The Abandoned Wife Dumped Him First (Victoria and Elias) novel Chapter 55

Suddenly, the air crackled with tension. Despite the bright sunshine, the temperature seemed to plummet.

The two men stared each other down, neither willing to back off.

It wasn't until a car horn blared from behind that Victoria broke the stalemate, suppressing the turmoil inside her. "Let's go. I don't want to keep my brother waiting."

Without waiting for Elias's reply, she slipped out of his embrace and walked toward the Maybach.

...

Over lunch at the Sanger house, no one had much of an appetite.

It should have been a pleasant reunion of old friends, but Elias's presence, his face a thundercloud of unpredictable anger, cast a heavy, oppressive pall over the meal.

After lunch, Tobias received a call from the hospital about a patient whose condition had worsened. He had to rush back.

"Your patient is more important. I'll see you in a few days," Grady said.

Tobias nodded, then his gaze shifted to Victoria, who was quietly pushing the rice around in her half-eaten bowl. It reminded him of when she was a child, always playing with her food instead of eating.

"Victoria, walk me out?" he asked gently.

"Of course," Victoria agreed without hesitation.

The moment the words left her mouth, she felt a piercingly cold glare on her.

She knew exactly who it was from.

But she didn't let it stop her. She walked to Tobias's side, a slight curve to her lips. "Let's go, Tobias."

Tobias nodded, casting a seemingly casual glance at Elias before walking out with Victoria.

The second they left the dining room, a sharp, grating sound echoed from the table.

.Elias’s grip was so fierce that his fork screeched violently across the plate, leaving deep, jagged scratches. His face was a mask of dark fury, as if he wanted to snap Victoria’s neck.

In the courtyard.

"Achoo!"

A cool breeze swept by, and Victoria let out a sudden sneeze.

Suddenly, a weight settled on her shoulders.

"It's almost fall. Even if it feels warm, you should always carry a light jacket to avoid catching a chill," Tobias said, draping his coat over her and pulling it snug. "Got it?"

A warmth spread through Victoria's chest. She smiled faintly. "Got it."

"Victoria..."

Inside the study.

Elias stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, his eyes dark as he watched Tobias hug Victoria in the courtyard below.

After a long moment, he turned, his gaze cold as it landed on Grady. "On what grounds, Mr. Sanger, are you asking for my help?"

Though Grady was a year older than Elias and just as accustomed to the treacherous world of business, he found himself intimidated by Elias's formidable presence.

Grady was prepared. He took a contract out of a drawer. "I know you resent the Sanger family. If you are willing to help, Mr. Shawn, I will give you ten percent of my shares in the Sanger Group as compensation."

The Sanger family held only fifty-one percent of the Sanger Group's shares.

Giving up ten percent was tantamount to handing over absolute control of the family business.

"A generous offer, Mr. Sanger." Elias's lips curved into a humorless smile. He walked up to Grady, his voice cruel and cold. "Unfortunately, compared to watching the Sanger family pay the price for its greed, your ten percent holds no appeal for me. In fact, I'd be more than happy to apply a little more pressure."

Grady froze. "You—"

"So, Mr. Sanger, the best you can do right now is pray that he lives a little longer."

With that, Elias opened the door.

Outside, holding two cups of coffee, stood Victoria. Their eyes met.