Chapter 231

A cold shiver ran down Victoria's spine as she read the words on her phone screen.

"Termination of Adoption Agreement."

What did this mean?

Victoria's fingers trembled as she struggled to process the implications.

Why would Alexander want to dissolve her adoption now?

Beatrice noticed her sudden pallor and leaned forward. "Victoria, darling, are you all right? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Victoria quickly flipped her phone face down, forcing a weak smile.

"Just a bit of nausea. Must be something I ate earlier," she lied smoothly.

"Let Dr. Reynolds examine you. At least it's just an upset stomach. For a moment, I thought Nathaniel had said something to upset you."

"No, Nathaniel just texted that he's too busy for dinner tonight. He told me to rest early for tomorrow's engagement."

Clutching her phone, Victoria stood abruptly.

"Beatrice, excuse me—I need to visit the ladies' room. Please don't wait for me."

Once safely locked in the bathroom, Victoria collapsed onto the marble counter and reopened the document.

Her heart pounded as she reread each cruel line.

There was no mistake. The legal papers clearly stated the dissolution of her adoption into the Montgomery family.

Tears blurred her vision as she dialed Alexander's number.

"Alexander," her voice cracked. "Have I done something wrong? Why are you abandoning me now?"

"I've been a Montgomery since I was a child. If you cast me out, where will I go? Everyone will laugh at me!"

On the other end, Alexander sighed. "Victoria, this isn't punishment. Perhaps the mistake was mine—I never should have adopted a girl Evelyn's age as her replacement."

"You're an adult now, about to marry into the Whitmore family. Your future is secure. It's time to close this chapter."

After his earlier call with Julian, Alexander had decided to break the news before tomorrow's engagement.

The unexpected complication? Evelyn herself was designing Victoria and Nathaniel's engagement ceremony.

This meant Evelyn might attend tomorrow's event—a disastrous variable Alexander couldn't risk.

With Julian and Sebastian also attending, Alexander needed to prevent any identity revelations or confrontations.

Terminating Victoria's adoption now seemed the cleanest solution.

Victoria's grip on the phone turned white-knuckled.

"Alexander, please," she begged, voice thick with tears. "The Montgomerys are my only family. Even after marrying Nathaniel, I'll always be one of you!"

Alexander's resolve wavered at her distress, but thoughts of Evelyn's suffering hardened his heart.

"This isn't rejection," he said gently. "You'll always be welcome to visit."

"Then why now?" Victoria pressed. "Is this because of my marriage?"

Something didn't add up.

Her brothers' recent behavior had been... unusual.

During her stay in Bern City, Victoria had been carefully driving wedges between Nathaniel and Evelyn.

Her endgame? Their divorce—and her seamless transition into the Whitmore family.