Chapter 297

Victoria stood frozen, her cheek stinging from the impact. Tears welled up in her widened eyes as she gaped at Alexander in utter shock.

"You struck me? For Evelyn's sake?" Her voice trembled with disbelief.

This was beyond anything she'd anticipated.

Alexander's expression remained stone-cold as he glared at her. "Victoria Sinclair, how could you forget your upbringing as a Montgomery? Have decades of etiquette lessons taught you nothing?"

He'd initially feared she'd discovered Evelyn's true identity. Instead, she'd simply misinterpreted Evelyn's relationship with Daniel and Julian. Yet that didn't excuse her vulgar outburst.

"I was upset!" Victoria protested, her voice cracking with indignation. "And I wasn't wrong!"

"Enough!" Alexander's voice cut like steel. "We know about your interference in the Fleur International Design Competition too. Effective immediately, you're barred from all Montgomery family business. One more transgression and I'll freeze all your accounts."

"You can't do this!" She clutched at his sleeve desperately.

Panic surged through Victoria at the threat of losing her financial privileges. Without wealth, her social standing would crumble.

Alexander jerked his arm away. "You've crossed the line too many times, Victoria. I won't tolerate your constant sabotage."

"Please, Alexander! Forgive me this time!" Her plea came out strangled.

He thrust a document into her hands. "You have one week to consider. Make any reasonable request - I'll grant it."

A flash of contempt crossed Victoria's eyes as she snatched the papers. Without another word, she stormed out.

The elevator doors closed on her trembling form. Her nails dug into the documents as the numbers descended.

"Ms. Sinclair? Are you alright?" Walter asked cautiously when she emerged.

Victoria whirled around, her face contorted with rage. "After all I've done caring for that senile old woman, now they want to discard me like trash? Well, I won't make it easy for them!"

She wiped her tears furiously. Leaving the Montgomery family wouldn't be so simple.

That temptress Evelyn had clearly bewitched Julian, and now even Alexander defended her.

Meanwhile, Evelyn had intended to leave Vista Properties immediately after the confrontation. With someone as influential as Victoria present, she didn't want to cause Nathaniel further complications.

Just then, Derek Whitaker came rushing toward her.

"Ms. Carter! Regarding the demolition compensation - our investigation revealed an accounting error. The funds have been transferred to your account. My deepest apologies for this oversight."

Evelyn had researched his profile in the company database earlier. The photo matched the nervous man before her.

Her earlier tactics had worked.

Maintaining a cool facade, she replied curtly, "Let me verify that."

"Of course, take your time."

Turning away, she dialed Margaret. "Aunt Margaret, did you receive a deposit notification?"

"Let me check... Yes! Just now. Evelyn, how did you manage this?"

"I spoke with the person in charge. They discovered a clerical error in accounting. Everything's settled now."

Hanging up, Evelyn turned back to study Derek's overly deferential manner. His behavior seemed strangely... excessive.