Chapter 462

No.1

"Set up? Our investigation found no evidence of drugging. Why persist with these lies?"

"No one drugged me... I drugged myself."

Theodore's frown deepened at her unexpected confession.

What did she just say?

She drugged herself?

Victoria met his gaze with a bitter smile.

"You have no idea the torment I've endured."

"Since Isabella returned, she systematically destroyed my modeling career."

"She ruined my public image."

"Yes, I deserved some of it. But I had no other choice!"

No.2

"I truly loved Alexander. Because of that love, I made terrible decisions."

Her voice cracked with manufactured emotion.

"Grandfather, do you realize how incredible Isabella became after Africa?"

"Alexander's heart changed. He promised to love me forever, yet he abandoned me for her!"

"We both made mistakes at their wedding, but only I faced consequences."

"He faced no backlash. He just pursued Isabella harder!"

"He told me never to contact him again."

"He demanded I help him win Isabella back!"

"Do you know how much that hurt?"

"Five years of love... utterly wasted!"

No.3

Victoria clutched her chest as if stabbed.

Her tears fell like a summer storm.

Theodore maintained his stern composure.

"None of that excuses sleeping with Harrison! Without that scandal, you'd be married to Alexander now!"

"And why did he fall for Isabella? Because of your own actions!"

Victoria seethed internally.

Her own actions?

Isabella forced her into every one!

If Isabella hadn't schemed against her from the start...

If she hadn't been pushed to the brink...

No.4

Would any of this have happened?

She swallowed her rage.

Now was not the time for honesty.

She needed to play the victim a while longer.

She forced her voice back into a pitiful whimper.

"I never wanted any of it! I never wanted Harrison!"

"Alexander made it happen!"

"You know I've been secluded lately."

"He refused to see me. Too busy chasing Isabella."

"I loved him too much. I couldn't live without him."

No.5

"I begged him to meet me at The Ivy. To save our relationship."

"He didn't come. He sent Harrison instead...!"

I put on my most beautiful dress and waited for him with anticipation.

My heart was pounding with nervous excitement.

But he never showed up.

Instead, his assistant arrived in his place.

Tears streamed down Victoria's face as she spoke.

Theodore Montgomery frowned deeply.

Could it be true that Victoria had drugged herself for Alexander, only to be met by his assistant?

Victoria watched Theodore from the corner of her eye.

No.6

Seeing his growing belief, she sobbed even harder.

"This wouldn't have happened if he came himself," she cried. "I never wanted any of this!"

She collapsed to her knees, her body trembling with emotion.

"I've been suffering the most through all of this!"

Victoria curled into a small ball on the cold marble floor.

Her fragile form looked heartbreakingly vulnerable.

She hugged her knees tightly as tears continued to fall.

"Now everyone in the world despises me," she whispered. "No one trusts me or likes me anymore."

She looked up with pleading eyes. "But I'm your real granddaughter. Would you really treat me like everyone else? Would you really bully me too?"

Her voice grew softer. "This is my home, my only safe place. I don't even ask to marry Alexander anymore. I just don't want you all to look down on me..."

No.7

Her words were filled with humility and pain.

Theodore's stern expression finally softened.

He let out a heavy sigh. "Go back to your room and rest. I'll make sure everyone here treats you properly."

He paused, considering his next words. "As for the shares... there's no alternative. We must wait for this scandal to pass before returning them to you."