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 the love I have for you. You won, Victoria. You have my heart. As I said, I will offer you an explanation, but you never gave me the chance to do so. You're as stubborn and indifferent as you were seven years ago.”

Victoria shook his hand away without warning before huffing a laugh. “Since that's the case, we shall go 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're both exhausted after going through all of that, so can't you stop being so stubborn? Come back with me, and we can start over.”

“Start over?” Victoria sneered, shaking her head. “We can't possibly do that. You ruined the Saunders family. More importantly, you sent my brother to jail. That record destroyed him, heir to the Saunders family. 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 path together. 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, and my family is bankrupt. Lionel's imprisonment and my reputation being tarnished had accelerated his impending 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 already known that I'm pregnant. I've done a blood test a few days ago and found out I have a baby girl. She won't be able to succeed you as the heir of the Gezmond family, so please show some mercy and let me 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 her in 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 famous entrepreneurs and collectors in Hallsbay had invited her over for tea, elevating her into a position like never 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 out all other news.

The identity that gave me a headache proved most useful to somebody else. Should I consider myself as having done a good deed? She can take my place as long as she doesn't provoke or try to frame me.

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 had other thoughts about it.

Meanwhile, at a window seat in a private room on the second floor of a coffee shop, Chloe was sitting across 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'm impressed!”

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. It seems 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 few days after starting a new job and haven't been paying attention to the news! See, I bought you some coffee 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 if he were kicking a beggar out, worried that he might be implicated.
The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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