Chapter 2 Hand Over the Money

Hearing the noise, Victoria jolted awake, eyes wide with panic. She nudged William, whispering urgently, "Not here, someone might see us, please!"

William ignored her, yanking off her clothes to reveal her full breasts and slender waist.

"William, let go of me..." she pleaded.

"Shh." William spun her around, pressing her against the toilet. He leaned in, kissing her neck, his hands roaming her curves. "Baby," he whispered, his voice dripping with desire.

Victoria felt her mind drifting, a shiver running through her body, making her weak.

"William..." she moaned, her voice shaky.

Hearing her, William felt his blood boil, and he couldn't hold back any longer, taking her roughly.

Victoria's nails dug into her skin as she bit her lip, trying to endure the pain. Seeing her struggle, William only got rougher.

People outside heard the commotion, guessing what was happening. The sleazy guys next door started making crude comments.

"Man, you two are really heating things up."

"I bet she's a virgin!"

"Yeah, listen to those awkward moans; she's definitely inexperienced."

Victoria's face went pale hearing their filthy words. She tried to break free, but her legs were like jelly. She could only lie there, helpless.

"Please, let me go," she cried, tears streaming down her face.

William ignored her, becoming even more frenzied, ravaging her like an animal. Each thrust brought her unbearable pain. She pounded her fists against his chest, hoping to stop him. But her efforts only seemed to excite him more.

Finally, when Victoria felt the wet stickiness beneath her, William released her.

A satisfied grin spread across his face as he licked his lips. "That was great!"

Victoria lay on the cold toilet lid, gasping for breath.

William looked down at her, his eyes dark. "I'm in a good mood today, so I won't hold it against you. But if you mess with my fiancée again, you know what'll happen." He pulled out his wallet, tossed a card on the ground, and patted her cheek.

"Here's a hundred grand for this month. Be good and come when you're called. Try to pay off your dad's ten million debt soon!" With that, he walked out, his leather shoes clicking on the floor.

Victoria trembled with humiliation but picked up the card. She slowly stood and staggered out of the bathroom.

She went to the hospital and used the card to pay Nora's overdue medical bills. As she reached the ward door, she heard Nora's cheerful laughter inside.

Victoria's nerves tensed, her hands gripping the doorknob, veins bulging, knuckles white. She knew the only person who could make Nora so happy was Bobby.

She pushed open the door and walked straight in. Sure enough, Bobby was sitting by the bedside, chatting warmly with Nora.

Bobby looked up as Victoria barged in, a flicker of mockery in his eyes before he quickly masked it with a smile. "Victoria," he greeted.

Victoria shot him a cold glance and nodded.

Nora, seeing Victoria's indifference towards Bobby, fumed. "Bobby's about to take the SAT and still made time to visit. What do you think you're doing, acting like this?"

Bobby quickly took Nora's hand, trying to calm her. "Mom, it's okay. Don't blame Victoria; she's always been like this."

"You're so understanding," Nora said, looking at Bobby with admiration before turning her glare back to Victoria. "You ungrateful girl. You're not even close to being Bobby's equal."

Victoria was used to Nora's favoritism towards Bobby and didn't bother arguing. She quietly cleaned up the trash in the ward and said, "I've paid the overdue medical bills. Just focus on getting better."

"It's embarrassing that it took so long to pay the bills," Nora sneered, then turned to Bobby with a warm smile. "Bobby, I heard your painting won second place in the national competition. You've made me so proud! You truly inherited my talent!"

Nora had been a somewhat famous painter over twenty years ago, but she injured her hand because of young Victoria and could no longer paint. Since then, she had always despised Victoria and placed all her hopes on Bobby.

Bobby's smile faltered for a moment before he forced it back. "Thanks, Mom. It's nothing."

Victoria paused, listening to their conversation. Bobby's skill wasn't even half as good as hers, yet he won second place in the national competition?

"By the way, you have to submit your portfolio in the second half of the year. How's the preparation going?" Nora asked, concerned.

Bobby's face showed discomfort. He twisted his clothes nervously, lowering his head. "Actually, I..."

Seeing Bobby's hesitation, Nora became anxious. "Bobby, what's wrong?"

Victoria stood by the door, watching the hypocritical Nora and Bobby with a mocking smile.

"Mom, the teacher said that with my level, getting into the University of Aesthetics Shine is still a bit risky. It's best if I attend a training camp run by a professor from that university to improve my chances," Bobby said, his eyes turning red as he bit his lip in frustration.

Nora was stunned and then worried. "How could that be? Didn't you win second place in the national competition?" she asked.

"The University of Aesthetics Shine is full of factions. Without connections, there's no way I can get accepted. This training camp is just a way for the professor to take bribes and secure spots for those who can pay. But it's too expensive; it costs $200,000, and given our current situation..." Bobby explained, tears streaming down his face.

"Victoria has it!" Nora turned to Victoria and demanded, "Victoria, go get two hundred thousand dollars for Bobby right away!"

Victoria remained expressionless, acting as if she hadn't heard a word. Two hundred thousand dollars? What did they think she was, a bank?

It was the same old trick of playing the victim to gain sympathy. Victoria was used to it and couldn't be bothered to respond. She turned and walked out.