The Abandoned Wife Dumped Him First (Victoria and Elias) novel Chapter 136

As his anger flared, Old Mr. Shawn's chest rose and fell sharply.

Victoria quickly poured a glass of warm water and brought it to him. "Grandpa, please calm down first."

Old Mr. Shawn took the glass, drank a couple of sips to soothe himself, and then looked at Victoria. His brows furrowed in renewed displeasure as he scolded, "Look at this! Just look! Such a good, considerate child! I don't know what more she could possibly be dissatisfied with. As a mother, she's not only irresponsible but also sharp-tongued and completely intolerant!"

Victoria listened quietly without interrupting. She was no saint. Laurel had genuinely hurt her, and she disliked the woman, so she wasn't about to offer any kind words on her behalf.

After a short while, Old Mr. Shawn stopped. He was getting on in years, and speaking so much at once had tired him out.

"Victoria, the main reason I asked you to come here was to reassure you. That divorce agreement doesn't count. I'll have someone withdraw your divorce application tomorrow," Old Mr. Shawn said, patting Victoria's hand.

Withdraw the divorce application…?

Victoria froze, completely taken aback. She had never expected Old Mr. Shawn to do this. She pursed her lips. "Grandpa, I signed that agreement willingly."

"Victoria, didn't we agree to wait a year—"

Victoria pulled her hand back and lowered her head in self-reproach. "I'm sorry. I'm the one who broke our promise."

Old Mr. Shawn's brow tightened. He stood up and looked down at Victoria, as if searching her face for something, but after a long moment, all he saw was earnestness in her eyes.

It was clear she wasn't lying.

Old Mr. Shawn clutched his chest, finding it hard to accept.

When they had made that one-year pact, he had considered the possibility that they might end things early, but he had always assumed Elias would be the one to initiate it.

"…Why? Victoria, don't you love Elias very much?"

Victoria's hands clenched, her nails digging deep into her palms. She remained silent for a while before finally meeting Old Mr. Shawn's gaze and replying softly,

"Grandpa Shawn, we all have to move forward. I used to be naive, thinking that if I just waited in the same place, Elias would eventually turn around. But recently, I've come to realize that no one can wait in the same place forever. Others can't, and… neither can I."

Old Mr. Shawn looked at her for a long time, then sighed.

"Grandpa…" Perhaps it was her imagination, but Victoria felt that after she said those words, the once-vibrant Old Mr. Shawn seemed to age years in an instant, the hair at his temples looking even whiter.

"I understand what you mean, Victoria. You don't need to say any more," Old Mr. Shawn said, slowly sitting back down.

The family had waited outside for hours, only to be ushered out less than thirty seconds after being allowed in.

Chuck watched the last person leave and returned to the room. He looked at Old Mr. Shawn, who was sitting silently on the sofa, then glanced at the closed bathroom door.

"Did you hear everything clearly?" Old Mr. Shawn asked suddenly, his cane thumping heavily on the floor.

The moment he spoke, the bathroom door opened from the inside.

A tall, imposing man strode out.

"Mr. Elias," Chuck said.

Elias's brows were knitted together, a heavy frost seeming to settle between them. "Grandpa, there are matters at the company that need my attention. Since you're fine, I'll be leaving now."

Old Mr. Shawn sneered. "Oh? In such a hurry? Before Victoria came in, weren't you so confident she'd agree to withdraw the divorce application without a second thought?"

"Even if she withdraws it, I will still divorce her. The fact that she isn't playing games suits me just fine," Elias said, his Adam's apple bobbing as his voice deepened.

Old Mr. Shawn's brows shot up in anger, and he raised his cane, pointing it at him. "Fine! 'Suits you just fine,' is it? We'll see if you regret it after the divorce!"