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?"

almost certainly want her own child. I don't

his words carried a

heart ached with sympathy. If anyone understood the weight of responsibility, it was Stein. His wife had died in childbirth. Any other man with his means would likely have

you mentioned last time I pulled some strings and got you

conversation, his tone that

to spend your whole life

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.

That child was McNeil and Victoria's, yet the gossip

a

the largest shareholder in the Langford Group now. I'm no

"The Langfords agreed to that? Did McNeil have a personality

a man like McNeil-who'd built his fortune on a secret marriage and treated his wife as

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255