Chapter 12
Valerie’s expression darkened. “That old man has been missing for over a year. I made this medicine myself.”
Philip flicked her forehead a few times. “Watch your manners. If Magnus knew that you called him an old man, he’d skin you alive.”
Her expression became colder. “Don’t mention him. He just gets on my nerves.”
“Come on. There’s no grudge a father and daughter can’t mend. Back then-”
Before he could finish, she shoved the rest of the medicine into her pocket. “I’m heading out, Philip.”
“Hold on!” he called after her. “School officially starts tomorrow. You skipped the whole year last year. At least show up for roll call on the first day this year.”
He paused before adding pitifully, “I’m not asking you to show up every day. Just show your face once in a while.”
“I’ll show up if I feel like it.” With that, Valerie left.
News of Valerie’s release eventually reached Skyler. He figured Lucius must have let her go out of regard for Sonia. Perhaps Sonia would eventually use her wits to become the much-admired lady of the White family.
That night, Skyler asked Valerie to meet him at a café. After their last confrontation, he no longer bothered to hide his intentions. “I’ll be honest with you, Valerie. If you want to come back and take your place as my daughter, there’s a price you have to pay.
“Your half-brother is gravely ill. He needs a kidney transplant to survive. If you agree to help him, I’ll make sure that you’re recognized as a Woodward.”
He was sure that someone who’d grown up in the sticks would jump at the chance to join a wealthy household. Trading a kidney for a life of luxury was, in his mind, a bargain.
As for the doctors who were arrested, he had already hired lawyers to take care of everything. They would quietly serve their time, and so long as they kept his name out of it, he would make sure they had a way to start over once they were released.
Since he had laid his cards on the table, Valerie dropped the pretense as well. “The DNA report is right there. Like it or not, I have every right to fight for the inheritance after you’re gone. As for Marnie’s spoiled son, he brought this on himself.”
She had looked into Jay. He was a complete degenerate-hardly worth the pity.
Skyler’s temper flared. “Don’t be so heartless. He’s still your half-brother. You can’t just watch him die!”
The Woodwards’ vast fortune was meant for Jay to inherit. Had Sonia’s kidney been a match, Valerie would never have been in any position to bargain with him.
Valerie smiled derisively. “If blood ties meant so much to you, why did you neglect me and my mother all these years?”
“I didn’t know where your mother took you,” he argued.
“Don’t you know why she took me away?”
“Don’t change the subject, Valerie. Jay’s in the hospital waiting for you to save him. We can
settle old scores another time.”
“Even if I wanted to donate-which I don’t-do you really think he’d survive the surgery?”
She sneered.
He’d already missed the best time for surgery. It was a miracle that he was still alive.
Skyler’s heart sank. Valerie was right. Jay couldn’t possibly hold out until the surgery was over.
Still, he wanted to gamble on Valerie’s kidney. He couldn’t care less if Valerie lived or died. He was willing to do anything to ensure his son’s survival.
“Enough talk. You’re coming to the hospital with me right now!”
