Chapter 7
Arianna hadn’t expected Aiden to speak up “It was just… a misunderstanding…”
let alone in defense of Valerie. Caught off guard, she felt a flush of embarrassment and hurried to explai
“Oh…” Valerie lowered her gaze, her voice tinged with sadness. “So a misunderstanding gives you the right to casually ruin a girl’s reputation?”
Aiden cast her a glance, catching sight of Valerie standing there, head bowed, looking utterly wronged – as if she had suffered a great injustice.
His mood turned a little complicated. He had thought she would simply stand there, stiff and silent, letting others trample all over her. Since their marriage over a month ago, she had never once bothered to explain herself.
She seemed to hate him- and had shown no interest in currying favor with his family, much less trying to win anyone over.
Yet now, she knew how to retreat in order to advance, seizing the moment to turn the situation in her favor.
The thought flashed through Aiden’s mind. He leaned back lazily against the chair, his gaze turning cold as it landed on Arianna. “If anyone can throw dirt on a girl’s name without consequence,” he said coolly, “then tomorrow, will someone come for me? Come for the Walker family? Since when does being an old family friend give you the right to do whatever you please?”
He didn’t name names, but his meaning couldn’t have been clearer.
Arianna’s face drained of color. “Aiden, I… I didn’t mean it like that…”
“Good,” Aiden said lightly, almost smiling- but not quite. “Then why do you look so nervous? I wasn’t even talking about you.”
Arianna’s face turned even paler. She forced a smile but couldn’t hide her unease.
Kelly couldn’t hold back anymore. “Aiden, Arianna already said it was a misunderstanding! Why are you still harping on it?”
“Harping on it?” Aiden’s gaze swept over her coldly. “Did
name anyone?”
Kelly choked on her words, furious. She stomped her foot. “You’re just being unreasonable!”
Aiden let out a low, mocking laugh. “Was it reasonable when you stood upstairs and deliberately tried to dump a basin of water on Valerie’s head?”
Kelly’s face flushed an angry red, then turned white. She rushed to Ruth’s side and whined, “Grandma! Look – Aiden’s bullying me!”
Ruth’s sharp voice cut through the room, “Enough.”
Her clouded old eyes shifted toward Valerie, a flicker of surprise crossing her face.
She had thought Valerie was just a pretty ornament. But now it seemed she wasn’t quite as useless as she’d assumed.
Ruth’s voice rang with authority. “Throwing dirt on a young girl’s name is certainly wrong. But Aiden, smashing up a million–dollar store just to vent your anger — that wasn’t right either,”
Among all the family members, Aiden respected very few- and Ruth was one of them. Hearing her words, he lowered his head without protest. “Yes, Grandmother. I understand.”
Ruth gave a faint nod, then added, “But you were right about one thing – some people do need to be taught a lesson. Otherwise, they’ll never know their place.”
Arianna’s cheeks burned with humiliation. The heat rose all the way to her ears. Everyone knew exactly who Ruth was talking about.
But since she hadn’t named names, Arianna had no choice but to pretend she didn’t understand.
Meanwhile, Vivian’s expression darkened with displeasure.
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Chapter 7
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After all, in her heart, Arianna had always been the ideal daughter–in–law. And Ruth’s words, though seemingly directed at others, were clearly a warning to her as well–telling her not to entertain any unrealistic hopes.
Noelle quickly caught onto the tension and hurried to smooth things over. “Let’s not dwell on it,” she said with a laugh. “It was just a misunderstanding. Today’s David’s birthday, after all. Ms. Clark, I’m curious what gift did you prepare for David?”
At those words, Kelly’s eyes lit up — she instantly recognized a perfect chance to stir the pot. “I’m curious too!” she chimed in brightly. “I heard Arianna spent a lot of effort picking out her gift for my dad. I’m sure Valerie’s present will be just as thoughtful, right?”
A smile finally returned to Arianna’s face as she instinctively glanced at Valerie.
Before coming today, she had been so focused on winning over the Walker family’s women that she completely forgot today was David’s birthday.
But luck had always been on her side – and today was no different. Just as she realized she hadn’t prepared anything, she stumbled across a gift box that Valerie had accidentally left behind at a boutique. She thought, ‘Talk about a pillow arriving just when you need a nap. Arianna’s smile grew even
sweeter.
“Kelly, don’t say that,” she said gently. “Ms. Clark is David’s daughter–in–law now. And it’s her first time celebrating his birthday since marrying Aiden. Of course she would’ve put real thought into her gift. Isn’t that right, Ms. Clark?”
Kelly giggled behind her hand. “Well, you never know.”
She didn’t know Valerie all that well, but everyone knew how cold she had always been toward Aiden.
She thought someone like that probably wouldn’t bother putting much effort into a gift for David either.
Aiden’s brow furrowed slightly, his gaze turning colder as he glanced over.
Kelly pretended not to notice and covered her mouth dramatically. “Valerie, you didn’t… forget, did you?”
Her voice rang out loud and clear, enough to draw the attention of everyone nearby. In an instant, the room was filled with curious, expectant glances.
But to everyone’s surprise, Valerie remained perfectly calm. She smiled lightly and said, “Of course I prepared something. I know Dad values practicality and frugality, so I chose a very practical gift.”
Across the room, Arianna hid a smirk. She thought, ‘Practical, sure. Too bad – today is the day you are going to embarrass yourself completely.‘
She couldn’t wait to see her face when she realized her carefully chosen gift was already in someone else’s hands. ‘It’s going to be a beautiful moment…!
Just as Arianna was savoring the thought, steady footsteps echoed from the hallway – the birthday man himself was approaching.
Vivian smiled warmly. “Speak of the devil,” she said, “and here he comes.”
The Walker parents were famously close- even after decades of marriage, they still acted like newlyweds.
David entered the room and naturally settled into the seat beside Vivian, his mood clearly good. “What’s this? Talking about me behind my back?”
Valerie stepped forward obediently and called out sweetly, “Dad.”
David turned, slightly surprised.
He hadn’t seen Valerie many times, but every time he had, she had seemed distant, prickly – practically broadcasting I don’t want to marry Aiden with every expression.
Yet today, that thorniness seemed to have soffened considerably.
It wasn’t just David who noticed Aiden found himself staring at her a moment longer than usual, his gaze dark and unreadable. He looked at Valerie, brows furrowed slightly, lost in thought.
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Chapter 7
Meanwhile, Kelly, completely oblivious, seized the moment to stir more trouble. “We were just talking about birthday presents!” she said brightly. “Since Valerie is the newest member of the family, her gift must be extra special, right?”
Arianna chimed in with a dazzling smile. “Of course. Compared to Valerie’s thoughtful present, I’m afraid my own carefully chosen gift might look a little plain. David, maybe you should open mine first – just to spare me the embarrassment?”
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