Chapter 84
All for a credit, huh? Kelly thought proudly, ‘Even having a baby would be worth it for that.‘
She beamed at Valerie, eyes full of mischief and expectation.
“Alright now, look at Valerie blushing–can we not?” Vivian, for once, spoke up, her tone unusually gentle, even amused. “Let them take their time. They’ll figure it out on their own.”
“Exactly,” Ruth chimed in, casting a mock–stern glance at Kelly. “You talk too much. Eat your food.”
“Okay, okay.” Kelly picked up her bowl, sneaking glances between Alden and Valerie, humming happily to herself. Teasing this pair of newlyweds was just too much fun.
‘Thank goodness Aiden didn’t end up with Arianna, she mused. If it were her, she’d probably be holding Aiden’s hand right now, talking baby names.
But Valerie? She blushed like a peach at the mention of kids–it made you just want to pinch her cheeks and bully her a little more. Just like her aderable puppy–eyed boyfriend…
Kelly’s mind drifted into slightly inappropriate territory, and her cheeks colored. She shook the thoughts off quickly and refocused.
The rest of dinner went smoothly. Valerie adjusted well after the initial awkwardness. Afterward, Vivian invited her for a walk.
“I’m coming too!” Kelly jumped up, rushed to change shoes, then darted over to Aiden lounging on the sofa and whispered, “Mom still seems kinda iffy about Valerie. I’m going along just in case–to keep an eye on her, protect your wife. I’m such a good sister, don’t you think I deserve a reward?”
She held out her palm with a hopeful grin.
Aiden barely glanced at her hand before slapping it away. “Scram.”
Kelly winced dramatically. “Rude!”
Still, seeing Valerie and Vivian walk off, she puffed up and scampered after them.
Behind her, Waylon strolled into the room with a hearty laugh. “That girl never quits,” he said. “By the way, you’ve handled those recent company matters well. I should reward you for that.”
“Thank you, Grandpa,” Aiden rose and supported him by the arm. “But I was just doing my job. No need for rewards.”
Waylon scoffed. “Oh, come on. You know me better than that. And your wife–she’s not bad. No wonder you wouldn’t budge when we tried to talk sense into you.”
“We had a marriage agreement,” Aiden replied evenly.
Waylon rolled his eyes. “Marriage agreement, please. If you hadn’t wanted it, no one could’ve forced you. Your brother, by the way, came to me a few times asking to fulfill that arrangement. I said no, of course.”
Aiden lifted a brow. “He did?”
Waylon snorted. “Don’t play dumb. He brought it up first, and then you swooped in like a hawk, I’m starting to think you did it on purpose.”
Aiden was calm. “I didn’t.”
Not entirely true, but he wasn’t about to explain his motives.
That little truth would die with him.
Waylon waved a hand. “Doesn’t matter now. She’s yours. What’s done is done. Your brother threw a tantrum about it the other day–accused me of
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Chapter 84
favoring you. Said I sabotaged him. Imagine that, I’m an old man, and he’s here slandering me. All your fault.
“My bad,” Aiden said blandly.
Waylon whacked him lightly with his cane. “You and that mouth. Say sorry all you want—you’ll do it again, won’t you?”
Aiden sighed, speechless.
“Anyway,” Waylon continued, “Reano University’s been begging me to give a lecture. I’m getting old, so I’ll pass it on to you.”
Aiden blinked. Reano? That’s Valerie’s university.
“Is that the reward?” he asked.
Waylon narrowed his eyes. “You just said you didn’t need one. Changed your mind already?”
“If you insist on rewarding me,” Aiden said solemnly, “I should accept it–otherwise you’d feel guilty. That wouldn’t be very filial of me, would it?”
“Ugh. Don’t make it sound like I’m forcing you to be a good grandson.”
“Just doing my duty,” Aiden said with a mild smile.
Waylon narrowed his eyes. “So? What do you want?”
“I haven’t decided. Why don’t you owe me one, and I’ll cash it in later?”
Waylon groaned. “Ah, I’ve been conned. An open–ended favor? That’s worse than giving you something now.”
“You’re a man of honor,” Aiden said humbly. “I know you’ll hold up your end.”
Waylon scowled. “Flatterer. Your dad’s all mild and proper–how did he end up with a son as sneaky as you?”
“Must be your influence,” Aiden said with a straight face.
Waylon nearly exploded.
It was the first time in either lifetime that Valerie had gone for a walk with Vivian. Even with Kelly tagging along, Valerie felt uneasy.
In her past life, she’d learned what Vivian disliked–but never figured out what she actually liked, which made conversation… difficult.
Luckily, Kelly broke the tension. “Mom, I think you’ve gained weight lately.”
Vivian’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “You little brat. You want a smack?”
Kelly grinned. “Being plump means you’re lucky! Right/Valerie?”
Valerie smiled politely. “Vivian has always been elegant and slim. You look as lovely as ever.”
Vivian could tell she was buttering her up, but the flattery still soothed her pride. She glanced at Valerie. “I hear you’ve gone back to school?”
Valerie nodded.
“That’s good. Aiden’s been busy lately, and you’re still young. It’s good to be ambitious.”
“I’m finishing up some credits,” Valerie said. “Once that’s done, I plan to look for an internship.”
“Internship?” Vivian asked, assessing her. “What’s your major?”
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Chapter 84
“Jewelry design.”
“Oh, that’s convenient,” Kelly jumped in. “Mom, you could let Valerie intern at your company!”
Valerie knew Vivian was a major figure in the jewelry industry–often invited to judge national design competitions. But considering how little Vivian thought of her, Valerie wasn’t about to volunteer herself to be scrutinized. “That might not be the best idea. I’m still pretty inexperienced. I’d rather find something on my own.”
“Don’t sell yourself short,” Vivian said. “But we only take a limited number of interns. There’s a recruitment competition next month. If you’re interested, you can apply.”
