Magic 137

For a moment, Valerie was at a loss for words. Did it not seem like she and Lucius were moving a little too fast? 

Lucius explained, “I don’t think my mom minds. From the moment she met my dad until the day he died, she lived with elegance and grace. To the best of his ability, my dad built her a castle out of a fairy tale and allowed her to live the happiest years of her life in that marriage, free from worries.” 

He didn’t feel like it was his place to judge Melvin’s earlier relationships. Instead of relationships, they felt more like performances. 

Back in his day, Melvin had looks, wealth, and could have anything he desired. He never needed to sacrifice his freedom for any woman. 

As for why he eventually married Kate… Perhaps he’d finally found true love. 

Valerie stated, “I could never accept a partner who spreads love around like some playboy.” 

“I won’t become a man like my dad,” Lucius promised seriously. His gaze was so intensely deep that Valerie felt a tremor in her chest. Tonight, Lucius was a walking temptation who never stopped exuding charm. 

For a fleeting moment, she wondered if she was falling for him. They’d shared a bed for so long, and he was undeniably one of a kind. Even a heart of stone might soften in the face of 

such allure. 

Sure enough, desire was a dangerous trap. 

Before leaving, Valerie excused herself to the restroom, just in time to receive Lucinda’s call. The latter requested to set a time for a meal with Darrell. 

Valerie held the phone between her ear and shoulder as she turned on the faucet to wash her hands. “If this is to thank me for saving him at the hospital, don’t bother. He helped me once, and I returned the favor, so we’re even now. 

“Besides, I’ve been too swamped lately for dinners and social events. Please decline on my behalf and tell Mr. Foster to save the trouble.” 

She hung up after a few more casual words and stepped out of the restroom, only to be met with a group of young men walking down the hallway. 

One of them bragged loudly, “That chick last night was wild. We tried every toy from start to finish. 

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“She was scared out of her wits but toughed it out until the end for the 5,000 dollars I promised.” 

His companions burst into crude snickers. 

“Is she still alive?” someone asked. 

“Alive and begging for more. She says she’ll do crazier stuff if I pay more.” 

The vulgar conversation deeply unsettled Valerie. She glanced up at the group of young men, 

all in their 20s. 

The one leading the group had dyed purple hair and a cross–shaped earring in his left ear. He was handsome, but his eyes gleamed with disgusting arrogance. 

They were all dressed in fashionable designer pieces and sported watches that cost millions of 

dollars. 

As Valerie observed them, they noticed her too. Both parties passed each other in the hallway. 

“Hey, beautiful!” the purple–haired man called out and stepped forward to block her path. You look a lot like someone I used to know, but too bad that I have a terrible memory and can’t 

remember her name. 

“I’m Eugene Shore. My friends call me Mr. Shore. What’s your name?” 

As the unpleasant stench of alcohol hit her, she took a step back and coolly replied, “You’ve got the wrong person.” 

The men were visibly captivated by her striking beauty, making their dark desires stir. 

As she tried to sidestep them, another young man moved to cut her off. “Don’t be in such a hurry to leave, gorgeous. Let’s be friends and exchange numbers.” 

That was when she recognized him. She’d never imagined that just after emerging from the restroom, she’d run into Jay, the repulsive guy who’d asked for her number and the biological brother who’d nearly taken her kidney. 

It was amazing what a young body could do. With just a few strong drugs, he could boldly leave the ICU. Was he not afraid of the grim reaper claiming his sickly soul early? 

Chapter 190