Chapter 49
The thunder outside still rumbled, but Era had gradually fallen asleep.
As Leon sat in the chair, watching her steady breathing, his mind drifted back to past nights when Victoria would bary herself under the covers every time there was a storm.
Even though it was stiflingly hot beneath the blanket and though it did nothing to waffle the sound, she insisted on curling up inside.
No matter how tightly he held her or how he covered her ears, she wouldn’t feel safe unless she had a layer of fabric shielding her.
Remembering this, he pulled out his phone and messaged Edwin, “How’s your mother?”
Edwin was on a video call with Victoria and Susie at that moment.
nighter and was sleeping it off–something
Victoria had been messaging Susie since the previous night, but there had been no response. At first, she assumed Susie had pulled another all–nighter that had happened plenty of times before.
But after an entire day and night without a reply, it was hard not to worry,
Fortunately, the video call connected, and Susie’s voice came through. “You called at the perfect time. My dad just gave me my phone back.”
Victoria frowned. “Gave it back?”
“He and my mom tricked me into coming here, then took my passport and phone the second landed. Susie grumbled. She was clearly furious. “I never thought they would tram up to screw ever after years of ignoring each other”
Victoria froze.
She immediately suspected that Leon was involved
וה
“By the way, I saw someone at the airport who looks like you,” Susie said, choosing not to mention Leon since Edwin was present. She switched topics smoothly.
Victoria followed her lead “Who?”
“I sent you a picture. Check it out–tell me If you see the resemblance.””
Victoria opened the image.
It was a man, likely in his 40s or 50s, dressed in an impeccably tailored suit. His features were sharp, and his demeanor exuded wealth and power.
“Judging by his clothes and presence, he’s definitely not an ordinary person,” Susie noced as she glanced at the image again.
Victoria nodded. “There is a slight resemblance, but people looking alike isn’t unusual.”
“That’s true.” Susie agreed, not overthinking it. She was just sharing something interesting, the way they always did.
At that moment, neither knew that the man in the picture was the same one Leon had tasked Aaron with investigating.
By the time Susie and Victoria’s conversation wrapped up, it was past 10:00pm
Since Edwin had martial arts training on Saturday, Susie didn’t keep the call going for long. When the call ended, the thunder faded, and Victoria drifted asleep with Edwin nestled beside her.
The following day, Victoria got up early to make breakfast for Edwin. After dropping him off at his martial arts class, she took a car to the Olson residence.
Besides jest teaching, she wanted to test whether this job was truly necessary or it, as Leon claimed, Jerome had orchestrated it
She arrived at the Olson residence just past 8:40 am
As Jerome had said, the house was empty, aside from Amanda and the maids
Within ten minutes, Victoria had won over Amanda. After watching Victoria’s demonstration, Amanda clapped enthusiastically. “Ms. Smith, you’re amazing!” “You’re amazington, Amanda, “Victoria praised, crouching to meet her eye level. “You’ve already won so many awards at such a young age.”
Amanda blushed at the compliment.
Seizing the moment, Vesela casually asked, “Can I ask you something?
Now completely enamored with her new teaches, Amanda nodded eagerly. “Of course!”
“I noticed that all your awards outside are for ballet. What made you decide to start learning classical dance? Victoria asked gently. Her tone was light and natural.
