just look! There are so many companies with nothing better to do than stalk me.

“I can't even go downstairs for breakfast without being ambushed.

“Ms. Mercer, shouldn't you consider assigning me a couple of bodyguards?

“Those guys who follow you around seem pretty capable. Why don't you lend me two of them?”

Lillian picked up the business cards, glanced through them, and then tossed them unceremoniously into the trash.

“Alright, I've duly noted your unwavering loyalty. Now get back to work. We have a lot to do today.”

“Wait... that's it? Just one sentence?” Victor protested.

“I'll get you a personal assistant to handle your food, lodging, and other necessities when you're working late,” Lillian said. “Victor, you're starting to smell. Maybe you should go home, take a shower, and change your clothes.”

Lillian looked at Victor, who was still wearing the same clothes from a week ago, and seriously wondered if he had showered or changed at all.

Victor jumped to his feet. “How could you think that of me? I'm a handsome man! How could I not shower or change?

“I use the bathroom in your office to shower every night after working late.

How could someone not be able to tell the difference between toilet cleaner and body wash?

She never planned to work overtime, so of course, she wouldn't keep things like body wash in her office bathroom.

Just as Lillian finished discussing Victor's overtime, the topic was already buzzing outside.

Back at her office, Bella looked at Sebastian. “I think this is our opening. We might be able to use this. Lillian is clearly exploiting him. He's probably already fed up.”

“Keep watching tonight and tomorrow morning,” Sebastian said. “I’ll go with you.”

Bella's face lit up. “If you go in person, our chances of success will be much higher.”

Sebastian felt a renewed sense of confidence.

That evening, at closing time, Lillian grabbed Victor and strictly forbade him from working overtime.

For the first time in a while, Victor saw the evening sunset as he left work.

“I never noticed how beautiful the sky is at this time,” he mused.

“Have you ever left work on time before?” Lillian retorted. “You're in here grinding yourself to death every day. Give the others a chance, will you?

“You're a legend. If you work this hard, what are the others supposed to think? How are they supposed to live?”

They chatted for a bit on their way out and then went their separate ways.

Lillian drove off in her supercar, while Victor hailed a cab back to his hotel.

Sebastian and Bella followed Victor's taxi all the way to the hotel, then went straight up and knocked on his door.

Victor's first priority upon returning to the hotel was a shower. When he opened the door, he was wrapped in a towel, with another one on his head, staring at the man and woman at his doorstep.

His first words were a firm rejection: “I didn't order this kind of service!”