Chapter 294: Chapter 294 A Broken Masterpiece
"If Victoria starts suspecting anything," Daisy said, a cold glint flashing in her eyes, "she could become a ticking time bomb."
She paused before adding, "We need to find a way to weaken her position within the Taylor family."
Samantha considered it carefully.
It looked like she would have to meet Victoria face-to-face.
*****
Guests continued arriving at the Taylor estate.
As Rose walked through the courtyard, her phone vibrated.
A message from Trevor appeared.
[Ariel’s with me. Where are you?]
Rose asked for his location, slipped her phone back into her purse, and headed that way.
Following the winding garden paths, she eventually passed through a long covered walkway.
There, she spotted Victoria directing several members of the household staff.
Victoria showed none of the arrogance one might expect.
Every so often, she even rolled up her sleeves to help.
"The matriarch doesn’t like overly elaborate floral arrangements," Victoria said gently.
"Please replace these with something more understated and elegant. We don’t want the flowers to outshine the guests."
"Thank you, everyone. I appreciate your hard work."
He handled everything personally whenever he could.
Rose watched the staff.
Everyone seemed genuinely fond of Victoria.
They smiled naturally around him.
Watching the scene unfold, Rose experienced an odd, indescribable feeling.
According to everything Diana had told her...
Mrs. Taylor had sponsored Victoria’s education.
Opened countless doors for her.
Given her opportunities she never could have found on her own.
In many ways, Mrs. Taylor had given her a second chance at life.
And yet...
Victoria had fallen in love with Mrs. Taylor’s husband, causing a family to fall apart, and driving Mrs. Taylor to
develop an emotional illness—how could she possibly be unconnected to all of this?
Rose frowned slightly.
She was still lost in thought.
"Ms. Bennett?"
Victoria had already walked over.
His expression remained warm.
"The matriarch is greeting guests in another courtyard."
"Would you like me to take you there?"
He assumed she’d gotten lost.
Rose returned to herself.
Meeting his concerned gaze, she shook her head politely.
"No, thank you."
Her voice remained courteous, but distant.
Victoria didn’t seem bothered.
He smiled gently.
"All right."
"My apologies if we’ve failed to make you feel welcome."
Turning toward the maid behind him, he said, "Come with me. Let’s deliver the painting to the matriarch."
Only then did Rose notice the lacquered presentation box the maid was carrying.
The lid wasn’t completely closed to allow the artwork inside to breathe.
A beautifully mounted piece of calligraphy rested within.
Rose stepped aside to let them pass.
Victoria glanced at her once more.
"See you later."
*****
Not far away...
Samantha had just arrived.
She witnessed the entire exchange.
Victoria and Rose...
Talking alone.
Although she couldn’t hear their conversation, Victoria’s gentle, patient expression made Samantha’s brow tighten.
Daisy just warned her that Victoria could become a ticking time bomb...
And now Rose is already talking to her...
She pressed her lips together and immediately walked over.
"Ms. Hill."
Victoria noticed Samantha first and greeted her politely.
Only then did Rose turn around.
Samantha approached with an entirely different demeanor than usual.
The humility and warmth she’d displayed earlier had vanished.
Her expression was cold.
Proud.
Ignoring Rose completely, she looked at Victoria from the corner of her eye.
"Before long," she said coolly, "you’ll probably need to address me differently."
Victoria paused briefly before smiling.
"You’re right."
For some reason, Samantha disliked his attitude even more.
He remained so calm and accommodating that it only made her seem unreasonable by comparison.
She continued, "My mother has already told me quite a bit about the Taylor family’s past."
Victoria looked at her quietly.
His expression never changed.
Standing nearby, Rose sensed an unmistakable tension filling the air.
From what she could tell, though...
Only Samantha was creating it.
Victoria simply remained composed.
"Just because something happened years ago doesn’t mean it never happened," Samantha said coldly.
"Some sins require a lifetime to atone for."
"My mother is gone."
"And I’m the only victim left."
Sadness flickered across Victoria’s face.
"Back then..."
He lowered his eyes briefly.
"I never wanted to explain myself."
"But if you truly are Sophia’s daughter..."
"I’ll do everything I can to take care of you."
Her voice caught for only a moment before she steadied herself.
Samantha frowned.
She truly disliked this act.
So gentle.
So fragile.
She had merely stated the facts, yet Victoria made it seem as though she were the aggressor.
She herself had often used that tactic on others.
Now that someone else was using it against her...
She found it deeply irritating.
"Then I’ll be direct."
"As far as I know, Dr. Grace has never accepted you into the Taylor family."
"In the end, it’s because of what you did."
"If it weren’t for you, my mother wouldn’t have taken her own life."
"If I choose to pursue the matter..."
"Dr. Grace will stand with me."
"As for you..."
She deliberately left the sentence unfinished.
She was confident Victoria understood the implication.
If he wanted to preserve his place in the Taylor family...
He’d better cooperate with her.
Only then might she be willing to protect him.
There was another message hidden beneath her words.
Right now, the entire Taylor family was celebrating the return of their long-lost daughter.
Even if Victoria suspected something...
She’d be foolish to expose it now.
Otherwise, she’d ruin the family’s happiness and earn Grace’s resentment.
Samantha expected her to understand all of that without being told.
Victoria remained silent for several long seconds.
Finally, she lowered her gaze.
"I’m sorry."
"I can’t defend myself."
*****
Rose had watched the brief exchange from beginning to end.
It lasted barely two minutes.
Yet she already realized the Taylor family’s internal tensions ran far deeper than outsiders imagined.
She decided it was best to leave quietly.
But just as she turned—
Victoria stepped forward.
Looking genuinely distressed, she reached toward Samantha.
"But regarding Sophia’s depression..."
"I can explain."
"It wasn’t because of me—"
She reached for Samantha’s hand.
At that exact moment—
The decorative pin on the cuff of Victoria’s sleeve accidentally scratched the back of Samantha’s hand.
"Ow!"
The sudden sting made Samantha’s face darken.
Without thinking, she shoved Victoria away as hard as she could.
Given everything she’d just said...
The reaction seemed almost instinctive.
Rose hadn’t expected things to escalate so suddenly.
She reached out to catch Victoria—
But she was too late.
Victoria stumbled backward.
She crashed into a maid standing behind him.
The silk-lined presentation box slipped from the maid’s hands and hit the ground.
The lid flew open.
The framed rolled out...
Straight into the ornamental pond beside the covered walkway.
Several fishes immediately swam over, curiously nudging the floating scroll.
Victoria’s face instantly drained of color.
Looking at Samantha in panic, she said, "That... that’s the last piece of oil painting Mr. Taylor ever paint for the matriarch."
"It disappeared years ago."
"I spent years searching for it before finally tracking it down."
"It’s one of her most treasured possessions."
"Ms. Hill..."
"You’ve... made the matriarch very angry."
Even Rose, who had no stake in the matter, couldn’t help glancing at Samantha.
Samantha stood frozen.
Her face had gone pale.
Of all days...
How could something like this happen today?
Grace was famous for the deep love she had shared with her late husband.
Her passion for oil paintings had begun because of him.
His final surviving piece...
Its importance was beyond question.
Samantha’s expression darkened.
"Why didn’t you tell me sooner?" she snapped.
Especially today.
This was supposed to be the day Grace finally began accepting her.
If this incident ruined everything...
How could she possibly recover?
She immediately turned toward the nearby staff.
"Quick!"
"Get it out of the water!"
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