The Abandoned Wife Dumped Him First (Victoria and Elias) novel Chapter 56

His dark eyes were cold and heavy, as if trying to freeze her on the spot.

"E..." Victoria's lips parted, about to speak, when Elias suddenly leaned in and gripped her chin. "Victoria, let me warn you, we are not divorced yet! Don't let me find out you're getting tangled up with other men, or else—"

His grip tightened, his voice a low, menacing threat. "I will make you regret it!"

He shoved her aside and strode away.

Victoria's body went rigid. Her knuckles turned white as she clutched the tray of coffee.

It took her a moment to compose herself before she entered the study.

"Grady."

Grady snapped out of his daze and forced a smile. "Tobias left?"

Victoria nodded. "Grady, is something wrong with the company again?"

She had overheard Elias's words at the door. Though the sound was muffled, she had caught phrases like 'Mr. Sanger,' 'pray,' and 'live.'

She couldn't help but wonder if the problems Elias had caused for the Sanger Group before were still unresolved.

"No, the company is fine," Grady quickly denied.

Victoria stared at his still-furrowed brow, the unease in her heart growing stronger. Her gaze drifted and landed on the share transfer agreement on the desk.

Her heart sank.

She reached for it.

Suddenly, a piece of paper slipped out from under the contract.

Grady's pupils contracted, and he lunged forward to grab it.

But Victoria was faster. She picked it up, and the words on the page struck her like a physical blow.

"Multiple episodes of coughing up blood and fainting, shortness of breath, suspected heart failure, possibility of myocardial infarction cannot be ruled out..."

Victoria's eyes fixed on the patient's name at the top: 'Garnett Sanger.' The color drained from her face, inch by agonizing inch.

"Victoria, this..."

"Grady, this is fake, isn't it?" Victoria's gaze was almost pleading. The hand holding the report trembled uncontrollably. Before Grady could answer, she answered for him. "It has to be fake. This must be a forged diagnosis to apply for Dad's parole, right?"

Grady's throat worked, but he remained silent for a moment before looking at her and saying quietly, "It's real."

"How is that possible... I just saw Dad last time, and he was fine..."

"The prison called. Dad started feeling unwell six months ago but never said anything. It wasn't discovered until five days ago when he coughed up blood and collapsed in the cafeteria," Grady explained. "The doctor said... Dad has a severe heart condition and needs medical parole as soon as possible. Otherwise, the prognosis is not good."

Who wanted her father dead?

A name flashed in Victoria's mind. She swayed on her feet, her voice strained as she asked, "Is Elias behind this—?"

"It's Harry Brown."

Hearing it wasn't Elias, Victoria felt a sliver of relief, which was immediately replaced by a frown. The name sounded familiar. She thought for a moment and then remembered.

Two years ago, a construction project by the Sanger Group had collapsed, injuring many. One of the victims was Harry, but his injuries were minor.

Victoria remembered him because his family had repeatedly changed their minds during compensation negotiations, becoming increasingly greedy. They started by asking for twenty thousand dollars and ended up demanding two hundred thousand.

When the Sangers refused, Harry's family incited the other victims' families to protest outside the company headquarters every day.

Victoria herself had been injured and hospitalized several times during the protests. One time, Harry had thrown a rock that split her head open. When Grady found out, he was furious and called the police. Harry was sentenced to six months in prison for multiple instances of disorderly conduct and assault.

"Harry's wife has a relative who happens to be the warden at Dad's prison," Grady said.

At that, Victoria understood everything.

"So, you were in the study asking Elias for help?"

Before Grady could answer, she asked another question. "He refused, didn't he?"