Vickyâs expression darkened, and she immediately took Cece back to the corridor and said sternly,
âTheyâre after me and wonât do anything to you. Cece, letâs take different ways out.â
âButâ¦â Cece muttered worriedly.
âIâm not asking for your opinion,â Vicky interrupted her. âIf we both get caught, we canât even seek help.â
Cece knew that Vicky was right. She clenched her jaw and turned to run in the other direction.
Since Valencia wanted nothing to do with her, Cece had not run into anyone on her way, and she made
a sharp turn into the washroom before taking her phone out to make a call.
âMister Gardner, Iâm Cece. I think Vicky is in troubleâ¦â Cece swiftly informed him of her address.
âMister Hartâs mother is after Vicky. You need to get Mister Hart to come over right now.â
Despite the mysterious manâs warning, the venue was relatively small with limited exits. Valencia had
come prepared, and Vicky did not get far before they captured her.
An hour later, Vicky was brought to a secluded mansion. Unlike Old Mister Hartâs mansion, the
mansionâs interior was heavily influenced by the European style, occupying a vast area, with
meticulously trimmed flowers and plants.
Vicky was led by two black-clad bodyguards to a pavilion within the estate. In the pavilion, a graceful
and elegant lady sat opposite a stern-faced middle-aged man.
Although Old Mister Hart had employed some measures to bring her here, he had done so in a
courteous manner. However, Vicky felt like a prisoner brought in chains at the moment.
Valenciaâs lips curled up into a chilling smile as she caught sight of Vicky from afar.
âMs. Shaw, we agreed to have a private conversation, so why did you leave by yourself? Were you
upset that we didnât welcome you with open arms and wanted it to be coaxed and pleaded to come?â
she taunted.
The man sitting across from Valencia elegantly brewed a pot of tea and handed her a teacup, his
demeanor indifferent. âSome things never change. She lacks refinement just as she did five years ago,â
he remarked.
Valencia accepted the teacup and took a gentle sip. âThough Tyler didnât grow up in the Hart family, his
adoptive parentsâ household is considered a typical wealthy family. His perspective shouldnât be too
narrow, so how could he be drawn to such an uncouth person? On top of that, heâs developed such a
rebellious temperament. I wonder who he takes after. Look at Lincoln! He is so obedient and sensible,
and he understands his parentsâ well-intentioned effortsâ¦â
Orion sneered. âTylerâs adoptive parentsâ household is far too insignificant compared to ours. Itâs no
wonder he has acquired such bad habits. If weâre to blame anyone, itâs the despicable and greedy
couple from the Hart family who plotted to get a share of our wealthâ¦â
Valencia murmured, âItâs a pity, isnât it? Having a fortune so close within reach, only to lose their lives in
a car accident. Perhaps itâs just plain karma?â
Upon hearing their conversation, Vickyâs eyebrows furrowed slightly as she recalled the implication of
Old Mister Hartâs words that the car accident involving Tylerâs adoptive parents was caused by human
effort.
The culprits were right in front of her.
At that moment, Valencia seemed to remember something and spoke coldly, âThey were fools for
thinking that they could take my son away!â
Her words were vague, leaving it unclear whether she was referring to her biological son, Tyler, or
Lincoln, whom she had raised with great effort, or she was referring to both.
After chatting among themselves for a while, they finally shifted their gaze to Vicky, who was
restrained, with a frosty expression on their faces.
It became clear to her that Tylerâs biological parents disliked her.
Marriages without the blessing of oneâs parents seldom endured.
Vicky always believed that with Tylerâs parents gone, she could avoid the complexities of a strained
relationship between a mother-in-law and a daughter-in-law.