Chapter 352 The Battle of the Rooster Eyes
In the aftermath of his departure from Ava's residence, William found himself ensnared in a whirlwind of activity. Dalton, his father, had orchestrated a myriad of tasks for him, propelling him into a ceaseless cycle of business trips and unfamiliar locales.
Even as the night drew its dark curtain over the city, William found himself devoid of even a sip of water. By the time he returned to his abode, exhaustion had claimed him, leaving him to slump weakly onto his couch.
At times, his father's stern demeanor led William to question the authenticity of their familial bond. Yet, the shared blood type and striking resemblance served as undeniable proof of their kinship. Perhaps, he mused, he was the unfortunate offspring of an indifferent and ruthless father. After all, even the coldest creatures in this world possessed the ability to sire offspring.
Upon his return, Victoria descended from the upper floor of the house, her eyes landing on the weary figure of William sprawled on the couch. "William, you're back," she noted, her voice echoing through the quiet room.
William's brow furrowed in confusion. "Why are you at my place?"
"I live here. I've mentioned before that I will be staying here for a while. I can't bear to return home. Father's sternness frightens me," Victoria confessed, her hands nervously clasped together.
A sigh escaped William's lips, his handsome features marred by fatigue. "Whatever."
Victoria, puzzled by William's demeanor, felt that his exhaustion was not merely physical. She took a seat beside him, her curiosity piqued. "What's troubling you, William? Ava saved you today. You should be elated. Why the sigh?"
"Indeed, I am grateful. However, she later attempted to pair me with another woman. Can you blame me for sighing?"
Victoria's confusion deepened. "She tried to pair you with someone? Did she introduce you to a girl?" She found it hard to believe that Ava would engage in such actions.
William sighed, deciding to reveal the truth to Victoria. Her reaction was one of shock and disbelief.
"So, you fabricated a woman named Elinor, told Ava that you were fond of her, just to dispel her suspicions," William stated, his tone serious. "Now, you have a task. By tomorrow night, you need to find a woman named Elinor."
Victoria gasped, clutching her chest in astonishment. "You want me to assist you? Where am I supposed to find this Elinor for you?"
"You have a wide circle of friends, right? It should be simple for you to find someone named Elinor. If you can't, just find a stand-in," William retorted, his patience wearing thin.
Victoria, however, was not easily swayed. "William, why are you doing this? Don't you know that one lie begets another? Now, you're compounding your initial deception with more lies. You need to wake up."
"What should I do now?" William countered coldly. "Should I confess to Ava that Elinor is a figment of my imagination, a lie I concocted?"
Victoria rolled her eyes in exasperation. "That won't work either. She'll undoubtedly be furious."
"Then you should assist me in finding Elinor. Ava is perceptive; she'll notice if something is amiss. We can't afford any mistakes," William insisted.
Victoria stood her ground. "No, William. I can't do that. If I comply, I'll be complicit in your deception. I value my friendship with Ava too much to betray her. Right now, you're the one in the wrong, not me. You can't lure me into your web of lies, or else..."
Her words were cut short as a black card was brandished before her eyes. Victoria's eyes lit up at the sight of the high-end card, her attention riveted on the enticing offer.
William toyed with the card, waving it back and forth between his fingers. Victoria's gaze followed the card's movements, her eyes crossing as she tracked its path.
