Chapter 2
Marnie ripped the DNA report in half. “Do you seriously think you can walk off with our fortune with a forged document? Dream on!”
Valerie smiled. “I’ve made plenty of copies of that report.”
Skyler frowned. “What exactly do you want?”
He didn’t let anything show, but his mind was in shambles. How on earth had this little brat gotten here? Had the doctors slipped up?
Valerie noticed the panic in his eyes, but she didn’t speak a word about the hospital.
“The Woodwards made it big in the restaurant industry thanks to the recipes my mom left behind before the divorce. She never claimed her share because the betrayal in her marriage broke her spirit.
‘As her daughter, I won’t let her swallow that injustice. The Woodwards’ net worth is around
four billion dollars. I won’t ask for much—just transfer two billion dollars to my account within three days.”
Her words riled Sonia up so much that she forgot to maintain her composure. “Don’t push your luck, Valerie! My dad only helped you out of pity for the rough life you had in the sticks. If it weren’t for that, you wouldn’t even have the right to step foot in our home!”
Valerie glanced at Sonia. “And you are?”
Sonia straightened up, puffing out her chest. “I’m the rightful heiress of the Woodward family.
11
Valerie acted as if it had just clicked in her mind. “So, you’re the clown who made yourself out to be a prodigy with just one award-winning security system!”
Rage blazed in Sonia’s eyes. “Who are you calling a clown?”
Valerie jerked her chin at the mess inside the conference hall. “A real genius would never reduce herself to a laughingstock in public.”
Enraged by Valerie’s attitude, Sonia raised her hand and swung at the former. Valerie tilted her head and slapped Sonia back hard.
The sharp crack snapped everyone out of their daze.
Clutching her cheek, Sonia seethed. “How dare you hit me?”
Valerie massaged her stinging palm. “You started it.”
Marnie exploded when Sonia was struck. “How dare you lay a hand on my daughter, you bastard child?”
The words “bastard child” struck a nerve in Valerie. She picked up a glass of red wine from the table and hurled it straight at Marnie’s face. “If my mom hadn’t given up her place for a shameless homewrecker like you, the twins you had from seducing a married man would be the real bastard children!”
The red wine wiped the elegance right off Marnie’s well-kept face.
Valerie was no pushover. Since the Woodwards had dared to scheme against her, they had to face the consequences.
With Marnie and Sonia attacked, Skyler lost his cool. “How dare you hurt others in public, Valerie? Have you no regard for the law?”
“The law? What law-spell it out for me!” Valerie sneered.
Wiping the wine off her face, Marnie seethed. “If you dare make a scene in Mr. White’s territory, the only fate awaiting you is death!”
Valerie glanced at Lucius. “Is that true?”
He responded calmly, “You’re welcome to find out.”
Valerie spotted a decorative baseball bat in the corner, weighing it in her hands. With swift, fluid movements, she smashed every piece of decor in the room under everyone’s stunned
gaze.
In the blink of an eye, the elegant private room became a complete wreck.
With the room in ruins, Valerie declared, “Well, let’s see!”
Lucius, who had been watching the drama unfold, was rendered speechless. So were the bodyguards and assistants surrounding him.
The Woodwards were also flabbergasted. The Glasshouse was Lucius’ property. Raising hell here was pure suicide.
Even with his limits and dignity challenged in public, Lucius remained unruffled. He merely watched Valerie’s rampage with a hint of amusement.
Five minutes later, the cops arrived as expected. “We received a report that someone was damaging property and making a scene in public.”
Lucius narrowed his eyes and frowned slightly. Who had called the cops?
Sonia, still clutching her swollen cheek, didn’t notice the change in his expression. Pointing straight at Valerie’s nose, she declared, “I made the call! She’s the one who started the fight
and trashed the place.”
Marnie, who was still fuming, chimed in, “That’s right! She drenched me with wine, too. Hurry up! Arrest her and lock her up!”
The moment the cops spotted Valerie gripping a baseball bat with a menacing look on her face, they immediately zeroed in on her. “Miss, drop your weapon and come with us.”
Valerie tossed the bat aside before beaming at Skyler. “Since you have been so good to me, I’ll be sure to return the favor with blood.”
As the officers led her away, Lucius noticed the mischievous glint in her eyes.
Skyler’s heart sank. How would his son ever get the kidney he needed if Valerie were taken into custody?
Skyler looked at Lucius with pleading eyes. “Mr. White, I’m sorry for what happened tonight. Valerie may have done terrible things, but she’s still my daughter. Please, for my sake, spare
her this once.”
Marnie’s eyes widened in disbelief. “How could you plead her case, darling?”
“Exactly, Dad! Valerie crossed Mr. White in public. She deserves to rot in jail!” Sonia chimed in.
Skyler slapped Sonia across the face. “Zip it, both of you!”
Marnie and Sonia were stunned into silence by his sudden outburst.
Skyler plastered a smile on his face and turned to Lucius once again. “Mr. White, as long as you drop the matter, I’ll cover all the hotel’s damages at full price-no, double the price!”
Lucius flashed him a meaningful smile. “You’ve raised quite a daughter, Mr. Woodward.” With that cryptic remark, he left with his entourage.
The Woodwards exchanged confused looks, unsure of what Lucius really meant.
Clutching her cheek, Sonia demanded, “Why’d you slap me, Dad?”
Marnie fumed. “Is that bastard child more important than us, darling?”
Skyler exploded, “Look at the mess you’ve created! Have you forgotten that Jay is still in the hospital, waiting for Valerie’s kidney?”
The blood drained from Marnie’s face when she heard that. In an instant, she understood what Valerie had meant when the police hauled her away.
Blood for blood… Was Valerie referring to her precious son’s life?
“That bitch! What a cruel, calculated move!” Marnie cursed, terrified.
Meanwhile, Valerie, who was being cursed, sat in the interrogation room with her legs crossed, looking calm and composed.
The officer taking her statement rapped the table. “Knock it off! What you pulled is enough to land you behind bars.”
Valerie flashed him an easy smile. “Someone will bail me out.”
“You racked up over a million dollars in damages. Unless the hotel owner drops the charges, you’ll end up paying until you’re penniless,” said the officer.
Before he could continue, his colleague stepped in and whispered a few words into his ear. The officer’s jaw dropped. “He came in person?”
