When I reached Georgia, I grabbed her wrist. My grip was unyielding.
"Your father beat your mother to death," I said, loud enough for the room. "I fought to get justice for her. I put him behind bars."
Georgia trembled, eyes darting.
"You said you didn't want to rot in the mountains. So I brought you to the city. Paid for high school. Sponsored you through university. Gave you a life."
I leaned closer. "You told me you'd spend this life repaying my kindness."
My gaze dropped to her rounded belly.
"This is your repayment? Climbing into my husband's bed and carrying his bastard?"
Whispers erupted.
"She's the student Mrs. Weston sponsored?"
"Slept with her mentor's husband? Got pregnant? That's lower than dirt."
"Her father killed her mother? And she does this to the woman who saved her?"
"Bad blood. Like father, like daughter."
I yanked Georgia's wrist, dragging her from hiding.
"No!" She broke free and crawled toward Victor. "Victor... help me..."
His humiliation boiled over.
"Get out!" he roared at the staff. "Whoever says another word is fired!"
The managers fled, eager to escape but desperate to spread the news.
When the door clicked shut, Victor slumped against the desk, rubbing his temples.
"How much did you hear?" His voice dropped dangerously low.
Georgia snatched her clothes, clutching them to her chest.
"Enough," I said coldly. "I heard you stripping her."
He cursed, then guided me to a chair, his demeanor shifting from rage to manipulation.
"Gracie, be reasonable. I'm the founder of Skyfire Group. I built this empire."
He met my eyes—no remorse.
"Without an heir, who inherits the company? You lost our child. You can't conceive anymore. What choice did I have?"
Victor punctuated his desperation with sharp, stinging slaps to his own face.
Thud.
He dropped to his knees before me. "But Gracie, Gigi is pregnant. I have a child now."
He looked up, eyes swimming with guilt and entitlement. "Have mercy on me. Let Gigi carry this baby to term. The heir to the Skyfire Group cannot be born out of wedlock."
He shuffled closer, grabbing the hem of my skirt. "The moment the child turns one month old, I'll divorce her. I'll court you again. We'll remarry, and you'll resume your place as Mrs. Weston."
Georgia crawled forward to kneel beside him. "Professor Sullivan, punish me however you want, but please—don't blame Victor. He loves you."
Love?