Chapter 232

After careful reflection, Victoria couldn't recall any missteps that might have provoked Alexander's displeasure.

What had driven him to suddenly revoke her adoption?

The thought left her reeling, struggling to piece together the logic behind it.

If the Montgomery family disowned her, she would be reduced to nothing—just another orphan.

How could she possibly secure a marriage into the prestigious Whitmore family then?

Beatrice's favor toward her was entirely contingent on the Montgomery name.

Losing that status was unthinkable. No matter what, she couldn’t let it slip through her fingers.

Alexander’s voice remained composed as he spoke. "Once you marry, you won’t need to stay home tending to Eleanor. You won’t have to bend over backward to please everyone anymore."

"It’s time for a fresh start."

Tears spilled down Victoria’s cheeks as she begged, "But Alexander, I don’t want to leave!"

"I know this is difficult for you," he replied evenly. "So I’ll give you time to adjust."

"Review the contract carefully. If you need anything else, let me know. I’ll do my best to accommodate you. That’s all for now."

The call ended, leaving Victoria staring at the document in front of her.

A bitter laugh escaped her lips, laced with something darker beneath the surface.

After years of enduring Eleanor’s whims, she refused to be discarded so easily.

Her engagement to Nathaniel was nothing but a farce.

Losing her place as the Montgomery heiress was unacceptable. She would never agree to these terms.

Without hesitation, she dialed Gregory. "Find out if Alexander has uncovered anything about my past. Figure out where the leak came from!"

Victoria had spent her entire life meticulously guarding her secrets.

Julian had stumbled upon the truth by accident, and ever since, his attitude toward her had shifted drastically—almost as if she were a stranger.

Yet even then, the worst consequence had been a stern reprimand from Alexander.

How could he possibly consider cutting ties over something so trivial?

There had to be more to this. Something she didn’t know.

Her thoughts spiraled into chaos, panic clawing at her as she stared at the damning document.

Then, a memory surfaced—that afternoon at the engagement venue. She had chased after Evelyn, only to see her slip into Julian’s car.

But Julian had been ignoring her calls for weeks, and now, reaching him seemed impossible.

If she pushed him too far, he might skip her engagement ceremony tomorrow, jeopardizing Eleanor’s surgery.

After a moment’s hesitation, she sent a message to Jonathan: "To ensure my wedding goes smoothly, I want the designer, Evelyn Carter, present at my engagement tomorrow."

She was determined to uncover the truth about Evelyn and Julian.

When Evelyn returned home, she pushed aside the lingering frustration from the hospital.

Stepping inside, she found all six of her brothers gathered in the living room.

The sofa wasn’t large enough to hold them all, forcing some to perch on dining chairs.

Meanwhile, Alexander stood on the balcony, deep in conversation on a call.

The sight made her smile. This was her new life—a home alive with warmth and noise.

Then Julian approached. "You got back before me. Where did you go?"