Chapter 4

Charles pov

I know I don’t love Valerie the way I love Fiona but then, I wasn't expecting Valerie to show up with signed the divorce papers and looking nothing like herself.

Is she trying to make me jealous by coming to the event with another man?.

And she was even called the Jewelry Queen?

My heart had paused for a while when she was called to the stage. For three good years I waited to see the Jewelry queen and get to partner with her just to grow my jewelry business.

It's an opportunity I would never want to pass for anything.

Only to realize that this great personality was my ex-wife. Even though she was accused of sleeping with top men just to get announced, I knew it wasn’t Valerie. She wasn’t that type of woman.

How had she managed to pull this off?.

It's incomprehensible that she held such a fame and she didn’t let me know. Now, I want her back. I know it’s selfish of me but I just need her to help my business grow.

But I knew I couldn’t get Valerie to partner with me after all my family has done to her, so I need a new plan.

“How can your ex -wife be so powerful, Charles? Are you sure she never told you who she was?” My mother asked, the look of bewilderment on her face adding to my misery.

“I’m as surprised as you are.”

I replied almost snapping at her but keeping my cool.

If I had known I wouldn't have let her go, only a fool would do that.

Valerie was known to be an orphan with no family except Leo who was as poor as she was. She told me they were from the same orphanage and Leo was like a brother to her.

But if she was an orphan, how come she has so much popularity and power in the jewelry world?.

It's makes no sense!

“Charles,I know you’re angry and always wanted to partner with The Queen of Jewelry, I can help you.” Fiona spoke up.

“How do you intend to go about that Fiona?” I asked.

“My father is a wealthy man, he can help me find a way to get you to partner with Valerie.” She said, mentioning the name with so much hate.

“I can’t depend on you to do everything for me, that’s why I’ve decided that I will attend Valerie's party tonight.” I informed her.

“What!!!” Fiona and my mom exclaimed in unison.

“You can’t be serious about this Charles, she’s going to throw you out of her house in shame.” My mom said,

“Look Charles, as much as I want to also attend the party with you, I’m sure she’s going to humiliate you.” Fiona added.

“I’ve decided. You can come or you could stay at home.” I said and walked into my bedroom to freshen up.

At first I thought Valerie was throwing a tantrum and I was so sure she would come back to beg me to accept her back, but I didn’t know she had other plans.

Who are you Valerie? What other secrets are you hiding from me?

A knock on the door woke me up from a nap a while later.

“Come in”

“It’s almost time for Valerie's party, I came to wake you and inform you that I would be coming.”

“What made you change your mind?” I asked Fiona as she walked in with a sober look on her face.

“I can’t let you go alone, everyone would be there with their partners so I decided it isn’t best for you to go alone.“ she said.

I stood up and immediately got dressed and was ready to leave in not up to thirty minutes.

We arrived at the place and it was a mansion, bigger and looked more expensive than mine.

Fiona and I walked hand in hand to the entrance only to get stopped by a guard.

“Sorry sir, I need to see your invitation.”

“What invitation?” I asked, confused.

“Invitation was sent out, I’m sorry you can’t get in without one.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, already getting angry and frustrated. Was this Valerie's way of humiliating me?

“What’s causing all that ruckus?” A woman dressed in a blue long gown, emerged from the house. The voice sounded familiar and I did a double take before I recognise her.

Valerie?

I couldn’t believe it was Valerie, she looked much more beautiful than I have ever seen.

“Hello Mr Charles, welcome to my party. What seems to be the issue?”

“Is this your way of humiliating me? I didn’t get an invitation like others.” I asked angrily.

“Oops that’s my fault, I didn’t remember you were so important.” She said and that word pierced my heart.

This was the same woman who was always all over me when we were together and all of a sudden I was no longer important to her.

“How dare you Valerie? I know the reason why you are angry with Charles is because of me.” Fiona said.

“How sweet of you think that I’m doing all this because of him.” Valerie said while laughing. This was the worst mockery of my life.

“You can come in, if you want.” She said and walked back inside before I could say another word.

“How dare she make fun of us.” Fiona shouted.

“Keep calm, I still need to talk to her” I said.

We got inside and everywhere looked grand. It was so beautiful I couldn’t believe Valerie had such money to rent such a place except she got help from people.

Finally inside, I decided to take a look at the place and found Valerie pictures and that of Leo and another guy who I remember seeing in the auction.

“She’s getting all this fame from Leo.” Fiona said.

“Watch your mouth Fiona.”

“Are you scolding me because of that thing you call an ex wife.”

“Fiona, this isn’t the time to talk shit. I need to find out some information about Valerie and you will be quiet throughout the party. Is that clear?” I said.

“Hmm.”

“Welcome to Ms.Valerie’s party, make yourself comfortable and also I’ll be so happy to introduce to everyone the daughter of Mr Clark.” The announcer said and the crowd went wild with excitement.

Just then my eyes caught Valerie and I saw her walking hand in hand with Leo. I know I wasn’t meant to be jealous, after all, I initiated the divorce.

Valerie, what are you planning?