Fallout and Ultimatums

As she passed the twins, Valerie stopped for a few seconds just as Inas captured Ian’s knight. Valerie sighed, lightly tapping her sister’s shoulder, her eyes softening as she looked down at the two of them.

“You blundered your queen and he didn’t even notice the checkmate in two moves,” Valerie murmured. “Don’t just focus on your losses. The whole board is your territory. You’re trying to make the other retreat—not be satisfied with taking back a few squares.”

Inas immediately snatched at Ian’s hand, trying to reclaim her piece. “This is cheating! You wouldn't have even noticed if she hadn't said anything!”

The teenagers’ bickering faded as Mildred closed the study windows from the garden outside, leaving Yolaine and Valerie alone inside. Mildred hoped things wouldn't escalate enough to send the elder woman's blood pressure soaring—though she had left her medicine on the desk just in case.

Those pills were now drowned in a sea of documents covering the mahogany surface as Yolaine’s face grew darker with every page she read.

Clenching her teeth, Yolaine slammed the final document down so hard that the glass of water beside Valerie tipped over. Water spilled across the paper and dripped onto Valerie's legs.

Yolaine couldn't defend Brian—not with the extensive, ironclad chain of evidence staring back at her. The shell entities behind the company whose acquisition Valerie had opposed, the private equity links—it was all blatantly tied to people close to him.

Biting her tongue to maintain a facade of composure, Yolaine spoke tightly. “I will deal with this. The acquisition is off, and I will do everything necessary to ensure he strips his hands of this deal and cuts all business ties with his friends.”

Valerie winced slightly at the cold water seeping through her dress, though she wasn't remotely surprised by the unrealistic response.

“That’s it?” Valerie asked coldly. “You’re not even going to make him step down? Insider trading, front-running, and breach of fiduciary duty are more than enough to put him away for decades. Even if you try to downplay it to a simple failure to report beneficial ownership, he’ll still face criminal charges. ”

“Do you want the shareholders to revolt?!” Yolaine snapped, her voice rising. “And who would lead the company if your uncle and cousin are out of the picture— you ? Just admit you want to drive them out for your own gain. Don't use the company's well-being as an excuse!”

Then, her tone shifted, playing the emotional card. “Your grandfather’s dying wish was to protect the reputation your great-grandfather built. And surely you wouldn’t want your father to be the next chairman, would you?”

Her final question was laced with venom.

Valerie shot her a glacial look. “I don’t have a father. And my motives don't matter—that isn't what the police will look into. Either they step down, or the white-collar crime unit will have these files on their desks before the day is out.”

Yolaine scowled. “I wanted you to marry someone who could propel the company forward—someone you could make chairman! But instead, you married a random nobody.”

“Does it have to be a man?” Valerie countered, leaning closer. “Haven’t I proven myself enough over these past few years?”

“ That is what your grandfather meant by maintaining the company’s image!” Yolaine insisted. “He knew that if the business world smelled weakness, this company would be left behind and never taken seriously again!”

“He meant keeping the core principles that built everything we have,” Valerie retorted, “the very principles all of you are trying to tear down into an unrecognizable mess.”

Valerie turned on her heel, unwilling to waste another second arguing with a brick wall.

Yolaine let out a defeated sigh before adding quietly, “Well... I suppose it’s time to officially change the twins’ surname to their mother’s. That way, their names won't be tainted by the falling reputation of the Millers.”

Valerie’s fingernails bit sharp marks into her palms. The sheer cruelty of the woman she had once revered as a grandmother hit her like a physical blow, shattering her composure with cold, calculated blackmail.

Yet, Valerie refused to break.

“This is the last time you use them against me,” Valerie said, her voice shaking with quiet fury. “They are nearly old enough to make their own choices. I might as well go tell them the truth right now. So make Brian step down and send him overseas to spend time with his brother. Neil can stay—if not, I will resign and personally deliver these documents to the police. Then we’ll see who fixes your mess.”

She reached for the door handle, but the sharp sound of shattering glass made her freeze.

She looked down at the jagged crystal shard lying near her feet and watched a thin line of blood trickle down her ankle.

Without looking back, she spoke with absolute ice in her voice: “You have twenty-four hours. You’d better decide fast.”

Julian’s easy smile vanished the moment he noticed Valerie approaching. His face darkened, and he quickly stood up, reaching out to support her as fury brewed beneath his calm facade.

She gently patted his hand to reassure him, though her disheveled state and bloodshot eyes gave her a rare, vulnerable air that contrasted sharply with her piercing gaze. Mildred, who had followed closely behind, asked with deep concern if it would be enough to bring a nurse from the estate's medical team rather than going straight to the hospital.

Valerie didn't shrink from the calculating glances of the family members still sitting around the garden table. She simply looked at Mildred and said, “Inform my grandmother that we will refrain from joining dinner tonight. As you can see, I don’t feel well. Let them enjoy their warm family gathering. We will stay in our own house. Inas, Ian—let’s go.”

She turned to walk out, but Julian gently caught her arm. “I’m carrying you.”

Valerie lifted her foot slightly to show him. “It’s just a scratch. It doesn't hurt.”

The twins, who had just stood up, finally caught a glimpse of the blood painting her ankle and staining her white high heel red.

Ian unconsciously shifted his weight, wincing as he tried to persuade her. “You’ll only bleed more if you keep walking on it.”

Inas looked away, pretending to be unbothered, though she couldn't help scoffing, “Acting tough, as usual? Leave it untreated and enjoy the shooting pain when winter hits.”

Ian immediately nudged his sister’s side with his elbow.

Without giving Valerie another chance to argue, Julian reached directly for her waist and lifted her into his arms, carefully adjusting her dress as he secured his hold on her legs.

“Just rest now,” he whispered gently against her ear. “We can return this grievance ten-fold later.”

The sudden feeling of weightlessness startled her for a second, but his warm breath and steady grip quietly soothed the turmoil inside her.

Behind them, the twins trailed slowly at a distance. Ian walked with a subtle limp, dragging his left leg, while Inas carefully matched his slow pace.

What Julian had initially taken for guest houses were actually individual residences scattered across the main estate for each branch of the family. Yolaine had three children: two sons, Brian and Valerie’s father, and one daughter, Jane. Valerie’s father had lived overseas ever since leaving for medical treatment more than a decade ago, barred from ever setting foot on the family estate again.

Once they reached their house, the twins settled into the living room while Julian carried Valerie up to her room. She wanted to rinse off and change before dealing with the injury—the damp dress was sticking to her skin, and the faint smell of copper was nauseating.

Julian placed her down carefully on the couch and knelt to remove her heels. He stared at the bleeding cut in silence, bitterly realizing he had held out hope that her grandmother might be different.

When Valerie tried to push herself up, he placed a hand on her shoulder to stop her and gently stroked her hair. He refrained from probing into what happened inside the study, not wanting to add to her burden. Instead, he simply asked, “Does it hurt anywhere else?”

Valerie let out a soft, breathy chuckle. Watching his dark, protective expression, the heavy thoughts piling in her mind briefly cleared.

So this is what a husband is supposed to be like, she thought.

A deep, painful abyss separated the gentle man standing before her from the father who had spilled the blood of his wife and their... her children—only to hide behind the excuse of illness to escape the consequences.

“Val?”

Julian’s voice snapped her out of the memory, his hand waving lightly in front of her eyes to get her attention.

“My hair,” she murmured, snapping back to reality. “I think a few strands got caught in my zipper when it rubbed against your arm.”

Julian gave her a wry, sheepish smile. “Pardon my rough execution. I’ve never princess-carried anyone before, but I promise to be far more attentive from now on.”

He patiently worked through the tangled strands, taking care not to pull, though a few broken hairs still ended up in his palm. He held them up with an apologetic expression before gently lifting her again, carrying her into the bathroom, and setting her down by the edge of the tub.

He didn't leave her side, standing just outside the closed door in case she lost her footing.