Chapter 17 Shouldn’t Have Returned
“Elaine, I heard you’re working at a magazine?”
Elaine wore a simple pair of earrings that didn’t quite match her outfit.
Stacy took off the earrings and chose a pair of sapphire–blue rhinestone earrings from the jewelry box on the table. She put them on Elaine.
Staring at her reflection in the mirror, Elaine felt a bit lost. The unfamiliarity of her own image made her pause. “I was just bored at home.”
She had never dressed so formally before–high–end custom dress, a beautiful necklace, and expensive earrings. Looking at herself in the mirror, she finally felt what it meant to be the daughter of the Valentine family.
“Then you should be working at our company,” Stacy said, clearly disapproving of her working at a magazine. “You’d be treated much better there. At our company, with Dad and me around, no one would dare to bully you.”
Although Stacy married Cordell, she didn’t join his company. Instead, she stayed at the Valentine family business as the manager of the design department.
0.001
10
10
N
1101
Chapter 17 Shouldn’t Have Returned
11 288 Voucher
She was known for her strong abilities at work.
Elaine smiled lightly and changed the subject. “Stacy, how have you been all these years?”
Stacy, who was finishing up her makeup, paused for a moment. Her eyes darkened slightly, but it lasted only for a second.
Elaine, busy adjusting a bracelet, didn’t notice.
Stacy put the powder puff back in the box and smiled. “Things have been good, aside from the occasional work stress.”
At that moment, Constance entered the room, glanced at Elaine, clearly pleased with her appearance, and smiled. However, when she
remembered why Marcelo had asked her to come, a hint of hesitation
crossed her face.
Elaine noticed her discomfort and asked, “Mom, is there something you need to talk to me about?”
Stacy, unaware of the reason, assumed it was because she was there that Constance felt awkward. Though a little put off, she graciously put down the small mirror.
“Elaine, stay here and rest with Mom for a moment. I’ll go downstairs to check on things.”
Constance stopped her. “Stacy, you don’t need to leave.”
11 288 Wousnes
Stacy hesitated, looking between Constance and Elaine, confused.
Elaine was even more confused. “Mom, if you have something to say, go ahead.”
Constance fell silent for a moment, then took Elaine’s hand. “Elaine, your dad is going to introduce some young talents to you today. Even if your work isn’t related to theirs, it’s still a good opportunity to meet new people and make connections.”
Her words were subtle, but Elaine understood perfectly.
Marcelo’s goal was clear–he wanted to shut down any ideas she might have about Cordell and make sure she didn’t harbor any feelings for him.
In addition, for families like theirs, marriage alliances were common. This could be another way of scouting potential suitors for her.
If someone at the gathering caught Marcelo’s eye, he might encourage her to get closer to them, making her just another piece in the family’s grand plan.
She shouldn’t have come back.
If it weren’t for Constance’s personal call, she might have wondered if
54.45%
10
199
G
1104
Chapter 17 Shouldn’t Have Returned
her return was part of their strategy all along–to marry her off.
But with Constance, Elaine felt a sense of comfort.
288 Vouchers
Outside, Cordell stood with his hand in his pocket, the other frozen mid–air as he hesitated to knock on the door. His smile faded, and his lips pressed into a tight line.
After a long moment, he forced a faint smile, knocked on the door, and stepped inside when Stacy called, “Come in.”
“The guests are mostly here. We can head down now.”
He gave Elaine a quick, unreadable look. She was stunning tonight, but her complexion seemed off.
“It’s time to go downstairs,” Constance said, glancing at Elaine with a soft sigh. “Let’s go.”
