Chapter 59
Chapter 59
His voice was low and close—so close it startled Valerie, sending her heart racing. Her face flushed with heat. Embarrassed and irritated, she stepped back. “I didn’t– You were the one who insisted on following me out!”
Aiden arched a brow, stepping in closer. “Oh? Is that how you remember it?”
“W–Wasn’t it?” Valerie stammered, retreating further. “I’m going now. Do as you please.”
She lifted her skirt and hurried off toward the restroom. Only when she shut the door behind her and leaned against it did she finally exhale, tension leaving her limbs in waves.
‘Did he… come back just to be with me?‘ The thought hit her out of nowhere, making her heart skip a beat.
But the very next second, she shook it away with a cold laugh. Impossible.
To Aiden, she was nothing more than a plaything.
He’d made that crystal clear on countless nights, his voice still echoing in her memory, ‘Valerie, who do you think you are? Just a toy. A thing. You dare betray me? Dream on.‘
That phrase had branded itself into her soul. Every time she saw Aiden, it echoed, “You’re just a toy, Valerie.”
This life, she wouldn’t make the same mistake again.
She’d tasted the pain of crossing him. This time, she wouldn’t just survive–she’d thrive. She’d build power. She’d protect herself. And then, when the time was right… She would leave him.
Divorce was just a matter of when.
Shaking off her thoughts, Valerie stepped out of the restroom–only to spot Valentina nearby, sauntering confidently down the hallway, freshly made up and radiant as ever.
Valerie narrowed her eyes. Something was off.
Valentina was petty and easily offended. After the humiliation she’d suffered earlier, she should’ve been sulking or storming.
But here she was–beaming, glowing, flirtatiously chatting with passing guests.
That left only one possibility. She’d either gotten her revenge already–or was about to.
Given the short time that had passed, it was far more likely she was plotting something new–and believed she’d win.
Just then, Valerie’s phone buzzed.
Juliette: [Valerie, where are you? I’ve been looking for you forever. Are you with that devil again? It’s gift presentation time! You need to go before Valentina does–don’t let her outshine you!]
Valerie stared at the messages, then calmly replied:/[Got it.]
By the time she returned, the gift presentation had already begun.
From her new vantage point, she glanced toward the guest seats she had once occupied in her past life–and sure enough, there was Valentina.
She no longer looked like the girl who had fled the room sobbing. She now sat like a peacock in full display, surrounded by men, smiling sweetly, laughing easily–holding court like a queen!
Then, sensing something, she turned–and locked eyes with Valerie.
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Chapter 59
That look crackled like static, fierce resentment flashing before melting back into a polished smile.
Valerie frowned. Definitely not right.
“Valerie!” Juliette waved enthusiastically, her grin wide as she trotted over. The call turned heads–people were watching now.
Juliette wrapped her arm around Valerie’s, her tone playful and full of anticipation. “So, tell me what did you finally get your dad? A watch, right?”
Valerie smiled at her enthusiasm. “Nope.”
Juliette blinked. “Wait… didn’t you say you were getting him a watch?”
She had even tipped off Valentina early on, nudging her to buy one–something fancy and pricey, of course.
As Valerie strolled along with Juliette clinging to her side, she gave her a curious look. “Why would I give him that? A watch just counts down time. Kinda grim, don’t you think? It’s like giving someone a reminder that their time’s almost up.”
Right at that moment, they passed by Valentina.
Valerie didn’t raise her voice–but it carried, just enough for the entire group to hear.
Valentina’s smile stiffened. Her fingers curled into the fabric of her dress.
She thought, “Didn’t Valerie say she was giving a watch? How could she say something like that now?”
Juliette, too, was caught off guard. Her lips parted as if to argue–but nothing came out.
Because… well, Valerie kind of had a point.
Valerie gave a dazzling smile. “Anyway, I was only joking when I mentioned the watch. I didn’t think you’d actually believe me. I mean, really–who would be so tone–deaf as to give a ticking clock to someone at their birthday party?”
Juliette forced a smile, muttering, “Yeah… right.”
Meanwhile, Valentina was seething. ‘Damn it.‘
She shot Juliette a daggered glare, as if she wanted to shred her with her teeth.
Juliette flinched and quickly turned away, pretending not to see. But in her gut, a strange chill crept in.
Something had changed about Valerie. Ever since marrying Aiden, she’d become different–sharper, more unpredictable, impossible to read.
And at this rate, she wasn’t just rising–she was soaring.
Juliette’s panic surged. ‘No. I have to pull her down–before it’s too late.‘
Just then, Everett’s voice echoed from the speakers, silencing the room.
“Thank you all for attending my birthday celebration,” he began. “Today marks my 45th birthday–not exactly a young man’s milestone. But this year is special, because…”
Valerie’s expression shifted. Here it comes.‘
The moment Everett would bring Valentina to the spotlight.
Valentina, meanwhile, was glowing with anticipation. ‘So what if she sat at the main table? she thought smugly. “I’m still the one Dad will call his one and only heir‘
She was ready–ready for the lights, the applause, the recognition as the face of the Clark family. “Because this year,” Everett continued, “my daughter
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Chapter 59
GM
brought my son–in–law home to join the celebration. And for me, that’s the most precious gift of all.”
Valerie’s eyes snapped up.
Valentina’s carefully rehearsed smile cracked–then shattered.
She shot to her feet, stunned, staring at Everett as rage roared to life in her chest.
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But Everett went on, beaming, his voice brimming with joy. “I feel so proud to have a daughter like Valerie. Because of her, my life finally feels complete.
And now she’s brought me the perfect son–in–law. Valerie, you will always be the pride of the Clark family. I will always love you.”
