The Abandoned Wife Dumped Him First (Victoria and Elias) novel Chapter 134

Grady didn't suspect anything and, after asking about how she was doing, ended the call.

Victoria stood by the dining table, taking a moment to fully process the good news about Tammie's partnership.

With this deal, The Sanger Group finally had a real shot at getting back on its feet. It also meant that once her father was released, her family's life could return to the peace they had known two years ago.

A small smile graced Victoria's lips as she opened the takeout containers, ready to heat up the food.

Just as she stepped into the kitchen, her phone rang again.

It was Chuck.

Victoria paused. It dawned on her that Old Mr. Shawn had been abroad for his health treatment for two months. It was about time for him to return.

"Chuck, is Grandpa back…"

She answered, but before she could finish her sentence, Chuck's grave voice came through the phone.

"Young Madam, the Old Master has been hospitalized."

***

At the hospital's inpatient department.

A chime sounded.

The elevator stopped at the VIP floor. Before the doors had fully opened, Victoria rushed out, heading straight for Old Mr. Shawn's room.

Even from a distance, she could see a crowd of people waiting outside the room. Laurel was among them, her expression a mixture of anxiety and worry.

Lorna, the wife of Decker Shawn (Old Mr. Shawn's second son), stood beside Laurel, comforting her softly. "Laurel, please try to relax. Father has always been strong. He'll surely be fine."

Laurel's thoughts were in turmoil. When she looked up and saw Victoria coming, her face changed at once. "What are you doing here? Get out! I don't want to see you!"

Victoria had anticipated a confrontation with Laurel before she arrived.

So, in the face of Laurel's outburst, she remained calm, her gaze sweeping over everyone present before finally settling on Laurel.

"I'm here to see Grandpa, not you."

"Victoria, you and Elias are divorced! You're not a Shawn anymore. What right do you have to see him?" Laurel said furiously, pointing behind Victoria. "I'll say it one last time, you're not welcome here. Get out! Or I won't be gentle about it!"

Victoria remained unmoved. "I'm not leaving until I know Grandpa Shawn is out of danger."

The bodyguards who were about to grab Victoria immediately froze and respectfully cleared a path for him.

"Young Madam, my apologies for this. The Old Master hasn't woken up yet. Please, come inside and wait with me," Chuck said, stopping in front of Victoria. The sternness in his eyes softened considerably.

Victoria nodded and followed him toward the room.

The rest of the Shawn family had been waiting at the door ever since the Old Master was admitted. No matter what they said, Chuck had stood guard, insisting that the Old Master was still unconscious and refusing entry to anyone.

Yet, the moment Victoria arrived, without doing anything, Chuck came out to protect her and even invited her inside to see him!

Chuck was the person Old Mr. Shawn trusted most; when he spoke, everyone took it as the Old Master's own will. The others, though displeased, didn't dare to say anything.

Laurel, however, grew even more furious. She stepped directly in front of Chuck, questioning him with clear displeasure.

"Chuck, Victoria is no longer the young madam of the Shawn family! It's one thing for you to keep us out, but what do you mean by letting an outsider in while the Old Master is unconscious? If she goes in there and does something, and his condition worsens, can you bear that responsibility?"

Chuck looked at Laurel impassively. As a man who had been by Old Mr. Shawn's side through thick and thin, even in retirement, a single glance from him carried immense weight.

Laurel felt a flicker of panic under his gaze. Her eyes darted away, and her voice lost some of its earlier confidence.

"I… I was just thinking of the Old Master's safety!"