apter 51
Chapter 51
The brief greeting felt like a thunderclap, exploding through the crowd in an instant.
With Valerie in Aiden’s arms, someone wondered, “Could he be Valerie’s mysterious new husband?”
Valerie pulled him back slightly and called out, “Dad.”
Everett paused for a moment, then exclaimed with overwhelming joy, “Aiden?”
In all of Reano City, there was only one person who could be called Aiden.
But someone like that couldn’t possibly be Valerie’s husband.
Micah couldn’t believe it.
Everett was ecstatic, instinctively moving to greet Aiden, but then he noticed Micah lying on the ground and hesitated, asking, “What’s going on here?”
Micah gritted his teeth, enduring the pain, and said, “Everett, I was just catching up with Valerie, and this man out of nowhere kicked me…”
Micah clutched his groin, his face twisted in pain.
Everett was startled and said, “What happened, Aiden…?”
The way Everett reacted sent a chill down Micah’s spine.
Micah thought, ‘His reaction–he’s clearly afraid of Aiden. Could Aiden really be the big shot I think he is?‘
Aiden’s icy gaze swept over them as he said, “Catching up?”
The low, magnetic laugh that followed made Valerie shiver involuntarily.
Aiden’s calm voice said, “I’ve never seen anyone ‘catch up‘ by using their hands and feet.”
Everett also seemed taken aback and said, “Is there some misunderstanding here?”
Micah shouted through gritted teeth, “I didn’t! I was just…”
“Just confessing your feelings to my wife and trying to force her to be your mistress?” Aiden’s cold gaze lingered as he spoke, “Or were you just worried my wife was lonely, so you wanted to comfort her?”
Valerie, playing along, buried her face in Aiden’s chest and sobbed, “Micah, I never thought you’d be this kind of person… I’ve told you, I’m married. Why do you
still…”
Micah, already aching from the beating, trembled with fury. “Valerie, you…”
“I wanted to pretend I didn’t hear any of it, but you had to push me…
Thankfully, my husband arrived just in time, or else…” Valerie’s voice trembled with a hint of fear, and she buried herself further in Aiden’s arms, unable to speak.
“Ridiculous.” Micah’s father Gerald, upon hearing that his son had been beaten, was enraged. He rushed over, only to see that the man who had done the beating was Aiden.
Gerald, fuming, could only swallow his anger and shouted at his son, “Get up
ady.”
Micah, in immense pain, groaned, “I didn’t do anything…”
“This is probably just a misunderstanding. Valentina, why don’t you take Micah to
see a doctor?” Everett urged.
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14:20 Thu 5 Jun 191
Chapter 51
Valentina, still crouched beside Micah, couldn’t tear her eyes away from Alden.
Hearing Everett’s words, Valentina felt irritated, but with so many watching, and with Micah still her boyfriend, she reluctantly helped him up
As she supported Micah, Valentina couldn’t help but glance back at Aiden, her eyes lingering on him with each step.
Micah, in agony, squeezed Valentina’s hand and said, “Don’t listen to them, they’re all lying
about me.”
Valentina gritted her teeth and said, “Valerie is truly despicable.”
Micah, his face full of discomfort, said, “She’s a slut. She says I touched her, but she’s not even half as good as you.”
Valentina thought the same, and her mind couldn’t help but drift back to that angelic face she had just seen. “Was that him? The devil from the Walker family?”
“It should be…” Micah said, unwilling to admit the truth.
Valentina’s heart stirred. “Aiden is the infamous cold–blooded, obsessive, ruthless devil?”
She had heard that he was temperamental, with a horrible temper, and loved to beat people when he needed to vent. If she married him, it would only mean domestic abuse and humiliation.
But looking at his face, there was no way he seemed like that kind of person.
Valentina suddenly felt a pang of regret.
She thought, ‘Aiden is so young and handsome, surely the rumors were exaggerated. How could someone like him do such things? I should have married him myself, instead of letting Valerie take my place.‘
With that thought, Valentina felt a surge of frustration in her chest.
She thought again, ‘The engagement was originally for Aiden and me. It’s really unfair that Valerie gets to marry him. I wonder if it’s still possible to take it back…‘
The thought grew, like weeds in her mind, spreading uncontrollably.
Aiden’s arrival shocked everyone.
Everett was overjoyed and quickly ushered Aiden into the guest room, preparing coffee for him himself.
As Everett’s daughter and Aiden’s wife, Valerie was expected to accompany them.
Seeing Everett’s excited, warm reception of Aiden, Valerie felt a stark contrast to the way he treated her. Valerie lowered her eyes, feeling uncomfortable. “I’m going to the bathroom.”
After setting down her cup, Valerie quickly stood up and left the room.
Everett, eager for her to leave, continued pouring coffee for Aiden and said, “Aiden, I hope Valerie hasn’t caused you any trouble.”
Aiden leisurely picked up his coffee cup, taking a sip, and replied, “No, she’s fine.”
Everett sighed in relief and smiled, “That’s good. I’ve always treated Valerie like a treasure. I’ve protected her so much, I was afraid she’d act spoiled when she arrived at your place.”
Aiden set down his coffee cup and lazily flicked his eyes upward. “Really? I didn’t think she was spoiled at all. In fact, she’s remarkably mature, to the point it’s almost heartbreaking.”
Everett’s smile faltered, and he awkwardly responded, “Well, we’ve raised her well. You know, she’s my only daughter…”
14:21 Thu, 5 Jun GM.
Chapter 51
Aiden gave a half–smile, stood up, and said, “I’ll go to the bathroom as well.”
Everett quickly stood up, saying, “There’s a bathroom in the guest room.”
But Aiden had already walked but, not even glancing back.
Watching him leave, Everett suddenly realized he hadn’t reminded Valerie about the bathroom when she left earlier…
A sense of regret washed over Everett as he thought, ‘Did Aiden notice something?‘
If he finds out that Valerie is just a substitute for Valentina, and that Valentina is the one who was supposed to marry him… will he explode?
Everett felt a sudden pang of anxiety.
But his own daughter didn’t want to, so this was the only option.
Valerie found a random room and entered, not turning on the lights but opening the balcony window to get some fresh air.
The early spring wind was still a little sharp and cold.
Valerie, in her gown, had a small section of her shoulder and arm exposed. The breeze made her shiver involuntarily.
Suddenly, she heard some faint voices outside, sounding oddly familiar.
“Why are you running around? I told you to hide, didn’t I?”
It was Juliette’s voice.
