I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 179

When Victoria pushed open the door to the hospital room, she spotted Luke studying something in his hand. The instant he saw her, the glittering object vanished, swallowed by his tightly clenched fist.

"What are you doing here?" Eleanor's tone was frigid.

In the past, even if she harbored grievances toward Eileen, she had always been exceedingly polite to Harold and Victoria, never forgetting how Harold had bailed them out during a crisis.

But now, with her son lying broken in a hospital bed and their families' interests fundamentally opposed, she couldn't even muster the energy to fake civility.

"I came to see Luke. No matter what happened, I've always loved him like my own. We've been practically family for over twenty years. Are we really going to rip this family apart over the kids' mistakes?"

Victoria knew she wasn't welcome. But she had exhausted every other avenue. Luke was the only remaining weak point she could exploit. Even if it meant swallowing her pride and groveling to Eleanor, she had to endure it.

Sophie was an impenetrable fortress. No matter what Victoria said, she wouldn't budge. She didn't even listen to Harold, let alone her.

Victoria had even tried ambushing Sophie at her office, only to be completely shut down. Sophie outright refused to see her.

When Victoria tried waiting in the lobby, Sophie only came down when her boyfriend arrived. Before Victoria could even string two words together, the boyfriend had shielded Sophie and immediately called his lawyer to report harassment.

What drove Victoria even crazier was that one day, she saw the motorcyclist walking out of the office building with Sophie. They actually knew each other!

Victoria was convinced Sophie and that man, Kaine, had conspired to frame Eileen.

She had immediately relayed this massive breakthrough to her lawyer. Eileen's case was still in the preliminary investigation phase. Victoria couldn't let even the smallest loophole slip by.

"Luke, how are you feeling?" Victoria sat in the chair next to the bed, her voice dripping with maternal concern.

"I'm fine," Luke replied faintly, his tone devoid of emotion.

Victoria glanced at his tightly clenched right hand.

To catch the light so brilliantly in the middle of the day, it had to be a diamond. Luke was holding a diamond ring—a ring he hadn't yet given away.

He really had resolved to run away with Sophie. What a shame he failed.

Victoria massaged her temples. If she had just kept a closer eye on Eileen and stopped her from making a scene, none of this nightmare would be happening.

Honestly, she would have preferred Luke just taking Sophie away. That way, Eileen wouldn't be rotting in a holding cell, and Victoria wouldn't be forced to watch Sophie swoop in to steal the inheritance that rightfully belonged to her and her daughter.

That hateful woman was Harold's illegitimate brat. Every time the thought crossed her mind, Victoria gritted her teeth in pure fury.

Victoria felt a wave of disappointment, followed quickly by sheer panic. She had to shatter the alliance between Luke and Sophie.

No matter how much Sophie kicked and screamed, her injuries were minor abrasions, nowhere near enough to warrant a harsh sentence. Kaine wasn't severely injured either, and since Eileen hadn't targeted him intentionally, it was categorized as accidental injury without criminal liability.

Luke was the only one who mattered. His injuries were severe, and the security footage clearly showed Eileen deliberately shoving him and Sophie into the street. The lawyer had made it crystal clear: the entire case hinged on convincing Luke to drop the charges. As long as he accepted a financial settlement out of court, Eileen wouldn't face prison time.

The only reason Luke was being so stubborn this time was because of that vixen, Sophie. Victoria refused to believe the boy she had watched grow up could be so heartless to her family.

After all, last time, Luke had helped them pressure Sophie into signing the Leniency Waiver.

If she could just make him lose hope in Sophie, or better yet, make him hate her, he would undoubtedly turn his back on her.

"Luke, I am so incredibly sorry. It's my fault for not raising Eileen right, leading to you getting hurt so badly. She's in custody right now and can't visit you, but she is drowning in regret. She asks about you constantly."

Victoria wrapped both of her hands around Luke's clenched fist, letting two perfect tears slide down her cheeks.

Luke pulled his hand free with agonizing slowness. His voice was hollow. "Mrs. Harper, I'm tired. I want to rest."