Chapter 34

"Master Alexander..." Victoria's voice trembled, her eyes brimming with unshed tears that made her swollen face appear even more pitiful. "I know you don't care for me. I was foolish to reach above my station. I won't trouble you again."

She turned to leave.

To her surprise, Alexander caught her wrist.

Disgust coiled in his chest, but duty held him back. This woman had once saved his life—with her own body, no less. Swallowing his revulsion, he forced his tone to soften. "What happened to your face?"

Tears spilled down Victoria's cheeks as she shook her head.

"Speak," he demanded sharply.

"My... my mother struck me," she admitted in a whisper.

Alexander's brow furrowed.

Victoria trembled. "Your... your mother summoned us. She said she wanted to... to avenge her daughter-in-law. She ordered my mother to... slap me. If she refused, your mother threatened to have two men beat my face with their shoes—a hundred times each."

Silence.

Alexander knew his mother well. Years of surviving the viper's nest of the Knight family had hardened her. The gentle woman she once was had learned to strike first. He didn't doubt Victoria's story.

"Young Master Alexander, please... don't blame her. In her eyes, Alice is her rightful daughter-in-law. I... am nothing. She doesn't know I saved you."

Victoria's voice cracked. "To the Knight family, a woman's body means little. So it's alright. I'll disappear—from you, your mother, and Alice... no, I mean, from Mistress Knight."

She tried to pull free, but Alexander's grip tightened. His cold gaze bore into her before he turned to Nathaniel. "Take her to Dr. Hahn. Get her the best treatment, then escort her home."

Victoria gasped. "You... you don't hate me?"

"Rest. I'll see you when my affairs here are settled." It was the closest to comfort he could muster.

Hiding her face, Victoria nodded. "Thank you, Young Master Alexander."

Beneath her meek exterior, fury simmered. Today was supposed to be her triumph—meeting his parents, securing her place among the elite. Instead, she was being sent away in disgrace.

As Nathaniel's car pulled away, Victoria sat seething in the backseat. I'll make her pay. Alice Carter will suffer tenfold for this.

Then—a flicker of movement outside the window.

A group of servers in uniform walked toward Knight Manor. Among them, the tallest stood out—Alice.

The other girls chattered excitedly.

"Tips at a Knight family event must be insane!"

"Tips? Please. I'm here to snag a rich husband!"

Laughter followed. "With your face? Good luck!"

One nudged Alice. "Hey, gorgeous. You're way too pretty to be just a server. Hunting for a billionaire, aren't you?"

Alice said nothing.

Victoria's nails dug into her palms. Perfect.