Chapter 226
Terry had looked fairly relaxed, but his expression turned serious the moment Valerie spoke.
“Val, are you sure you want to take that thing?” he asked.
Valerie nodded solemnly “Yes”
Terry hesitated, staring at her for a while before heading upstairs. After a long wait, he came back down with a rusty iron box, handing it to Valerie. “I’ve kept this for you for over a decade. I never thought it would come in handy now… Well, it’s time for everyone to see the injustice you’ve suffered all these years.”
“Thank you, Mr. Morales, Valerie said flatly. If she hadn’t been pushed to her limits, she wouldn’t have taken these things our and wouldn’t have wanted to go to such extremes.
With the item in hand. Valerie had another place to go. Katherine was happy to be her driver, and they retraced their steps. Nearing the village entrance, they heard a familiar commotion. They glanced over and saw Cutie Pie and her crew parading around, now at the old house of the Warren family.
After Ruth had taken Valerie’s 40 thousand dollars, combined with the money Valerie had given her before, and borrowed a bit more, she bought a condo on the outskirts of Kranson City and moved out. To Valerie’s surprise, the door to this house in the village was still open, and she could vaguely see a familiar figure, holding a bottle, stumbling our drunk
It was her father, Fihan
Hearing that this was Valerie’s father, Cutie Pie and her crew excitedly swarmed him, eager to
digu
out some juicy news.
But no matter how much Cutie Pie pried, Ethan remained expressionless, occasionally sipping from his bottle as he leaned against the wall, acting as if he couldn’t hear them.
Unwilling to give up, Cutie Pie pulled out a bribe, thinking this would do the trick. To their shock. Ethan suddenly swung his bottle around, looking ready to hit someone, cursing and shouting for everyone to get out of his yard.
Even Valerie was shocked by this scene.
From as early as she could remember, Valerie had little impression of her father. All her memories of him were overshadowed by his gloomy demeanor, compulsive gambling, and excessive drinking. Sometimes he would gamble for months on end without coming home, and when he drank, he would frequently curse at everyone around him. As a child, Valerie even felt sorry for Ruth.
Just now, Valerie had expected Ethan to scold her without hesitation, much like how Ruth would tear her apart if she could. To Valerie’s surprise, not only did Ethan not utter a single word against her, but he also chose to chase those people away despite the temptation of
However, Valerie didn’t see this as any form of paternal love.
money.
If Ethan loved Valerie, he wouldn’t have allowed Ruth to berate and beat her over the years, let her go hungry, or nearly freeze to death on that cold night when she was twelve. Ethan certainly wouldn’t have ignored her existence, never fulfilling even the smallest fatherly duty. As long as he doesn’t pressure me like Mom, wanting to drive me to the brink, it will be fine. Living separately and peacefully as we are now seems good enough, Valerie wondered..
Thinking about this. Valerie couldn’t help but give a bitter smile.
Sometimes Valerie couldn’t help but wonder if she was truly Ruth and Ethan’s child. For her whole life, she was unloved by her father and mother and felt like she was a rootless duckweed drifting aimlessly,
“Let’s go,” Valerie said, grabbing Katherine’s hand and leading her back the way they came, leaving the village behind
Little did they know, almost at the same moment they left, a red car arrived in the village. A flamboyantly dressed woman got out of the car and walked briskly toward Cutie Pie and her crew.
Taking off her sunglasses, she arrogantly declared, “You want dirt on Valerie, right? I’ve got plenty!”
Ever since Valerie had exposed her affair, Isabel had been seething with hatred, always looking for a chance to get back at her.