The Abandoned Wife Dumped Him First (Victoria and Elias) novel Chapter 180

After finishing, Rose added with false sincerity, "Director Vale, I'm not saying this to target Victoria. I just thought you had a right to know since it concerns you."

"I understand." Genevieve suppressed her anger and forced a smile. "Thank you, Rose."

Rose shook her head. "Well… I'll be going then, Director Vale."

With that, Rose made a show of turning to leave, but her steps were deliberately slow. She was clearly waiting for something.

"Rose," Genevieve called out.

Rose's eyes lit up, and she immediately turned back. "Yes, Director Vale? Is there anything else?"

Genevieve took a jewelry box from her drawer and pressed it into Rose's hand. "This is a pendant a friend brought me from Switzerland recently. It's a niche brand, nothing too expensive. Just a little something to thank you for telling me this. If you need my help with anything in the future, don't hesitate to ask."

Rose opened the box, and a brilliant, delicate pendant came into view.

Her eyes widened in surprise, unable to hide her delight. "Director Vale, thank you! Thank you so much!"

Then, composing herself, she said to Genevieve with a serious expression, "Don't worry, Director Vale. My best friend is Director Donald's assistant. If I hear anything else, I'll let you know immediately."

Genevieve patted her on the shoulder and smiled without a word.

Rose left, clutching the jewelry box like a treasure. Genevieve watched until she was completely gone before her smile vanished, her face instantly turning dark.

"VICTORIA SANGER!"

Through the glass, she glared daggers at Victoria's empty workstation, grinding her teeth.

***

Night fell.

Having been on leave for over half a month, Victoria had a lot of work to catch up on. She stayed late at the office to get some of it done before heading home.

It had been snowing for days, and the roads were covered in a blanket of white.

Victoria grabbed her scarf and, as she walked out, replied to a message from Cerys, telling her she couldn't pick her up from work tonight.

"Victoria."

Just as she stepped out of the Design Institute, a gentle voice called from ahead.

Victoria didn't even need to look up to know who it was—Genevieve. The woman was like a persistent storm cloud.

She ignored her and sent a message to the taxi driver, telling him not to drive over and to just wait for her by the traffic light.

Genevieve's eyes darkened. She glanced at the expressionless man beside her in the car, and a plan formed. She got out and walked toward Victoria, reaching out to grab her.

Victoria's eyes narrowed. She immediately shook her arm free.

"Ah…" Genevieve suddenly cried out weakly, staggering back two steps as if she'd been thrown off balance.

"No." Elias's tone was cool and distant. He glanced at her leg. "Your injury hasn't fully healed. You can't stay out in the snow for too long. Let's go, I'll take you home."

Genevieve pressed her lips together, a tight feeling in her chest.

After getting in the car, she kept glancing at Elias, her voice tinged with grievance. "Elias, I just saw how cold it was and wanted to offer Victoria a ride home…"

"Gen, until your leg is healed, Hawk will have someone drive you to and from work," Elias interrupted her in a low voice.

Genevieve's face changed. She blurted out, "What about you? Didn't you promise you would drive me?"

"Gen, did I promise you that?" he asked in return.

Genevieve's breath caught. She bit her lower lip. "It was your mother, but I thought you agreed…"

Elias turned his head. His dark eyes reflected Genevieve's crestfallen expression, but there was no pity in them. His cool features were impassive as he refused her without reservation.

"I'm going to be very busy."

He hadn't planned on coming tonight in the first place. He didn't like other people making decisions for him, not even his own mother.

Ever since they had gone their separate ways at city hall, he had buried himself in work at the group, deliberately avoiding any news about Victoria. He thought he was starting to forget her. But when he learned that Genevieve had started working at Aurelian Central and that Laurel had interfered, the image of Victoria suddenly reappeared in his mind, impossible to shake.

The desire to see her grew stronger and stronger…