Chapter 10: Manipulation

“Victor… look at the bill,” Carol said with a troubled expression. “The organization she mentioned may have paid for the surgery fee, but there are other charges amounting to one million dollars!”

Little did she know that ‘the organization’ was simply a pseudonym for the gold-lined card Victor possessed. It was loaded with a billion dollars, replenished as soon as a withdrawal was made. The ancillary charges were filed by Sophia separately, perhaps because she needed an excuse to call him.

Victor did not reply to Carol but just nodded. His thoughts were elsewhere. Edgar was to be transferred to a private chamber, which would cost fifty thousand per day primarily because of his delicate condition. However, he could recover peacefully there, with private duty nurses attending him 24x7.

“How do you plan to pay the ancillary fees of the cardiac surgeon?” Carol asked. “Tell me.”

“I will talk it out with Dr. Baker,” he said coldly.

Talk it out? Carol’s heart sank. Why was Victor so casual about such an exorbitant fee? Were her suspicions justified? Was there really something between Sophia and Victor?

Even if her doubts were unfounded, Sophia had taken his number and would likely make personal calls. Would something romantic happen between the two?

Carol had observed that Sophia was aloof with other men. However, with Victor, she was almost submissive, as if he had thoroughly impressed her. As if it was her right to demand his attention.

Carol was not highly educated, but she knew how a woman’s mind worked. She could see the flame of desire in Sophia’s eyes. But why would a woman of her stature be attracted to Victor, who was middle-class? Indeed, it could not be only because of his good looks. Would she risk her social image for a fling? Or… Was there something special about Victor?

Carol dismissed her thoughts. Her husband was an ordinary guy suffering financial trouble. There was no way a successful woman like Sophia would like him. Her paranoia was getting the better of her. Regardless, she felt it was her marital right to be protective of her husband.

“Please don’t talk to Sophia Baker,” she whispered to Victor.

Victor looked up from his phone and was about to answer when he received a call.

It was Clive Baron. “Hello?”

“Sir, there’s some trouble brewing at your grandfather’s company. Please meet me outside.”

Victor disconnected the call and wondered what may have gone wrong back at the office. He had already figured out that James Colbert had been trying to sabotage his grandfather’s surgery. But was it possible he was the cause of the company’s trouble? There was only one way to find out.

He turned to his wife and put a reassuring hand over her shoulder. She did not flinch this time like she usually did. “Listen… I have some work at the factory. Please accompany Edgar to the private chamber and help him settle in. Don’t worry about the expenses. I have taken care of everything. I’ll see you again tonight.”

Carol nodded and leaned forward, expecting a kiss from her husband. But Victor turned away sharply and left, leaving her hanging.

She frowned, concerned about Victor’s financial crisis and more about his state of mind. Was his confidence coming from a state of denial?

As soon as Victor was gone, James approached Carol. “Hey, I heard the good news. I’m glad Edgar’s surgery was successful.”

Carol nodded absentmindedly.

“What is it? Why are you sad? Is it because of Victor?”

She nodded but did not elaborate.

“Look, Carol,” James began, “I’ll be honest. I tried to give him money through you, but his pride came in the way. My assumption is that he is too insecure. This is natural since his paltry income can neither provide for you nor support his grandfather. Such helplessness and desperation will wreck any man.”

Carol listened to James with increasing anxiety. What he said did make sense. Victor had been behaving oddly over the past day. It could be a mix of insecurity, vulnerability, and misery.

James stepped closer to her. “From what I can observe, your marriage is suffering. Victor will be out on the streets in a few days because of the exorbitant medical bills. He will have a mental breakdown, and you could get hurt in the crossfire. I will suggest you divorce him now to preserve yourself.”

Carol sobbed, saying, “I don’t know if I am ready to do that.”

James put a hand over her shoulder. “I don’t even want the six hundred thousand back, okay? Just come with me to tomorrow’s musical concert. I got us tickets.”

Carol nodded but turned away. “I will talk to you later, James. Thanks for trying to help. I am going to accompany Grandpa while he’s being transferred.”

James nodded. He figured it was not the right time to manipulate Carol and thus let her go. His other plans to bring about Victor Damone’s downfall were already underway.