Revenge In Repose (Valerie and Aiden) novel Chapter 198

Chapter 198

Chapter 198

“Wood?” Valerie echoed, momentarily puzzled. She really couldn’t recall anything about it.

Pearl gently brushed aside her daughter’s hair to reveal her neck, then carefully took out a small wooden pendant.

The wooden plaque was exquisitely crafted, with three small bells hanging from the bottom, jingling softly with every movement.

At the sight of it, a sudden rush of familiarity hit her.

Valerie looked at the pendant and opened her mouth. “This is…”

Pearl said, “Valerie, you had one just like this when you were little. I still remember it so clearly, especially those three bells. They jingled with every step you took, and you could hear them wherever you went. All the other kids really coveted it back then! You always said it was a gift from your mom and wouldn’t let anyone else have it. Don’t you remember?”

Valerie thought to herself, ‘I have absolutely no memory of any of this, yet that wooden pendant feels so familiar. I did have something like this… but when did it go missing?‘

Pearl glanced at Valerie’s neck. “Don’t you remember? Did you lose it? You always said it was a gift from your mom. If she ever saw it, she’d recognize you as her daughter right away. How could you lose something so precious?”

Valerie smiled faintly, a hint of bitterness in her eyes. “I lost it. I can’t even remember when. It’s been so many years… If they’d really wanted to find me, the orphanage wouldn’t have erased my records. I suppose I really was abandoned after all.”

Pearl was at a loss for words, wanting to comfort her but unsure how to begin.

Valerie smiled brightly. “It’s alright. I’m all grown up now, long past the age of needing a mother. If I ever have a child, I swear I’ll give them the absolute best love possible.”

Perhaps having a daughter herself, Pearl felt a pang in her heart and her eyes grew moist as she heard this. She said softly, “You will, Valerie. You’re more than capable of giving your child a wonderful life now. I saw you on X a while ago, your husband is treating you well these days, isn’t he?”

‘Was he really that good to me?‘ Valerie wondered.

Valerie pictured Aiden’s face. Remembering last night’s passionate yet restrained intimacy, a sweet v “Yeah, he treats me really well.”

th bubbled up inside her. She smiled and said,

Pearl let out a sigh of relief. “I used to worry that life in a wealthy family might be complicated, but since you say it’s good, I trust you. Valerie, I’ll always be your ally. Even though it’s been ages, I’m always here, feel free to drop by anytime.”

“Of course.”

Valerie got up to say goodbye, not giving much thought to the wooden pendant with bells. After heading downstairs, she took out her phone to check the time, only to realize it had already been dead for a while.

Meanwhile, after being called in by his grandfather, Aiden already had a faint sense of foreboding.

Waylon appeared to be in good spirits. If not for the bandage on his forehead, Aiden would have suspected this was just another deliberate injury ploy by his grandfather.

Just as Aiden had anticipated, the moment he stepped inside, Waylon cut straight to the chase and ordered him to divorce Vie.

Aiden had seen this coming. “No way,” he said coolly.

Waylon, fully aware of your ambition, pressed on, “Look, I’m not forcing you two apart. Even after the divorce, you can still see each other if you want

1/3

Chapter 198

But someone with her background just isn’t good enough for you. Don’t you want something more, a higher status, or more power? The Walker Group isn’t officially yours yet. Everyone’s watching, waiting for a chance at your position. Do you know how many people are after my seat right now?”

Aiden knew all too well.

“So what?” Aiden retorted coolly. “Do you really think my own capabilities aren’t enough to secure my position at the Walker Group?”

Waylon chuckled. “Back in ancient times, do you know why emperors married so many wives? Do you think it was just about lust?”

Aiden’s face remained impassive.

Waylon continued, “The emperor knew he couldn’t maintain control of such a vast empire alone. To secure his rule, he had to expand his influence by forging familial ties with capable court officials through marriage alliances, and ultimately, wedding an empress from a powerful, competent family.

“Not only can you keep those unruly women in the imperial harem under control, but with the powerful backing of the empress’s family, your position as the supreme ruler becomes unshakable. So why not?”

Aiden retorted coldly, “I don’t need that.”

Waylon said deliberately, “Aiden, you’re still too young. You can’t weather the storms on your own. Why do you think you’ve managed to establish yourself at the Walker Group? Your abilities matter, but the decisive factor is that I’ve been backing you all along.”

Aiden gave him an icy stare.

Waylon used to adore seeing that look in Aiden’s eyes, like a restless young wolf, refusing to be tamed, his gaze burning with unbridled ambition.

But now, Waylon grew irritated by that defiant look. “Everything you have today, I gave it all to you. So tell me, how long do you think you’d last if I decided to take it all back?”

Aiden gave him an icy stare. “Would you dare?”

Waylon’s face darkened with barely contained fury as he growled, “Don’t you think I’d dare?”

He thought, ‘Aiden may be formidable, but ultimately, he’s still just a wet–behind–the–ears rookie.

‘With decades of experience dominating the business world, keeping a kid like him under my thumb is child’s play.

‘What’s more, this is my own grandson.

‘The wolf cub I have raised with my own hands.

Aiden met his gaze steadily. “The Walker Group is now on stable footing. You can judge for yourself whether I have what it takes to take it further, but as for you trying to control my marriage? That’s not happening

“How dare you!” Waylon roared, then doubled over in a fit of violent coughing as rage overwhelmed him.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify