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Lucius snatched up the phone and coldly spat into the receiver, “If you do as much as touch a single strand of her hair, I’ll see your entire family buried with you.” 

He ended the call in one sharp motion and immediately blocked the number. After tossing the phone aside, he announced, “I’ll handle the Woodwards.” 

Valerie said, “Stay out of it.” 

“Give me a good reason to stand by and do nothing.” 

They weren’t just husband and wife in name anymore. With everything that had happened between them, no man could stand by while his wife was being dragged into something like this. 

When Valerie crooked a finger at him, he puzzledly leaned in, only to see her wrap her arms around his neck and brush her lips lightly against his cheek. 

“My war with the Woodwards hasn’t reached the stage where I need reinforcements,” she 

murmured. 

The kiss hit him like a quiet spell. For a moment, Lucius forgot that they were supposed to be arguing. 

At the hospital, Skyler stared at the disconnected phone as a sense of dread crept over him. Why did the man’s voice on the phone sound so familiar? 

Was Valerie seeing someone? Why else would there be a man’s voice at this house? 

Sure enough, she was born a temptress. It wasn’t surprising that she used her looks to seduce men and become a mistress at such a young age. 

Marnie anxiously asked, “When is that ingrate coming to give Jay her kidney?” 

Skyler hatefully gritted his teeth. “She hung up on me.” 

Over breakfast, Valerie noticed Hannah’s deathly pale face. Her movements were even more strained than after her last punishment. It seemed the 30 lashes from the night before had been delivered with full force. 

She quietly asked Lucius, “In ancient times, wouldn’t punished housekeepers be allowed to rest in bed afterward?” 

“If everyone got to rest after punishment, what would be the point?” Lucius asked as he set an omelet on her plate. 

Then, he added, “Don’t worry. The ones from the punishment hall know their limits. It’s all just surface wounds and nothing fatal.” 

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This was his second time tolerating Hannah’s behavior. If it happened again, it wouldn’t end with just the punishment hall. 

Valerie nodded. The White family’s affairs weren’t much of her concern anyway. 

After breakfast, Lucius asked, “Are you heading to school in a minute?” 

When she nodded, he offered, “I’ll take you there.” 

She drained the last of her milk and replied, “No need. You’ll be busier than me today.” 

Just as he was about to ask why, the phone rang with a call from Noah. 

As Valerie had predicted last night, Caelus was dead from the poison in his soup. He was killed on the spot, and there was no chance of saving him. 

With Caelus‘ death, Lucius was bound to face pressure from Julius. It seemed that he would have to meet Julius today, no matter what. 

Valerie grabbed her canvas bag and waved. “Off to school. See you later.” 

On campus, Owen handed Valerie a form. It was the application form for the SmartTech Innovation Challenge, which she’d asked him to help with. 

He patiently explained, “I’ve filled it out for you. Just sign where indicated, then get Mr. Jones to stamp it before you start preparing for the challenge. 

“The school is taking this challenge very seriously. Our competitors will be from top universities across the country. 

“Preliminary selections in Windmere will run until the end of next month. Those who qualify will advance to the finals.” 

Valerie accepted the form and skimmed it over. “Thanks, Owen.” 

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