?<strong>Chapter 691:</strong>


    Elyse chuckled, her eyes gleaming with ridicule. “You can order the Bentley family’s security around? Who are you, the future hostess of the Bentley family or something?”


    Thea bristled at Elyse’s taunt, her voice turning icy. “If you don’t leave, don’t me me for being ruthless.”


    With that, Thea turned on her heel to find security.


    Elyse watched her retreat, finding Thea’s childish behavior amusing. But she had no interest in Forrest; she was here for Victoria.


    Upon asking for directions from a passing servant, Elyse made her way to the second-floor lounge.


    As she stood before the massive wooden door, she took a deep breath, bracing herself for whatever drama Victoria might unleash. Summoning her courage, Elyse raised her knuckle and rapped lightly on the door.


    “Come in.”


    In her mid-forties, Victoria looked both striking and intimidating. She wore a tight ck dress that showed off her curves, demanding attention with her disdainful demeanor.


    Her delicate face was framed by clear eyes, and her fiery red lipstick stood out. Seated in an armchair with her legs crossed, she radiated an undeniable charm.


    When Victoria’s gazended on Elyse, her eyes seemed to frost over.


    A chill ran down Elyse’s spine as she felt the intensity of Victoria’s gaze, intensified by her casual stirring of red wine in her ss.


    After scrutinizing Elyse carefully, Victoria’s voice carried a note of scorn as she said, “You do resemble that bitch.”


    Elyse shifted, her difort evident by the twitch of her nose. She was unsure how to respond to Victoria’s remark.


    Unbothered by Elyse’s silence, Victoria took a sip of her wine and added, “You have more bravery than your father.”


    Elyse couldn’t hold back her curiosity. “Do you still mind his rejection back then?”


    Victoria looked down at her wine, her tone emotionless. “Without a doubt. He was the first man who rejected me. I, Victoria—beautiful, aplished, and from a distinguished family—was considered less than your ordinary mother.”


    Her eyes locked with Elyse’s as she smirked. “He had awful taste, don’t you think? After he married your mother, he died unexpectedly.”


    Elyse quickly retorted, her voice shaking with anger. “They were murdered! If that hadn’t happened, they would have been the happiest couple alive!”


    Victoria’s joylessugh was as jarring as nails scraping on a chalkboard, “Only you would hold onto such a childish belief.”


    Elyse was silent for a moment before asking, “Why did you call me here?”


    Victoria stood up smoothly from her armchair. She walked over to Elyse, her polished nails gently tracing Elyse’s face. “I didn’t expect you toe here alone. You’ve surprised me.”


    Elyse felt a shiver of fear as a sense of dread washed over her. Surely Victoria wouldn’t throw a drink at her, right?


    But as Elyse pondered this, she felt something hard press against her lower back.


    Looking down, Elyse’s eyes widened at the sight of a pistol in Victoria’s hand, casually aimed at her stomach. Fear drained the color from Elyse’s face, and her body tensed up.


    Victoria pressed the gun harder into Elyse’s stomach. “Your life will pay back what Rickey owes me. Your death might make me rethink the partnership your cousin wants so badly.”


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