Chapter 4 - Shadows of the Engagement
Valerie accepted the position—not for the luxury, but because every time she looked into the identical hazel eyes of Emma and Lily, she saw the tragic, stolen childhood her aunt Sarah never got to give her. She wanted to protect these girls, especially from the scheming, heartless world represented by Victoria Vance.
Within two weeks, the Buchanan mansion changed completely.
Laughter echoed down the marble hallways. Valerie replaced the cold, rigid routines with art sessions, garden games, and homemade meals. She spent her days teaching the girls Spanish songs, reading them fairytales, and holding them when memories of their deceased mother surfaced.
Franklin began coming home early from the office—a change that shocked his entire corporate executive board. He found reasons to sit in the playroom, watching Valerie paint murals on the walls with the girls, or sitting across from her at dinner, listening to her sharp, witty observations about life.
A subtle, undeniable warmth began to grow between Franklin and Valerie—a pull of unspoken attraction built on mutual respect and shared devotion to the children.
However, in the shadows, storm clouds were gathering.
On a rainy Tuesday afternoon, while Franklin was attending an emergency board meeting, Victoria Vance arrived at the mansion unannounced. She wore a crimson trench coat and dark sunglasses, her face twisted in a sneer as she walked into the nursery.
Valerie was sitting on the rug, helping Lily build a wooden castle.
Victoria stood over them, her sharp heels digging into the expensive rug. "Leave us, Lily. Go play in the bathroom."
"No," Lily said firmly, clutching Valerie’s sleeve. "I want to stay with Valerie."
Victoria’s eyes flashed with anger, but she forced a cold smile. "Go, Lily. Now."
Valerie gently patted Lily’s shoulder. "It’s okay, sweetheart. Go check on Emma in the closet for a second."
Once Lily scurried out of the room, Victoria turned on Valerie, dropping her handbag onto the table with a heavy thud.
"I don't know what kind of game you think you're playing, girl," Victoria hissed, stepping uncomfortably close to Valerie. "You think because Franklin gave you a fancy title and a oversized paycheck that you belong here? You're a glorified servant."
"I do my job, Ms. Vance," Valerie said calmly, standing up to meet Victoria’s gaze. "And my job is to protect these girls."
"Your job is to stay in your place!" Victoria snapped, her voice rising. "My father controls thirty percent of Buchanan Capital’s board shares! Franklin needs this marriage to consolidate his merger next month. If I tell my father to pull his capital, Franklin’s entire company collapses! Do you think he would ever pick a gutter-rat maid over the survival of his empire?"
Victoria pulled a sealed white envelope from her handbag and slammed it onto the desk.
"Inside is a cashier's check for two hundred thousand dollars," Victoria sneered. "Pack your bags. Tell Franklin you're resigning because you stole something, or because you got tired of the work. Take the money and vanish back to the slums where you belong. If you're still in this house by Friday, I will personally see to it that your mother loses her public health insurance, and I will have you arrested for criminal trespass."
Valerie looked at the white envelope, then looked back at Victoria.
A slow, fearless smile spread across Valerie’s lips. She picked up the envelope, held it right in front of Victoria’s face, and ripped it cleanly in half.
Then she ripped it again, and again, until a shower of white paper confetti fell over Victoria’s designer shoes.
May you like
"My mother taught me never to take trash from strangers," Valerie said softly. "Now get out of this nursery before I call security to remove you for disturbing the children."
Victoria stood frozen, her jaw dropped in utter shock and fury. She leaned in close, her breath smelling of heavy perfume and malice. "You will regret this day, Valerie Cole. I will burn your entire life to the ground."
