Chapter 66
Valentina’s entire body went cold, trembling uncontrollably.
ut the waiter stood his ground, voice resolute as he pointed directly at her. “It was you! You told me to drug those two men’s drinks and lead them to
that room!”
He suddenly seemed to recall something, eyes widening. “Wait–I have proof! I swear, I’m not lying!”
With shaking hands, he pulled a bank card from his pocket and held it up. “She said there was 15,000 dollars in this card–an advance. I was supposed to get another 15,000 dollars once the job was done. This–this is the proof!”
The reversal was instant and explosive.
A wave of shocked murmurs spread like wildfire. The expressions around Valentina changed. The eyes that landed on her were no longer curious they were filled with disgust and contempt.
Valentina felt the weight of those stares bearing down on her like a mountain. She couldn’t even raise her head. Gripping her hair tightly in both hands, her face twisted in panic, she gasped out, “No… that’s not…”
She hadn’t even finished the sentence when someone grabbed her by the hair.
Before she could react, a loud smack echoed through the room–sharp, vicious, and resounding.
Everyone went silent.
Valentina was knocked to the ground. Her ears rang, her vision blurred, and for a second, she couldn’t move.
Clutching her face, she looked up in utter disbelief–straight into the furious eyes of Everett, her father, the man who had always held her in the highest
regard.
His hand was still trembling. His eyes were red. “You disgrace,” he growled.
Valentina felt like the world had collapsed beneath her.
Never–not once in her life–had Everett ever laid a finger on her. But now, her cheek burned and swelled, the metallic taste of blood filling her mouth.
He hadn’t held back.
Tears streamed down her face in thick rivulets. She sobbed, voice cracking, “Daddy…”
Everett’s heart twisted at the sight. His nose stung with unshed tears.
But this secret–this deception–had to be buried. If Aiden ever found out the entire marriage had been a setup, it wouldn’t just be Valentina who paid
the price.
Steeling himself, Everett grabbed Valentina by the arm and dragged her toward Valerie. “If she doesn’t forgive you, then from this day forward, you’re no longer my daughter.”
Valentina’s body jolted. Her heart filled with bitter resentment–but she had no choice. Forced to her knees like a criminal awaiting judgment, she broke down, crying loudly.
She said, “I… I’m sorry, Valerie… I didn’t mean to… I–I was just being stupid… Please, forgive me…”
It was a public execution in every sense.
The evidence was ironclad. The drugs had come from Juliette. The bribe from Valentina. It was clear–they had tried to destroy Valerie.
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Chapter 66
Had Valerie not been so alert, the person cowering in a blanket, violated and broken, would have been her.
And now, Everett was forcing her to forgive?
Valerie let out a cold, bitter laugh. Her chest tightened with scorn as she looked down at Valentina. “I just want to know–why? Why do this to me
She stepped closer, towering over her. Her presence, calm yet overwhelming, cast a long shadow. Valentina could feel the pressure, the humiliation.
Clenching her fists, her teeth grinding, she snapped, “You have the nerve to ask?!”
“Shut up!” Everett barked.
But Valentina didn’t listen. Her voice rose in a rage. “Why should I shut up? Why?! She took everything from me! I’m the real daughter of this family! But all these years, all anyone ever saw was her! Everyone praised her–said she was beautiful, talented, perfect! And me? What about me?!”
She broke down completely, sobbing, “Why does no one ever see me? She’s just a-”
But before she could say adopted daughter, Alannah rushed forward and clamped a hand over her mouth, eyes brimming with pain and desperation She silently begged her to stop talking.
Gasps and whispers broke out again.
“Are you serious? All of this because of jealousy?”
“Valerie really didn’t deserve this. Just because someone else shines doesn’t mean you get to try and ruin them. Be better instead.”
“Exactly. Being jealous of someone’s beauty or talent isn’t an excuse to destroy them.”
Everett’s face had gone utterly gray. “Valerie…”
Valerie smiled bitterly, whispering, “So that’s what this has all been about.” Then she turned to look at Juliette. “And you?” she asked.
At the sound of her name, Juliette flinched like she’d been electrocuted, her entire body shaking violently.
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