Chapter 34: Divorce date pushed back
“Uh-huh.” Victoria responded casually. Her attitude was a little cold as she wasn’t used to talking about these topics.
A glint of joy crossed Linda’s eyes; it was good that she didn’t like him.
The car stopped in the yard in front of the house, and Victoria wanted to leave as soon as she dropped Linda off.
But coincidentally Daniel was watering the flowers on the patio, accompanied by Gavin.
Victoria frowned as Linda had gotten out of the car and ran over to them “Dad! Gavin!”
Daniel was explaining things about the company to Gavin when he saw Victoria’s car and stopped watering the flowers.
Victoria could only get out of the car to say hello now, “Dad!”
Daniel handed the watering pot in his hand to the maid and sighed softly, “It’s good you are back. Go in, your aunt has made some great food tonight, and I also have something to tell you.”
Victoria had a meeting with Nick, and there wasn’t much time left now.
“Dad, I have to leave for now. Let’s talk later.”
“It’s about the company.” With a serious look on his face, Daniel raised his hand and patted Gavin on the back with some relief.
Hearing that Victoria had a bad feeling, and then she heard Daniel continue, “Gavin never had a serious career all these years. Your aunt asked me to let him go to the company for an internship. And I’ve read the reports he did, and he’s really been focused with his work lately, so what do you think?”
Victoria didn’t say anything. Her eyes were calm with a hint of knowing.
That was quite a plan Cynthia had! Getting her son into the company, and possibly passing everything the Blackwells had down to him in the future.
“Tori, it’s not easy for everyone to get together for once. Let’s go inside and talk. Dad was just mentioning you.” Gavin said.
She looked expressionlessly at Gavin, whose face was full of smiles, and was talking with her in an older brotherly tone.
His eyes were locked on Victoria from the moment she entered, and there was a dark color in his eyes.
Linda and him were standing on either side of Daniel’s side, and every now and then he made a few jokes with Daniel.
She was standing only a meter away from them, but it was as if there was an invisible wall between them.Material © of NôvelDrama.Org.
She was like an outsider who had burst into the place and felt out of place.
Victoria paused, somewhat unspeakably lost, “Dad, I really have things to do.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, the smile on Daniel’s face gradually sank, “Tori, I’ve seen how Linda has treated you as her sister all these years all along. Today is her birthday, and she was discharged early so she could celebrate it at home. Do you have to leave at this time?”
It was a serious statement.
Linda hastily took Victoria’s hand, “Tori, go in first.”
When she finished, she turned to Daniel, “Dad, don’t be mad either. Tori just can’t express herself.”
Victoria slowly pulled out of Linda’s hand and truthfully said, “I have an appointment with Nick to talk about the divorce at twelve sharp.”
Her tone was light, but the moment she lifted her eyes she saw Daniel raise his palms, furious with anger.
“You!”
But the slap didn’t land after all. His face turned blue, as he suddenly gasped heavily for a few breaths. He covered his chest, and fell back.
Linda and Gavin rushed to hold him up, “Dad!”
Cynthia was inside the house, but when she heard the commotion she came out to see the scene, and got so frightened that she started yelling for someone to call the family doctor.
She pushed Victoria out of the way, who was going to help Daniel. She pointed to her nose and cursed, “If you’re not happy to come back, just don’t come back at all. Your dad didn’t get a good night’s sleep these past few days because of the company, do you really want to piss him off?”
Victoria looked tense and in the midst of the chaos the family doctor rushed in.
After being pinched and having his chest pressed a few times, Daniel finally responded and waved his hand feebly.
Victoria looked at him with both her eyes red, “Dad, I…”
Before she could finish her sentence she was interrupted by Daniel who gasped twice, “Tori, your mom died early and I was the one who neglected a lot of your feelings, resulting in you not being close to me at all now.”
He continued saying, “You want a divorce, I’ll agree, but can we at least wait until the company’s second round of financing? I am begging you.”
Victoria lowered her eyes and finally nodded in compromise.
Cynthia saw how reluctant she was and gave a cold snort in dismay, “You don’t even think about who Nick is! Don’t know how many lifetimes you have been lucky enough to be on the same registry with him.”
She felt like her heart had been squeezed so tightly by a hand that it was hard to breathe.
Victoria didn’t want to stay there and spoil their fun.
She whispered, “Dad, get some rest, I’ll see you later.”
“You’re still going to divorce Nick?”
“I’ll talk to him about pushing back the divorce date.”
Daniel sighed in relief at this, like he was exhausted, and didn’t say another word.
Victoria walked outside the courtyard and looked at the time, it was ten minutes past twelve.
Was Nick still at Andrews Villa?
Would he agree to push back the divorce date?