Revenge In Repose (Valerie and Aiden) novel Chapter 3

At the mall, Valerie stepped into a jewelry store.

In her previous life, after Aiden had forced himself on her, she had cried the whole night, crushed and humiliated. She hadn’t even bothered to pick out a birthday gift for David.

Aiden ended up handling it himself. And once his younger sister Kelly Walker exposed the situation, the Walker family elders were furious.

Compared to her, Aiden’s childhood sweetheart who also hadn’t prepared a gift somehow came off as far more thoughtful and considerate.

Valerie thought, ‘If I remember correctly… Aiden’s so–called childhood friend loves shopping at this mall too.‘

As she thought of that woman, Valerie’s gaze cooled.

The best way to deal with trouble was simple: crush it before it had a chance to grow.

She quickly selected a gift and turned her attention to picking out an outfit.

But after visiting several stores, she still hadn’t found anything suitable. Then, as she passed by a display window, a dress caught her eye–custom made, elegant, modest, and perfect for meeting elders.

Just as she was admiring it, a shrill voice rang out from the entrance, “Well, if it isn’t the Clark family’s little princess,”

Standing there in a sales assistant’s uniform was Rosalie Stewart, her old high school rival.

Arms crossed, Rosalie gave her a once–over, then sneered, “Looking for clothes? Come on in, take a look.”

Valerie did like the dress, and she answered with a faint, polite smile. “Thanks.”

Clearly, Rosalie hadn’t expected her to actually walk in. She let out a loud, mocking laugh. “Feeling brave, are we? This dress is over 250 thousand dollars. It’s a limited edition. Want me to take it down for you to try on?”

Valerie replied evenly, “Sure.”

Rosalie froze, then burst out laughing, unrestrained and ugly. She pointed a finger right at Valerie’s face. “Oh, please! I was just joking! You actually thought you could afford it? God, this is killing me!”

Valerie looked at her, face calm, eyes cold. “Is there a problem?”

Rosalie sneered. “You’re just an orphan who happened to look a little like the real Clark family daughter–that’s the only reason you got adopted. Now that the real one’s back, where are you getting that kind of money? You’ve been faking it your whole life. Still putting on a show now?”

Valerie’s lips curled into a faint smile. Yes, she was an orphan. And yes, she had been a stand–in for Valentina.

But what few people knew was that she, the “imposter,” had ended up marrying Aiden in Valentina’s place.

She said coolly, “Aren’t you here to sell clothes? Is this how you treat your customers?”

Rosalie crossed her arms, smug. “Only people who can actually pay count as customers. You can’t even afford the sidewalk outside. You think you deserve better than a beggar’s treatment?”

Around them, the other salesgirls turned to watch. Some looked indifferent, some mildly amused. Not one of them stepped in to stop it.

Just then, a soft, sweet voice floated over. “What’s going on here?”

Immediately, the salesgirls straightened their backs, plastering on professional smiles. “Miss Reed!”

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22:08 Tue, 27 May RU

Chapter 3

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Rosalie practically snapped to attention, her face shifting into a sickly sweet expression. “Miss Reed!”

Valerie stiffened slightly, her eyes darkening. It was Arianna Reed.

Aiden’s childhood friend. A top–tier celebrity. And, in the eyes of Aiden’s mother Vivian Walker, the perfect candidate for future Mrs. Walker.

Before Valerie had married Aiden, Arianna had been the undisputed, publicly acknowledged fiancée–to–be.

In her previous life, Arianna had slowly wormed her way into Valerie’s life under the guise of friendship. Little by little, she crushed her dreams, pushed her down one dark path after another, until–together with Juliette–she completely destroyed her.

Now, Arianna removed her sunglasses, revealing a flawless, photogenic face.

But when her gaze fell on Valerie–who was, in truth, even more beautiful than her–her smile faltered. She quickly looked away, masking the crack in her composure. “What’s going on here?” she asked casually.

Rosalie rushed to answer, seizing the moment. “Miss Reed, this woman’s an old classmate of mine from high school. She’s dirt–poor, but somehow has the nerve to ask to try on our latest limited edition piece! Can you believe it? That dress costs over 250 thousand dollars!”

Arianna frowned lightly. “Only 250 thousand dollars? That’s not much. You shouldn’t judge people by their appearance–it’s a bad habit.”

Judge by appearance?‘ Valerie’s eyes turned colder. ‘Is she suggesting I look too cheap to belong here?‘

Rosalie shrugged, unconcerned. “She definitely can’t afford it. And if she ruins it, she wouldn’t even be able to pay for the damages.”

Without a word, Valerie stepped forward and slapped a card onto the counter. “Bring it over.”

The store fell into an awkward silence.

Everyone recognized the card immediately–a global black diamond card. One of the rarest, most exclusive cards in existence.

There were fewer than ten in the world. In the entire country, only two people were known to hold one: Aiden, and an overweight, balding middle–aged tycoon named Josiah Cooper.

Aiden, famously aloof toward women, was hardly the type to hand out his card, which left the obvious conclusion.

Rosalie’s lip curled in contempt. “Figures. Must have someone supporting you. No wonder you’re so cocky.”

As she walked to the window display to retrieve the dress, she threw over her shoulder, “Selling your body for money–what makes you any different from a streetwalker?”

Valerie’s voice was calm and razor–sharp. “Careful with your words. Miss Reed certainly doesn’t look like that kind of woman.”

Arianna’s face immediately darkened.

Rosalie, enraged, snapped, “I was talking about you! Miss Reed is a valued client, a celebrity, someone with real status. You? You’re nothing. A shameless mistress selling your body for scraps. How dare you compare yourself to her?” Rosalie pressed on, face twisted with glee. “Do you even know who Miss Reed’s boyfriend is?”

Valerie tilted her head, feigning curiosity. “Who?”

“Aiden!” Rosalie announced triumphantly, like she had personally won him. “The youngest billionaire on the Forbes list! Aiden himself!”

Valerie laughed under her breath. “Aiden? The tech giant? That Aiden?”

“That’s right!” Rosalie was practically bursting with pride. “Aiden treats Miss Reed like a treasure. Just the change slipping through his fingers could crush you ten times over!”