Chapter 6 the design 

Victoria reached out, her trembling hands handing the portfolio case that contained the original designs to Adrian. "I need to help your friend at Lloyd Corporation. This is fair, to wipe clean the accusation James has, along with Cox Corporation, hurled at them. These will prove just how innocent they are.

Adrian stared at her, momentarily speechless. The woman he married to escape the chaos of her family was now unknowingly helping him protect his company and reputation.

“Thank you, Victoria,” Adrian said softly, his voice sincere. “My friend at Lloyd Corporation will be so grateful for this. You’re doing the right thing.”

Victoria offered him a small smile, unaware of the hidden meaning behind his gratitude.

Adrian Puts the Plan in Motion

That evening, Adrian went back to Lloyd Corporation with the portfolio, making sure it was safely delivered to Nora, his assistant.

"These are the original designs," Adrian explained. "Victoria created them when she worked for Cox Corporation. James submitted them under false pretenses, but these will prove their rightful ownership."

Nora's eyes had gone wide. "These are extraordinary," she said, flipping through the detailed sketches and plans. "And they're dated. This is undeniable proof that Victoria is the true designer. Should we release this publicly?"

Adrian shook his head. "yes. First, we need to make sure our legal team secures her intellectual property rights. Once that's done, we'll reveal everything, but only at the right time."

James Tightens His Scheme

Meanwhile, James continued to dig deeper into his smear campaign. He called for a meeting with his PR team, urging them to keep drumming up the allegations against Lloyd Corporation.

"I don't care how you do it," growled James. "Leak more fabricated documents if you have to. I want the public to be satisfied that Lloyd Corporation took what is ours."

Sabrina leaned forward, an impish smile spreading across her face. "What if we plant a story that ties Lloyd Corporation's CEO to shady dealings? No one even knows who Theodore Lloyd is. That mystery could work against them."

James considered the idea a moment and nodded. "Do it. The more doubt we cast on their integrity, the better."

Victoria's Growing Suspicion

Back at home, Victoria began to notice Adrian’s frequent absences and the urgency with which he handled matters involving Lloyd Corporation. One evening, as he was leaving the house with a determined look, she stopped him.

“Adrian, wait,” she called. “You’ve been so involved in this situation with your friend at Lloyd Corporation. Is there something you’re not telling me?”

Adrian hesitated, his hand on the doorknob. "Victoria, I promise everything I'm doing is to make things right-for you and for my friend. Trust me."

Victoria studied him for a moment before nodding. "I do trust you. Just… be careful, okay?"

Adrian smiled and kissed her forehead. "Always."

Victoria sat in the silence of her living room, watching the TV as the aftermath of the Lloyd Corporation press conference played out. The world still didn't know who Theodore Lloyd was, but the evidence Adrian—theodore—had brought to the table was indisputable. Cox Corporation was in tatters, and James was being openly maligned.

The doorbell rang, snapping her out of it. Victoria opened the door to reveal her stepmother, Clara, and Sabrina on the porch. Clara's face was cold as always, while Sabrina looked furious and desperate.

"What do you want?" Victoria asked steadily.

Clara nudged her way inside, heels clicking on the hardwood floor. "You just couldn't stay in your place, could you?" she hissed.

Sabrina followed, her tone sharp. "You handed those designs to Lloyd Corporation, didn't you? How dare you ruin everything for James and the family?"

Victoria folded her arms. "Those designs were mine to begin with. James stole them, and you all knew it. You can't blame me for exposing the truth."

Clara's lips curled into a sneer. "Do you think you're some kind of hero? James is furious, and your father is livid. He's already talking about cutting you out of the inheritance for good."

Victoria's stomach twisted, but she held her ground. "Good. I don't need anything from him. And I certainly don't need anything from you or Sabrina."

James Threatens Victoria

Later that evening, Victoria received a call from an unknown number. She hesitated, but answered.

"Victoria," James's voice came low and menacing.

"What do you want, James?" she asked, gripping the phone tighter.

"You've made a grave mistake," he said. "You think giving those designs to Lloyd Corporation will save you? You have no idea who you're messing with."

Victoria's jaw tightened. "I didn't do anything wrong. You stole my work, and now the truth is out."

James chuckled menacingly. "You think this is over? Your father, Clara, Sabrina… they all know it was you. And they're on my side. You won't have anyone left to turn to when I'm done with you."

The line was dead before Victoria could utter a word.

Victoria's Father Confronts Her

The next morning, Victoria's father, Richard, summoned her to the family estate. Reluctantly, she appeared before him, already steeled for his anger.

As soon as she stepped into his study, he slammed a hand upon his desk. "How dare you humiliate this family?" he barked.

Victoria flinched but stood her ground. "I didn't humiliate anyone. James stole my designs, and I wasn't going to let him get away with it."

"You've always been a thorn in my side," Richard spat. "Do you have any idea how much damage you've caused? Cox Corporation was our ally, and now they're ruined. Thanks to you, we're being dragged into this mess."

Victoria's chest tightened. "You mean you're upset because James and Sabrina can't use me anymore. Don't pretend you care about this family's reputation."

Richard's eyes went narrow. "Watch your tone. If it weren't for Sabrina, I would've disowned you a long time ago."

Tears pricked at Victoria's eyes, but she wouldn't let them fall. "Then do it," she said slowly. "Cut me off if that's what you want. I'll survive without you."

Adrian Intervenes

Back at home, Victoria shared the confrontation with Adrian. She didn’t know why, but telling him always made her feel lighter, as if his presence alone could shoulder some of her burdens.

Adrian listened intently, his expression unreadable. Finally, he said, “Victoria, you don’t have to face this alone. If James or your family comes after you again, I’ll handle it.”

She frowned, bewildered. "Why are you so willing to help me?"

Adrian smiled faintly. "Because you've already done more for me than you realize."

She cocked her head. "What do you mean?"

He hesitated but covered quickly. "You stood up for what's right. That's rare, and it's something worth protecting."

Sabrina's New Scheme

Meanwhile, Sabrina was not about to let her plans go awry. She and James met in secret, brainstorming how to regain the upper hand.

"Victoria may have the original designs," Sabrina said, "but that doesn't mean we can't discredit her. We'll spin this as her sabotaging her own family out of spite. And if we can prove she's still connected to Lloyd Corporation, we'll paint her as a traitor."

James smirked. "I like the way you think. If we can't ruin Lloyd Corporation, we'll destroy Victoria instead."

"But first," Sabrina added, "we need to find out who Theodore Lloyd really is. That's the key to all of this."

Victoria stood in her father's grand study, where so many of her most bitter childhood memories had taken root. Richard paced up and down, his face screwing up in anger. Clara and Sabrina were more background players, their smirks evidence to her that she was outnumbered.

"You will do the press conference, Victoria," Richard shouted jarringly.

Victoria shook her head emphatically. "I will never lie for you or James. The designs are mine, and I won't let you manipulate me anymore. I just want my grandmother's company back."

Richard slammed his fist on the desk, making Victoria jump. "You ungrateful brat! After everything this family has done for you, this is how you repay us?

“You’ve done nothing but steal from me and undermine me at every turn,” Victoria shot back, her voice rising with defiance. “I don’t care about your threats, Father. I’m not doing the press conference.”

Richard’s face darkened, and he strode toward her, his hand raised. Before she could react, his palm struck her cheek, the sharp sting bringing tears to her eyes.

"You'll regret this," he snarled. "You think you can defy me? You're nothing without this family."

Clara chuckled from her place by the window. "Such a waste of space, Victoria. Why don't you just do what's asked of you and stop pretending to be someone important?"

Sabrina chimed in, her tone mocking. "Maybe if you apologize and beg, James will forgive you. You can go back to being the little secretary you were always meant to be."

Victoria's heart raced, but she wouldn't let them see her fear. "I'm done with all of you," she said, though her voice was steady and her hands were trembling. "You can threaten me, insult me, but I won't back down. Just give me what's rightfully mine-Grandma's company-and leave me alone."

Adrian's Arrival

Meanwhile, Adrian sped down the city streets, his mind racing with concern. The note Victoria had left on the kitchen counter was vague, but he knew enough about her family to guess that she might be in danger.

"She shouldn't have gone alone," Adrian muttered, clenching the steering wheel tightly. His mind replayed every warning sign he'd seen from her father, every manipulative word from Clara and Sabrina.

His suspicions were confirmed when he pulled up to the grand estate. Voices were raised inside, and as he approached the door, the sound of something breaking reached his ears. Adrian pushed the door open and stormed inside.

Adrian Confronts Richard

"Victoria!" Adrian's voice boomed through the house as he entered the study. He froze at the sight of her standing defiant, a red mark blooming on her cheek, while her father glared at her with clenched fists.

Richard turned to face Adrian, his expression hardening. "Who the hell are you to barge into my home?"

Adrian did not pay him any attention but hurried to Victoria's side. He gently stroked her cheek, scanning her face with his hazel eyes for injuries. "Are you okay?" he whispered.

Victoria nodded, her voice trembling. "I'm fine. I just… I can't take this anymore."

Adrian rose to his feet, his face all squinted as he faced Richard. "What kind of man hits his own daughter? You ought to be ashamed of yourself.

Richard sneered. "This is a family matter. Stay out of it."

"Victoria is my wife," Adrian said, his voice calm but deadly. "And if you think for one second that I'm going to let you harm her again, you're mistaken."

Clara scoffed from the corner. "You think you can intimidate us? You're nobody. Just another leech trying to live off Victoria's pity.

Adrian's lips curled into a smirk, but his eyes were cold. "You'll find out soon enough just how wrong you are."

The Turning Point

Adrian turned to Victoria, his voice soft. "Let's go. You don't have to stay here any longer.

Victoria hesitated a moment, then nodded. A last look at her father and she said, "You may have the house, the money, and all your schemes. But you will not take my grandmother's company from me. If you think I'm walking away from that, you're delusional."

Richard's face twisted in rage. "You're making a mistake, Victoria.

"The only mistake I ever made was trusting this family," Victoria replied before walking out with Adrian by her side.

As they left the estate, Adrian placed a protective arm around her shoulders. "You did the right thing," he said softly.

Victoria sighed, leaning into him. "It doesn't feel like it. They're never going to stop coming after me."

Adrian's eyes hardened. "They can try, but they'll fail. I won't let them hurt you again."

Adrian kept a steady hand on the wheel as the car sped down the quiet, moonlit road. Victoria sat beside him, her fingers trembling as she cradled the note her father had thrown at her before they left.

"You'll regret this, Victoria. This isn't over," the note read, in Richard's sharp, angry handwriting. She bit her lip, her mind a whirlwind of fear, defiance, and confusion over Adrian's earlier bombshell.

"How are you holding up?" Adrian asked, his voice cutting through the tense silence.

Victoria looked at him, her eyes searching his face. "I'm fine," she lied. 

But before they could know it, a pair of headlights suddenly appeared in the rearview mirror, growing brighter and closer at an alarming speed.

"Adrian, that car—" Victoria started, panic creeping into her voice.