Chapter 5 Just a Piece of Paper

Emerald City High School was close to where she was staying now, so she wouldn't need to move.

Celeste gave her daughter a little push, and Sophie immediately broke into a happy smile: "That's great! Victoria can go to school with me."

Daniel glanced at her and made the decision: "Then Emerald City High School it is. The teaching quality is good."

"Yes, thank you, Grandpa." Victoria wiped her mouth and thanked him politely.

After settling this matter, Daniel found himself in a bit of a bind. His health wasn't good, and he needed to return to Lucent for treatment. Simon and his wife were both teaching in Clayton and couldn't come back anytime soon, so who would look after Victoria?

Daniel thought it over carefully, and his eyes fell on Michael: "I remember you have an apartment near Emerald City High School, right? Let Victoria stay at your place for now."

"Sure, no problem. Victoria, if you need anything, just tell me. Don't be shy." Michael was always straightforward and gave Victoria a friendly smile.

"Thank you, Michael." Victoria thanked him politely.

Amara held Victoria's hand, her eyes full of reluctance. She had just found her daughter, and now they had to be apart again. How could she bear it?

Caspian, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up: "I'll be staying in Emerald City during this time. I can look after Victoria."

What right did he have to look after her?

Victoria instinctively resisted his approach.

Now Sophie couldn't stay calm.

Their family already lived in Emerald City, but Grandpa hadn't asked them to look after Victoria, which was already embarrassing enough.

Now Caspian was saying he'd personally take care of her. What was so special about this Victoria that could make Caspian volunteer to look after her?

Suppressing the bitter feeling in her heart, she looked up and asked, seemingly casually: "Victoria, I heard you took a break from school before?"

Victoria keenly sensed Sophie's hostility.

While drinking her soup, she nodded slightly: "Yes."

"Victoria, the coursework at Emerald City High School is really hard and intense. Victoria can only get in because of Grandpa's connections. If she can't keep up, it'll make Grandpa lose face."

These words were true, but they sounded harsh and were said at the wrong time.

Suddenly, everyone in the room turned their eyes to Victoria.

These looks were all different - some curious, some gleeful, some a bit worried.

Celeste felt something was wrong with these words, especially after seeing Daniel's unhappy expression. She knew Sophie had caused trouble.

She quickly pushed her: "Sophie, what are you saying? Victoria just came back. Don't put too much pressure on her."

Sophie lowered her head, looking a bit wronged, her eyes reddening: "I didn't mean anything else. I'm just worried about Victoria."

"Yes, Celeste, stop scolding Emily."

A middle-aged woman nearby chimed in.

They were the real relatives, while Victoria was just a girl who had returned, with no real family bond.

Victoria suddenly felt very bored and didn't want to keep up the act. She just said flatly: "I'll try my best not to embarrass the family."

"I'm not afraid of losing face. Don't push yourself too hard."

Daniel knew exactly what these people were thinking, and with one sentence, he backed Victoria up.

The expressions on the others' faces became somewhat awkward, and the dining table fell much quieter.

Victoria ate uncomfortably. She put down her Silverware, stood up, and said softly, "Grandpa, I have something I need to take care of. I'll head back first."

Daniel looked at Victoria reluctantly: "Is it something important?"

"It's a bit urgent."

Victoria wanted to leave this place. She still wasn't used to this so-called family atmosphere.

Watching everyone chatting and drinking together, she just felt like she was the one being isolated.

She didn't know how to make small talk.

"I'll take you."

Simon stood up, swaying a bit.

"Dad, you've been drinking. You can't drive."

Victoria smiled sweetly: "I can take a taxi."

"Then let me take you back."

Michael also stood up, wanting to come forward.

But Sophie grabbed him: "Michael, if you leave, what about Mom and me?"

"I'll take Victoria."

Caspian, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up.

When he said this, Sophie's face looked even worse. She didn't want Caspian to be alone with Victoria, and now she had actually helped them be together.

She wanted to say something more, but was pulled back by Celeste.

Amara looked at Caspian: "Caspian, then I'll trouble you to look after Victoria."

"Don't worry. This time, I'll definitely take good care of Victoria."

Caspian glanced at Victoria with a determination she couldn't understand.

What did he mean by "this time"? As if there had been previous times.

Amara sighed: "Okay, go ahead."

Victoria had wanted to take a taxi by herself, but unexpectedly ended up with Caspian. What a hassle.

Caspian didn't say much. After getting in the car, he just asked flatly: "Where to?"

"Emerald Manor, thank you." Victoria was as polite as possible. She didn't want any involvement with Caspian.

"You don't need to be so polite with me." Caspian's voice was low, revealing no emotion.

After fastening his seatbelt, Caspian looked at Victoria through the rearview mirror: "Looking after you is what I should do."

"We've only met once. We're not that close, are we?" Victoria felt the atmosphere was weird.

Caspian turned to look at her: "You'll understand later."

Understand what? Why did the atmosphere get weird whenever this family mentioned Caspian?

The two families were just on good terms - why was it so awkward?

Caspian reached out and gently rubbed Victoria's head: "Don't overthink it. I'll take good care of you."

Victoria's fierce side showed: "Don't touch me!"

Caspian withdrew his hand and started the car: "You'll get used to it."

Victoria cursed him viciously in her mind.

After Victoria left, the atmosphere in the room became subtle.

Daniel tapped the table and said, "Victoria just came back and isn't familiar with this family yet. She's suffered a lot outside. I hope everyone in this family can take good care of Victoria and love her."

As he said this, Daniel's eyes stayed on Sophie.

Today, she had really stood out too much.

Sophie felt guilty and didn't dare look up, but she wondered in her heart why Caspian was so good to Victoria.

What was so good about Victoria anyway?

After everyone left, Celeste pulled Sophie aside: "Caspian won't have anything to do with you. Give up."

"Why?"

Sophie didn't understand.

"Because he owes her."

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