Chapter 384
William returned just as Eleanor’s wounds were being redressed. She rushed forward immediately, desperation in her voice.
“William, tell me—how is Victoria?”
“The evidence was irrefutable. The judge sentenced her to twelve years in prison.”
“No!” Eleanor’s face drained of color, her vision swimming. She swayed, nearly collapsing.
William caught her before she fell. “We did everything possible, Eleanor.”
“And yet it wasn’t enough!” Eleanor sobbed, her voice breaking. “The lawyer swore he could guarantee her freedom! How did it come to this?”
“Vivian Prescott produced final evidence. And Victoria’s adoptive parents—Margaret and Richard—testified against her.”
“Vivian Prescott again!” Eleanor’s eyes burned with fury. “I invited her to dinner, hoping she’d show mercy. And this is how she repays me? She’s ruthless! I should never have stopped Beatrice last night. If only she had—”
“Have you lost your mind?” William’s voice was sharp with disbelief. “Do you even realize who saved your life? Without Vivian’s blood donation, you wouldn’t be standing here!”
Eleanor froze.
Her jaw clenched as she thought of Victoria’s fate. “I never asked for her help. How much blood did she give? I’ll repay every drop!”
“You can return hers. But how will you repay Evelyn’s?” William’s voice was heavy.
Eleanor stared at him, confused. “Evelyn? Why bring up that wretched woman? She deserved worse than death for what she did. What could we possibly owe her?”
William sighed, his expression pained. “Three years ago, during your appendectomy, you lost too much blood. Remember?”
“Victoria and Margaret told me Victoria was the donor. But that was a lie. She refused.”
“What?” Eleanor’s breath hitched. “That’s impossible! If not Victoria, then who?”
“Evelyn.”
Eleanor’s lips parted in shock. The air around her seemed to vanish. “No… that can’t be. After everything, why would she save me?”
“I had the records checked. Evelyn didn’t just save you. She also saved our grandson, Ethan.”
A heavy silence settled between them.
“We’ve been blind for too long, Eleanor. I can’t fathom the depths of Victoria’s deceit. We failed her. Her adoptive parents twisted her completely.”
Eleanor’s hands trembled. “No… it can’t be true…”
But the truth was undeniable. Guilt gnawed at her. Both Evelyn and Vivian had saved her without hesitation, and in return, she had repaid them with cruelty.
William urged her to rest, but Eleanor insisted on seeing Victoria.
Before stepping out of the car, she turned to him. “Aren’t you coming? She’s still our daughter.”
William’s expression darkened. “I’m not ready to face her. She may be our blood, but her actions…”
Eleanor understood. She entered the prison alone.
She still struggled to believe Victoria’s true nature, but she couldn’t deny the evidence. As a mother, she had to confront her.
Inside, the officer informed her that Victoria already had visitors—Margaret and Richard.
Thanks to William’s connections, Eleanor was permitted inside.
But as she reached the visitation room, she heard Victoria’s enraged shouts.
“Are you happy now? You betrayed me! How could you do this?”
Victoria’s eyes were bloodshot, her face twisted in fury. Eleanor had never seen her like this.
Margaret kept her head low. “We had no choice. It was us or you.”
“Then it should have been you!” Victoria slammed her hands on the table.
“Calm down,” Margaret snapped. “Losing your temper won’t help. Just wait—Eleanor and William will get you out.”
Victoria bared her teeth. “Who are my real parents—you or them? After everything I gave you, this is how you repay me? Or did you forget I’m your daughter the moment you got comfortable?”