Chapter 1 Chapter 1

"Hmm."

The room was dim, and soft sunlight seeped in through the slits of the curtains.

Within the pure white duvet, Valerie was being held in a full embrace, her waist clutched by a solid arm. Their skin was hot and fiery.

As she opened her eyes, Asher's deep features came into view.

Suddenly, the jumbled and flirtatious memories barged into her mind.

"Awake?" Asher buried his face in her neck, sniffing a soft, sweet scent. Unconsciously, he nuzzled, his voice deep and hoarse, lazy and sensual.

There was a moment of bafflement in Valerie's mind.

In a blink, she wriggled free from his grip, staring unbelievably at him. "We."

Asher, now awake, looked at her bewildered expression, revealing a light smirk. "Wife, don't you remember me?"

Valerie's eyes widened.

Wife.

Ah, that's right!

Yesterday, Alex, her boyfriend of over a year, suddenly told her that he couldn't marry her because he was about to wed her half-sister.

Feeling distressed, she had gone to the bar alone but hadn't expected to have a few drinks and end up married!

And her spouse was a male model.

Valerie's mood was somewhat fluctuating.

At this moment, her phone suddenly vibrated.

"Not answering the call?"

Asher lifted his chin, gesturing toward the incessantly vibrating phone.

As soon as Valerie answered the call, a piercing roar came from the other end of the phone, "Valerie, how dare you stay out all night? Hurry up and get back home!"

She frowned in displeasure, massaging her slightly throbbing temples.

She cleared her throat, and her voice was light. "What's up?"

The call was from her stepmother, Eleanor Brooks.

Eleanor has always disliked her, so this call was unlikely to bring any good news.

"Your dad is looking for you urgently, hurry back!"

After saying this, Eleanor on the other end hung up.

Valerie felt somewhat headachey. She didn't want to go back home at all, but if she didn't return, she didn't know what excuse Eleanor would use next.

Asher was already dressed. "Pack up, I'll drive you back."

Not that he intended to eavesdrop, but the call was so loud that it was hard for him to avoid hearing it.

Valerie looked at Asher in front of her. He was tall, about six foot two, with a figure as elegant as Prince Charming.

The black shirt was unbuttoned, just enough to show off the collarbone. Hidden underneath the black suit pants were a long pair of legs. With his broad shoulders and slim waist, Asher had a perfect silhouette that exuded a tantalizing allure.

Underneath his short black hair and his exceptionally clear and vigorous face was the countenance of an angel fallen from grace. With striking eyebrows, dashing eyes, and a prominent nose. No wonder, he could compete with models.

Valerie shifted her gaze away and nodded slightly.

Asher dropped Valerie back home. Before stepping out of the car, Valerie looked at Asher's handsome face, which was enough to incite jealousy among both gods and men. After a moment's contemplation, he said, "I'll explain about last night in due time. I have some business to attend to today, so I'll get going now."

With that, he turned and swiftly walked away without looking back.

As soon as she stepped through the door, she bumped into Helena Brooks.

Valerie held no particular affinity for this half-sister from the same father. She didn't bother exchanging pleasantries and proceeded directly inside.

Helena watched her with an inscrutable expression on her face. Had Valerie just emerged from a Bugatti Veyron?

In the whole City of London, the number of people who could afford a Bugatti Veyron could be counted on one hand, not to mention a limited edition one!

Their mother had mentioned that Valerie had not come home last night. Could she have been out partying and had somebody take a fancy and take her off?

As soon as Valerie stepped into the house, she was bombarded with questions by Felix Brooks, "Valerie, you sure have some nerve! Not only did you hang out in a bar, but you spent the entire night out! As a woman, don't you understand the concept of maintaining your dignity and self-respect?"

"What will people say when word gets out? You might not care about your reputation, but I do!"

Valerie responded with nonchalance, an icy laugh echoing in her heart.

She had returned home after more than a year. When had Felix ever assumed his paternal responsibilities towards her? When had he ever bothered to take care of Valerie? Now, was playing the part of a stern father?

He must have some ulterior motive!

Seeing Valerie didn't reply, Felix was more frustrated. He lifted his hand, prepared to slap her, but was stopped by Eleanor, who gently comforted, "Dear, dear, calm down. Don't upset yourself."

"She's home now, isn't she? Valerie didn't spend the night out intentionally. If you have something to tell her, speak to her properly. What are you gaining from yelling at her?"

"You always side with her, but does she appreciate you? You're even covering for her!"

"What do you mean she didn't do it on purpose? She's always out messing around, associating with all sorts of men. Who'd want to marry someone like her?"

Felix was unable to contain his anger, it kept erupting from him.

Valerie watched the couple's good cop-bad cop routine, and a cold, mocking smile touched the corners of her lips. They were putting on this act just for her, weren't they?

Just then, Helena entered from outside. She scowled fiercely at Valerie and then ran to Eleanor's side to chatter.

"Mom, I just saw Valerie coming out of a limited-edition Bugatti Veyron. Despite living in the countryside all these years, the people she knows are quite influential," Helena said.

Felix furrowed his brow. A limited edition Bugatti Veyron? That was a luxury car worth tens of millions of dollars. How could Valerie know such people?

"Have you been messing around?!" Felix glared at Valerie, yelling in anger.

Messing around?

Valerie pondered for a moment. If she married a male model from a bar, could that be considered messing around?

Seeing Valerie remain silent, Felix no longer pursued this topic.

"Regardless of whether you're messing around, it doesn't matter now. Since Alex has broken off the engagement with you and the head of Sunshine Entertainment, Leo Spencer, is very pleased with you-you've met him-get yourself ready. He's coming to propose tomorrow."

From the moment Valerie stepped foot into this house, she had been observing everything coldly.

Let them blabber all they wish.

Her mouth twitched slightly upon hearing the name "Leo."

She indeed had met this Leo, a portly man in his fifties whose wife had just died half a year ago, leaving behind two sons.

Even when his wife was still alive, Leo spent his days frolicking around town, a notorious flirt.

It was said that his wife was angered to death by him!

So, while his wife's body was still warm, he was already thinking about finding a new partner.

She cast a casual look at Felix, taunting, "He's about your age, right? People in the know think you're trying to find me a husband. Those who don't might suspect you're trying to find me a father instead!"