She waved Lucas over, "Come, have a seat."
Lucas walked over and sat down beside her.
"My daughter is a poor girl. We were warned multiple times not to reveal these things. But my husband and I are getting old, and she deserves someone who will truly care for her."
Giselle shook her head. As Victoria's mother, even though she was her adoptive mother, she had raised Victoria with all her heart.
Her love for Victoria surpassed everything.
Knowing that she couldn't let Victoria lose a good man just to treat her husband's illness, even if it meant the truth would come out and they might be kicked out of the hospital by the Turner Family, she had to speak up.
"Look, isn't this girl in the photo beautiful and adorable?" Giselle pointed to the person in the photo, a gentle smile on her lips. "She's my daughter, Victoria."
"Victoria? Isn't this... isn't this Harvey's daughter, Chloe?"
In high society, few people wouldn't know the 'talented and beautiful' first beauty, Chloe.
"Yes, they look exactly alike. Actually, Victoria isn't my biological daughter. She was a child we took in many years ago. Her biological parents are Harvey and Grace, and she and Chloe are identical twins."
"Identical twins?"
The news was so sudden that Lucas felt an indescribable shock.
The girl in the photo had fair skin and a pure, lovely smile, like a breath of fresh spring air.
But Victoria, with her dark skin, thick eyebrows, and freckled face, looked worlds apart. He could hardly believe that the woman who had disguised herself so plainly could be so stunningly beautiful.
"Isn't she beautiful? My daughter is really beautiful," Giselle couldn't help but praise her daughter, though her face turned somber, and her cloudy eyes filled with pain. "But a few months ago, her father and I were in a car accident and ended up in the hospital. We had no money for treatment and were almost kicked out when her biological parents showed up, saying they could help us get treated for free."
"Really? That sounds like the Turner Family is quite kind," Lucas replied, knowing that the Turner Family was well-known in New Orleans for their charitable work.
"Kind? They agreed to treat us for free, but only if my daughter donated her bone marrow to their son with leukemia and never showed her face, which looks exactly like Chloe's! Otherwise, why would my daughter make herself look so ugly? I'm afraid she won't find a partner looking like that."
Giselle then took Lucas's hand warmly and said, "Lucas, I know you're a good kid. I'm telling you all this because I want you to know that my daughter isn't ugly. Please, don't despise her and treat her well."
Lucas's face showed confusion as he tried to process the overwhelming information. Victoria, who was so unattractive that she had no friends, looked exactly like Chloe? And she was actually Harvey Turner's biological daughter?
Living in the same New Orleans, not only did the Turner Family not bring Victoria back into their family, but they also forced her to donate bone marrow to their son with leukemia! He even began to suspect that the car accident involving Victoria's adoptive parents might not have been an accident at all. How could everything be so coincidental?
"The Turner Family warned us repeatedly not to say anything. If anyone found out, they wouldn't continue treating my husband. But we're old, and we can't let Victoria's future be ruined just to get treatment. We can't be that selfish."
This was why Giselle was determined to leave the hospital. She wanted to stop the treatment so that Victoria could leave New Orleans and be herself, without having to disguise herself as ugly person every day.
"That just shows how awful the Turner Family is," Lucas said angrily, feeling deeply indignant on behalf of Victoria.
"Lucas," Giselle looked at him with a serious expression, "It's clear you're not from an ordinary family. Plus, you know so much about the Turner Family, which suggests you have a certain background yourself."
Giselle knew Victoria well; that girl was tight-lipped and would never voluntarily talk about the Turner Family with Lucas. Yet, Lucas not only knew Chloe's name but also Harvey, indicating that his connections and background were far from ordinary.
She continued, "My husband and I are not capable enough, and Victoria has suffered because of us. But what I fear more is that if one day we're gone, Victoria will have no one to care for her and will continue to be bullied by the Turner Family."
Though the future was uncertain, Giselle knew one thing for sure: the Turner Family was no good.
"Auntie, why do you trust me so much?" Lucas asked as he took the family photo from Giselle's hands and looked closely at Victoria in the picture, still feeling a mix of shock and surprise.
"I may be old and my eyesight poor, but my heart is as clear as a mirror," Giselle sighed again, looking at Alexander lying in the hospital bed. "Although she is our adopted child, she is kind, honest, filial, and hardworking. She's been through a lot with us. She's a pitiful girl."
"Don't worry, Auntie. I know what to do," Lucas assured her, handing the photo back to Giselle. "Keep this photo safe and don't let anyone else find it."
"Alright, alright," Giselle nodded repeatedly. She took the photo, walked to the bedside, and tucked it into her bag while saying, "I haven't seen my daughter as she used to be for a long time. I miss her so much that I take it out to look at it from time to time."
Between the lines, Lucas could feel Giselle's deep love for Victoria.
His complicated heart gradually calmed down, but whenever he thought of Victoria, it would stir again.
Suddenly, an idea sprang into his mind: he wanted to transfer Alexander Griffin and Giselle to another hospital for better treatment, and he would cover all the medical expenses.
The Harper Family wasn't short on money.
"Auntie, if I cover the treatment costs, does Victoria still need to disguise herself?"
"What, do you think she looks ugly now?"
"Auntie, what are you saying? I never thought she was ugly before, and I certainly don't think so now. I just think it's tough for a girl to go through all this."
Lucas never considered himself someone who sympathized easily, but for a moment, he felt pity for Victoria, as if they were both lost souls in a vast world.
"Forget it, forget it," Giselle waved her hand dismissively. "My daughter is strong-willed; she wouldn't agree to it. Besides, the old man is like this now, whether he gets treated or not, what's the difference? I've wanted to leave the hospital for a long time, but that girl won't let me."
They chatted for a while in the hospital room, and then Giselle went to open the door.
Half an hour later, Victoria rushed in, full of energy. "Mom, I'm sorry, I overslept... Hey, Lucas, when did you get here?"
When she had spoken to Lucas on the phone earlier, he had only said, "Got it," so she thought he would come later.
Knowing Victoria's background, Lucas felt a mix of emotions when he saw her again, but he just smiled and said, "I just got here, right, Auntie?"
"Ah, yes, yes."
Giselle nodded enthusiastically and then turned to Lucas, "You haven't had breakfast yet, have you? Victoria, take Lucas to get something to eat."
---
"He's young and strong. Skipping one meal won't starve him," Victoria waved her hand dismissively, planning to invite Lucas for lunch later.
But her mother shot her an angry glare, "Go now."
"I...," Victoria was at a loss for words and reluctantly turned to Lucas, "Alright, let's go, let's go. Time for lunch. I'll take you downstairs to eat."
"Oh, no need, ma'am. I have some work to handle at the office. I'll be leaving now," Lucas replied politely.
"Is that so?"
"Yes, I'll come back to see you later."
Lucas said goodbye to Giselle and headed for the elevator. Victoria escorted him, "Thanks, buddy. I'll treat you to a meal next time. But don't worry, you've come twice already. My mom definitely believes you're my 'boyfriend' now, so she won't ask you to come again."
"Bye..."
Lucas didn't have his usual playful smile. He simply said "bye" and didn't say anything else.
After leaving the hospital building, Lucas made a phone call, "I need you to look into Victoria's information, as well as Chloe's."
Meanwhile, upstairs, Victoria was with Giselle, "Mom, please don't ask Lucas to come over anymore. He's really busy with work."
"Alright, alright. I got it," Giselle waved her hand dismissively and didn't say anything more.
In the days following her resignation from the Velvet Club, Victoria found herself delivering food orders every day, rain or shine, staying incredibly busy.
On the third evening, Victoria received a call from George, instructing her to move into the Carter Family's old mansion the day after tomorrow. George assured her that his boss would provide the car accident investigation results as soon as they were available.
Victoria had no room to negotiate and agreed without hesitation.
Exhausted from a long day, Victoria hung up the phone, watched a bit of a variety show, and then fell asleep almost immediately. Being pregnant, she was often sleepy, and the combination of delivering food and hospital visits made her work very demanding.
The next day, the sky was clear, and the sun was warm.
That day, the Hilton Hotel was exclusively booked by the Carter Family. At the entrance, a large photo of Leo Carter and Chloe Turner was displayed, and the LED screen announced, "Leo Carter & Chloe Turner Engagement Banquet."
From 9 am onwards, luxury cars began to fill the Hilton Hotel's parking lot. A red carpet stretched from the roadside to the hotel lobby, walked upon by the elite of New Orleans' business and social circles.
Reporters gathered at the hotel entrance, either broadcasting live or snapping photos with their cameras, creating a lively scene.
Meanwhile, one of the engagement's main characters, Leo, was still working in the president's office at Cosmos Holdings Group. To him, the engagement banquet was merely a formality, less important than the documents on his desk, even though those documents could be handled at any time.
On the other hand, Chloe, who was at the Turner Family's residence, sat in her room wearing the limited-edition dress Leo had sent over. Her hair was softly curled, her makeup light, and she wore limited-edition earrings, a necklace, and a headpiece, making her the most dazzling presence.
"Oh my, our Chloe looks so beautiful," someone exclaimed.
Grace gazed at Chloe in the vanity mirror. Chloe was wearing a white off-shoulder gown that perfectly showcased her delicate collarbones. With her chin slightly raised, revealing her fair neck, she resembled a proud swan, exuding an air of elegance and grace.
Chloe's face was lit up with a radiant smile as she held Grace's hand. "Mom, I can finally marry Leo. My wish has come true."
"Our Chloe is the most talented and beautiful young lady in New Orleans. Of course, you deserve everything you desire," Grace replied, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction witnessing her daughter's engagement to Leo. Years of effort and nurturing had finally paid off.
"Mom, have you taken care of Victoria?" "Don't worry, everything is settled." "Then let's get going. It's getting late."
"Come, let me hold your hand," Grace said, their mother-daughter bond evident in their warm interaction.
Meanwhile, Victoria, who had a tendency to oversleep, got up to wash and apply makeup. Sitting in front of her vanity, she looked at the array of makeup products before her. These were special, long-lasting cosmetics she had meticulously sourced online. They promised to stay put through wind and rain, only removable with a special solution.
She knew well how damaging these products were to her skin, but she couldn't afford to reveal her true face just yet. If the Turner family were pushed to the edge, there was no telling what desperate measures they might take.
Once everything was tidied up, the notification sound from her phone alerted her to a new delivery order. She glanced at the screen, it was an order from Wan's Breakfast House to be delivered to the Hilton Hotel.
The order had a special note: "Remember, make sure to deliver through the back entrance of the Hilton Hotel!"
Accepting the order, Victoria hopped on her scooter and headed out to make the delivery.
After picking up the food from Wan's Breakfast House, she followed the GPS directions on her phone and arrived at the entrance of the Hilton Hotel. From a distance, she could see the commotion. "Wow, what's going on here? Must be another fancy wedding," she muttered to herself, finally understanding why the order insisted on using the back entrance.
There were so many people at the front entrance that she wouldn't have been able to get through even if she tried.
Victoria rode her scooter to the back entrance and made a call. "Hello, your delivery is here."
"Come in through the back. I'm busy in the second-floor banquet hall. Just tell them it's Murphy's delivery, and they'll let you in."
"Got it, got it."
After hanging up, Victoria parked her scooter, grabbed the delivery, and walked in. Even at the back entrance, there were guards. One of them stopped her immediately. "What are you here for?"
"I'm delivering food—Murphy's order."
"Oh, for Manager Murphy? Alright, go ahead, but make it quick."
"Sure thing, thank you."
Victoria thanked the guard and hurried through the back entrance. Once inside the hotel lobby, she jogged up to the second floor, worried that any delay might make her late.
The lobby on the first floor was bustling with people. Numerous bodyguards in suits and white gloves stood watchfully by the sides.
As Victoria brushed past the radiant, elegantly dressed high-society celebrities, she recognized some of the famous stars she had seen on TV.
Though surprised, she had no time to dwell on it. The delivery was only three minutes away from being late.
She jogged up to the grand banquet hall on the second floor. Just as she stepped through the door, she halted, her willow-like eyebrows knitting together.
"Something's not right..."
She murmured to herself, tilting her head to look at a poster photo standing nearby. She had only glanced at it earlier, but it seemed familiar.
Victoria took a few steps back. When she finally saw the photo clearly, the delivery box in her hand fell to the ground with a thud.
In the photo, the handsome and dashing Leo was embracing the exquisitely dressed and beautiful Chloe. The man wore his usual cold expression, but the woman in his arms was beaming with happiness.
"Today is their engagement party?"
Victoria stood there, utterly stunned, unable to move. Her heart was filled with indescribable shock.