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Vctoria’s POV:
After hearing Alexander and Charlotte’s clarification, I began to waver. That evening, back in our bedroom, I confessed everything to James.
As James listened, his expression grew increasingly somber. “Victoria, from today forward, you will have no personal contact with the Barrett family.”
“Why? We’ve known each other for years!” I stared at my husband in disbelief. Karen had always been my confidante, my ally in this cold, calculating family of men.
James looked at my tear–streaked face, and I could see his anger softening into sympathy. “You fool,” he said softly, wiping the tears from my face. “Karen Barrett has been using you all along, and you haven’t even realized it.”
He sighed, “Charlotte has no intention of taking control of the Kingsley family. She was forced into this marriage by my father.”
I was shocked, my voice involuntarily rising several decibels.
“How is that possible? Why would the Kingsley family need to force a young girl? Marrying into the Kingsley family is every girl’s dream.”
James patted my shoulder, signaling me to calm down. “Lower your voice, this is a family secret. The Kingsley family is under a wealth curse, and if we don’t find a way to break it, the Kingsley family will disappear. We’ve been searching for ways to break the curse all along, and Father used some mysterious method to discover that only the union of Charlotte Cole and Alexander could break it.”
Hearing this truth, I didn’t know how to react, completely stunned into silence.
“Alexander doesn’t know about the curse either?”
“He moved out of Nob Hill when he was 13. We haven’t told him yet.”
Seeing me gradually coming to my senses, James reminded me again.
“Don’t let Karen manipulate you anymore.”
A few days later, I was practicing in my private yoga room at Nob Hill when Karen called again. She had been persistently inviting me out, suggesting shopping at Union Square or afternoon tea at various exclusive venues.
“Victoria, seeing Charlotte at the Kingsley estate must be driving you crazy,” Karen’s voice dripped with false concern. “Unhappiness causes wrinkles. Would you like to try Barrett’s new facial treatment line?”
After my conversation with James, I saw through her manipulation. “If I get wrinkles, so be it,” I replied casually. “At my age, what woman doesn’t have a few marks of time on her face? When you reach my age, you might have many more than
I do.”
I could almost imagine Karen’s meticulously practiced smile becoming awkward on the other end. She quickly changed the subject.
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“Even if you don’t want to see me, surely you care about Jason? Stanford is hosting an alumni fundraiser. My sister mentioned Jason is a student representative.”
Now she was using my son? Her desperation was becoming obvious. “I talk to my son every day,” I replied coldly. “He’s already told me he gave up that position because it would interfere with his internship. If you’re interested in such events, feel free to attend yourself.”
‘Victoria? What’s wrong? Why do you keep refusing my invitations?” Karen asked, confusion evident in her voice.
Since James revealed how I had been used, every call with Karen required tremendous restraint to hide my disgust.
“There’s nothing worth avoiding,” I said bluntly. “If anyone should be avoiding someone, it should be you avoiding me. Only those with guilty consciences fear confrontation.”
I could almost feel Karen’s shock through the phone. I had never spoken to her like this before.
“Victoria, is there a misunderstanding between us? Or… has someone said something to you?” she probed cautiously.
I performed a perfect back stretch on my yoga mat. “Being manipulated once was my stupidity. There won’t be a second time, and I won’t give anyone that opportunity.”
Just then, I saw Charlotte walking down the hallway in casual loungewear.
I sat up. “Charlotte, where are you going?”
“Getting some water.” She noticed my already empty water glass and hesitated. “Would you like me to bring you some too?”
“Of course,” I nodded, and she left briskly. I didn’t tell Charlotte I was on the phone with Karen, but I was certain Karen
could hear Charlotte’s voice.
“Victoria…” Karen began after a moment of silence.
“Karen, you’re a smart woman, otherwise I wouldn’t have been fooled by your façade for so long,” my voice hardened. “I think I’ve made my position clear today. Some people can circle around the Kingsley family for fifteen years, using every trick in the book, yet never truly become one of us. Because some souls are too tainted.” I deliberately paused. “Charlotte may come from ordinary circumstances, but her soul is pure. Yes, she has a temper, but coincidentally, I’m beginning to appreciate her straightforward nature.”
I said no more and ended Karen’s call, ensuring she understood my position.
That evening, I had dinner with Jason in the family dining room, the formal setting contrasting sharply with my son’s casual attitude. As the server brought the main course, I looked at him seriously.
“The Barretts are trying to approach you. Stay away from them, don’t cause me any trouble. If you don’t listen, I’ll have your uncle reconsider your internship at the company.”
Jason carelessly cut his steak. “Yeah, yeah, you’re talking about Karen Barrett, right? I’ve been sick of her affected manner for ages. Previously, you were the only one in the family who thought she was decent. You even tried to match her with Uncle Alexander.” He shook his head. “Even Grandfather, that ‘old star–gazing fossil,‘ saw through her. Only you were fooled by her performance.”
I felt waves of regret washing over me. How could I have been so blind? I blamed myself for being too trusting, unable to
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see through the glossy exterior of our social circle to the truth of people’s hearts.
Suddenly I noticed Jason’s mouth seemed slightly swollen. “Jason, did your uncle hit you?”
His expression became somewhat embarrassed as he quickly shoveled a few more bites of food and fled the dining room, almost as if escaping.
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