Female Novel
Chapter 447
Lionel pursed his lips into a thin line as he reached out to press down on her shoulder, turning her over.
As their gazes met, he could see the look of indifference in her eyes.
“Even though I assumed that I could forget about you after all those years, there is no taking back thelove I have for you. You won, Victoria. You have my heart. As I said, I will offer you an explanation, butyou never gave me the chance to do so. You're as stubborn and indifferent as you were seven yearsago.”
Victoria shook his hand away without warning before huffing a laugh. “Since that's the case, we shallgo our separate ways. We're destined to be enemies that hold lifelong grudges against each other.”
“I refuse.” Lionel grabbed her by her arm, his tone grim as he spoke. “We have other options. We'reboth exhausted after going through all of that, so can't you stop being so stubborn? Come back withme, and we can start over.”
“Start over?” Victoria sneered, shaking her head. “We can't possibly do that. You ruined the Saundersfamily. More importantly, you sent my brother to jail. That record destroyed him, heir to the Saundersfamily. I would be disloyal to my family if I married you. That would be treachery.”
Lionel's face was drained of all color.
Revenge felt exceptionally sweet back then, but it was at the cost of losing the love of his life.
Victor's imprisonment ultimately put them in irreconcilable positions.
“I'm worn out, Lionel. I've lost all my zest for life because of you. We've come to the end of our pathtogether. Please just let me go. Can't you give me some peace?”
Upon noticing that Lionel seemed to have more to say, she added, “My father is on his deathbed, andmy family is bankrupt. Lionel's imprisonment and my reputation being tarnished had accelerated hisimpending death, all of which you played a hand in. Do you still think we have a future together?”
Lionel didn't know what to say.
Victoria reached out to pry his hand off her arm while continuing in a soft voice, “You must've alreadyknown that I'm pregnant. I've done a blood test a few days ago and found out I have a baby girl. Shewon't be able to succeed you as the heir of the Gezmond family, so please show some mercy and letme have her.”
A daughter? That's great.
A look of joy fleeted across Lionel's gaze, but his face fell the moment he heard her words.
She must be out of her mind because she's too angry. That's why she said something so preposterous.I shouldn't take her too seriously.
As he was spacing out, she had walked far away and left him behind.
His expression was unreadable while he stared at her retreating figure. However, he watched over herin silence instead of going after her. He was certain that time would heal all the hurt.
The future is promising. We still have a long road ahead of us.
Ever since Lina showed up at the auction held by Auro Pawnshop as Vespera, a lot of famousentrepreneurs and collectors in Hallsbay had invited her over for tea, elevating her into a position likenever before.
All the while, she enjoyed being celebrated by the public and immersed herself in her role as Vespera.
Bailey couldn't help but laugh as she saw the astonishing media coverage about Vespera drowning outall other news.
The identity that gave me a headache proved most useful to somebody else. Should I consider myselfas having done a good deed? She can take my place as long as she doesn't provoke or try to frameme.
Yet, the truth of the matter was that the world was full of troubles.
While she wouldn't mind granting Lina's wish to soar high within the industry as an appraiser, Lina hadother thoughts about it.
Meanwhile, at a window seat in a private room on the second floor of a coffee shop, Chloe was sittingacross from Lina. She looked at the latter in elation while chirping, “Lina, I can't believe you're Vespera!Oh my gosh! I never expected you to reach such heights after spending a few years abroad. I'mimpressed!”
Lina smiled, her face full of pride and confidence.
She enjoyed the admiration of others.
“You only found out about my identity now even though I've been in Hallsbay for a couple of days. Itseems to me that I don't mean much to you.”
“That's not it.” Chloe pouted and mumbled, “I've been overwhelmingly busy with work these past fewdays after starting a new job and haven't been paying attention to the news! See, I bought you somecoffee right after realizing you're Vespera.”
Lina wore a cheerless smile, her gaze apathetic.
Back when her mother and her fell from grace, her uncle, who had since risen to the position of mayor,had disregarded their misfortune despite their blood ties.
When they begged for his mercy, he gave them some money and sent them away from Hallsbay as ifhe were kicking a beggar out, worried that he might be implicated.
Ever since Lina made a glorious comeback and was championed by countless collectors andentrepreneurs under her guise as Vespera, her uncle was smart enough to humble down and flatterher.
“From what I heard, you've joined Luther Group. You have a promising future. I will be under your carefrom now on, Chloe.”
Chloe deflated all of a sudden and lay down on the table before muttering in dejection, “Bailey is such ajerk! How dare she give me an attitude? Who is she anyway? She's just a b*stard without a father,whose mother just f*cked with some random guy and got pregnant with an imbecile like her! How dare
she order me around! I am the mayor's daughter! Never have I received such mistreatment!”
Lina arched her brows in amusement.
Given Bailey's prominence, Lina couldn't possibly outshine the other woman, who wore multiple hats,even while impersonating Vespera.
However, if she could work with Chloe to tarnish Bailey's reputation, she could gain a foothold forherself in Hallsbay's upper-class society with her identity as Vespera.
By then, nobody would be able to dominate her.
“You have outstanding qualifications, a decent familial background, good connections, and impeccablelooks. Moreover, you're the mayor's daughter. Bailey can't even remotely compare to you. I'm with you!Come to me if you need assistance. I'll do my best to help.”
“Really?” Chloe seemed enraptured. “With your help, I should be able to topple Bailey and take herplace as Mr. Luther's love interest! I shall propel you into an even higher position with his help by then!”
Lina said nothing as she smiled.
I see. So she fancies Artemis. This makes things easier and makes her even more suitable as mypawn to defame Bailey. novelbin
At the same time, in another room in the coffee shop.
Zoey narrowed her eyes as she studied the woman in front of her whom she resembled slightly. With a
frown, she asked, “Are you Ms. Carr, the owner of Cosmetico? I don't think we know each other. Towhat do I owe the honor of meeting you?”
Smiling, Sophia pointed at her face and then at Zoey's. “Given your intelligence, can you still not guessmy identity and my reason for asking you out, Ms. Shurmer?”