Chapter 66
By the time Valeria got off work in the evening, the photo could no longer be found online. Wealthy and powerful people like them enjoyed living life on the down low. They didn’t like having their peace disturbed.
After that, Valeria’s life went back to normal.
When she got home, the pipe in Lucy’s home had burst. One of the neighbors’ sons came to help fix it. He was a young, handsome man. Valeria thanked him, handing him some of the fruits she’d bought as a token of thanks.
After he’d left, Lucy grabbed Valeria’s hand. “That man just now was Wisteria’s son. He teaches history to middle schoolers. He’s 27 this year, like you.”
Valeria raised a brow. She knew what Lucy was getting at, and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry about it. “My daughter’s literally six years old this year.”
“He comes from a single-parent family as well. Wisteria’s a liberal woman. She’d asked a chap out for some dancing a while ago. In addition, Xavier was sneaking glances at you just now. You’re still young, so you should really consider your future. Xavier seems nice. He’s got a great job as well.”
Valeria clapped a hand onto Lucy’s shoulder and made her sit down on the couch. Then, she
headed to the kitchen to wash some fruits.
Lucy didn’t want to stay put. She followed Valeria into the kitchen and said, “If you don’t want to go on a date with him, that’s fine. I’ve got some money on my hands. Spend it on Selena’s operation. I’m just lending it to you temporarily.”
Valeria knew Lucy treated her as her own. She was moved.
“When my
yourself.”
bonus comes in, I’ll have enough for Selena’s operation. Save your money for
Leaving some fruits out for Lucy, Selena went upstairs.
“Mom, it’s Leo’s birthday this week. He’s invited us. What should we get him, Mom?”
After hearing Selena’s question, Valeria pulled her phone out. Two hours ago, Leo had texted
her, but she had forgotten to reply to him as she was driving.
Leo’s birthday… Wouldn’t that mean she would run into Sebastian?
Valeria knelt down and asked, “Would you like to go, Lenny?”
“Yes,” Lenny said. “He invited many of our classmates.”
Children always looked forward to birthday celebrations. With a smile, Valeria agreed to go.
Saturday rolled around. Leo’s birthday party was held at the Grant Residence.
It was Valeria’s first time here.
Leo’s birthday was a huge affair. They’d invited many of his classmates, and most of them showed up, some even with their parents. Leo was a social butterfly.
Some of them were Leo’s best friends. With the Grant family behind Leo, many powerful men
had shown up as well.
The Grant Residence was huge. A few workers helped to prepare the barbecue. They’d bought some snacks and were distributing them to the children.
Valeria noticed an old woman in an emerald dress. Her silvery hair glinted in the sun. While she was chubby, she had a cute smile. That was Martha, Leo’s grandmother.
Beside her was a stern, energetic man. It was evident from his features that he used to be handsome in his youth. Even though he’d aged, he’d done so gracefully. That man was
Nicholas, Leo’s grandfather.
There was another young couple standing in the room. The woman looked a little like Leo. They were probably Leo’s parents.
“Selena, Val, you’re here.” Leo immediately ran over upon seeing Valeria.
He took her hand and asked, “Val, did you buy me a gift?”
Of course she had. Valeria handed him the bag she was holding. Leo opened it hurriedly to
reveal a black hoodie.
Valeria had gone shopping with Selena a few days ago. She bought Selena a pink coat, and purchased the hoodie for Leo.
“I love it, Val. I’ll wear it every day.”
Mallory walked over and said, “Thanks for the present. You must be Selena’s Mom. You’re so
young.”
Finally, Mallory got to meet the woman her son kept going on about. In addition, Selena was also Leo’s deskmate. She thought her son had a crush on a young girl.
When Mallory took a proper look at Selena, she was taken aback. Perhaps it was just her, but Selena looked eerily like Sebastian.
The thought made Mallory’s heart grind to a halt momentarily.
