The Abandoned Wife Dumped Him First (Victoria and Elias) novel Chapter 22

Genevieve reflexively glanced at the man beside her.

His expression was cool and distant as always, showing no intention of denying the comment.

"No... that's not it, Mr. Ronald. Elias and I are really just friends," Genevieve said, shaking her head. But deep down, she was thrilled by his silence, and a blush crept onto her cheeks.

Anyone who reached the position of Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce was shrewd. Ronald simply chuckled knowingly. "My mistake, then. I'll drink to that."

Victoria found an empty seat and watched the scene unfold. Her hands had clenched into fists without her realizing it, her nails digging into her palms. The sharp sting of pain brought her back to the present.

She had thought that once her heart was dead, it could no longer ache.

But she'd forgotten that her secret love for Elias was a tree she had spent twelve years watering with her heart and soul. Even if it had withered, uprooting it completely couldn't be done overnight.

"And who might this young lady be? Which family is she from?" Ronald's voice suddenly sounded beside her.

Victoria composed herself and stood up gracefully. "Mr. Ronald, my name is Victoria."

"Victoria? That name sounds familiar." Ronald thought for a moment. "Are you related to Grady?"

"Grady is my older brother."

Victoria was born when Grady was five. As the daughter of the family, both Garnett and Grady had protected her fiercely, rarely bringing her to the endless banquets of the upper crust. Most people knew the Sanger family had a daughter, but few had ever seen her.

Upon learning she was the Sanger heiress, everyone at the table was a little surprised. Garnett's imprisonment two years ago had been a major scandal, severely damaging the Sanger Group's foundations. It was a mystery how the company had managed to hold on for this long.

"So it's Miss Sanger. I had no idea you were so beautiful." Ronald's gaze was unabashed as it roamed over Victoria, his eyes behind his glasses turning murky. "Mr. Sanger certainly kept you hidden away."

Victoria wasn't naive. She could feel the way Ronald was looking at her; he was clearly interested in her looks.

And she knew that to close this deal, the key was getting Ronald on her side.

"You flatter me, Mr. Ronald," Victoria said calmly.

Ronald laughed heartily but said nothing more.

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