جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 830

"Mrs. Updike, do I look like an idiot to you? Or are you just not thinking straight?" Valarie asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.Monica's expression stiffened in response."Then what do you want?" Monica demanded, her voice cold.Valarie raised her eyebrows and said firmly, "Even if they're sent abroad, they could always come back. What I want is to sever ties completely."Monica's face hardened. "Valarie, you're still just a young woman. Don't be so ruthless. Zayn's mistress may be at fault, but the child is innocent. I can't believe you'd suggest something so extreme!"Her gaze carried a note of disappointment, as though Valarie's words reflected poorly on her character.Once, that look might have affected Valarie, but now Monica was no more than the mother of the defendant—a near stranger to her."Whatever ruthlessness I have pales in comparison to yours, Mrs. Updike. After all, you managed to raise a rapist," Valarie retorted."What did you just say?!" Monica shot up fr

All these years they had been married, it had always been Anthony who gave in to Monica. She was accustomed to having her way with him, so it was unlikely she would hold her temper now.What she could not tolerate most was Anthony hitting her in front of a maid.Silence settled between them.Anthony regarded Monica with tired eyes, devoid of the affection that once filled them.Monica's heart pounded as she realized he might actually be serious."You—" she began, her voice faltering.He cut her off, "Fine. If you want a divorce, we'll divorce."She stared at him, stunned. She had only intended the comment as a threat, never imagining he would actually agree.As the shock wore off, it gave way to rage. Not only was he not apologizing for hitting her, but he was also so brazen about it."Fine! But don't you dare regret it!" She spun around, anger burning within her, and stormed back to her car.Watching her drive away, Anthony remained silent. He turned to the maid at the door

Valarie smirked. "I know. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have things to do."Anthony stepped aside with a nod, and Valarie got back into her car, driving off.She had originally planned to meet Nyla, but changed her mind and headed straight for the Genge residence instead.When she arrived, a maid greeted her, "Ms. Weir, Mr. Genge is waiting for you in the living room."Valarie snickered. Tom had known all along she would come.Entering the living room, she found Tom lounging on the sofa with a smile. She mirrored his expression and sat across from him."Tom, didn't I tell you I want nothing to do with you and don't want to see you again?" Valarie asked.Although she was smiling, her gaze was icy, filled with disdain.Tom was unfazed by her attitude. Calmly, he poured her a cup of coffee. "I can't stand seeing anyone bully you, so I did something about it. How is that wrong?"Valarie took the cup he handed her and promptly poured its contents into the trash bin beside her."I do

Brandon took a deep breath and explained, "Valarie, that's not what I think. I was just worried about you.""What's there to worry about? Worried I'd fall for him again?" Valarie retorted.The coldness in her gaze made Brandon clench his fists, his expression darkening. "Valarie, is it really necessary to be so sarcastic? You know how much Tom bothers me, yet you didn't tell me you were coming to see him."What if I had met with an ex-girlfriend behind your back without saying anything? Would you be completely unfazed?""Why wouldn't I be? I chose to be with you, so I'd trust you. But you obviously don't feel the same about me," Valarie countered.For any relationship to last, there had to be mutual trust. If Brandon kept being this suspicious and paranoid, it would just wear down their feelings for each other."I told you I don't doubt you. If you'd told me beforehand, I wouldn't have shown up here. Don't you understand my point?" Brandon's gaze on Valarie was disappointed. "You

Seeing Damon look weary, Nyla pursed her lips before asking, "Want me to give you a massage?"Damon shook his head. "No need. I'm good now.""Alright," Nyla replied.Damon spent another hour working on his documents before they both headed to bed.After their showers, he offered to dry Nyla's hair."Aren't you tired? I can do it myself," she said."I'll do it," he insisted, taking the hairdryer from her with such determination that she had to let him."Fine," she relented.Turning her back to him, she let the warmth of the dryer lull her into relaxation, nearly dozing off by the time he finished.Setting the dryer aside, he told her, "You go ahead and sleep. I just remembered I have one more document to sign, and then I'll be up."Nyla, thinking nothing of it, nodded. "Okay."Once out of the room, Damon glanced at the few strands of her hair he held in his hand, his expression unreadable.In under ten minutes, he returned, slipping into bed quietly.However, his mind kept