Chapter 137: Chapter 137: Rhys Hawthorne, I Need You
Victoria Monroe wanted to use the self-defense techniques she had learned on set to break free from him, but the man clasped her hands and lifted them above her head, as she raised her knee towards his vulnerable spot.
At this moment, she couldn’t care less, even if he became impotent, she didn’t want to be bullied by Julian Fordham.
But just as she lifted her leg, the man caught onto all of Victoria Monroe’s intentions.
He firmly pressed one leg against her, the disparity in strength between man and woman was too great.
Julian Fordham could still spare one hand to move to her waist, and when that hand pressed unreservedly against her skin, Victoria Monroe’s entire body broke out in a cold sweat.
This was not the enjoyment of being caressed by a lover, but a physical fear and disgust.
Especially under his palm, his child growing undisturbed.
The pain of losing her daughter returned once again, Victoria Monroe’s face was streaming with tears, "Don’t touch me..."
Julian Fordham also didn’t expect that after so long, Victoria Monroe’s reaction would still be this intense.
He didn’t intend to force himself on her today; he merely wanted to test her level of acceptance towards him.
Seeing her mental state collapse instantly, his heart ached as well.
Leaning down to kiss Victoria Monroe’s tears, "Don’t cry, Victoria..."
His touch made Victoria Monroe feel on edge, but she dared not provoke him at this moment, for fear that he really might act on it soon.
At this moment, her grandmother’s voice came from outside the door: "Girl, are you asleep?"
Victoria Monroe replied with a hoarse voice: "No, what is it, Grandma?"
"I can’t get past this level; can you help me?"
Since losing her memory, Grandma had completely let herself go, no longer busy wanting to plant vegetables daily.
She ate snacks, played games, occasionally clamoring for ice pops; she did whatever made her happy.
Julian Fordham saw Victoria Monroe’s now red eyes and feared she might alert Grandma if she went out, so he said, "Grandma, I’ll help you, wait for me in your room for a while."
Even though he had already told Grandma he was Victoria Monroe’s husband, Grandma maintained a lukewarm attitude towards him.
Grandma’s voice clearly had a hint of displeasure, "I want the girl to help me."
"Victoria is asleep."
"Alright then, you come over quickly."
Grandma left in her wheelchair.
Victoria Monroe finally had a moment to breathe, quickly crawling out from beneath him to the side.
Julian Fordham looked at Victoria Monroe hugging her knees, her eyes red, looking pitifully forlorn, and he sighed.
"Victoria..." He raised his hand to comfort her.
Victoria Monroe instinctively dodged, and Julian Fordham’s hand froze in midair, Victoria Monroe said anxiously, "Don’t touch me."
Her gaze was like a knife, fiercely stabbing into Julian Fordham’s heart.
Julian Fordham backed away, "Alright, I won’t touch you, I’ll go help Grandma with the game."
As he closed the door and left, Victoria Monroe found herself unable to lock the door.
Whenever he wanted, he could enter any place on this island.
This time, Grandma happened to save her. But what about next time?
She understood Julian Fordham’s intentions very well.
He knew she now had the ability to have children, so Julian Fordham wanted to have relations with her as soon as possible, for her to conceive again.
Once they had a child, they would have a bond, and eventually, she would reconcile with him.
Julian Fordham hadn’t changed at all from start to finish; he was still the same domineering man! He would stop at nothing to keep her.
Before, it was by coaxing her home step by step, trapping her in that marital home.
Aside from Aunt Xu, there was only him; she couldn’t have contact with any other male.
Now, he was imprisoning her on this island, just with a different appearance.
Once there was a child, it would be her lifelong chain, and she would never be free from him.
A strong desire to escape surged in her heart, Julian Fordham was a madman!
Victoria Monroe couldn’t care less, right now only Rhys Hawthorne could save her.
If it might make his girlfriend misunderstand, she’ll explain well after she leaves.
Victoria Monroe took out her phone from under the mattress, and she hurriedly yet anxiously powered it on in the bathroom.
As soon as it was turned on, a string of messages came in; the unmarked number was Rhys Hawthorne!
Victoria Monroe just clicked open, and the screen displayed a low battery warning.
It must hold on!
She focused intently on the messages.
[Victoria, sorry, my phone was answered by the neighbor’s sister while charging. If possible, please contact me again and tell me your situation directly.]
[Victoria, has Julian Fordham bullied you? Are you alright?]
[Victoria, awaiting your reply.]
[Victoria, do you still need me?]
Rhys Hawthorne was naturally cold; he wouldn’t normally say any sweet words.
Moreover, given his current relationship with Victoria Monroe, he couldn’t say anything inappropriate; these few words were already sent with him thickening his skin.
The simple phrase "Do you still need me?" led to Victoria Monroe’s emotional breakdown.
Like a wanderer enduring grievances, finally feeling the safety of returning home.
Turns out that girl had deceived her, Rhys Hawthorne wasn’t engaged.
Overcome with emotion, Victoria Monroe quickly dialed that number.
Usually, people would pick up after three rings, but today it only rang once before being eagerly answered, a familiar cold voice echoed in her ear: "Victoria, is that you?"
The typically emotionless voice carried a hint of urgency, unlike the calm tone of the past.
"Rhys..." Victoria’s voice was filled with grievance. Recalling his last message, she answered without hesitation: "I need you."
Upon hearing those words, the gloom that had been hanging over Rhys Hawthorne for days instantly dissipated.
A ray of light tenderly fell upon his heart, instantly blossoming flowers on that icy land.
His mind was filled with only one thought.
She said she needed him.
Victoria continued, "You..."
Before the words came out, her phone abruptly died and shut off automatically.
It was as if the bridge they had finally built between them collapsed instantly, plunging both sides into darkness.
Victoria had no choice, her room had no charger, only her grandmother had a tablet, which Julian Fordham had provided for her to pass the time, filled only with some games and no means to contact the outside world.
At this hour, Julian was still teaching her grandmother to play games. Normally, she went to bed early to avoid his suspicion, so Victoria had to wait until tomorrow to find an opportunity to charge her phone.
She had already conveyed her message to Rhys; would Rhys help her?
Victoria had no idea that things were already chaotic on Rhys’s end.
Rhys was still immersed in the excitement that she needed him; the next second, the phone shut off.
He heard no strange noises before it disconnected, which meant Victoria’s side was quiet. Even if someone interrupted, there would be a sound before the disconnection.
Was it possible her phone ran out of battery?
That brief signal was already captured by his people.
"Have you located her yet?"
"Sir, the signal was too brief; we couldn’t pinpoint the exact location, only that it’s in this sea area."
A technical staff member added, "This sea area has thousands of islands; if we want to search, the fastest would take a week."
Rhys frowned, "Check the financial flows of Julian Fordham over the years and his island purchases to determine which island he is on."
"Yes, sir."
Rhys walked down the corridor, lighting a cigarette, trying to calm the uncontrollable heartbeat caused by Victoria.
His Victoria said she needed him.
This indicated that during this time, she hadn’t reconciled with Julian Fordham.
Why did it take her so long to contact him—was there a misunderstanding?
Rhys suddenly realized the phone call might have caused Victoria to overthink.
After all, the second time she visited his villa, she saw women’s slippers and asked more than once, probably assuming he had a girlfriend and found it inconvenient to contact her.
Yet today, why did she choose to reach out again?
She sounded tearful; Julian must have done something to her.
Julian loves her dearly and wouldn’t hurt her otherwise, except for one thing.
It’s been over fifty days since Victoria’s first child was lost; Julian sees him as a rival and probably wants Victoria pregnant with his child soon.
Would he threaten her? Or drug her?
Rhys’s heart clenched; under such pressure, Victoria reached out, clearly unable to bear Julian’s actions, hoping for his help to escape the suffering.
He hastily sent another message on his phone.
[Victoria, wait for me.]
A while later, Assistant Woods hurried over. Rhys put out his cigarette, "How is it?"
"Indeed, Julian Fordham has bought islands worldwide, some for chip research, others are vacant, but none are within the captured sea area."
Julian, being meticulous, anticipated Rhys would trace back and investigate.
"Then there’s no other way; prepare two plans, send someone to search and wait for Victoria to contact us again to capture the exact location."
Since Victoria said those words, Rhys’s heart felt sweet each time he thought of her name.
The next day, Victoria discreetly took her phone to her grandmother’s room.
Julian took her grandmother out to soak up the sun, now was the best opportunity.
Victoria shut the door, wishing her phone would charge instantly in a blink.
Anxiously waiting for the battery to increase, she was unaware of the impending danger. Julian, who supposedly went to take her grandmother out, emerged from the restroom.
Like a ghost, he silently appeared behind Victoria, casting a shadow that engulfed her.
The carpet muffled his footsteps, chilling her to the bone.
Julian slowly knelt beside her, whispering in her ear, "Victoria, turns out this phone was stolen by you."
Blood froze in Victoria’s veins as she mechanically turned to look behind her.
Julian stood with one hand in his pocket, looking down at her, "I had already set up electronic surveillance on this island, and last night detected a signal source not belonging to it. Victoria, have you contacted Rhys? Hmm?"