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CHAPTER 11: Cold Comfort
Tanggal publikasi:
2026-09-21 14:32:18
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Mrs. Vale by Contract CHAPTER 19: When the Table Turns
“Vanessa!” Richard shouted. “Get downstairs!” Grace's fork clattered against her plate. She looked at the doorway. Victoria stopped short when she saw Lydia at the dining table. “So you’re sitting here enjoying yourself? You got what you wanted, didn’t you? Your husband sent you to watch the show huh” Grace rose from her chair. “Victoria, what are you talking about?” “Shut up.” Before Grace could answer, Vanessa appeared at the top of the stairs. She gripped the banister with both hands, wincing with every step, her eyes darting to Richard's face. The red dress was still on her. The scrape on her knee remained uncovered. Victoria rushed to support her. “Look at what they’ve done to you!” She turned toward Richard. “You should file a harassment complaint against Lydia. I want her to be held responsible.” Richard stared at her in disbelief. “A harassment complaint? Against Lydia? Why not file one against Louis if you have the courage?” His voice hardened. “You chose to pre
Mrs. Vale by Contract CHAPTER 18: Humiliation
Lydia stared at Louis’s outstretched hand. He was actually asking for her phone because of Vanessa’s accusations. Her fingers tightened around the phone before she handed it over. Ryan stepped forward. “Louis, you can’t trust Vanessa. She’s lying about Lydia…” “Enough, Ryan.” Lydia turned to him. “I can speak for myself.” His mouth closed. Whatever he had intended to say, would only add to her problems. Louis slipped the phone into his pocket. “You can go home,” he told Lydia. “I’m going somewhere else.” She walked towards the car before he could respond. Vanessa watched her go. The corner of her mouth curled. Louis had taken Lydia’s phone. Perhaps he hadn’t swallowed every word, but the doubt was there. That was enough. Louis didn’t look at either of them again. He turned and walked away. Carter approached him. Louis handed him Lydia’s phone. “Block Ryan’s number. Remove his contact and delete their message thread.” Carter glanced at him. “Do you believe Vanessa’s claims
Mrs. Vale by Contract CHAPTER 17: Old Photographs, New Lies.
Louis handed Vanessa the laptop without a word. She connected her flash drive, then turned the screen toward him. Photographs appeared one after another: Lydia laughing against Ryan’s shoulder, his arms around her waist, his mouth pressed to her temple. Louis scrolled without comment. Behind a concrete pillar, Ryan watched, his jaw tightening. Carter had noticed him ten minutes earlier and informed Louis, but Louis had made no move to send him away. If anything, he seemed content to let him watch. Louis stopped at a photograph of Lydia asleep beneath the sheets, Ryan’s jacket draped over her bare shoulders. Ryan’s lips rested against her hairline. Vanessa noticed the pause and mistook it for hurt. “That’s nothing,” she said softly. “There are more intimate pictures, but I didn’t bring them. I wouldn’t want to hurt you more than necessary.” Louis’s thumb rested against the laptop’s edge. Vanessa moved closer. “Did Lydia tell you she married you on the very day she was
Mrs. Vale by Contract CHAPTER 16: Husband
Vanessa checked her reflection once, pleased, and stepped out of the house. A shadow fell across her path before she entered her car. “Look at you." Ryan's eyes slid down her red dress. "Where are you going looking so gorgeous?" Vanessa's mouth flattened. "Has there ever been a time I haven't looked gorgeous? What are you doing here?" He looked at her like she was the only thing in focus. “What's happening to us? You haven't picked or returned my calls since the Vale event. Did I upset you?" “No." She checked her watch. Seconds mattered now. Louis would reach the office soon. If he got upstairs first, security would stop her in the lobby. She had to catch him at the door and follow him up. "Where are you going this early?" She yanked her car door open. "We'll discuss it when I call you." The engine roared, and she was gone. Ryan suspected her behavior and followed, three cars behind. Louis had his keys in hand to leave the house when he realized he'd never given Lyd
Mrs. Vale by Contract CHAPTER 15: The Serpent's Smile
Lydia was surprised when she returned to the living room.Naomi was waiting for her.The morning light had shifted, warmer now, catching dust motes near the windows.She looked toward the door."I didn't call for you.""Mr. Vale did."Of course he had.Lydia exhaled and hoped, quietly, that today would go smoothly.Vanessa arrived an hour later, gushing over the marble entryway before she'd even set down her bag."Lydia. You're really living like this now?"Her eyes moved over the high ceilings and the art on the walls, cataloguing everything.Lydia ignored the remark."Sit."Vanessa did.She accepted the drink Lydia offered, then glanced around again."Can I see the house?"Lydia hesitated."Just a tour."After a moment, she nodded.They moved through the sitting rooms, then the library, leather-bound books that smelled of dust and old paper, and the sunroom overlooking the garden, where light spilled through the glass in pale yellow sheets.Vanessa trailed a finger along every surfa
Mrs. Vale by Contract CHAPTER 14: The Empire He Built
Lydia scrolled through the article on her phone.One hand curled around her untouched coffee.Five Mistakes First-Time Founders Make.She'd read it twice already.Half of it still didn't make sense.Supply chains. Equity splits. Terms she'd have to look up later.Still, something in her chest lit up every time she pictured it.Her name on something.Built by her own hands.Answering to no one.She had always wanted to own a business.What she didn't know was how to get there.She needed to learn.She was still reading when Louis walked past the dining room, not sparing her a glance."Louis."Lydia pushed her chair back and hurried after him."I chose the nurse yesterday and sent her profile to you, but you haven't replied."His expression remained unchanged."I don't have…"The cook appeared from the kitchen, carrying Lydia's breakfast.Steam curled from the plate."Mrs. Vale, your breakfast."Louis glanced at the approaching tray.Then back at Lydia."I'll look at it when I get to th
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