Chapter 30
“She’s clearly from a well bred, wealthy family that figure, that face, the way she moves, all elegance and grace. Like royalty.
“Exactly! And she’s so polite too. Remember how Mary got her wages docked for three days just because of her tablemate’s complaint? Valarie went to the manager behind the scenes and covered the amount for her. What a sweetheart
“Right? But seriously, how does someone like her have such a disgusting friend? That woman’s gross–caked on makeup, drowning in designer brands she clearly doesn’t know how to wear, and no clue how to even order food. Mary tried to give her a kind reminder, and she snapped back and complained, claiming ‘the customer is always right. Please! Real class doesn’t come from bullying people for a sense of superiority
“At the end of the day, it’s all insecurity.”
“True, with a friend that gorgeous and accomplished, anyone would feel inferior.”
Juliette clenched her fists tighter with every word, her jaw grinding in rage. She snapped, “Say one more word, and I’ll rip your mouths off!”
The two waitresses jumped in fear and scurried away.
Juliette gave the bathroom door a furious kick, letting out a scream. “Why don’t you say that to my face, huh? She’s the one who’s always trying to win my favor, not the other way around – what the hell do you know?”
Fuming, she caught her reflection in the mirror. She really didn’t look her best.
After all, Valerie had gotten her thrown in jail last night. No shower, no change of clothes, not even makeup removal. And yet Valerie had the audacity not to say a single word before dragging her out to lunch?
Juliette screamed again, hoarse and hysterical. “Bitch, bitch, bitch!”
–
It was always the same. Every time Valerie showed up, she stole the spotlight, the praise, the admiration — and Juliette was left as nothing more than a forgettable sidekick.
But no matter how furious she was, she still needed to keep that “friendship” going.
Valentina’s money – she’d only received half.
So she wiped the fury off her face and pasted on a smile before walking out.
Not long after she left, the door of the farthest stall creaked open.
Kelly stepped out, shaking her head. “You really can’t trust people like her.”
Greedy. Jealous. And oh–so–good at pretending.
For a moment, Kelly actually felt a pang of sympathy for Valerie.
She fixed her makeup and was just about to leave when her phone rang – it was Arianna.
Kelly’s eyes lit up. “You’re finally here? I’m in the restroom. I’ll be out in a sec.”
But Arianna’s voice came through, apologetic. Kelly, I’m so sorry. I just got a last–minute shoot. It’s important – I can’t go to the
Kelly’s smile vanished. “Are you serious? You know who’ll be at that auction! If you don’t come with me, and they gang up on me…”
with you.”
“I really can’t get away,” Arianna interrupted. “Maybe your mom can go with you?”
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Kelly snapped, “You know she doesn’t want to see those people. Fine, Whatever. Go do your thing.
She hung up angrily and stomped her foot.
“If she couldn’t go, she should’ve said so earlier! Who am I going to find now, last–minute? That event uncle’s entire family…”
is crawling with my enemies, and that annoyi
Just thinking about it gave Kelly a headache. She dialed Aiden and what did he suggest? Take Valerie.
“You’ve lost your damn mind,” Kelly muttered in disbelief.
But Aiden just said calmly, “She’s more capable than you think.”
Then he hung up, leaving Kelly in a flurry of disbelief and frustration.
When she stepped back out, she spotted Juliette smiling like a snake, chatting sweetly
ly with Valerie. Absolutely revolting.
Kelly walked straight to their table and knocked on it.
Juliette narrowed her eyes. “What do you want?”
But Kelly didn’t even look at her. She turned to Valerie and said, “There’s an auction tonight – kind of a big deal. Arianna was supposed to go with me, but something came up. You… wanna come?”
The final “wanna come” clearly wasn’t part of the original plan. It came out awkward, forced.
Valerie looked up, meeting Kelly’s gaze – her chin still arrogantly tilted.
But there was an odd flicker of embarrassment beneath it.
Valerie remembered this auction. It was a small–scale gathering, but everyone attending held real power in Reano City.
In her past life, Kelly had been ditched by Arianna and Aiden had personally called Valerie to ask her to step in. She declined without hesitation–and Kelly had ended up sobbing after being humiliated.
But things were different now. Valerie had no plans to be a background character in the Walker family.
She needed to secure her footing – and this might just be a step forward.
Back then, Kelly never invited her
–
not even with such thinly disguised reluctance.
Juliette scoffed. “You must think people are idiots. That stunt with the piano earlier? You clearly set it up to embarrass Valerie in front of everyone. And now you’re trying round two?“”
Kelly flinched, her face reddening.
Had she known karma would come this quick, she might’ve skipped that setup entirely.
Still, thinking of that evening’s opportunity, she forced out an awkward explanation. “This time, it’s real. Not everyone can get into this auction. If you go, it’ll only benefit you-”
“Sure,” Valerie said suddenly.
Kelly froze. “What?”
Valerie smiled faintly. “I’ll go.”
Kelly had been bracing for rejection – she didn’t expect Valerie to agree so easily.
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Chapter 30
Juliette jumped up. “Valerie, are you out of your mind? She’s clearly up to no good!”
But Valerie understood the weight this event carried – and knew Kelly was telling the truth.
Kelly sneered. “And who the hell do you think you are? Maybe look in a mirror before running your mouth. You think someone like you has the right to comment on the Walker family? I recorded what you said in the restroom, want me to play it back?”
Juliette’s smugness vanished. She frantically tried to remember exactly what she’d said in there.
By the time she collected her thoughts, Kelly had already dragged Valerie away.
Juliette was livid and then, suddenly, she remembered the gift Valerie had planned to give Everett at the birthday party.
–
She quickly texted Valentina. Valentina read the message and smiled with satisfaction.
She’d buy an even better, even more expensive watch- and crush Valerie’s little plan to dust.
After all, the Clark family only needed one daughter in the spotlight.
