The Abandoned Wife Dumped Him First (Victoria and Elias) novel Chapter 227

After her call with Saul, Victoria returned to her rental apartment and made some pasta.

Just as she sat down, her phone screen suddenly lit up.

A new message popped up.

E: [Congratulations.]

Seeing the message from her neighbor across the hall, Victoria paused, not understanding what he meant at first. But soon, as if sensing her confusion, he sent a screenshot of a trending topic.

The headline with her name was clearly visible.

Victoria understood immediately and couldn't help but think her neighbor was a bit behind on the news. It had been a whole week since the competition results were announced, and his congratulatory message was only just arriving.

She replied with a 'thank you' emoji, then, remembering the shoes she had just brought back, sent another message:

[The replacement shoes I promised are ready. I picked them up. I'll leave them on the shoe rack outside later, don't forget to get them.]

After sending it, Victoria thought for a moment and continued typing:

[It was quite a coincidence, we chose the same custom shoe shop. So when I showed the owner the picture of your husband's shoes, he recognized them right away. That's why they were finished so quickly. They should be almost identical to your husband's old pair.]

He replied almost instantly.

E: [Okay.]

Victoria stared at the single word, then at the two long paragraphs she had sent. She suddenly felt like she'd just killed the conversation.

For the first time, she realized that chatting with people online could be pretty difficult.

The other person seemed to realize his reply was too brief and sent another one.

E: [Yes, very.]

Victoria was speechless.

She gave up and placed her phone face down on the table, focusing on her pasta.

Meanwhile, in the CEO's office on the seventy-seventh floor of The Shawn Group.

Hawk came in to deliver some documents and saw his boss sitting at his desk, frowning at his phone screen.

"Mr. Shawn, here's the quarterly financial report from the overseas branch," he said, placing the folder on the desk.

"Mm," Elias responded coolly, without looking up.

Hawk was curious. He subtly glanced over and caught a glimpse of a cartoon cat avatar.

!!

Mr. Shawn was chatting with a woman?!

Which woman? Had he finally moved on from Miss Sanger?

All sorts of possibilities flashed through Hawk's mind. Suddenly, Elias's voice cut in unexpectedly: "Hawk, why isn't she messaging back?"

Hawk snapped back to attention, stunned. "Mr. Shawn, what?"

The next day, in the afternoon.

A Maybach drove into Shawn Mansion.

As soon as Elias got out of the car, the butler who usually attended to Laurel came forward and greeted him respectfully, "Mr. Elias."

Elias's brows furrowed. "How's Mother?"

An hour ago, after finishing a meeting, he had been on his way back to Willow Creek Estates to pick up the leather shoes Victoria had custom-made for him. Halfway there, the butler had called to say Laurel had felt unwell all morning and had fainted.

He had no choice but to turn back.

The butler's eyes shifted, and he stammered, "The... the doctor just left. He said Lady Laurel is just ill from emotional distress. As long as she gets plenty of rest and tries to relax, she'll be fine."

Then, the butler quickly changed the subject. "Mr. Elias, Lady Laurel is waiting for you inside."

Elias's expression hardened as he strode forward.

As soon as he entered, he heard Laurel's smiling voice from within: "Gen, you little sweet-talker, you're just flattering me."

Genevieve's voice was as gentle as water as she said charmingly, "How could I be flattering you? I wouldn't dare lie in front of you. This necklace truly suits you!"

Laurel beamed, completely won over. She put the necklace away and patted Genevieve's hand. "Alright, I'll accept it then. You're so thoughtful, not like that brat Elias. He's never given me a single gift his whole life."

"Laurel, don't say that. Elias cares about you very much. He's just busy with work..."

As she spoke, Genevieve turned her head and saw Elias. Her eyes lit up, and she stood to walk over to him. "Elias, you're here!"