Chapter 970

Carol turned her head toward Daniela, admiration glowing in her eyes. Daniela had seen the situation clearer than anyone else.

Victoria's tips quivered. Panic clung to her like a second skin. "If Josh really hurts Mason, what do you expect me to do? Mason means everything to me.He's all I've got. If anything happens to him, I don't know how I'll keep living."

Victoria used to be the Thomas family's pride. A well -loved daughter with charm, elegance, and a spark that lit every room.

But marriage to Josh had clipped her wings. Life as his wife turned into a golden prison.

Now,fear had taken hold. She looked like she might fall to her knees at Daniela's feet.

Carol stepped over and gently helped her up. "You're spiraling. Josh wouldn't touch Mason. That boy is his blood too. Why would he hurt his own son?"

Victoria stared at her, clinging to the flicker of hope in her chest. She looked toward Daniela,waiting-maybe even begging-for a lifeline.

Daniela stayed still, calm as ever. "Victoria, I warned you when we first spoke. You said you'd pay any price to divorce Josh,didn't you?"

Victoria nodded, eyes full of regret. "I didn't mean Mason would be part of the price."

Daniela tilted her head. "Getting what you want always costs something."

Victoria blinked at her.

Daniela held her smile, but her voice sharpened."I can step in now. But Mason isn't a piece on a chessboard.If I do this again, what happens the next time? Josh will always be his father. If Mason can't figure out how to handle that, he'll always be your vulnerability. This is your turning point, Victoria. I can't walk the path for you. And I won't be here forever."

Tears welled up as Victoria begged, "Daniela, please.Just one last time. I'll even give you better terms on the shares."

Daniela let out a quiet sigh. "Keep your shares. I'll help you again. But this is the last." She placed her hand gently on her belly. Her expression softened.

Joy lit up Victoria's face. She nearly jumped with relief."Thank you, Daniela. Thank you so much." Before Victoria walked out,Daniela gave her one final instruction. She was not to contact Mason until he'd been brought back safely.

Victoria nodded quickly, too overjoyed to form words.

When she got back to the villa Daniela had prepared she couldn't help herself. She messaged Mason anyway. "Sweetheart, someone's coming to pick you up soon.Hang tight,okay?"

Mason read it and passed the phone to Josh.

Josh's eyes went cold as he typed back, "Mom,I miss you so much. Please come get me. Hurry."

That night, Daniela's team quietly retrieved Mason from where he was staying.

They brought him to the villa she had prepared.After the others left, Mason turned to the people standing by the door. "'I want a moment alone with my mother.Please give us some space."

Without a word, they moved back toward the main entrance of the house.

Inside the villa, the curtains hung half-closed, letting in slivers of light.

Victoria's smile broke through as soon as she saw him."Thank goodness you're safe, sweetheart." Mason didn't return the warmth. His expression was stiff, his voice colder than the room. "Mom, what happened to you? Why are you trying to leave Dad?Do you even realize you're siding with strangers instead of us? So what if Dad has a few kids outside the marriage? He already said I'll inherit all his assets.You've had a good life thanks to him. Isn't that enough? Men like him always have affairs. That's how it is in powerful families. You're the only one making this a big deal. You're being naive."

Victoria's voice wavered, but she jumped in to explain,"No, sweetheart, that's not what this is. He lied to me.I used to be proud of who I was. I was the Thomas family's cherished daughter. People admired me. He swore I was the only one he'd ever love. After we married, he told me to quit dancing and stay home.He promised he'd take care of everything."

She looked straight at him, holding back tears. "I didn't ask to live like this. I gave up my independence because | trusted him. Mason, he has six children outside our family. How can you expect me to look past that? Don't you see why this hurts me?"

Mason, with a blank look that matched his father's,stared her down. "What if there are six? They're girls,aren't they? He already said I'd get everything, as long as you don't divorce him. So what more do you want from him? Just come home. Do it for me, if nothing else." His eyes locked on hers. The weight behind them was heavy.

Victoria shook her head. Tears slipped down her cheeks. "No, Mason. I can't go back. I can't live with someone who's broken me like this."

Mason's grip on her arm tightened, his stare turning cold. "Can't you just do it for me?"

She slowly shook her head again, her face crumpling.

Mason let go. He straightened up and shoved his hand into his pocket.