Chapter 3

Victoria's eyes flickered slightly.

She had heard of the Anouk Rivera they mentioned.

Anouk was a highly esteemed psychology professor who pioneered the field of trauma healing, using aggressive hypnosis to forcibly help patients escape their pain.

She had visited Lenora in the mountains and mentioned it, but Lenora said it wasn't a particularly impressive technique. By putting the other person in a lower position before the conversation started, one could easily gain the upper hand. Lenora had taught her this.

She wondered if she could try it.

The doctor finished speaking and left with a large group of people.

Aurora frowned and after a moment said, "Let's go see Edward first."

Lila tactfully closed the door and stood guard outside.

The room was now quiet and empty, no longer crowded as before.

Edward, shirtless, leaned against the pillow and lifted his eyelids slightly when he heard them enter.

"Why are you shirtless?"

Aurora's concern outweighed her worry, and she quickly grabbed a shirt to cover him.

Suddenly, Aurora exclaimed, "Why do you have bruises on your waist?! Who abused you?"

Aurora's face tightened instantly, and she was about to call someone to ask.

"It was made during the examination," Edward explained, stopping Aurora.

His cold gaze swept over Victoria, and he said meaningfully, "I was pinched."

Victoria froze, instinctively looking at his muscles, and then shyly looked away.

Why did he look at her? It wasn't she who pinched him.

Wait!

Victoria suddenly remembered that during their passionate moment yesterday, she had clamped her thighs tightly around Edward's waist and abdomen for support.

Could it really be her doing?

Victoria broke out in a cold sweat, her forehead covered in perspiration.

"By the way, this is your wife..."

Aurora hadn't finished introducing when Edward interrupted and spoke to Victoria, "Your phone is ringing. Someone sent a message, and it looks urgent."

"Okay."

Victoria reacted slowly, instinctively reaching for her pocket, only to remember she was wearing Edward's clothes. Her mind went blank for a moment.

"The phone is here."

Edward's tone was not pleasant, nodding towards the bedside table.

Victoria quickly picked up the phone and went to the balcony.

Victoria opened it and saw over twenty missed calls and hundreds of messages.

At first, they seemed concerned: [Victoria, how are you? Is the Hamilton family treating you well?]

As time went on, the tone became increasingly harsh, ending with: [You little bitch, do you think you've climbed up the social ladder by getting married?]

Victoria's heart ached, and she immediately exited and turned off the phone. Just then, a photo came through.

The photo showed a frail child, dressed in rags, eyes full of fear and helplessness, curled up in a basement. The exposed arms and neck were covered in bruises.

Victoria's pupils contracted, and she quickly called back.

The phone rang for a few seconds before the other side picked up. "You finally decided to answer?"

The voice was full of smugness, knowing Victoria couldn't resist.

Victoria gritted her teeth and questioned, "Elodie is just a child. Do you really have to treat her like this?! She's your own daughter too!"

On the other end, Amara laughed coldly. "I never intended to keep her. You were the one who insisted on taking her in. What does it have to do with me?"

Victoria clenched her teeth.

Back then, her father had just passed away unexpectedly, and Amara was about to give birth to her second child. To secure a wealthy husband, she chose to induce labor, leaving the newborn in a hospital trash can and walking away.

If Victoria hadn't followed the clues to find her sister, Elodie Neville, she would have died as a newborn.

"What do you want?"

Finally getting to the point, Amara arrogantly demanded, "Edward has a project for an entertainment center. You need to get it for me. Thalia is counting on this project to marry Marcus Hamilton."

The Hamilton family had immense power in Starlight City, and before Edward's accident, he was almost the designated heir of the group.

But now, everything was uncertain.

Naturally, other members of the Hamilton family were eyeing the position, with Marcus being the most competitive.

Victoria laughed in disbelief. "I don't have that kind of influence."

Amara didn't believe her at all. "You just married into the family, and Edward woke up. The Hamilton family must be treating you like a treasure. The contract is just a matter of you saying a word!"

That contract was highly valuable, not to mention the entertainment center would become a hub for power and money transactions once built, with limitless future potential.

If Thalia could help Marcus secure it, marrying into the Hamilton family would be a breeze.

Victoria remained silent.

Amara's tone suddenly turned vicious. "Do you want to see Elodie suffer?"

"You!"

How could there be such a cruel mother in the world?

"Think it over. Give me an answer the day after tomorrow." Amara hung up the phone without waiting for a response.

The day after tomorrow was the day she was supposed to go home.

Amara really left her no way out.

Victoria felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave, her hands and feet cold, filled with sadness and grievance.

She opened the balcony door and returned to the room, just as Aurora beckoned, "Come here."

Victoria had to force a smile and obediently sat next to Aurora, who took her hand and solemnly introduced her to Edward, "This is your little lucky star. You must treat her well from now on."

Aurora wanted to say more but suddenly noticed Victoria's clothes. Her eyes showed satisfaction, and she changed her words. "I won't disturb you two from bonding."

Aurora left after speaking. The door closed again.

Edward's eyes flashed with mockery as he stared at Victoria and lightly said, "Divorce."

"What?"

"No matter who sent you, I advise you not to waste your efforts. I don't have time to play this spy game with you."

Victoria listened to his self-centered words, full of confusion, and defended herself. "I'm not sent by anyone. I am..."

"No need to explain. The divorce agreement will be sent over this afternoon. You can fill in the amount you want, take the money, and leave. Can you do that?"

Edward's tone was harsh, completely different from the hoarse, magnetic voice of last night.

No, she couldn't get divorced. If they divorced, what would happen to Elodie?

In her urgency, she shouted, "I can help you stand up!"

Edward's expression froze, his sarcasm mixed with danger. "You have a lot of tricks. Will you say anything to avoid a divorce?"

Victoria bit her lip and nervously continued, "The doctor just said that most of your condition is psychological. I have a way!"

"Really? What way? At which hospital are you employed as a psychologist? How many patients have you cured?"

Edward's contempt was undisguised.

Victoria hadn't graduated yet, and she had no formal work experience.

She had to make Edward believe her.

She thought of the method Lenora had taught her, her eyes darting around, and decided to take a risk.

With that in mind, Victoria stood up, casually tied her hair, and pulled a chair to sit opposite Edward. With a stern face, she closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, her gaze was indifferent.

Her every move exuded the authority of a superior. "Edward, from now on, you must unconditionally believe in me."