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Novel Catalog
Chapter 34
Victor’s departure from the mansion felt like an escape, though it was one that left the tension in the house hanging in the air, thick and suffocating. As he walked out into the night, the cold air seemed to wash over him, clearing his mind of the oppressive atmosphere of the Alwynn household.
The argument with his father had been inevitable, as always. Victor had no intention of ever marrying Haven or being tied to his family’s expectations. His decision to start his own business three years ago was a declaration of his independence—his desire to break free from the suffocating grip of his family’s legacy. But that desire for freedom came at a cost. The path he had chosen had distanced him from everyone he had once known, including the woman he had hoped would one day return.
He couldn’t afford to let his family dictate his life any longer, not while Eden’s image haunted his thoughts. She was the reason he had endured all these years of conflict. She was the reason he hadn’t married anyone else despite the pressure. He couldn’t let anyone else take her place, not when she still had a hold on his heart.
As he drove through the dark streets, his mind was consumed with thoughts of her. The memory of her smile, the way she had looked at him—it all felt so real. But who was she really? Was she truly Eden Clement, the girl he had lost so long ago? Or was she someone else entirely, someone who merely reminded him of the woman he had been waiting for?
Victor’s grip tightened on the steering wheel as he thought about his next steps. He couldn’t let this mystery go unresolved. He needed to find the answers, to confirm whether she was the one he had been searching for.
Back at the mansion, Rebecca sat quietly, her gaze distant as she stared out the window. The coldness in her expression belied the ambition brewing beneath the surface. She knew that Victor’s independence was both a threat and an opportunity. She had always known how to play the game, how to manipulate situations to her advantage. And now, with Victor gaining more power and influence in River City, she saw a chance to solidify her own position in the Alwynn family.
Her eyes narrowed as she thought of Vincent, who was more than eager to prove himself as the rightful heir. But she knew that he lacked the drive, the ruthless ambition that Victor possessed. If only Victor could be made to bow to her will, the Alwynn legacy could be hers to control.
“Victor thinks he can escape us,” Rebecca muttered to herself, a cold smile playing on her lips. “But he’s wrong. No one can outrun their bloodline.”
Meanwhile, Vincent was in the study, a dark look on his face as he watched his mother. His own thoughts were similar to hers, but with a more personal twist. The ongoing battle with Victor had become more than just about family power—it had become personal. Victor had always been the golden child in their father’s eyes, the one who could do no wrong. But Vincent knew that his position in the family was just as important. He could not allow Victor to overshadow him, not now that he was so close to everything he wanted.
The look in his eyes was dangerous, filled with a quiet, seething rage. “Victor may think he’s untouchable, but I will bring him down,” he whispered to himself.
Vincent’s thoughts turned to Haven. Though he had never been particularly interested in her, she was a means to an end. Marrying her would not only secure his place in the family, but it would also serve as a way to keep his ties to the Clement family strong. The political and financial gains were undeniable.
But for now, he would bide his time. He knew that pushing too hard too soon could be detrimental. Like his mother, he was patient. He would wait for the right moment, and when it came, he would strike.
As Victor continued his drive through the city, his phone buzzed with a message. It was from his most trusted ally, Anson.
Anson: I’ve got news on Eden. I’ll update you as soon as I have everything.
Victor’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of her name. He knew that Anson would uncover the truth, one way or another. But even as he thought about the revelation that was coming, a sense of unease settled over him. The closer he got to Eden, the more he realized how much was at stake.
The truth was out there, and Victor would stop at nothing to find it. Eden was the key to everything—his past, his future, and perhaps even his salvation.
As the city lights flickered past him, Victor’s resolve hardened. Whatever it took, he would uncover the mystery of Eden Clement—and he would make sure no one, not even his own family, stood in his way.