Chapter 268
“You vile creature! I’ll end you!” Damian’s face contorted with fury, his eyes burning like molten embers.
All pretense of decorum vanished in an instant.
Victoria’s heart plummeted.
She hadn’t anticipated Alexander would betray them so openly.
“Stop this! You’re going too far!” Victoria glared at Alexander, her disappointment thick in the air.
She had expected to see him broken after everything she’d orchestrated, yet there he stood—untouched, unshaken.
All her meticulous planning, the carefully arranged kidnapping—nothing but a spectacular failure.
Clenching her jaw, Victoria moved to help Damian as he struggled to his feet.
“Alexander, no matter what, you can’t treat your own brother like this.”
Alexander’s lips twisted into a humorless smirk.
“Brother?” He let out a derisive scoff. “What gives either of you the right to use that word?” His gaze raked over them, cold and contemptuous.
“Need I remind you this is the Kingsley estate? The one my grandfather left to me?” His voice dripped with icy precision. “Even my father wouldn’t dare step foot here without my permission. So what makes you think a pair of parasites like you have any right to waltz in?”
“Y-You—!” Damian’s face flushed crimson with rage, but as he tried to push himself up, Victoria deliberately pressed down on his already swollen wrist.
“Agh!” Damian cried out, but Victoria ignored his whimpers, her eyes locked on Alexander.
“You’ve misunderstood. We aren’t here to cause trouble. We came because we heard Amelia was kidnapped and wanted to ensure she was safe. Any disturbance was unintentional.”
She knew better than anyone that despite having a son, she was no match for Alexander.
He controlled the majority of the shares and several thriving enterprises. He was one of the wealthiest men in Ontdale.
To remove him and clear the path for Damian, she needed patience—to wait for the perfect moment to erase Alexander from existence.
Or she had to prove to Richard that Damian was far more capable than Alexander.
For now, she had to play the part.
“Alexander, I know you despise me. But you don’t need to hurt Damian to make your point. Your father and I got together—that’s all. If you need to blame someone, blame me. Our son is innocent.”
Every word was calculated.
She knew Richard had eyes on the surveillance. One wrong move, one reckless word from Alexander, and she could weaponize it.
Feigning exhaustion, she lowered her gaze, as if wounded by his cruelty.
“We’re still family, whether you like it or not. You don’t have to call me Mother, but tormenting Damian like this… If anything happens to him, your father will never forgive you.”
Her tone carried a veiled threat.
She shook her head slightly.
“Let’s just forget this ever happened. We came to check on you and Amelia, but since you don’t want us here…”
Her words were gentle, considerate, accompanied by a practiced smile, but her true intent was to provoke Alexander.
Yet Alexander’s expression remained impassive, almost bored. His dark eyes gave nothing away, making Victoria feel like a fool.
He tilted his head slightly.
“Are you disappointed we’re still alive?”
The chilling indifference in his voice sent shivers through the room.
Victoria felt a cold sweat bead down her spine.
Alexander had transformed into someone unrecognizable—detached, ruthless, radiating an aura so cold it froze the air.
She thought of Isabella.
The same lethal, calculating presence surrounded them both, making her instinctively want to retreat.
Her chest tightened. Today had been a complete disaster.
Neither Alexander nor Amelia bore a single scratch.
Drawing a steadying breath, Victoria softened her voice.
“Alexander, how could you think that of me? I’m still your stepmother… at least in name.”
