Chapter 7 "Collateral Damage"

• " Victoria, I know I have never interfered in your relationship, but it's time to make things clear. You are part of our family, I know it was unethical to force the psychologist to tell me what happened with that "sick person". But I had to know why my son wanted that amount of money, don't get me wrong, it's not about the money, but for you. It's my duty to worry."
• " I'm sorry, I didn't mean to involve anyone in this, but now I see where Evan's persistence came from."
• " It seems you have found someone who doesn't mind getting their hands dirty, if necessary to defend you."
• " Should I assume that you and Matt don't get along?"
• " As far as business is concerned, no."
• " Hank... kicked Jamie out of the house, but not before spitting venom, speaking ill of me, my little sister heard and when she tried to defend me, she slapped her, end of story, Edward, there's nothing more to say " concluded a very upset Victoria.
• " What are you saying? Is Cami okay?"
• " Yes, Matt took her to a doctor, she was crying all night, she said... "she said she didn't want her to be her mommy" " she confessed, affected by being forced to talk about it.
• " Relax " her brother whispered as he hugged her.
• Silence fell over the table, their order arrived and in absolute silence they tried to have dinner.
• " Victoria, I will always worry, even if you say it's not necessary, about Evan, about you."
• " Why? We've talked, what, 6 times in our whole lives? Excuse me if I can't trust you or anyone, I'm distrustful, I have reasons to be, you know things about me that you shouldn't know, I want to be the one to choose to share something so private."
• " You barely told Evan, you weren't going to."
• " Of course not, the stupid Alex is MY problem, no one else's."
• " You're wrong."
• That voice, a chill ran down her spine as she heard the voice of that woman. Elizabeth Rothschild was standing right behind her, listening to their conversation.
• " Ma'am, are you deaf or dumb? I don't want anything to do with you."
• " Fortunately, none."
• She replied very confidently, approaching the table definitively. With a nod of his head, Edward allowed her to sit down.
• " Did you know about this shit? " Victoria whispered furiously to her brother.
• " I swear, I had no fucking idea."
• " I want to leave, will you take me or should I go alone?"
• " Of course I'll take you."
• " Don't get up, Evan " Edward ordered.
• " Dad, this is not the time for you to do this, I want MY sister to be okay, stop controlling everything, this lady is a nosy old bitch, I don't want her near Vic."
• " Mr. Acton, I'll take care of it from here, you may leave " Elizabeth politely asks him to go.
• " Evan, we're leaving " his father orders.
• " No, you're crazy if you think I'm leaving this woman with my sister."
• " My intentions are to reach a reconciliation, young Acton, I ask for privacy, leave now."
• " Vic, I don't care what they say, I'll only do what you ask me to do."
• Overwhelmed by the tense situation, she didn't know what to say, on one hand, the last thing she wanted to do was talk to Elizabeth, on the other hand, she didn't want to cause a fight between Evan and his father.
• " I... " Victoria tried to speak.
• " Why exactly are you living in the Rothschild's house, Victoria? " Edward asked, buttoning his jacket, ready to leave.
• "They have a relationship, Mr. Acton " Elizabeth intervened.
• "For 8 months? " he asked ironically.
• "They are getting married, it's not your business to know the details of their private life. Now, I repeat, leave, Mr. Acton."
• "Mrs. Rothschild, what you just said does not answer my question."
• "Enough, leave Matt alone, Mr. Acton. My crazy mother wanted me out of the house and he was there, without even knowing me he offered me a place to stay. Now, I don't know if I want to leave. Does that answer your damn question? " she said, fed up with the situation.
• "Don't talk to me like that, Victoria " he warned threateningly.
• "Mr. Acton, save that tone for your business. I don't need you to "worry about me". Stop playing that game, I don't want anyone meddling in my affairs. Please, can you leave and not come back here again?"
• "Victoria, don't provoke me."
• "Enough, I don't want your help, or anyone's. I just want to be left alone. Evan, I think it's time for you to go back to California. I'll be fine, I promise I'll always call you and answer all your emails."
• "No, I can't deal with that psychopath on the loose."
• "I'll take care of him, young Acton " Elizabeth interrupted.
• "For some reason, that doesn't reassure me at all, ma'am."
• "Evan... please, get that hateful man out of here " she whispered frustrated.
• "Okay, we're leaving " he stood up with his sister.
• "Thank you."
• "I'll come to say goodbye tomorrow, little sister."
• "Of course, I'll be waiting for you."
• After saying goodbye with a strong hug from her brother, she was finally alone with Elizabeth.
• "Take a seat, Victoria."
• With a sigh of resignation, she sat down and crossed her arms, waiting for her to say what she had to say.
• "You're very strong, Victoria, you're good for my grandson."
• "Looks can be deceiving."
• "I need a second chance, I behaved inappropriately, I used your suffering to my advantage, to hurt you, to keep you away from my grandson. You have no idea how sorry I am."
• "Why? Why did you do it?"
• "I knew you were pretending to be a couple from the moment I set foot in the house."
• "Why didn't you say anything?"
• "I know my grandson, even though I don't see him, his gaze is the only thing that hasn't changed since I let him go with the insufferable Michael and Agatha."
• "Bad decisions, but yours ruined his childhood."
• "And not a day goes by that I don't regret being so selfish."
• "The damage is done."
• "Victoria, he's really interested in you, please give him a chance."
• "I know he feels something for me, but he's going too far in this madness. I can't do what he asks."
• "Doesn't he deserve a chance? He defended you without caring that all the people he deals with and who respect him so much saw him lose his mind, crazy with anger. Can't you try? For him, for Matt?"
• "I... I don't know, he seems to have it all figured out, that scares me."
• "Please, he deserves to have someone who cares for him. Put aside your hatred, with reasons towards me, but give him a real chance, tell him you love him, he needs it."
• "Ma'am, I still feel like he wants me to fix his mistakes."
• "I just want my grandson to have what he deserves. I don't know you, but you both deserve each other."
• "What if I just want his money?"
• "You would have taken it already, you've been by his side for too long."
• "Are we done? There's a place I need to go."
• "I'll take you, and I won't accept a no for an answer."
• "Okay, you can take me."
• In complete silence, they both left the restaurant. At the entrance, George was waiting with a luxurious black car. He indicated the direction of her father's place and she took a seat next to Elizabeth.
• Back at her father's house, she went straight to the kitchen, where Hank was, with a glass of brandy in hand, just as she had imagined he would be.
• "What happened with the lawyer?"
• "Victoria, what have you done with Cami? Checking for injuries is serious, what were you thinking?
• "That I don't want that woman to touch my sister again."
• "Your mother, Victoria."
• "No, you're weak, I knew as soon as you talked to a lawyer to carry out your words you would regret it, I don't want her to touch her again, Cami doesn't want her near, she's afraid of her. Is that normal for you, dad?"
• "She hurt you, I won't regret it, it's done, she won't have Cami, she stays with me, but I need time, I'm a mess."
• "Dad, you can count on me for anything, taking care of Cami for a few days is no problem for me, she's my sister."
• "Thank you, daughter."
• "Just promise me you won't allow her to have custody."
• "Of course not, I give you my word."
• "Good."
• "Victoria, I want you to come back home, I'm fired, there's no deal anymore, you don't have to stay at Mr. Rothschild's house."
• "I know, but... I don't know if I want to stay away from him, he makes me feel safe."
• "I need you, daughter."
• "And I'm here for you, just not in that."
• "Okay, now go to your sister."
• "I love you, dad."
• "I know, little one."
• She was about to leave the house when Noel decided to show up, visibly upset.
• "I don't want you to take it out on our mom, stop brainwashing dad."
• "Noel, go with your mom if you want to."
• "Don't talk to me like that, I'm your older brother."
• "I don't want you to get involved in this, I just want dad to stay away from her, nothing else. Don't let him manipulate you at will, it's obvious he has already contacted you, don't let him deceive you, please."
• "You're my sister, I want your version of the events, let me judge, I'm not that gullible, I want to know the truth."
• "Okay, but now I really have to go."
• "Forgive me."
• "Of course..."
• Emotionally drained, she returned to the car, pensive, there had been too many emotions for a simple dinner with her brother. Now she had to make sure that Matt wasn't furious for having to spend more than 3 hours with his little sister.