Chapter 188

"What?" Victoria Sinclair's eyes widened in shock as she stared at Victor Sterling, her disbelief palpable. "She actually refused you even after you spoke to her personally? Victor, does your own daughter have no respect for you?"

Victor's face darkened at her words, humiliation burning through him. "You know her circumstances have changed," he snapped. "She has the Caldwell family backing her now—what exactly am I supposed to do? I can't force her to do something she doesn't want to."

Victoria let out a derisive laugh. "The Caldwell family's support? Please. Whether they truly stand behind her is still up for debate."

Victor clenched his jaw, frustration simmering beneath the surface.

At that moment, Victoria's sharp gaze shifted to Grace Monroe, who had been silently eating her meal at the side of the table.

"Grace," she called, her voice dripping with false sweetness.

Grace looked up, meeting Victoria's cold stare. "Yes? What do you need?"

Victoria leaned forward slightly, enunciating each word with deliberate emphasis. "Your daughter—she should listen to you, shouldn't she?"

Grace immediately understood what Victoria was implying.

Swallowing nervously, she pressed her lips together before answering, "It's... complicated. I've tried talking to Evelyn multiple times, but she doesn’t take my advice anymore."

After a brief hesitation, she added quickly, "She’s grown now. She has her own opinions, and she rarely follows my guidance."

Victoria’s expression turned icy at Grace’s explanation.

Her lips curled into a sneer. "So you're telling me you won’t help me with this?"

Grace shook her head. "It’s not that I don’t want to help, but honestly, there’s nothing I can do."

Victoria’s eyes hardened, her voice cutting like a blade. "Enough excuses! Just answer me—will you help or not?"

Taking a deep breath, Grace squared her shoulders. "I’m sorry, but I really can’t."

Despite her fear of Victoria, Grace refused to back down on this.

"Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!" Victoria’s laughter was laced with fury.

She whirled toward Victor, gesturing sharply at Grace. "Look at this, Victor! Not only is Evelyn defying us, but now even this nobody dares to refuse me!"

Victor scowled, his voice thick with irritation. "Evelyn isn’t the obedient girl she used to be. She doesn’t listen to me or Grace, so pressuring Grace is pointless. Let it go! If Celeste is really interested in Ethan, she should pursue him herself. If she succeeds, it’ll be because of her own efforts. At the end of the day, it all depends on Ethan’s feelings, doesn’t it? Even if Evelyn stepped in, if Ethan doesn’t return Celeste’s feelings, nothing will change!"

Grace nodded quickly in agreement.

Seeing Victor defend Grace only fueled Victoria’s rage. "Victor, you—" She could hardly believe he was siding with his mistress instead of her.

Bristling with fury, she turned back to Grace and snapped, "Get me a bowl of soup. Now."