"Wow! Becky, these girls are so beautiful! Where did you find such hidden treasures?" Victoria marveled at the beautiful pictures in her hands.
Rabecca had personally delivered the folder of all the girls' profiles that she could gather. Seeing the pleased look on her friend's face, she felt like patting herself on the back. The daughter-in-law hunt sounded easy but it really wasn't. She had to trouble her husband, who was the Chief of the NYPD, to run a background check on these girls.
"But, why are there only 8?" She was honestly surprised. Not that she was bragging but she could have thought many girls would scramble after the Mrs. Frost title. This was Zach they were talking about. Victoria was disappointed but also glad Kris was not around to mock her.
Rebecca saw through her worry and chuckled. "Actually, there were over two hundred women we could find. But when we screened them, we found out some of them were just in for the money. After all, your son is impressive. So after screening, we came down to 24 good ones, these are just the first eight."
"Really? That surely makes sense", Victoria could not hide her joy.
"Yes. By the way, is social status a deciding factor? Some of the girls come from humble backgrounds but are really good. My husband and I can attest to this."
"Don't worry. That is the least of my concerns! All I want is a good wife for my son! And someone to give me grandkids", she beamed.
Rebecca could only shake her head. Although she knew her friend was looking out for her son, she also felt this was a battle between Torrie and Kris. These two are always competing in everything. She took a sip of the camomile tea offered and relaxed in her seat.
Victoria dialed for Zach's house and Edmund picked up on the third ring. Only family members knew that line so he was polite when he answered the call.
"Hello?"
"Edmund, is your master back home?" She went straight to the point.
"No, madam."
"Alright. Stay by the phone, I'll call back in five minutes."
With that, she hung up and called her informant. She grew frustrated when the phone kept ringing; it was the weekend and she knew what he was doing but she had more pressing matters. If only he slacked in work, she would have him financially cut off because of his Playboy behavior. Her eyes lit up when the call was accepted.
"Mom", Xavier whined.
"Is your brother back?"
"Why don't you ask George?"
"Xavier."
Her facial expression instantly turned cold and her tone sounded so menacing, it sent a shiver down Rebecca's spine. She could detect the danger in the way Victoria called Xavier's name. She didn't think her friend had it in her to sound so.... ruthless.
Now she knows where the boys, especially Zach, inherited such mannerisms. The only difference was Zach never showed any warmth. She looked at Victoria again, such a petite and fragile woman. Rebecca would have thought someone was fooling her had she not witnessed this herself.
"He should be at the office at the moment. He rushed back for a meeting."
Xavier knew that if he wanted to live a little longer, there was no point in angering his mother. Victoria's face lit up when she heard her son's polite tone.
"Thank you, dear."
With that, she happily hung up and turned to look at her friend. Her eyes sparkled from happiness and she had resumed her gentle 'nature'.
Rebecca: "..."
'Would those girls be safe faced with such a mother-in-law? What have I done?' Rebecca was beating herself up internally.
"Hey, how soon can I meet those girls? How does today sound?" She wanted to introduce the girls to Zach as soon as possible. She would do so in a way he would have no choice but to give her face. Before Rebecca could say anything, Victoria dialed a number again.
"Edmund, I need you to do something for me."
Rebecca: "..."