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Marry Ex's Billionaire Uncle After Divorce (Aurora and Jasper) novel Chapter 42

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Chapter 30: Victoria’s Warning

(Author’s POV)

Victoria ascended the grand staircase, her heels clicking softly against the polished wood. She paused at the doorway of the master bedroom. Inside, Jasper was frantically tearing through the nightstand drawers, tossing items onto the bed.

Looking for something?Victoria asked, her voice cool and composed.

Jasper froze. He shoved a drawer shut, trying to mask his panic.

Mother,he said, straightening his tie. “I didn’t know you were still up.

Victoria glided into the room and sat gracefully on the velvet ottoman at the foot of the bed.

She smoothed her skirt.

It’s just us tonight,she said. We should speak plainly. Why hasn’t Aurora returned?

She watched him closely. In truth, she knew exactly what he was looking for. She had found the signed divorce papers in that very drawer days ago. She had taken them and locked them in her personal safe. As far as she was concerned, if the papers weren’t filed, the divorce wasn’t happening. She needed to buy time.

Jasper ran a hand through his hair, frowning. She’s justunstable. The pregnancy has made her irrational. She’s staying with a friend to cool off. She’ll be back.

Victoria nodded slowly, feigning acceptance.

I see,she said. Then, her expression hardened. If that is the case, you need to be careful. I saw the photos from the hospital.”

Jasper stiffened.

You and your brother’s widow need to maintain absolute boundaries,Victoria said, her voice dropping to a stern warning. The board is watching us. The stock price cannot withstand a scandal right now. If the tabloids paint you as a pervert lusting after his sisterinlaw, we are finished.

She stood up, walking closer to him. We hold the CEO position, but Phineas and his faction are circling like sharks. We are walking on thin ice, Jasper.

Jasper looked away, his jaw clenching.

I understand,” he said finally. I was just comforting her. She lost her husband so young.

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<Chapter 30: Victoria’s Warning

Keep your comfort professional,Victoria snapped.

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Jasper nodded, submitting to her authority. But deep inside, a dark ambition flared. It wasn’t just about comfort. If he secured absolute control of the family, he would finally eclipse Adam. He would prove he was better than the perfectbrother everyone mourned. He would have everything he wanted, on his own terms.

The next morning, Victoria arrived at the private hospital. She carried a limitededition antique porcelain doll and a box of macarons from Rosalind’s favorite French patisserie.

She glanced at the tray of hospital food on the side table and wrinkled her nose.

Take this away,she ordered her assistant. Call the chef at Le Coucou. Have them prepare a proper lunch for my granddaughter.

Victoria sat by the bed and took Rosalind’s small hand. She frowned. There was a nasty, dark

bruise on the back of the child’s hand.

What is this?Victoria demanded.

Sienna, who was sitting by the window, looked up nervously. Oh, the nurse was terrible. She

couldn’t find the vein. I told her to be careful.

Victoria’s eyes flashed. She immediately rang the call button. When the head nurse arrived, Victoria opened her mouth to berate her, but a young nurse stepped forward first. She held a

tablet.

Mrs. Everett,the nurse said calmly, cutting through the tension. She tapped the screen and

turned it toward Victoria. “These are the logs and the room surveillance summary.

Victoria looked at the screen.

The bruise is from IV infiltration,the nurse explained, her voice devoid of emotion. The

patient attempted to get out of bed to use the restroom unassisted. The needle dislodged. According to the timestamp, Ms. Sienna was by the window taking selfies for twenty minutes. She didn’t notice the child moving until the blood was already on the sheets.

The room went silent.

Sienna’s face drained of color. II was checking my messages

Evidence doesn’t lie,the nurse said, tucking the tablet under her arm.

Victoria turned slowly to Sienna. Her gaze was withering. It wasn’t the nurse’s attitude that angered her; it was Sienna’s incompetence.

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<Chapter 30: Victoria’s Warning

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You were taking pictures of yourself while my granddaughter was bleeding?Victoria asked.

Sienna stammered, looking for an excuse.

Grandma!Rosalind cried out, her voice trembling. Don’t be mad at Mama!

The word hung in the air like a curse.

Victoria froze. She looked at Rosalind, then at Sienna. Her eyes turned to ice.

What did you say?Victoria whispered.

Sienna stepped forward, panic in her eyes. “It’s just a game, Victoria. We were playing

house

Rosalind,Victoria said, her voice sharp and authoritative. “That woman is your Aunt. Not your mother. In the Everett family, we do not tolerate such confusion.

She stood up and pointed to the door.

You can leave, Sienna,Victoria said coldly. I will stay with Rosalind until she is discharged.

You are not needed here.

Sienna bit her lip, humiliated, but she grabbed her purse and fled the room.

Sienna didn’t see Rosalind for the rest of the week. Victoria had effectively banned her. Desperate, she went to the Aether Life Sciences headquarters to find Jasper.

She burst into the CEO’s office, tears already welling up.

Jasper, your mother is treating me like a criminal,” she sobbed. She won’t let me see

Rosalind.

Jasper was staring at a quarterly financial report. He didn’t rush to hold her. He didn’t offer a handkerchief. He just rubbed his temples, looking exhausted.

Sienna,” he said, not looking up. In this office, we only discuss business.

Sienna stopped crying. She stared at him, stunned. What?

We are preparing for the Series B financing round,” Jasper said, his voice flat. The board is scrutinizing everything. Any negative press about my private life will tank the stock. We cannot give them ammunition right now.

Ammunition?Sienna’s voice trembled. Is that what I am? You said you loved me. You said you loved me more than Adam ever did.

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