Chapter 200
Malenie, Utruly misjudged you,” Clayton’s eyes burned with fory, his fists erscking at his sides. The woman he had fooled him for cal
He thought. Was just a walking ATM in her eyes? Then what about all that love and care the old to shove nie? Wer i just tricks to wih
Valerie took in his disheveled rage and rolled her eyes. “Likewise. Thought your fancy law firm meant you had real money. Turns out, it was of just surface glamour.”
She adjusted her nightgown straps, sneering, “What have you brought met Ever since the day I married you, Thaven’t had one day of peace or comfort. No money, no meals, just your mom’s tantrums and your uselessness.”
Clayton jabbed a finger at his chest, incredulous. “You want me to cook? Audrey never demanded that, We split the costs, and the never once complained.”
“Audrey treated you so well, then why did you dump her for a gold digger like me? Face it, you’re pathetic Valerie yanked the blanket up and lay back
down.
“Valerie!” Clayton roared
“I’m right here,” Valerie snapped.
Clayton stormed over to the bed and yanked her up by the arm the moment she settled. “Tell your mom to return that 300 thousand dollars now.”
“It’s gone on the emerald brooch. Plus, I’ve got loans to pay.”
“Then hand over the brooch.”
“Sure. Give me 300 thousand dollars in cash now!
Clayton’s grip tightened, veins bulging “is money all you see?”
Valerie clawed at his hands, gasping. “You’re hurting me!”
“Hurting? That’s nothing compared to what’s coming.”
With a violent tug, the nightgown tone, exposing hickeys on her shoulders.
Clayton’s eyes burned with feral intensity, locked onto the hickeys. “Who did this?”
Valerie wrenched free, straightening her nightgown with indifference. “You won’t cover my loans. What choice did I have?”
Clayton’s jaw twitched violently. “So your choice was selling yourself?” He seized her hand, shaking it in her face. “You’ve got hands! Use them! Why can’t you do something else?”
Valerie twisted uselessly against his grip. “It’s easy for you to say. Your law firm collapsed. Why don’t you find another job? You can’t even handle hardship. Why are you pushing me into work?”
“How do you know I haven’t- Clayton bit off the admission. “You can draw. There are tons of people taking illustration gigs online. Why not try that?”
Valerie rammed her shoulder into him, bolting off the bed. She thought, “Drawing commissions? it’s brain–draining and underpaid, I can just lie in bed, make money, and enjoy myself. So why would I choose the hard way?”
She didn’t bother to argue with Clayton. Anyway, it never led anywhere. She grabbed a dress from the closet, draping it over herselt. “A wile’s job is to be kept. You hate me? Fine. I can leave right now.
Clayton lunged forward, snatched the dress from her hands, and ripped it apart with force.
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Chapter 200
Valatie screamed when the saw her favorite dress desnoyed, heppint bord an
Clayton’s head snapped sideways from the slap. His hands free for a second, and then he kept tearing. He hung the ten pieces on to lo
His cold, cruel took seared Valérie. She stumbled back a step.
The turned his head toward her closet, laughing mine kingly, “Over 3,000 dollars? How much do you eam in a month? Every penny you spend tomids from
me
Ris palm shot out. “The emerald brooch Now!
Valerie swallowed hard, stammering, “M–Mom has it.”
Just then, Cheryl returned from playing poker and opened the door, still slapping as she walked in with Luna. “All your fault, you jin Pad is my unlucky color today”
Luna kept her head down, silent.
The bedroom door stood open. Cheryl’s gaze flicked to Clayton and Valerie by the closet. Instantly, her tone flipped soft. “Hungry, baby?
Clayton stepped out. “Hand over the emerald brooch now. I’ll sell it to clear the debts.”
Cheryl planted her hands on her hips.”
- s. “Sign an IOU for 300 thousand dollars first.”
Clayton inhaled sharply, reining in anger. “I can’t promise the sale price. I’ll split it after.”
“No deal” Cheryl marched toward the kitchen, pausing to shoot Valerie an inquiring look.
Valerie saw Clayton watching her and couldn’t risk giving any obvious signals. Instead, she lowered her head with a falsely pitiful expression.
“Valerie’s loans are already overdue,” Clayton said. “When she promised on my behalf to donate bone marrow, she signed a breach of contract. If you two can’t come up with the money, you’re all going to jail”
Cheryl froze. When she turned around, her face cycled through shock and panic. She looked at Valerie, who gave a small nod.
Cheryl frowned slightly but quickly recovered. “Now, now. That’s not fair, All you have to do is go through with the donation, and there won’t be any breach. Plus, they’ll even give you a thank you fee. What’s the big deal?”
Clayton’s gaze was icy. He thought, it’s not your bone marrow. Easy for you to say!
He snorted, “I never agreed to this. Valerie tricked me. She could be charged with fraud.”
That finally shook Cheryl. Her fingers twisted together nervously, her expression shifting rapidly. She stole a glance at Clayton and then thought, “Could we drug him and drag him to the hospital for the donation?
Clayton watched Cheryl’s scheming squint and Valerie’s faux tears. “Give me the brooch. We have to pay the loans first, then the penalty. Figure out the
rest later.”
“I’ll… think about it.” Cheryl went to the kitchen.
Luna crept toward Clayton, reaching for, but he dodged her little hand.
She wasn’t to blame, but he couldn’t bring himself to feel anything warm toward her. If it hadn’t been for her, he wouldn’t have pitied Valerie and wrecked his life for her, losing both money and dignity
Rejected, Luna’s eyes dimmed. Without a word, she quietly went to her room.
Clayton watched her lonely little figure, his heart aching with guilt. Just as
as he w
was about to call after her, his phone buzzed on the table.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
