Chapter 873
“I was born of my mother. I don’t see that as any kind of shame. If you want to expose it, go ahead. At most, I lose the empty title of ‘society’s top debutante.’ I’d never deny my own mom for the sake of vanity,” Victoria had said.
It was the first time Jamie had ever heard such words, and for a moment, he found himself at a loss.
He had assumed Victoria, of all people, would value her reputation above everything. He never imagined she would treat it with such indifference.
Victoria continued, “You heard my conversation with my uncle just now. My mother saved my father’s life. After he lost his memory, he fell in love with her. She never knew he already had a family. And later, my parents were lawfully married. I don’t consider myself an illegitimate daughter.”
Her honesty and composure struck Jamie as extraordinary.
Two strangers who had never spoken before somehow fell into a true conversation.
Jamie confessed that his childhood dream was to become a painter, but being born into a family like the Waltons, that dream was destined to remain impossible.
Victoria told him, “Nothing is impossible. Once you have the strength, anything can be achieved.”
She then began speaking with him about art. To his surprise, Victoria possessed an impressive understanding of painting herself.
As their conversation deepened, Jamie came to realize that even the life of a pampered heiress was far from easy.
Victoria was unlike anyone he had ever met.
She spoke many words of encouragement, and in his weakest moments, it was those words that carried him through.
To him, Victoria was salvation. Without her, he would never have become the man he was today.
After his mother’s death, Victoria had become the most important person in his life-even more so than his own sister, Johanna.
So when he now heard Johanna’s accusations, Jamie’s fury and disbelief surged. “How dare Sharon go this far?!”
Johanna sneered. “How could she not? She once stole Victoria’s fiancé, and her shameless
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behavior got her expelled from the Kalen family. She’s held a grudge ever since, and has been waiting for a chance to strike back.”
Jamie’s voice grew colder, laced with menace. “There’s more?”
“Yes,” Johanna pressed on. “Victoria has always been mindful of their blood tie, unwilling to sever things completely. But Sharon… she’s dangerous.
“Look at the men around her. Her ex-husband is Carter Biggs, one of her pursuers is Xavier Cooper, and somehow she even managed to connect herself with the Malcolm family’s patriarch.
“And then there’s Thomas…”
Her voice faltered for a beat before she went on.
“Who knows how she managed to ensnare him. He hides his true identity, staying by her side as nothing more than her bodyguard.
“On top of that, she holds ten percent of the Kalen Group’s original shares. The moment she returns to the Kalen family, she’ll scheme to drive Victoria out.
“And Victoria’s three brothers… they’re Sharon’s blood brothers. Who’s to say they won’t one day turn against Victoria and clear the way for her?
“If that happens, Victoria will be left utterly alone.”
Jamie’s tone was icy. “Don’t worry. I’ll never let Victoria stand alone. Lex-that useless waste -claimed he would protect her. This is his idea of protection? Pathetic. Tell the Malcolm family this: from now on, Victoria is under my protection.”
Without waiting for Johanna’s reply, he ended the call.
Staring at the darkened screen, Johanna’s eyes glinted with a chilling, predatory light.
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