“How dare you, Valerie, to speak in front of the media. If you think you can use the baby you’re carrying to get what you want, you’re wrong. Even if it kills me, I will never marry you. Lily is the only woman I’ll marry. You know I’ve never loved you. If something happened between us, it was by accident,” Arlo said.
“What are you talking about—an accident? Arlo, we both wanted what happened. It wasn’t an accident. After we created the baby in my womb, you call it an accident? Is that really what you can say to me?” Valerie replied angrily.
“I’ve already told you what I want, Valerie. No matter how much you push me, it will never happen,” Arlo said coldly.
“If you don’t marry me, you’ll never see the baby. I’ll take the child far away from you, and the baby won’t bear your name. Don’t dare me, Arlo, because when I set my mind on something, I do it,” Valerie threatened.
Arlo was momentarily speechless at Valerie’s words.
“Go ahead, Valerie, and try it. If you do, you’ll regret it. Don’t forget that your father has a huge debt, and I’m the reason you even have the job you have now,” Arlo said authoritatively.
“Arlo, are you threatening my daughter? Don’t you think about her condition? You know she has a sensitive pregnancy,” Valerie’s mother interjected.
“She’s the one causing the trouble. I tried to talk to her properly about the baby. Valerie, I’m warning you—this is the last time you’ll pull something like this. By tomorrow, you will take back everything you’ve said to the media, or else you won’t like what I’ll do!” Arlo said furiously, his anger etched on his face as he loomed over Valerie.
Arlo left without looking back at Valerie.
“They will regret this, Mommy. I’ll make sure Lily pays for this,” Valerie said to her mother.
“Don’t worry, my child. I will talk to Arlo’s mother and his grandfather. They can help you. If only your grandfather were still alive, you and Arlo would already be married,” Valerie’s mother replied.
“They’ll see what I’m capable of, Mommy,” Valerie threatened.
“But my child, don’t do what I think you’re planning. Remember, you’re pregnant,” her mother reminded her.
“Don’t worry, Mommy. I can handle myself. I’ll use the baby. We need money, don’t we? So this is the perfect opportunity. Call Thomas Bonde’s number and let me talk to him. They’ll see the real Valerie. I’ve been an angel in front of them for years, and now my plans won’t just disappear in a minute,” Valerie said, laughing secretly.
“That’s my daughter. Let’s go inside,” Valerie’s mother said softly.
When they entered their house, Valerie’s mother told her friends to leave for now. The friends understood and left, but not before whispering to each other on their way out.
A short while later, Valerie spoke to Arlo’s grandfather,Thomas.
“Thomas, I want $100 million. I’m sure you’ve heard the news circulating. If you don’t want your family’s name to be embarrassed in this country and abroad, you’ll give me what I want. Isn’t this what you wanted—for me to give you a grandchild? Or, as I told your grandson, if he doesn’t marry me, another man will give the baby his name. Surely, you don’t want your own bloodline to bear someone else’s name. I’m giving you two days, Thomas,” Valerie demanded.
“If the child you’re carrying is truly my grandson’s, I’ll do as you ask for the sake of my great-grandchild. But if you do anything that displeases my grandson or harm his family, you know what will happen,” Thomas warned her.
“Money is all I need. Just keep quiet,” Valerie replied confidently.
“If you don’t meet my conditions, I can silence you as well,” Thomas retorted.
“We will see , Thomas,” Valerie said softly, smirking.
—
A few hours later, at midnight, Arlo returned home after meeting with his friends and a private investigator. He also had a crucial conversation with his grandfather at the mansion.
When he entered the house, he found Lily asleep on the couch. He placed the box of chocolates he had bought on the table and removed his jacket. Quietly, he went to the kitchen, careful not to make any noise, and found a vase. He placed a bouquet of flowers in it and returned to the living room, placing the vase at the center of the table.
Sitting on the floor beside the couch, he gently brushed a strand of hair from Lily’s face. Slowly, he caressed her smooth cheek and then kissed her forehead.
