Chapter 3 Happy Marriage?
As soon as the call was put through, the voice of Ethen Campbell, Valentina’s father, came from the other side.
“Your sister has been injured and thus can’t go out. The Hess family will hold a party in three days. You’ll go with me. Just be prepared.”
Valentina realized what he was up to.
Seaview Media had gotten in trouble lately. Due to infringement, the Hess family threatened to take it to court. Worse still, they had powerful. connections in Pherton. Ethen didn’t dare to offend them.
Actually, it was mainly because Duffy had messed with Edwin Hess.
Edwin, a heavyset man approaching forty, carried himself with at lecherous air. His reputation was really bad. He had been married four times with a few children. Of course, Duffy didn’t want to marry him.
Valentina guessed Duffy’s injury couldn’t be a coincidence.
It turned out that they all knew that Luciano had been to see Duffy and thus couldn’t get the marriage certificate with Valentina.
Valentina understood everything now, and instantly, her face turned pale. She clenched her phone and held back her rage, but her voice was still somewhat trembling. “So, you all know Luciano and I can’t get married today, and still want me to apologize to Edwin on behalf of Duffy?”
After a few seconds of silence, Ethen said, “She’s not cut out for these events like you are. No harm in you going to this one. You’ve got the experience to handle it anyway. We’re family. Why make such a big deal
out of it?”
Valentina was shocked to hear that and thought, “So what if I attend another one? Humph. Every time they want to protect Duffy, I get shoved forward as her human shield. I played along only for Grandpa’s sake. Now that we’ve all fallen out, they still have the nerve to guilt–trip me?”
“If she were innocent, she wouldn’t have messed with people like Edwin, Why do I have to sacrifice myself to deal with the trouble caused by her? Is it because of Shirley Rosario’s pillow talk again?”
Valentina sneered. She was aware of what Shirley and Duffy could do.
“How can you say that? Where are your manners?” Ethen snapped.
“You have manners. Then why do you make me bear the consequences for the fault you make? Shirley and her daughter are so good with men. Why don’t you let them do it?”
“Shut up! It seems decades haven’t taught you basic decorum. I don’t care how you feel. We need to think about your engagement with the Stanton family carefully! You must put the family’s interest first! Come back home tomorrow and try the dress your mom has prepared for you!”
Ethen was embarrassed and enraged.
“You wanna defend Duffy blindly. Fine, just don’t make trouble for me. One more thing, that sinister homewrecker isn’t my mom! She doesn’t deserve it!”
“Enough! Shut up! You bastard!” Ethen cursed.
Valentina wasn’t afraid at all. “Perhaps you should exercise your authority as Duffy’s father. She’s entangled with your other daughter’s betrothed now. Please go teach her what fine breeding is like. Since she’s caused the
Chapter 5 Happy Mar
trouble, ask her to fix it!”
Valentina hung up the call.
They all ganged up against her and wanted to make her compromise?
She wouldn’t let them get their way!
Valentina took a deep breath to refrain from flaring up. Her expression smoothed into perfect composure quickly. She turned around and said apologetically, “I’m sorry to let you see this.”
Her tone was quite calm. Evidently, she did well in controlling her
emotions.
Osvaldo looked up at her with composure. “Don’t be.”
Valentina felt a pang of pain in her heart and managed to calm herself down before saying, “Sorry. I’ve got a little trouble indeed. I hope you
won’t be bothered.”
With a smile, Osvaldo gazed at her.
“We made the same choice, so we’re in this together now. If you’re good, I’m good, and that goes both ways.”
“You’re right. I’ll fix it as soon as possible,” Valentina replied.
She raised the glass. “Here’s to our cooperation and happy marriage?”
A toast to their cooperation?
Osvaldo narrowed his eyes and stared at the restrained yet composed woman. The next moment, he raised the glass and said, “Happy marriage!”
***
Now, at the Campbell’s villa.
Ethen turned livid with anger.
Shirley sneered and pulled her silk robe together. After fetching a glass of water, she walked to him.
“What? Why the anger? She’s grown up. You gotta restrain your temper. Or you may stir up her rebellious mood. Talk to her nicely. It’s all Duffy’s fault…”
“She’s grown so bold now! If she could be half as sensible as Duffy, I wouldn’t be so disappointed! Duffy is doing this for the sake of Seaview Media. Edwin is a vengeful man. I’m afraid he won’t let us off easily.”
Ethen took the water and had a sip.
“Being in his crosshairs is dangerous, but the Hess family’s influence is undeniable. Aligning with them would be wiser than confrontation–not only to resolve this crisis but to secure Seaview Media’s future. If Duffy weren’t injured, it would be a good chance this time. However, Valentina is seriously prejudiced against me…”
Shirley’s eyes were full of viciousness. As a former popular star, she still had a pretty face. Fifty looked like thirty on her. Ethen was deeply charmed by her beauty and talent.
Back then, shortly after Ethen divorced Amelie, he married Shirley. Those women in their circle were relieved to know that. Clearly, Shirley was quite something.
“You don’t have to demand that she treat me as her mother. After all, I’m just her stepmother. I don’t want to waste my effort to soften her up,”
Chapter 1 Happy Mama?
Shirley said with resignation.
“Don’t take her words to heart. You’re too softhearted. Just leave her
alone! She’s so narrow–minded. Given her abilities, what can Edwin do to her? Any word from the Stanton family?”
Ethen felt pitiful for his wife..
“Well, what can they say? You know, the Stantons don’t like Valentina. They always invite Dufly over, and Duffy goes to their home for the sake of Valentina. Now things have become like this. She’s torn too.”
Shirley had long wanted to let Duffy marry Luciano instead of Valentina, but she wouldn’t rush it. Finally, here came a chance.
Of course, she knew well how to defend her daughter.
Ethen’s face fell.
He knew the attitude of the Stantons and figured that they preferred Duffy to be their daughter–in–law. Besides, Luciano adored Duffy more.
So, Valentina had to step back voluntarily. The Campbell family couldn’t afford to lose the marriage alliance with the Stanton family. A peaceful. solution would be the best.
By then, Ethen would arrange another man for Valentina. Edwin could be a good choice!
