Chapter 9 Chapter 9

A single pebble stirred a thousand waves.

As soon as Helena's words came out, Alex suddenly stood up.

His gaze fell sharply upon Valerie, "Valerie, are you saying that the person you married is a male model?"

Seeing that her purpose had been achieved, Helena hurried over to appease him, "Alex, don't be angry, I misspoke. I think my sister must have been confused at that moment to marry a male model."

Alex's face didn't look good. Felix also came forward to mediate, "Alex, you can rest assured, I've already asked them to divorce."

Alex came to his senses, realizing that he might have overreacted. He explained with a stern face, "She is Helena's elder sister. If outsiders knew that she married a male model, it wouldn't reflect well on Helena either."

"Right, right, Alex is indeed considerate,"

Eleanor chimed in and immediately glared at Valerie, "Valerie, you can bring trouble upon yourself, but don't jeopardize our Little Helena!"

Watching the whole family, Valerie just found it laughable. She was not sure of what privilege they criticized her. After all, one climbed into her brother-in-law's bed, and one was two-timing. It seemed like 'like father, like son.'

She looked at them coldly, her lips hooking into a smirk, "Don't worry, I will attend the event dressed up with my male model husband!"

She even purposely emphasized the words 'male model husband'.

Without giving a second thought to their reactions, she turned around and went straight upstairs.

After returning to her room, Valerie lay down on the bed, tired. She closed her eyes, and Asher's handsome face immediately popped up in her mind.

Although they hadn't known each other for long, she had a good impression of Asher. He was gentle, polite, mindful of her feelings, and never overstepped his boundaries. The only thing was his profession was a bit unique...

However, everyone has their hardship. He mentioned that his grandmother wasn't in the best of health. He probably had no other choice but to walk this path...

The thought of this possibility stirred up a trace of sympathy in Valerie's heart.

"Knock, knock, knock..."

The knocking on the door could be heard, gradually increasing Valerie's annoyance. Whoever was at the door was undoubtedly bringing trouble.

Curbing her emotions, Valerie opened the door. Seeing the person standing outside, irritation crept onto her face, "What do you want?"

She stood by the door, her tone cold and distant.

A hint of hurt passed over Alex's eyes, "Aren't you going to invite me in?"

"Mr. Alex, are you confused about your identity or mine? You are my brother-in-law now. Do you think it's appropriate for you to be here?" Valerie looked at him, her gaze icy as ever.

Alex looked at the beautiful face in front of him, even without makeup, she was still fresh and attractive. He recalled the first time he had seen her.

He was betrothed to Valerie since they were children. However, Valerie had always grown up in the countryside, and he subconsciously equalized Valerie with the image of a country bumpkin, greatly resisting this arranged fiancé.

But eventually, he couldn't withstand his grandmother's persuasion and went to the countryside to see her.

It only took one glance, despite her plain white T-shirt and jeans, he felt there was probably no one more beautiful in the world.

Love, at first sight, is an instant attraction.

However, their relationship had lasted for more than a year but was only limited to hugging and kissing. Every time he wanted to go further, she would refuse him on the grounds of waiting until marriage! It was for this reason that Helena seized an opportunity.

Now, since Helena was already pregnant with his child, he had no choice but to dissolve his engagement with Valerie.

"Valerie, does it have to be this way between us?" Alex looked at her, his eyes filled with longing and loss.

Valerie suddenly remembered a saying: Late affection is worth less than cheap grass.

"Please respect yourself, Mr. Alex. Don't do anything inappropriate for your status." Valerie felt nauseated even having to say another word to him.

Seeing Valerie about to shut the door, Alex took a step forward, stopping her from closing it. "Valerie, if you chose to marry a male model just to get back at me..."

Before Alex could finish, Valerie laughed out loud, unable to hold it in.

She looked up at Alex and scoffed, "Alex, who gave you such confidence? What does my marriage have to do with you?"

Alex sighed, "Valerie, I know that the cancellation of our engagement was a blow to you, and I'm sorry for that. But you don't need to stoop to marrying a male model. You deserve better."

Looking at his self-righteous face, Valerie couldn't help but feel like she had been a complete fool all this time.

"Better? Do you mean Leo? Didn't you cancel our engagement because you were afraid Helena would marry Leo? Alex, you're here pretending to care, don't you find that disgusting?"

A fleeting look of guilt flashed in Alex's eyes. "Valerie, it's not what you think. I married Helena because she was carrying my child. I had no other choice."

And with that, he suddenly grabbed her wrist, his voice full of urgency, "Valerie, even if I can't marry you, you should stop debasing yourself. Break up with that male model quickly. I will help you with Leo."

Valerie looked at him and couldn't help but laugh. "And then?"

Alex was taken aback by her question.

"What do you want in return for helping me?" Helena stared at him, asking calmly.

Alex gazed at her beautiful face, still holding her wrist. "Valerie, I love you. As long as you divorce that male model, I'm willing to overlook the past. I am only with Helena because she is pregnant with my child. You still love me too, right? Afterwards, we can still be together!"

Valerie squinted at Alex. She had wasted over a year on this scum. She was a fool!

She hooked up a mocking smile from the corner of her mouth, "Mr. Alex's calculations are truly ringing loudly. You want me to become your mistress, so you can enjoy the benefits of multiple relationships?"

"Dear, you know, that's not what I mean! I don't want to watch you continue to decline," Alex explained urgently.

Valerie wanted to applaud him. How could someone be so shameless?

"Well, I should thank Mr. Alex for considering things so carefully on my behalf. However, I don't like outsiders meddling in my affairs. So, just wed Helena as you planned."

"Don't worry, my husband and I will be there to bless you when the time comes."

Alex, seeing Valerie's cold and aloof demeanor, reprimanded in a low voice, "I'm doing all of this for your good! You don't have to marry a male model to spite me."

Valerie coldly looked at him, "Mr. Alex, you don't need to be so confident. I'm marrying him simply because I like him. It has nothing to do with you."

Alex didn't expect Valerie to become so unreasonable. It made his veins bulge in anger, and he gripped her wrist even harder as if he wanted to break her hand.

Helena came downstairs and saw Alex standing at Valerie's door, even holding her hand!

Valerie, it's always Valerie!

With Helena burning with anger, she quickly stepped in front of them, pulled Alex's hand off Valerie, shielded him behind her, and lashed out, "Valerie, have you no shame? Seduce your own sister's husband!"