North Xoria.
"Mommy, you're wealthy, beautiful, hardworking, and smart. You said you didn't need a man, but I want a daddy."
Those words invaded Valerie's mind as she worked on her laptop. Annoyed by the distraction, she slammed her laptop shut and pushed herself back into her chair. Trying to shut her eyes, her daughter's pitiful voice sounded in her mind again.
"Everyone in school laughs at me and calls me a fatherless child. Don't you feel sorry for me, Mommy?"
Valerie's eyes snapped open, and she bolted up from her seat. She picked up the land-line, pressed a button and called her assistant.
"Grace, cancel all my activities for the day." She dropped the call, walked to the bar and poured herself a glass of wine, then sauntered to the floor-to-ceiling window.
The beautiful city suddenly looked unpleasant to her today. Unsavory scenes of years back twirled in her mind, vying for her attention, but Valerie didn't want to relive those painful memories. In an attempt to knock them off, she threw her head back and downed the glass of wine, making a disgusted face.
She hates alcohol.
Just then, her phone chimed with a laughing baby ringtone. That was a personalized ringtone for her daughter's messages and calls.
Valerie walked back to her desk and picked up her phone. It was a WhatsApp message. Clicking on it, there was a picture of a good-looking man in an industrial vest. Below the picture was a message that read:
[He's very handsome, calm, strong, and he doesn't have money. He won't give you trouble.]
Valerie snickered softly. She should have expected that her naughty daughter would pull this stunt one day.
"Is he who you want?" Valarie typed, and her daughter dropped a sticker of herself, nodding fervently, then followed it up with a voice note.
[I know you don't want to get married, but I want a daddy. So I chose someone who will be obedient to you. Don't worry mommy, I know him personally. He won't cheat on you. Moreover, he's very handsome.]
Valerie laughed and replied, "Stop talking like an adult. Act your age."
Staring at the picture one more time, Valerie couldn't deny that her daughter had eyes for good things. The man in question was as handsome as a Greek god. Valerie was so mesmerized by his looks that she lost track of time.
Suddenly, a soft knock sounded on the glass door before Grace stepped in.
"Miss Valerie, your schedule has been cleared. But I noticed it was not Ruby's birthday nor did she have any school activities today. Why did you ask me to clear your schedule?"
Valerie snapped out of her small world and grabbed her jacket, ignoring Grace's questions, she remarked, "I sent you a picture on WhatsApp. Find out everything you can about the –"
Her phone chimed again, interrupting her. Looking at the screen, her lips curled into a smirk. "Your choice is so effective," she mumbled.
On the screen was information about the man her daughter had chosen for her.
[Name: Greg Sinclair.
Country: Rivers.
City: South Rivers.]
Valerie frowned. Isn't this the CEO of Sinclair Global Enterprise, the biggest company on the continent, which is involved in almost all industries?
'No, it can't be.' She thought and continued to read the information until she saw his occupation and her heart relaxed. He's a construction worker from a fairly good company.
But what Valerie found more interesting in his profile was his location; South Rivers.
A small smile hung on her lips as she stared at the name of the city for a long time; reminiscing about her bad days in that place.
For how long would she run away from her past?
Suddenly, she lifted her head, determination and wrath masked her gorgeous face.
'Wright family, are you ready for my revenge?' she thought and then looked at Grace.
"My daughter has arranged a marriage for me. We're returning home to South Rivers in three days." Valerie uttered nonchalantly, and headed for the door.
Grace stood stunned, her eyes bulging at the sudden revelation.
Valerie Wright, the ex-heiress of the Wright family, who was cast aside six years ago for bringing shame to the Wright family, was finally returning home to marry the man her five-year-old naughty daughter had chosen for her?
That's insane!
Valerie was chased out of the Wright family six years ago after she was betrayed by her family and fiancé. She fled South Rivers in utter despair; barefooted with a bloodied dress and disheveled hair, vowing to take her revenge on everyone. After six years, she is returning to South Rivers as a powerful business owner, a formidable enemy who could rival the Wright family.
Interesting…
Grace couldn't wait to watch the drama unfold. Her lips curled at the edge as she followed after her boss.
On Wright estate in South Rivers.
Zoey tugged Mister Wright's arm, slightly shaking it as she pouted, "Dad, my wedding is coming up next month, shouldn't we look for my sister and bring her back home?"
"Look for her for what? Six years ago, that selfish child ruined the reputation of the family and almost brought the business to its knees and when I chastised her, she disappeared! She had better be dead, because she's no longer my daughter!" Mister Wright fumed. It was clear that he was still mad about the incident from six years ago.
Zoey's lips curled up when her father wasn't looking. But she must make him look for Valerie and take her back. Six years ago, Valerie's body wasn't found, so that means that Valerie was still alive. Valerie must be brought back to watch her marry Harry, and then die again.
As she thought of that, Zoey's eyes glimmered with a malicious look before her lips downturned. "Dad, that was six years ago. Sister made a mistake, and I'm sure she's already repented after enduring so much hardship outside. It's my wedding in a month. How can I get married without my sister's blessings?"
She sounded really concerned and heartbroken. Seeing this, Mr. Wright's heart stirred, still he was adamant not to look for his biological daughter who had brought shame to his family because of her unreasonable temperament.
"Zoey, your father is only trying to prevent more trouble. Recall that your sister almost had you killed because Harry chose you over her. What if she's still angry at you two and pulls another of her deadly stunts on you again?"
Zoey's mother intervened from the side. She wasn't too kind with her words nor did she reveal her deep-rooted hatred for Valerie. She knew exactly what to say and how to say it to trigger Mister Wright.
As expected, the man flared, "I told you, Zoey, Valerie stopped being your sister the day she tried to kill you! Why are you so stubborn?"
"No matter what everyone says, Valerie is your daughter anyway, and I'm not. Even grandma still loves her dearly even after everything she's done." Zoey bit her lip and lowered her head. Her fist clenched.
That old witch refused to die. Every day, she creates a scene, wanting Valerie to be brought back home. If not for her, Zoey's plans would have gone smoothly.
Zoey raised her head, only to see Mister Wright staring at her with furrowed brows. Confused as to why her stepfather was looking at her strangely, she suddenly thought that he could have caught on to her subtle message. Zoey quickly added, "If my sister does not return home, I won't go on with this wedding." With that, she bolted and ran upstairs.
"No! You can't do that, Zoey!" her mother cried out and ran after her.
Mister Wright's frown deepened after hearing what Zoey said. The thought of losing the opportunity to become in-laws with the Smith family again didn't sit well with him. Recently, the Wright Group has been looking to go international and the only way they could is to be associated with the Smith family.
Left with no choice, Mister Wright made the call to mobilize the Wright family's forces to look for Valerie.