The Billionaire’s Sudden Bride
Chapter 277
Richard’s POV
For the past two weeks, our home had become a sanctuary–no, more like a prison for Victoria. My elder daughter, usually so vibrant and full of life, had been reduced to a shadow of herself, barely leaving her room except for meals.
I tried to focus on the financial section of my newspaper, but Elizabeth’s incessant pacing was driving me insane.
“For God’s sake, Elizabeth,” I finally snapped, folding my newspaper with more force than necessary. “What exactly are you trying to accomplish with all this pacing? You’re making my head spin..
Elizabeth whirled around, her perfectly highlighted hair swinging with the motion. Her eyes flashed with that familiar fire–the same fire that had attracted me to her decades ago, but now mostly just exhausted me.
“What am I doing?” she shot back, her voice rising with each word. “What do you think I’m doing, Richard? Are you seriously asking me that? Our daughter is upstairs wasting away while you sit there reading about stock prices!”
I rubbed my temples, feeling a headache building. “Lower your voice Victoria’s probably trying to rest.”
“Rest? Elizabeth scoffed. “She hasn’t left this house in two weeks! Have you even looked at what they’re saying about her online? The comments, the memes–it’s vicious, Richard. When has our daughter ever had to deal with something like this?”
sighed heavily, tossing the newspaper aside. “And what exactly would you like me to do about it? Wave a magic wand? Capital Corp doesn’t exactly have entertainment industry connections. And in case you’ve forgotten, we’re taking hits too. I’ve been at the office until midnight every day this week trying to do damage control with our investors.”
I loosened my tie, suddenly feeling constricted. “We don’t even know who’s behind this whole mess. Victoria signed with Stark Entertainment, didn’t she? Why aren’t they handling this? And what about Brandon Stark? He seemed fine at the wedding. I thought we were on good terms.”
Something in my words made Elizabeth pause her pacing, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. I recognized that look–it was the same expression she wore whenever she was plotting something.
“The wedding,” she murmured, almost to herself. “Yes, Brandon Stark was there, wasn’t he?”
“What?” I demanded. “What are you thinking now?”
She startled, as if she’d forgotten I was there. “I–nothing.”
“Elizabeth…” I warned.
She sank onto the sofa beside me, suddenly animated. “I was just thinking… wouldn’t it have been perfect if Victoria had married Brandon Stark instead of Alexander? They’re not even in the same league! Brandon is the actual head of Stark Group–not just some middle manager playing at importance. He’ll eventually control the entire Stark family fortune. Alexander’s just…what? A department head and distant relative of in the Stark family?”
D
I stared at her, unable to believe what I was hearing. “Are you seriously suggesting-”
“I’m just saying,” Elizabeth continued, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, “if these rumors about Victoria and Brandon have any truth to the…”
“Stop right there!” I slammed my hand on the armrest, making her jump. “I can’t believe you’d even entertain such a thought! Are you actually hoping our daughter was having an affair with her boss while married to another man?”
1/3
Chapter 277
Elizabeth had the decency to took slightly abashed, but the calculating gleam never left her eyes.
“Do you have any idea what your’re suggesting?” I continued, barely controlling my anger. “You think becoming the mistress of the Stark heir is something to aspire to? The Stark family matriarch isna position just anyone can fill! They have standards, Elizabeth
-old money standards. Victoria’s been married before, she’s an actres, for Christ’s sake. You think the Stark family would ever accept her?
Elizabeth opened her mouth to protest, but something in my expression must have warned her off. I rarely put my foot down with her, but this was too much.
“I don’t want to hear another word about this,” I said firmly. Not on word. If there’s even a hint of truth to these rumors, Victoria’s reputation is already damaged beyond repair. Don’t make it worse with your scheming.”
Elizabeth crossed her arms, the picture of wounded dignity. “Well, I was just thinking-
“Don’t,” I cut her off. “Just don’t. I’ve had those thoughts too, you know–back when Victoria first started at Stark Group. If she hadn’t been engaged to Alexander, maybe… but that ship has sailed, Elizabeth. It’s too late for what–ifs.”
We sat in tense silence for a moment, the only sound the ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner.
“What we should be focusing on,” I said finally, “is who’s behind this mess and why they’re targeting Victoria and Brandon.”
Elizabeth’s eyes lit up as she seized on this new direction. “You’re right! Brandon Stark is practically royalty in New York. Who would dare to cross him so publicly? It has to be someone either powerful enough to challenge him or someone with a personal vendetta.”
I nodded, relieved to be on safer ground. “Exactly.”
“You know,” Elizabeth said slowly, “Victoria was talking to Sophie the other day, and they told me something interesting about the
Sinclair family.”
“The Sinclairs?” I raised an eyebrow. “Brandon’s mother’s family?”
Elizabeth nodded eagerly. “Apparently, there’s this girl–Elle Sinclair. She’s not actually Jane Sinclair’s daughter. She’s the daughter of Jane’s first love.”
“What?” I sat up straighter. “How do you know all this?”
“I’ve been doing some digging,” Elizabeth admitted. “After everything that’s happened, I wanted to know who we’re dealing with. This Elle Sinclair has been in love with Brandon since childhood, but he’s never shown any interest in her.”
“Go on,” I encouraged, now genuinely intrigued.
“Here’s where it gets bizarre,” Elizabeth leaned forward, her voice dropping conspiratorially. “Jane Sinclair treats this girl like her own daughter–which makes sense for her brother, since it’s his first love’s child, but for Jane? It’s strange. And get this–she actively helps Elle try to trap Brandon!”
“What do you mean?”
“A few years back, when Brandon was in Washington,” Elizabeth continued, her eyes gleaming with the thrill of gossip, “Jane apparently drugged her own son, then sent Elle to his bed. Can you believe that?”
My jaw dropped. “You’re kidding. Did it work?”
