Female Novel
Chapter 243
In that very moment, Victoria felt as if her world had come crashing down on her.
What the... He's my brother! How could he ask me to be someone's mistress? Just an hour ago, I wasdetermined to save him, even if it costs our family everything! Now I realize how much of a fool I reallyam. Even the closest of siblings can turn against you when pushed to desperation.
“Do you even realize what you're saying, Victor? I'm Victoria, your freaking sister! How could you tellme to be the mistress of a married man? Everyone would call me a shameless, home-wrecking vixen!”
Victor ruffled his hair and exclaimed impatiently, “What other choice do we have? Lionel wouldn't havecome after us for revenge if you didn't betray him back then! You're the reason I'm locked up in hereright now! Are you seriously going to just sit by and watch me get a criminal record?”
Victoria let out a wry chuckle as tears filled up her eyes.
“You're in prison because you committed a crime, Victor. You brought this upon yourself the momentyou used a few hundred million to pay off your huge gambling debt. There's not much we can do tohelp you out when they have concrete evidence against you. Had Lionel not gone easy on you, you'dactually be sentenced to life imprisonment. Do you understand?”
Victor got mad when he heard that. He glared at her and shouted through clenched teeth, “You'redefending that b*stard? You probably hooked up with him long ago, huh? I bet you two were workingtogether to get me in prison so you could have all the Saunders family's properties to yourself!”
Staring at him in disbelief, Victoria protested in a shaky voice, “You... How could you say such a thing?I've been trying so hard to get you out of prison! I was even planning on filing an appeal with the
National Intermediate Court before I came here today! How could you say that to me?”
Victor grabbed her by the wrist. “If you're going to help me, then you should use the most efficientmethod possible. The guy who instigated me to manipulate the stock market... Lionel must be holdinghim captive right now. Go be his mistress and get him to hand that guy over. I will be acquitted oncethat guy is caught.”
Having been deeply hurt by his words earlier, Victoria no longer felt any pain upon hearing that. Sheflashed Victor a wry smile and shook her head. “I won't degrade myself like that, Victor,” she replied. “Ipromise to use all of our family's resources to get you out of here, but I won't go to Lionel, so youshould just drop that idea.”
She then got up and ran out of the visiting room, ignoring Victor's screams as she made her way intothe corridor outside.
It was not until she had gotten far enough from the visiting room that she leaned against the wall andslumped weakly to the floor.
So much for him being my brother. He'd sacrifice me without the slightest bit of guilt or remorse. Now Isee why Father wanted me to visit him in prison. Perhaps prison really is the best place for him to be.Hopefully, he'll turn over a new leaf during his time here.
On the flip side, in Luther Group's headquarters, Bailey had just heard about Victor's three-year prisonsentence from Artemis.
She tried giving Victoria a call about it, but there was no answer.
Artemis walked up to her and took her phone away, saying, “Victoria probably left her phone at homewhen she went to visit her brother in prison. Maybe you can try calling her again later. Don't worry;undergoing hardships like this will help her grow and mature in life.”
“But this is too heavy of a price to pay!”
Staring at her, Artemis asked, “You paid a heavy price too, didn't you?”
Bailey fell silent upon hearing that.
“You mustn't interfere with her personal growth because that's exactly what she needs. Life is bound tobe full of problems, so don't worry too much about it,” Artemis added.
Bailey propped her chin up with her palm. Smiling, she remarked, “Fair enough. I'll just let her sort it outherself, then.”
Their conversation was interrupted by a sudden knock on the door. The secretary then came inmoments later. “Mr. Luther, Ms. Shurmer is here to see you,” she reported. “She's currently waiting inthe lobby on the first floor. The front desk is asking if you're free to see her.”
Bailey turned around and started walking toward the door.
Seeing that, Artemis grabbed her by the arm. “Where are you going?” he questioned.
Bailey rolled her eyes at him and pointed at the office in front of his. “I'm going to sort out somedocuments. Don't worry; I can't be bothered to pick a fight with a stranger. You do what you have to
do.”
Moments later, Zoey stepped into the CEO's office with her high heels clacking loudly across the floor.
“Did you need something?” Artemis asked with an eyebrow arched while twirling a pen between hisfingers.
Walking up to his desk, Zoey leaned forward and uttered, “Have you forgotten about the specialoccasion that's coming up soon?”
Artemis froze and glanced at the calendar on his desk.
Huh, I circled twenty-second with my pen... That's... Oh, shoot! I've been so busy lately that I forgot herbirthday is the day after tomorrow! This will be the first time I'm celebrating her birthday with her, so Ican't afford to miss it!
Zoey shifted her gaze toward the calendar as well.
Upon seeing the twenty-second date circled, she broke into a huge smile.
I knew he'd remember my birthday! I must hold a very important place in his heart! novelbin
“Thanks for remembering my birthday, Artemis!”
Artemis fell silent.
Um... No, I actually don't... That's Bailey's birthday. Well, now that I think about it, the two of them wereborn on the exact same day.
With that in mind, he said, “Heh, don't mention it. I'll buy you a present, so just let me know what youwant.”
Zoey smiled even brighter at that. “Apart from buying me a present, I want you to treat me to a meal!”
“Why would I treat you to a meal on your birthday?”
Zoey let out a mischievous snicker. “I don't mind treating you to a meal instead. I'm not sure if your egowill allow it, though!”
“It won't, so let's forget about the meal and settle for a present instead,” Artemis replied with a seriousexpression.
The smile on Zoey's face was frozen in place when she heard that. “Do you have any other plans onthe twenty-second? Having a meal with me won't take too much of your time.”
“Sorry, but I do indeed have something important scheduled on the twenty-second. How about I treatyou to a meal some other day?”
“I see...” A hint of disappointment flashed past Zoey's eyes as she added, “All right, then. Remember totreat me to a meal when you're free, okay?”
“Yeah.”
In the meantime, Bailey could not hear what they were saying from the lead designer's office, but shecould feel Zoey's coquettishness and Artemis' gentle tone just by looking at them.
They sure seem to be having a great time together. Zoey must be his ideal type, huh? I hate guys whofall for pretentious b*tches like her!
She was snapped out of her train of thought by the notification sound of an incoming message on herphone.
It was a text from Edmund that read: Hey, Bay! Your birthday is the day after tomorrow. It'll be your treatas usual.
Breaking into a faint smile, she replied: Sure thing. I'll treat you to a meal, and you'll foot the bill.
Meanwhile, in the Jefferson residence, Beatrice entered Rhonda's bedroom. “Ronni! Our goldenopportunity has presented itself!” she exclaimed.