The Abandoned Wife Dumped Him First (Victoria and Elias) novel Chapter 17

"Grady, it's me." Victoria's throat felt tight as she held Grady's hand.

It took Grady a moment to realize he wasn't dreaming. He pushed himself upright. "Vic, what are you doing back? Cough... cough cough..."

Victoria got him a glass of water. "Have some water."

Grady took the glass, drank a few sips, and then looked at her again. "Victoria, you've lost weight. Are they treating you poorly at the Shawn estate? Did Elias make you upset? I'm going to go find him—"

As he spoke, Grady tried to stand up.

But after days of no sleep, he was completely exhausted. He barely made it halfway up before collapsing back down.

"Grady, you've got a fever. Stay still," Victoria said, keeping him steady. "I'm okay. The Shawns treat me well. No one's hurting me."

"Then why—"

"Mr. Flint called me," Victoria explained. "Grady, what happened? If Mr. Flint hadn't told me, were you just going to hide this from me?"

Grady's eyes flickered. "It's nothing. Just been busy with work lately. Mr. Flint is overreacting."

Having grown up together, Victoria could tell at a glance that Grady was lying.

But considering he was still sick, she decided not to press the issue.

The family doctor arrived quickly. Grady, dismissing the fever as nothing serious, initially refused the injection, but Victoria's firm expression and unyielding attitude made him relent.

Grady had no choice but to comply, returning to his bedroom to lie down for an IV drip.

Victoria stayed by his bedside until she was sure he was asleep, then stepped out. "Mr. Flint, tell me what happened."

Mr. Flint looked hesitant.

"Mr. Flint..."

"Miss, I don't know all the details," Mr. Flint said, lowering his head slightly. "But starting six days ago, both the partners The Sanger Group had deals with and the suppliers we've had good relationships with have suddenly backed out, canceling their contracts one after another."

"In just a few days, The Sanger Group has lost hundreds of millions. The young master has been trying to find out what's going on, but everyone is avoiding him."

Victoria's expression grew grave. The words Elias had said a week ago flashed in her mind, and she clenched her fists at her sides.

So this was the price he said she had to pay for her mistake.

Victoria closed her eyes for a moment. "I get it, Mr. Flint. I'll handle this."

"Miss, do you know who's behind this?" Mr. Flint asked, still worried. "How are you going to handle it?"

Victoria turned her head, looking at the ajar bedroom door.

"Brother, you probably guessed who was behind this from the very beginning, didn't you?" she murmured.

In all of The Imperial Capital, in the entire country even, the only person who could make all of The Sanger Group's partners risk offending the Shawn family to break their contracts was Elias.

Victoria composed herself and, instead of answering Mr. Flint directly, said in a calm voice, "Mr. Flint, please keep a close eye on my brother. I..."

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