Chapter 24
After finishing a tour of the house, Keane said, “The private study you asked for is ready, Ms. Collins. It’s on the second floor, third door on the right.”
That had been Valerie’s only request when Lucius suggested moving in together.
After checking the time, Keane continued, “Mr. White has a dinner event tonight, so he’ll be back late. Just tell the staff if there’s anything you need.”
He went over every detail carefully, worried about overlooking anything. There was something about Valerie —she had a quiet authority that demanded respect, despite coming from the countryside.
Thinking of the way the Woodwards had hurt her and how she’d struck back at them, Keane couldn’t help but admire her. It wasn’t romantic and just out of genuine respect for her approach to handling affairs.
Sensing his goodwill, Valerie sincerely said, “Thank you for your help tonight, Keane.”
“It’s nothing. Just doing my job,” he replied, hurriedly brushing it off. “It’s getting late now, so I’m leaving. Call me anytime if you need anything.”
“Wait a second,” she called out as a thought crossed her mind. She pulled out a pen she always carried and a notepad from her bag. With quick, practiced strokes, she sketched something out.
From where he stood, Keane was too far away to make out the patterns, but the ink spreading across the pages of the notepad looked red.
It seemed odd because he’d seen her sign with the same pen at The Golden Chalice, and the ink
had been black.
Before he could dwell on it, she tore off the sheet, folded it into an unusual shape, and tucked it into his pocket.
“A small thanks for helping me move, Keane. Keep it close. Don’t open it or look at it.”
Without giving him a chance to ask questions, she tapped his pocket lightly. “Drive safe.”
After sending him out, Valerie glanced around the living room. Apart from its extravagant decor, nothing stood out, except a carved ivory ball displayed on the side table. Its workmanship was unusual and intricate.
She was about to pick it up when a sharp, warning voice rang out behind her. “That puzzle ball is a gift to Mr. White from a friend. It’s worth seven figures, and I doubt you can pay for it if you break it, Ms. Collins.”
Valerie turned to realize the warning was coming from Hannah. Her instincts told her that Hannah bore clear hostility toward her, though she had no idea why.
Under Hannah’s glare, Valerie picked up the priceless puzzle ball anyway and studied it in her hand. “Seven figures for just 16 layers? Whoever gave it to him must’ve been tricked into overpaying.”
Balancing it on one fingertip, she spun it like a basketball. At that sight, Hannah’s face drained of color in fright.
The puzzle ball was nearly a lost art form and an extraordinary piece of craftsmanship, with nested balls carved one inside the other. It was on an entirely different level from an ordinary
ornament.
Valerie had a lot of nerve to be casually spinning a million-dollar art piece on her fingertips. What if it fell? Wasn’t she afraid of landing in serious trouble with Lucius?
Hannah secretly disliked Valerie. In Windmere’s top elite circle, Lucius’ friends were either rich or powerful. But for Valerie, aside from her pretty face, she wore nothing but cheap clothes and shoes.
If Lucius cared about her at all, he wouldn’t have skipped meeting her on the very first day she
moved in.
Unaware of Hannah’s thoughts, Valerie was soon tired of the puzzle ball and dropped it back
onto the table after playing with it for a while.
Keane had indeed kept his word. The private study prepared for her wasn’t just spacious but also fully equipped.
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