* FREE - 10K Milestone * Chapter 113 : I saw Mr. Vanderbilt coming out of her apartment late at night...

That night, instead of returning to his usual hotel, Alexander went to Le Châteauesque Manor—a place that, until recently, had been occupied by Rex, the dog. The lingering traces of dog hair triggered his allergy, and despite taking medication, he developed a mild fever by morning.

When Victoria heard about this from Hugo, she wasted no time. Since she and Alexander had agreed to mend their relationship, she needed to show sincerity.

As she stepped into the Vanderbilt Corporation’s sleek marble lobby, the scent of polished wood and freshly brewed coffee filled the air. The reception area was always buzzing with activity, a hub of well-dressed professionals gliding between meetings. 

Women came to the Vanderbilt family offices daily, each one hoping to catch Alexander’s attention. Celebrities, socialites, and influencers—all eager to get close to the elusive billionaire. The front desk had learned to turn them away effortlessly. But Victoria? She belonged here. 

Brigitte—Raphael's girlfriend, and someone who held a deep-seated grudge against Ava—was working as receptionist and she spotted Victoria’s arrival. She had been waiting for an opportunity like this.

As Victoria approached, Brigitte purposedly said, "Do you know that Mr. Vanderbilt’s designer has been making quite a name for herself lately? I heard she’s a tease—married, yet constantly seducing men."

"Really?" The other woman sounded skeptical. "Ava always seems so reserved."

Brigitte, pretending not to notice Victoria's presence, added casually, "Actually, I saw Mr. Vanderbilt coming out of her apartment late at night..."

Just as she was about to continue, she made a show of catching sight of Victoria, gasping in exaggerated surprise.

"Miss Laurent!" she greeted, all wide eyes and feigned innocence.

Victoria tilted her head, studying the young receptionist. She didn’t recognize her—there were too many faces in the Vanderbilt offices—but Brigitte’s unfinished sentence intrigued her.

With a slow smile, Victoria gestured toward the executive elevators.

"Come upstairs with me." Her voice was cool, commanding. "I brought my own roasted coffee beans. I assume you know how to brew them?"

Brigitte's heart leaped. Finally. She had caught Victoria’s attention.

"Of course, Miss Laurent. Please, this way."

Inside the penthouse-level office suite, the air smelled of rich espresso and expensive cologne. Alexander wasn’t there, but his phone was on the desk. Just as Victoria noticed it, the screen lit up with an incoming call—Cordelia Vanderbilt.

Without hesitation, Victoria picked it up.

"Alexander." Cordelia’s voice was crisp. She likely wanted to check on his allergy. But when Victoria responded instead, there was a slight pause on the other end.

"Hi, Auntie, this is Victoria," she said smoothly.

Cordelia hesitated. Alexander was meticulous about his privacy. The fact that Victoria was answering his phone meant something.

"Victoria," Cordelia finally said, her tone shifting. "I heard Alexander accompanied you to the pet hospital?"

"Yes, my cat had a slight problem."

"Alexander is severely allergic to animal fur, especially dogs. He had a fever and a rash last night."

A flicker of surprise crossed Victoria’s features. She hadn't known it was that serious.

"I’m sorry, Auntie. I should have been more careful. I’ll remind him to take his medication."

Cordelia’s voice turned warm, yet laced with something deeper—a clear message.

"Good. Since you’re back in New York and haven’t had dinner with me yet, why don’t you come to Le Châteauesque Manor tonight—with Alexander? It’s also time you meet his wife. She didn’t come home last night—I have no idea where she spent the night."

Victoria's eyes gleamed.

Cordelia had just extended an invitation to test Alexander’s wife—and given Victoria an open lane to do as she pleased.

"Of course, Auntie. I’ll make sure Alexander comes with me."

After hanging up, Victoria’s lips curved. The game was on.

Outside, Brigitte was preparing the coffee, her impatience barely concealed as Victoria re-entered the room. The young woman was eager to spill more.

Victoria didn’t waste time.

"That comment you made earlier—about Alexander and Ava. Tell me everything."

Brigitte pretended to hesitate, clutching the coffee grinder as if reluctant.

Victoria’s expression hardened.

"You understand who I am, don’t you?" she said, her voice smooth but laced with steel. "One word from me, and you won’t just lose this job—you’ll be blacklisted from every reputable company in this city."

Brigitte immediately let go of the grinder and nodded quickly, her eyes wide with feigned fear.

"Miss Laurent, please don’t misunderstand. I didn’t mean anything by it! I just... I really did see Mr. Vanderbilt coming out of Ava’s apartment late at night. I was so shocked!"

Victoria’s fingers tightened around the edge of the marble counter.

Alexander had never set foot inside her home. Even when they had been together, he had always dropped her off outside—never once stepping in.

"You’re sure?" Her voice was icy.

Brigitte nodded fervently.

"Miss Laurent, I swear. I even confronted Ava about it, but she acted innocent—like she didn’t know what I was talking about. But that’s not all. This woman is something else! She pretended to be Raphael’s girlfriend in front of his mother. She’s tangled up with shady people. And, oh—she has a painting of Mr. Vanderbilt in her home. She painted it herself."

A cold wave rushed over Victoria.

That hair strand she had found in Alexander’s room…

Could it really have belonged to Ava?

Victoria clenched her jaw.

She had underestimated this woman.

Brigitte, sensing Victoria’s brewing rage, feigned nervousness.

"Please, Miss Laurent, don’t tell Mr. Vanderbilt I said anything. I really don’t want any trouble."

Victoria narrowed her eyes.

"Leave," she ordered. "And stay out of my sight."

Brigitte nodded quickly, but as she stepped into the elevator, a smirk ghosted across her lips.

She had successfully placed Ava in Victoria’s crosshairs.

Now, it was up to Victoria to eliminate her.

If Ava couldn't handle what was coming, she'd be driven out of New York. Or worse—blacklisted from high society altogether.

And then?

Brigitte would never have to worry about Ava seducing Raphael away.

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Ava remained in the Upper West Side, her home for now. The garbage at the entrance had finally been cleaned up, and the neighbors' wary glances had softened. It seemed she could stay here a little longer—at least, until the next unwelcome visitor showed up at her door. With that in mind, she withdrew her house listing, feeling a rare sense of relief.

Just then, a message from the hospital appeared on her phone: a video of Rex receiving his medication.

[ Rex is very obedient, Miss Alvarez, and he is getting better. No need to worry. ]

Ava smiled faintly. Even though Rex was lively, deep down, she was a timid dog. She had been debating whether to visit her when another message popped up—this time from Cordelia.

[ Come to Le Châteauesque Manor for dinner tonight. ]

Ava frowned, her fingers tightening around her phone. What was Cordelia up to now? She ignored the message and continued her day as planned.

At the hospital, she noticed a familiar face—Victoria's maid from the night before. The five distinct finger marks on the young woman's cheek revealed just how hard Victoria had struck her. Next to her, a pet carrier sat empty.

Ava overheard the doctor speaking as he carried a cat into the back room for a check-up. It was the same Ragdoll from the previous night. Even at a glance, Ava had to admit—it was a stunning cat. Its ocean-blue eyes were captivating, its long, luxurious fur pristine and silky. A creature meant for pure admiration.

Yet, as soon as she remembered that the owner was Victoria, she lost any interest in indulging in the thought.

She made her way toward Rex’s enclosure, finding her more energetic than before. She wagged his tail wildly upon seeing her, her weak body vibrating with excitement despite her bandaged wound.

"Doc, can I take Rex home the day after tomorrow?" she asked.

"Yeah, but make sure to apply the medicine every day."

Ava nodded, gently patting Rex’s head. The sterile smell of antiseptic filled the air, but she ignored it, giving Rex as much affection as she could before preparing to leave.

As she stepped out into the quiet street, the hospital's calm atmosphere was disrupted by the sound of muffled sobs. She turned and saw Victoria’s maid standing near the curb, her body hunched over, tears slipping down her face. The pet carrier beside her was now completely empty.

Ava raised a brow. "The cat ran away?"

The maid jolted at the question, her face paling as she met Ava's gaze. "Y-Yeah… What am I gonna do? Miss Laurent is going to kill me. That Ragdoll costs fifty grand. I can’t pay for it even if I sell myself!"

Ava sighed. "Put up a missing cat sign, check the nearby streets, and ask around. Someone might spot it."

Just as she finished speaking, an expensive car pulled up a short distance away. The air suddenly felt heavy.

Victoria stepped out, her brows knitted tightly as her sharp eyes scanned the area. "What happened? Where’s my cat?" 

The maid, startled by Victoria’s sudden appearance, quickly scrambled to her feet, wiping the tears that streaked down her cheeks. “Miss Laurent—” she stammered, her voice laced with guilt.

Victoria hadn’t brought Alexander with her today; he was still running a fever and waiting for her at Le Châteauesque Manor. She had planned to go straight there for dinner but had stopped by out of concern for her cat. Now, seeing the empty cage, her expression darkened, her sharp gaze cutting through the trembling maid. “You lost the cat?”

The maid paled visibly, her fingers twisting the hem of her uniform. Then, as if grasping for a lifeline, she darted a glance at Ava and quickly shifted the blame. “I’m sorry, Miss Laurent! It was this lady—she suddenly wanted to touch the cat, so I opened the cage. I didn’t expect it to run out and disappear!”

Ava, who had been ready to leave, stilled. A flicker of disbelief crossed her face.

The maid, avoiding her gaze, kept her head bowed, playing the victim with practiced ease. Her voice wavered as fresh tears welled in her eyes. “I tried to stop her, but she insisted! And since she seems to know Mr. Vanderbilt, I didn’t dare refuse…”

Victoria’s patience snapped. The mere mention of the designer being close to Alexander was enough to fuel her already simmering resentment. She had already suspected Ava of having ties to Alexander, and now she had lost her cat because of her? 

Her gaze locked onto Ava like a blade. “If you don’t find my cat within two hours, I’ll make sure you never work in this industry again. And I’ll have Alexander fire you.”

Ava blinked once, then let out a soft chuckle, utterly unimpressed. “Whatever. Do whatever you want.”

The maid, expecting Ava to protest, looked up in surprise. But Ava didn’t explain herself, nor did she beg for mercy—she simply stood there, composed and indifferent. That reaction alone unsettled the maid more than any argument would have.

Catching the flicker of relief in the maid’s eyes, Ava’s lips quirked in a smirk. She scanned the area—this was a residential neighborhood with few security cameras. Convenient. No wonder the maid had dared to frame her so boldly.

“I don’t take the blame for other people’s mistakes,” Ava said coolly. “Your cat has nothing to do with me. If you’re using it as an excuse to come after me, then say so outright—because I won’t be playing along with your little game.”

Victoria’s smirk widened. “I’m on my way to Le Châteauesque Manor now. I’ll be having dinner with Alexander.” She turned slightly, her tone dripping with satisfaction, as if expecting to see Ava react.

Instead, Ava merely raised an eyebrow.

Victoria’s eyes narrowed, but she continued smoothly, gesturing toward the maid. “Call me in two hours. If she hasn’t found my cat by then, I’ll deal with her personally.”

With that, she spun on her heel and stepped into her luxury car, the sleek vehicle humming to life as it pulled away.

Ava turned slowly, her gaze settling on the maid, who now looked unsure of herself.

The woman hesitated before attempting to regain control. “You’d better hurry and find it,” she muttered, though her voice lacked the earlier bravado.

Ava chuckled, amused. "Do I look like someone you can mess with?"

Did everyone think she was an easy target? A pushover? 

Without another word, she strode past the maid and got into her own car.

Victoria was on her way to Le Châteauesque Manor, all too eager to secure her place beside Alexander. Meanwhile, Cordelia had messaged her, undoubtedly hoping Alexander would flaunt Victoria tonight, making a statement to the Vanderbilt family.

Ava hadn’t planned to get entangled in their drama, but Victoria was practically begging for it. This cat situation was just the spark.

Expression unreadable, Ava reached for her phone and dialed Mr. Vanderbilt Sr. 

***

Dear Gentle Readers, this author would like to show his gratitude for your continuous support. Please enjoy this chapter as a form of gratitude and appreciation. 

Grazie mille, EC.