Chapter 332
Valerie strode out of the Quality Supervision Department with Riley, head held high.
Riley clutched her hand tightly, convinced Valerie’s willingness to sacrifice dignity for her proved deep love.
“Thank you, Aunt Valerie,” Riley said.
“No problem.” Valerie smiled brightly, inwardly thrilled that creating this scene had let her unleash her worst instincts while padding her wallet. “You’re my only niece–I’ll always look out for you,” she lied smoothly.
Tony had ruled Valerie could take Riley, with Alexa and Wyatt covering tuition, living costs, and Valerie’s salary–seven thousand dollars monthly, prepaid for six months. With Alexa’s compensation for the beating, Valerie had pocketed fifty thousand in total.
First, they hit the mall–shopping spree, makeovers, a fancy dinner–before returning to the hospital room. Once the funds cleared, they’d head back to Ashbourne.
But as they entered, the door slammed open. Alexa shot Valerie a venomous glare, then turned to Riley, who shrank behind Valerie
“Riley, I’ll meet my legal obligation until you’re 18. After that, you’re on your own. I don’t have a daughter who’d nearly ruin her grandfather,” Alexa snapped.
Riley stared at the floor, jaw set in defiance.
Valerie intervened, “How can you blame a child? This mess could’ve been avoided if you’d just let her go to Ashbourne. You resent her but still try to control her–that’s the problem.”
“That’s not true,” Alexa retorted.
“Face it–you’re taking revenge on her. She embarrassed you, so you want her to suffer more,” Valerie pressed, ignoring Alexa’s flushed rage.
Riley bit her lip behind her, fists clenched.
Valerie continued, “She’s 14. Kids all make mistakes. Instead of helping her fix them, you’ve broadcast her struggles to the world so everyone can judge
her.”
“From now on, I’ll handle Riley’s care–you just pay the bills. Once we’re gone, you can focus on having another kid with Wyatt. Just don’t repeat your failures as a parent,” she added.
Alexa trembled with fury but held her tongue, recalling her father’s orders. She turned to Riley. “Three days to reconsider. Choose Valerie, and I’m no longer your mother.”
Valerie began, “You’re still threatening-”
“I’m going with Aunt Valerie,” Riley cut in, voice steady.
“Fine. Don’t regret it.” Alexa spun on her heel, nearly colliding with Wyatt, who’d rushed after her. “Alexa, you can’t divorce me over their faults!” he pleaded.
“You disagree, and I’ll sue you,” she said without slowing.
Wyatt grabbed her arm. “Did Riley embarrass your father at the office?”
“Since when is that your concern?” She wrenched free. “Let her go. I want nothing to do with the Patels anymore.” Pausing, she added, “You mother have until tonight to move out of my house. Fail, and you’ll regret it.”
“Alexa!” Wyatt called, but she marched on, divorce papers already on her mind.
Vour
Chapter 332
Seething, Wyatt tracked Clayton to his trucking yard and pummeled him, knocking out his front teeth.
“Are you out of your mind?” Clayton yelled, spitting blood.
“Yes, because you did this to us!” Wyatt snarled, landing another punch. “None of this falls apart if you’d never married Valeriel
A coworker called the police, but officers dismissed it as a family squabble.
Clayton then knew what Valerie did in Tony’s office. He wanted to scream at the universe. How had he landed here?
Despite the fight, blood was blood. Soon, Clayton helped Wyatt move. Lillian wept hysterically at the thought of losing her home–then collapsed mid- move, foaming at the mouth. Another stroke, worse than before–she couldn’t even stand.
Wyatt crashed on Clayton’s living room couch while Lillian occupied the hospital. When he insisted Clayton take care of her, Clayton protested he’d lose his job if he missed shifts. They were arguing as Lillian lay in her hospital bed, desperate for help.
“Grandma,” Riley sniffled, sitting by her side. She still cared about her grandma. “Mom’s so selfish. She only cares about her reputation.”
Lillian tried to speak, but a warm trickle betrayed her.
Riley froze at the smell, then saw the shame on Lillian’s face. She lifted the blanket, gasping at the wet sheets. “I’ll get help!” she stammered, fleeing the
room.
While Riley was gone, Valerie collected another seven thousand dollars from her anonymous benefactor, tucking it into her bag. She’d just zipped it when Riley burst in.
“Aunt Valerie, Grandma wet the bed!”
Valerie frowned. “What?”
“She had another stroke–she can’t move, so she pissed her pants,” Riley babbled, dragging Valerie toward the ward.
“Wait.” Valerie slung her bag over her shoulder. “Did you call your dad?”
“Yeah–he’s on his way,” said Riley.
On the phone, Wyatt was still arguing with Clayton about hiring a caretaker–three hundred dollars each.
“I’m fine with spending that money on Mom,” Clayton said, “but you’re living with me now. Rent is three hundred bucks monthly-”
Wyatt’s fist connected with his jaw before he could finish.
