Chapter 10
Audrey looked at Lillian with contempt. Lillian stayed silent, allowing Riley to humiliate Audrey without saying a word.
Audrey turned to Riley and said, “Since we got married, Clayton has been giving half his salary to his mom, and the other half is for himself. We split the household expenses down the middle. I’ve never taken a single penny from him.”
+20)
Clayton’s expression grew colder. “Riley’s still just a kid. Do you really have to pick fights with her?”
Valerie chimed in, “Audrey, stop picking at every little thing with Clay. How much were those chocolates? I’ll pay for them.”
Audrey thought to herself, ‘What are you gonna pay me with? The money Clayton gave you?‘
“What’s with that attitude?” Lillian snapped, her face icy. “Vally’s father saved Clay’s father, so it’s only right we look after her. For someone like you to marry Clayton, you should be grateful. Who are you to criticize him? How dare you?”
Audrey sneered, “If Clayton lives off me and uses my money, that’s a shame. You can pay back whoever you owe, but it should never come at the cost of my well–being.”
Clayton’s forehead twitched with a vein bulging. He had never seen Audrey this sharp before. She wasn’t just cold toward him; she had no qualms about throwing his family under the bus either.
“You’ve said enough,” Clayton interrupted, his voice sharp. “Apologize to my mother.”
Clayton, usually calm and collected, raised his voice, and it startled Lillian.
Audrey wasn’t intimidated by his harsh tone. If anything, she grew even
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Chapter 10
more composed. “I don’t have a say in how you repay your debts. But my marriage is my business. Since you’re here, let me make it clear-”
+20)
Before she could finish, Clayton swept the candy box off the table, his eyes icy and full of warning. “Audrey, let’s talk it out when my mom leaves.”
He thought to himself, ‘Has Audrey lost her mind? If she says something like divorce in front of my mother, it’ll cause irreversible damage.’
Sensing the tension, Lillian pulled Riley to her feet. “Riley, let’s go. We don’t need to take anyone’s crap. I should’ve stood my ground from the start. She doesn’t belong here. Her family isn’t good enough for ours.”
This time, Valerie didn’t shed just one tear; she was crying uncontrollably. She secretly hid a fruit knife, choking on her words. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Patel, Clayton. I–I won’t come back. I won’t… contact you anymore. I just feel sorry… for Luna.”
Riley broke free from Lillian’s grip, running over to hug Luna. She screamed at Audrey, “Luna’s not like other kids. You don’t care about her, and you’re bullying her. You’re so vicious. You shouldn’t even be here.
“Uncle Clayton, send her back and lock her up for a year. If she dares to hurt Luna again, keep her locked up FOREVER.”
The house fell into an eerie silence.
Clayton felt like there was a lump in his chest that he couldn’t get rid of, guilt flickering in his eyes.
He shot Riley a look, telling her to shut up, and then turned to Audrey. “I’ll talk to Riley.”
Audrey smirked, thinking, “Talk to her? If she’s reasonable, she wouldn’t be acting like this.‘
On their wedding day, Riley told some of the guests, “This woman with no background must’ve used dirty tricks to get Uncle Clayton to marry her.
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Chapter 10
I’m not gonna call her my aunt. She doesn’t deserve it.”
If even one person from the Patel family had respected Audrey, Riley never would’ve said something like that. It might have seemed like a child’s mischievous joke, but it showed the real attitude of the Patel family.
Audrey’s gaze grew colder, but a smile lingered on her lips. “A lawyer can convict his wife without evidence and can casually restrict his wife’s freedom. Is your father a governor? Or do you think the governor’s beneath you? Are you planning to run for president?”
Audrey’s sharp, unwavering gaze swept across Lillian before landing on Clayton’s cold face. “Mr. Patel, you’re well–versed in the law, yet you’re breaking it.”
Lillian’s face turned drastically pale. She knew if Clayton’s actions were exposed, it would tarnish the reputation of the entire Patel family, especially with John’s campaign going on.
She grabbed Riley’s hand and headed for the door, saying, “Handle your personal matters yourselves. Clayton, don’t disappoint me.”
Actually, she just didn’t want this to affect the Patel family.
Riley tried to argue, but Lillian silenced her with a glare.
Lillian thought to herself, ‘Audrey chose to marry Clay. Even if I take half of his salary, she wouldn’t dare say a word. She even takes care of his life
so sweetly.
‘Audrey probably thinks I’m here to scold Clay for sending her to Ashwood. She must be hoping to let off some steam, but she got it all wrong. I’m not here for her.
‘Once we leave, Audrey will definitely apologize to Clay. I’ll have Clay fire Zoe. Since Audrey’s lost her job, she can just stay home full–time and take care of Clay!
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Valerie tugged at Lana her eyes swollen with tears as she looked at Clayton
Clayton didn’t even glance up, giving no indication he intended to stop These
Just as she was about to step out, she turned to Audrey, saying, “Audrey, Clayton’s work is so demanding, Please take care of him
We put Clayton’s name as Luna’s father on her school documents just to gie Lana a complete family and not be looked down upon
Audrey’s disappointment in Clayton was already at its peak. But hearing this still made her heart sting a little
Seeing Audrey’s sour expression Valerie pushed on “Once I’m in a better position to suppon myself and give Lana a better life. I’ll stop causing you troble
It sounded like a plea, but each word felt like a knife to Audrey’s heart
Clayton softened his tone toward Valerie “Don’t overthink it. There’s bad news from Starise Preschool that reaches my father. I can’t let anyone Stink the Patel family neglected the child of someone who helped us.”
So, you just become her father in name, huh?” Audrey smirked, her voice dripping with sarcasm
She thought to herself, Still trying to daim you’re clean? You’re the father of another woman’s father. That’s really impressive.”
Clayton brised at her mocking gaze, his voice suddenly turning harsh. It’s just a form. When Vally gets married, Luna’s guardian will be changed
So, if Valerie never marries, you’re supposed to be her kid’s father?” Audrey burst into laughter while pointing at Clayton “Why go through all fin trouble? just divorce me, marry Valerie, and make it official. You will
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Chapter 10
have a happy family, right?”
She thought bitterly, ‘Clayton becomes the father of Valerie’s kid. And as his wife, I seem to be the mistress. How ridiculous. How could Clayton even agree to something so cruel?‘
+20)
The word “divorce” was like a bomb, and it blew up Clayton’s patience. His eyes turned icy, his tone hard and commanding. “Audrey, I told you, it’s just a form. This won’t change our marriage. Stop making a scene.”
Audrey stepped back, her eyes sharp and cold as ice. “If Valerie never marries, you’ll be her daughter’s father for life, right? And if our future kids get called bastards with no father, you won’t care, will you?”
Her voice was calm, almost as still as a dead pond, but inside Clayton, a storm was raging.
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