The Abandoned Wife Dumped Him First (Victoria and Elias) novel Chapter 2

Shawn Manor was a sprawling, hundred-year-old estate built into the mountainside, its architecture and manicured gardens reminiscent of a classical European villa.

Elias was summoned to the study by his grandfather the moment he arrived, leaving Victoria to wait alone in the living room.

"Well, well, look who decided to show up just in time for dinner? My dear sister-in-law. You certainly know how to make an entrance."

The woman's voice dripped with sarcasm. Victoria looked up to see Candice Shawn, Elias's sister, on the arm of a gracefully dressed older woman, her disdain for Victoria worn openly on her face.

"Laurel," Victoria said, addressing the woman beside Candice—her mother-in-law, Elias's birth mother.

"Where's Elias?" Laurel asked, her gaze flicking past Victoria dismissively.

"He was called away by Chuck as soon as we arrived."

Chuck was Old Mr. Shawn's longtime assistant.

At the mention of his name, Laurel's expression softened slightly, but not enough to spare Victoria a lecture. "You knew it was the family dinner, yet you still arrived this late. I don't know what the Sangers taught you, but you have no manners. No wonder Elias can't stand you."

"Exactly. Only someone as exceptional as Genevieve could ever catch my brother's eye. You didn't know Genevieve was back, did you, Aunt Laurel? Look, Elias even went to pick her up from the airport. Don't they look perfect together?"

Candice's words were daggers, each one plunging deep into Victoria's heart.

The whole world knew Genevieve was the one Elias loved. Only she had spent all these years living like a fool.

"What are you still standing there for? Come and serve us," Laurel snapped, glaring at Victoria before leading Candice toward the dining room.

Victoria followed numbly.

She was used to it. In the Shawn family, everyone except the old patriarch treated her like a servant, a maid—anything but Elias's wife.

The others had not yet arrived at the dining room.

Laurel and Candice took their seats, and Victoria stood behind them.

Laurel admired a photo on her phone, her eyes filled with satisfaction. "It's been two years. Gen has grown even more beautiful."

"I know, right? Elias and Genevieve were such a perfect couple. It's a shame some shameless person had to force her way in, breaking Genevieve's heart and driving her abroad for two years."

He frowned. "Come here. Sit next to Elias."

Victoria's lips tightened.

That chilling, oppressive gaze fell upon her again, threatening to freeze the very blood in her veins.

"Grandfather, there's no need to trouble yourself. I'm... fine here."

"Nonsense. You're Elias's wife. A husband and wife should sit together," Old Mr. Shawn declared. "If you won't come over here, then Elias can go over there."

The relaxed atmosphere in the room instantly turned tense and heavy.

Elias was the head of the Shawn family. People accommodated him, not the other way around. For him to move would be a public humiliation.

Victoria pressed her lips together, knowing Old Mr. Shawn was a man who never went back on his word.

"Grandfather, it's alright. I'll move." she said.