Chapter 126

Penelope Ashcroft's lips curved slightly. "Fine, I'll browse around some more."

She turned to Victoria Langley. "Think about my proposal. We've worked together for so many years."

Victoria lowered her head without responding.

Evelyn Langley pushed the shopping cart away with her mother.

"Mom, did you sign a ten-year contract with Penelope?"

"Yes."

"This is the final year, right?"

Victoria counted on her fingers. "You're right."

"What do you think of her?"

Victoria hesitated. "...She's professionally competent."

Evelyn chuckled lightly. "Do you still have the contract?"

"Of course. Why?"

"Can I take a look tonight?"

Victoria looked puzzled. "What for?"

"Just curious. Is that not allowed?"

"Of course you can! You can see anything of mine!"

Evelyn grinned. "You're the best, Mom! By the way, can you send me all the novels you've written these years too?"

Victoria looked even more surprised. "They're just practice drafts. Nothing worth reading."

"Having a writer mom suddenly seems cool! If anyone asks, I can talk about it. Otherwise they'll think I'm bragging!"

As a child, Evelyn had always begged to read Victoria's famous works The Weapon and The Deserted School.

But Victoria always refused with excuses like "too violent," "not for children," or "wait until you're an adult."

By the time Evelyn actually turned eighteen, she'd lost interest.

It wasn't until her lonely married days that she finally opened her mother's books.

She had to admit—Victoria was a suspense genius!

The plots were intricately woven, the logic flawless, and the twists absolutely breathtaking.

No wonder these two books still topped bestseller lists.

Yet in the past decade, Victoria hadn't published any new suspense novels. Though curious, Evelyn had never pressed the matter.

Until today's encounter with that editor.

What publishing house editor wears full Chanel? Carries a rare leather Hermès?

What kind of publishing house had that kind of money?

And why had she never heard of it?