“How dare you?”
Without being told, Claudia knew instantly that the handsome man standing in front of her was the same man who came with Valerie to her daughter's wedding party. He was fearful and, at the same time, very handsome.
Bursting into fake tears, she fell on the hard ground, sobbing falsely. “Oh God! Why have you decided to punish me with such a daughter? Where did I go wrong in disciplining her? I've always tried my best to be the best mother, and now this?”
Reluctantly, Valerie got up from Ethan's arm. She stood at the other end, staring at Claudia, shedding false tears. Likewise, she stared at her, confused. Was she doing all this to get the sympathy of everyone? She was obviously making Valerie look bad in everyone's eyes. “Claudia, what are you talking about? Why did you suddenly show up at my working place after so long?”
Glaring hard at her, Claudia continued weeping. “You ran off with my hard-earned money, and you kept sleeping around with men. Oh, you really thought that I wouldn't find out. Shameless tramp!”
Tears circulated in Valerie's eyes. Words couldn't come out of her mouth because she had absolutely nothing to say. How would she even explain to everyone watching that she didn't know what her stepmother was talking about?
“I know you all think I'm lying. Here's my identity card to prove that she's my daughter.” Claudia brought her identity card from her purse.
Everyone kept staring at Valerie like she was a bad person. It was obvious to them that Valerie and the woman kneeling and crying in front of them share the same last name. It's impossible for her not to be related to Valerie.
“Are you really doing this because you want me to lose my job, Claudia? Is this how far you can go just to drag my name in the mud?” Valerie cried bitterly.
The servants were already condemning Valerie. Most of them never liked her in the first place, and this was their opportunity to taunt her like they desired.
Anastasia scoffed, and whispered. “I'm not surprised she's a hoer. It's obvious she likes throwing herself at men. So cheap of her!”
There were murmurs all over, but Ethan said no word. He let Claudia finish speaking before he cleared his throat and said. “Mrs. Watson, good to meet you again.”
Claudia's heart skipped a beat. Did he recognize her? Will he believe her charade and throw the silly girl, Valerie, out of Davison's villa? Countless questions kept running through her mind. “Uh… Have we… Have we met before, Sir?” She got up from the ground where she was kneeling.
President Ethan smirked. “You really don't know if you have met me before, huh?”
“I… Your face looks so familiar, but uhm… I really can't recall where I met you. I mean, you're popular. Likewise, I could have also seen you on the television, right?” Claudia smiled, uneasily.
Ethan continued. “Who told you, Mrs. Watson, that you could come to my mansion and cause a commotion?”
Scared, Claudia bowed her head. “I'm sorry, Sir. My… my daughter, she has caused me so much pain and…”
“Shut up!” He half yelled at her, and she flinched in fear. Her body was visibly shaking as she panicked.
Meanwhile, Valerie was crying her eyes out. She knew her job was at stake. It was written boldly on the contract she had signed with the Davison's that never should the family of the employee come to the mansion to cause a scene or bring family issues to the mansion of the Davison's.
“Is this how I'm going to lose my job? What a cruel life!”
Claudia was already scared. For the first time, she regretted setting her feet into Davison's villa. She should have listened to her daughter. “I'm… I'm truly sorry, sir”.
President Ethan snorted. “If 'sorry' is all that is needed when you err, why would there be law or police officers or even a law court?”
Valerie went on her knees quickly, rubbing her hands together. “President Ethan, please, I didn't know about this. Actually, she's my stepmother, but everything she's saying about me isn't true.” She cried.
Ignoring her, Ethan continued. “Mrs. Watson, you've got some nerve to show up in my house just to talk about your family issues. Have you no fear? Security! Take her away and straight to the police station. Make sure she's locked up.” He coldly ordered.
Claudia burst into tears. “Oh, please President Ethan, forgive me. I won't be able to survive in the police custody. I promise not to show up here again.”
The security guards didn't let her say any word further. They dragged her out of the compound. On the other hand, Valerie was shivering. She was ready for the worst.
Ethan glared at her, and turned his glance away. “Come with me.” He ordered, and walked away.
Valerie struggled up from the ground where she was kneeling. Her knees were already aching. Probably, the President was going to terminate his contract with her. What wrong has she ever done to Claudia that she wouldn't let her have peace?
Anastasia walked to her with a cold smile. Furthermore, Valerie needed no one to tell her that she was rejoicing over what had happened to her. “I was right about you, Valerie. Too bad, your mother came here to prove me right. You're just a disguised slut. I saw through you, and I'm glad I've been proved right.”
Blinking hard, Valerie smiled dryly at her. “I can be anything in the world, but not a slut!”.
“You…” Anastasia fumed.
Without hesitation, having said those words, she walked into the mansion, without sparing a glance at fuming Anastasia. She still had President Ethan to deal with.
However, she got to the President's door, and made a sign of the cross before knocking on the door. “Come in” The deep voice summoned.
With her shaking legs, she walked into the dark room. “Sir?”