Chapter 204

Victoria Chen's face flickered with emotion before settling back into icy detachment.

"Birthday wishes from a stranger mean nothing to me."

Her voice was sharp as shattered glass. "Don't flatter yourself thinking these cheap tactics will make me cooperate."

Vivian Lockhart's lips curved knowingly. "Oh, I wouldn't dream of it."

She tilted her head, sunlight catching the amusement in her eyes. "Let's just say I've gained... unique insight into maternal psychology recently."

A beat of silence.

"Not curious about Isabella now? That's fine." Vivian shrugged. "My door's always open when you change your mind."

She flashed a grin that made Victoria's fingers twitch. "Isabella and I? Basically attached at the hip these days."

"Attached at the hip?"

Something dark flashed behind Victoria's pupils—there and gone like a dying ember.

"How juvenile," she scoffed, turning away.

Vivian didn't rise to the bait. She understood that reaction better than Victoria realized.

Her private investigators had unearthed secrets even Ethan Blackwood didn't know.

Six years ago, Victoria Chen was a struggling attorney surviving on instant noodles. Then came the pregnancy—no father listed on any record.

For twelve months, she'd been both parents to that baby girl. Until the day she walked into an ivy-covered house near Stanford University and never looked back.

The couple who took the child? None other than Vivian's former thesis advisor Anthony Wood and his wife Sophia.

Now Victoria stood polished and untouchable as Blackwood Legal's star litigator—with rumors swirling about her and Nathaniel Blackwood. Some claimed he'd built the entire firm just for her.

If true, it explained why Victoria would rather die than acknowledge her daughter's existence now.

Vivian hoped she was wrong. That this brilliant woman hadn't sacrificed motherhood for a man like Nathaniel.

But if she had?

She deserved to know the truth.

Next morning. Stanford University's faculty housing.

The air smelled like blooming jasmine as petals rained down in slow spirals. This tree-lined lane had become Instagram famous—today, half the photography club was discreetly snapping shots of the woman in lemon-yellow.

Vivian's sundress fluttered as she knocked on a familiar oak door.

"Early as always!" Sophia Wood beamed, ushering her inside. "Anthony's out buying your favorite seafood. That man spoils you worse than his grad students."

Vivian laughed, kicking off her sandals. "You should stop me from freeloading. I'd eat cardboard if it meant more of your peach cobbler."

"Nonsense." Sophia's eyes crinkled. "You're practically family. Besides—"

A delighted whisper. "Isabella woke up at dawn insisting she help pick desserts for 'Auntie Viv.' That child adores you."

Vivian's chest warmed. Fate had a wicked sense of humor—the daughter Victoria abandoned now clung to Vivian's hand during campus walks, calling her "best friend."

"Oh!" Sophia added, stirring a pot of soup. "Anthony mentioned another guest joining us today. Someone special."

Vivian paused. "Who—"

The front door burst open.

Anthony strode in laden with grocery bags, a giggling Isabella dangling from his arm. And behind them—

Vivian's breath caught.

The last person she expected to see.