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“Speakerphone, I think. If you don’t mind?”
“Not at all.” He pulled the other chair over so he was sitting beside her at the desk.
There were so many things she wanted to say to him, but none of them would come out of her mouth. She looked at him as she sipped her drink and willed him to read her mind. To know without her saying how much she appreciated his being there. She wanted him to somehow translate her confused and chaotic thoughts, so she didn’t have to give them voice. How could she talk to him about things she didn’t have words for?
With a shaky hand, she placed the glass on the desk, the phone beside it. Lawrence nodded his encouragement as she dialled her mother. Victoria could actually feel the blood drain from her face as she listened to the ringing.
“It’s about time you rang.” Her mother’s voice flooded the room, turning the air to ice.
“Hello, Mother.” Victoria’s voice was devoid of emotion, as it usually was. It had been such a long time since she’d let any of her feelings surface. She wasn’t sure she knew how to let them out anymore. She felt like they were all stuck inside her, in one big ball in her chest. Taking up space and making her ache with each breath.
“Why haven’t you returned my calls? I left several messages. Honestly, Victoria, if this simple task is too much for you, I can easily send someone more capable to get the job done.”
“I—” Victoria started, but was cut off.
“I received a call today. I’m told Abigail is intimately involved with Mr Boyle. I was also informed that Mr Boyle’s last partner had appeared, demanding he claim his child. Why didn’t you tell me about any of this?”
“I didn’t tell you because those stories aren’t true. Who informed you they were?”
“Someone who’s obviously much more diligent in their tasks than you are. This is exactly what I thought was happening. The sooner the child is taken into my care, the better. The Montgomery-Clark legacy is at stake here. What must people think, knowing I have a grandchild who’s being reared in such a common environment?” Her mother’s voice was like an ice pick, chipping at Victoria’s soul. “I want you back here immediately. Tell Lawrence we’ll start proceedings for custody straight away.”
Victoria’s whole body was tight with tension, making her certain she’d snap if she moved. She felt the air shift and looked down to see Lawrence’s fingers curl around her hand. Her eyes snapped to his as he held her tight in his grip. He smiled his encouragement. Victoria stared at him. It was a gift. He was a gift. Such an unexpected one.
“Victoria.” Her mother’s voice demanded attention. As usual. “Are you listening to me?”
“Yes, Mother,” Victoria said, tangling her fingers with Lawrence’s as she stared at the phone. “I won’t tell Lawrence to file for custody.” Her mouth went dry. She actually felt the room shake and roll as more cracks appeared in her pristine life. “I think you’re wrong. I think this course of action is wrong. Katy should stay with her mother. Abigail is doing a fine job. There is no need to interfere with it.”
She was shaking by the time she finished talking, but she knew it wasn’t evident in her tone. Her voice was its robotic norm. She was vaguely aware of Lawrence shifting his chair; she felt his body heat as his arm went around her shoulders. She stayed stiff, unable to relax her guard.
“Have you lost your mind? Fetch Lawrence at once. I’ll tell him myself. You are obviously too weak to get the job done. You’ve let yourself get led astray by Abigail and the reprobate she’s entangled with. I should have known you weren’t able to get this done. I shouldn’t have trusted you with it. Honestly, Victoria, you are beyond useless.”
She felt Lawrence stiffen beside her. Her head snapped to face him when he cleared his throat.
“Mrs Montgomery-Clark, this is Lawrence. I’m sitting beside Victoria and I’ve heard the whole conversation. I have to say I agree completely with your daughter. You have no case here. No court in the land will take custody away from Abby. I strongly advise you give up on this plan.”
“And I strongly advise that you do the job I’m paying you for, sir. File the papers at once. I want my granddaughter in my custody as soon as possible.”
“No.” Lawrence stared at Victoria as he spoke. His eyes were steel. She shook beneath his touch, shocked at the strength she saw in him. “I’ve spoken with my partners and we agree your desires are not in the best interest of Maynard-Fraser-Grayson. Formal notice will arrive in the mail, but please be advised we are no longer willing to represent you, nor your family.”
There was an outraged gasp. “Do you have any idea who you’re dealing with, young man? I will ruin you and your firm. You have no right to withdraw representation. You should feel honoured I allowed you to act on my behalf in the first place. This is outrageous.”
“Take it up with your new solicitors,” Lawrence said. “If they have any sense at all, they’ll tell you the same thing we’re telling you. Drop this plan. Leave Abby and her daughter alone.”
Before her mother could say anything else, Lawrence let go of Victoria’s hand, reached over and broke the connection.
Victoria stared at the phone in shock. “You hung up on Mother.”
“Somebody should have hung up on her a long time ago.” Fury emanated from Lawrence, pulsing off him like a beacon to warn the wary away. It had the opposite effect on Victoria. It made her want to curl up against him. Of course she couldn’t. She didn’t know how.
Lawrence moved away from her, removing his arm from her shoulders to reach for her drink. He placed it in her hand. Victoria felt a little lost now he wasn’t touching her. She tried to hide her disappointment.
“What will she do now?” he said.
She stared at her drink. “I don’t know. Get another lawyer. Start again.” She looked up at him. “She might try suing you as well.”
He smiled, his eyes sparkling with the delight of a predator. “Now, that would be fun.”
They sat in silence for a few minutes.
