Chapter 8: So Crude?

Ethan's nerves were struck raw by her words. His face turned dark as he blocked her way. "Victoria, how did you become so vulgar? How can you say such awful things? Are you still the Victoria you used to be?"

"To deal with trash like you, this is exactly the way to do it." Victoria sneered, her eyes full of mockery. "There'll be plenty more harsh words for you in the future. If you can take it, then take it. If you can't, you'll just have to suffer through it!"

After telling off Ethan, Victoria felt great. She grabbed her things and strode toward the exit. Staying even one more second, she was afraid of being contaminated by the foul air from this pair of scumbags.

Just as she reached the shop entrance, a young sales associate hurried after her. "Miss, please wait a moment."

The associate looked at the mess inside the shop, her face full of difficulty. "Miss, you see, the shop has been trashed like this. We really can't explain this to our boss."

Victoria glanced at the wreckage all over the floor. She had indeed gone a bit hard just now—she'd broken four or five clothing racks alone.

She should pay for the damages. However, it wasn't her turn to foot the bill.

She generously pointed at Ethan and said to the associate, "His woman started the trouble first, so all the damages here should be paid by him."

The associate froze.

"Don't worry, Mr. Ashford will definitely pay." Victoria curved her lips, her voice neither too loud nor too soft, just enough to reach Ethan's ears. "After all, Mr. Ashford is a prominent figure in Silverstone City. He can afford it."

With that, Victoria left without looking back.

William was right—fighting back hard when attacked by bad people really did feel refreshing.

Left behind, Ethan's face turned dark with anger, but concerned about his reputation, he could only grudgingly pull out his checkbook and sign. He glared with disgust at the two men who'd been beaten into pulps, then huffed off in anger.

At that moment, at the railing on the mall's second floor.

William, who had just returned to the country to take over the family business, was inspecting the mall's operations with his good friend Kyle Patterson. They had witnessed the entire scene of Victoria beating people up.

Kyle pointed at Ethan's embarrassed retreating figure and teased, "William, your nephew's gotten into trouble again? While you've been away these past few years, he's been getting more and more out of control."

William let out a cold laugh, his eyes deep. "Out of control? Give him a good beating and he'll behave. As his uncle, it's my duty to teach him what 'pain' means."

Kyle continued gossiping, "I bet that whole fight just now was over jealousy for your nephew."

This comment hit William's sore spot precisely. He turned his head and shot Kyle an extremely cold look.

Kyle felt a chill run down his spine and quickly shut his mouth.

William withdrew his gaze, his voice cold as ice. "Those two losers who got beaten just now—did you remember what they look like?"

William's sudden question made hundreds of theories flash through Kyle's mind.

Rumors had always circulated that William's sexual orientation was a mystery. Could he be interested in those two men who got beaten?

Those two looked like weasels. Even if William's taste was unique, he wouldn't go for that type, right?

Kyle swallowed and carefully probed, "I remember them. William, are you interested in them?"

William's brow twitched. Unable to hold back, he cursed, "Is your brain full of porn? You're the one interested in them!"

He was a man with a legal wife now!

"Then what do you mean?"

William's eyes turned vicious as he ordered word by word, "Find some guys who know what they're doing and put those two in sacks and beat them up good. Anyone who dares touch my person—bash their heads in."

Anyone who dared bully his wife was asking for death.

Kyle immediately gasped and straightened up to assure him, "Understood! Don't worry, I'll handle this perfectly. After the beating, I'll even take high-definition photos for your records!"

William rubbed his temples, glanced at the chatty Kyle with some disdain, and turned to leave.

10 AM.

Victoria, dressed in a sharp professional suit, appeared at City Hall right on time.

The black fitted suit outlined her excellent figure. Her previously loose hair was neatly pulled into a bun, giving her the sharp aura of a career woman.

The lawyer Charles sent handed her a thick stack of documents. "Ms. Hughes, the share transfer procedures Mr. Hughes instructed are all complete. From now on, you are the legal representative of Maplewood Hotel. You can go to the hotel anytime to take over management."

Victoria took the documents and nodded coolly. "Good, thank you for your work. I'll handle the rest myself."

After securing the documents, Victoria drove straight to Maplewood Hotel.

To get to the root of the hotel's years of losses, she didn't directly take the position as owner. Instead, she had Charles make arrangements for her to start as "Administrative Department Manager" to get a feel for things first.

10:30 AM. Victoria, holding her appointment letter, followed HR Manager Madison Green into the administrative department's open office area.

Over thirty people sat in the office space, all seemingly busy.

Madison clapped her hands and announced loudly, "Everyone, pause your work for a moment! Let me introduce you—this is the new Administrative Department Manager, Victoria. Everyone welcome her!"

However, the expected applause didn't come.

The employees looked up, sizing up the young and beautiful Victoria, their eyes mostly showing contempt and disdain.

An even more unexpected scene unfolded.

Four or five men and women suddenly stood up, grabbed their bags, and walked straight toward the door without even a greeting.

Madison's face darkened. She stopped the man in the lead. "Grant, where are you all going during work hours?"

Grant Hoffman glanced at Victoria with contempt and said matter-of-factly, "Madison, I took the day off today. The supervising manager already approved it. I'm leaving now."

Then the others chimed in one after another:

"Madison, I took time off too."

"The process is all done. Sorry Victoria, I have to go."

In the blink of an eye, half the office had left, while the remaining people watched Victoria with the attitude of spectators waiting for a show.

Madison was furious. She turned to question the remaining employees, "Where's Connor? Where the hell is he?"

A young girl in the corner answered timidly, "Madison, Mr. Walsh is sick today. He called this morning to hand off his work and then turned off his phone."

Madison cursed under her breath and looked at Victoria apologetically. "Victoria, I'm so sorry. After the last manager left, Connor has been acting as the administrative department head. He's deliberately trying to intimidate you."

Not only was Victoria not angry, she smiled calmly. "It's fine, Madison. You go ahead with your work. I'll handle this."

After seeing Madison off, Victoria walked to the center of the office area, her voice clear and penetrating.

"Everyone, there will be a meet-and-greet in the conference room in twenty minutes. Please notify all department employees, including those who just left. Anyone who's late will be treated as absent without leave!"

"Also, make sure Connor is notified too."

She emphasized Connor's name deliberately, her powerful presence silencing the entire room. After speaking, she clicked away in her heels toward the conference room without looking back.