Chapter 18

Relying on memory, Victoria scoured the city for her mother's paintings, sparing no expense whenever she found one. Over the years, Stein had been by her side, always reaching out the moment he heard any news.

"No, there must be more out there just waiting to be found," he said.

Victoria's voice was soft but steady. "Thank you, cousin."

Back at Stein's home in Echo City, he led her into the parlor where a small memorial for his late wife stood. Stein handed her three sticks of incense.

"Go on-pay your respects to your cousin-in-law."

Victoria accepted the incense, lit them, and bowed three times, each movement deliberate and sincere. Rising, she looked at Stein.

"Are you really never going to remarry?"

new wife would almost certainly want her own child. I don't

but his

weight of responsibility, it was Stein. His wife had died in childbirth. Any other man with his means would likely

and got you the approval. It's

the conversation, his tone that of a

to spend your whole life

to know McNeil was married. Some even whispered about a childhood sweetheart he'd kept hidden for years-how they'd had a daughter together, a girl who called McNeil's supposed lover 'Ms.

McNeil and Victoria's, yet the gossip never even mentioned

a wedding. The Langfords barely recognized Victoria's relatives, let alone a cousin living in

shrewdness flickered in Victoria's dark eyes. "I'm the largest shareholder in the Langford Group now. I'm no one's pawn

agreed to that? Did McNeil have a

marriage and treated his wife as a stepping stone-would so generously hand Victoria such

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