Reading the contract made Valencia feel as if she had been ruthlessly pulled out of an illusion. It felt like she had been living a dream—a joke!
Valencia had loved this man for years with all her heart, giving no other person such a chance.
Ever since she set her eyes on Maverick that day, Valencia has followed every news story and dedicated her all to him. For him, she had chosen to give up her dream career to be an actress and singer.
As Maverick's wife, Valencia couldn't afford to have any affiliation with a scandal. That's a huge stain and a disgrace to Maverick and his family!
When Valencia and Maverick officially met four years ago, she had done her best to seek his attention in all ways; foolish methods weren't left out, that everyone in the country knew that she was foolishly in love with him, adding more stain to her reputation.
And when Maverick finally asked her to be his girlfriend three years ago, she felt like the most happy woman in the world.
For him, she had learned how to improve her cooking skills, massaging skills, things ladies do to please men, etc. Valencia had done her very best for him.
What a joke!
When Valencia thought she had already had a life with Maverick, it turned out that Maverick had always seen her as a substitute—a substitute for his childhood sweetheart, Tatiana.
Apparently, Maverick had only been fond of Valencia because she looked like that woman.
Isn't it pathetic that the man she loves only thinks of telling her just a few hours before her wedding? Especially in such a way?
Valencia had just given herself to him for the first time today, for crying out loud!
Valencia's eyes were clouded with tears, and she felt her rationality go blank. All this while, Maverick never took her seriously; he had only taken her as a substitute.
Valencia felt as if her heart was ripped apart, making her face pale, but before she could say anything, Maverick's big hands wrapped around her tiny waist, fitting perfectly.
His face patiently lay on her shoulder, giving it a beautiful image only if there wasn't sadness written in Valencia's eyes.
"Valencia, we'll be married for five years. And once Tatiana is back, we'll quietly divorce. I'll give you a compensation f*e of $300 million and this house if you want. Even if you want 5% of the company share, I'll give it to you. It'll sustain you for life; what do you think? Fair deal, huh? During these five years, you can do whatever you want with the title 'Maverick's wife'. As long as you know your place, everything is fine; no one will bully you, and you won't suffer any grievances. You don't have to worry about me cheating either; I'll be faithful as a good husband." Maverick explained in a cold and hoarse tone while nipping her skin gently.
Valencia froze and felt cold to the bone. 10 years! For 10 years, she had sacrificed herself for his happiness!
Only for the 10 years to end up with, as long as she knows her place. What's her place? A substitute for a woman. A woman he hadn't seen for many years?
Valencia had treated Maverick with all her heart only to get a reward—a substitute and a monetary reward.
Should she be happy that he finally spoke long sentences to her for a long time? She had always thought that he had no idea of doing so!
Valencia's heart pangs with pain. It felt as if her heart was being gripped by something—a lump in her throat.
Valencia wanted to cry out and yell at Maverick, but she suddenly had no strength to do so. Tears welled up in her eyes, and her voice was extremely shaky as she asked, "You never loved me all these years, did you?"
I've always been a substitute for that woman in your mind, haven't I? That was all Valencia wanted to say, but she wasn't able to say it no matter how she tried.
"Valencia, be good. Don't cause trouble." Maverick coldly replied, and that made Valencia freeze.
Asking him a question means that she's causing trouble. What if she decides to beg Maverick? Won't that mean she's throwing away her dignity?
Maybe to Maverick, she was a nobody. Just a tool to warm his bed until Tatiana is back. He wanted to exploit the two of them. How selfish of him!
"You've been obedient for the past couple of years. Be good. If you sign it obediently, I'll increase the compensation by $50 million. I'm really good to you, aren't I?" Maverick knew all of Valencia's habits by hand, so he was sure that the woman wouldn't disobey him, which was the reason he had patiently indulged her all these years.
Valencia froze. Although she already realized that Maverick didn't put her in his eyes, she never realized that he had calculated her worth with his money. Did he think she was after him for his money? Valencia shook her head pitifully. It seems there's no chance for her anymore. His mind was already made up.
Valencia's hand flew toward her face to wipe her tears. She won't cry. It's low to cry for this heartless man! He's not worth it!
"Okay, I'll sign it tomorrow." Valencia closed the documents and whispered in a shaky tone. Her mind was racing chaotically, and all her energy was drained.
Valencia had made a joke out of herself in the circle, and Maverick flaunted her every time, which made Valencia the subject of countless envies.
What would they say if they knew she was just a substitute for his woman and she'd get a divorce from him five years from now? Valencia will definitely be ridiculed to no end. Especially by that stepsister of hers.
Maverick frowned upon hearing Valencia's reply. Valencia had always foolishly agreed with his every word, but this time that she didn't agree immediately made him displeased. His face contorted into a frown, and he grabbed a hold of her hand impatiently. "Why don't you sign it now?"
Before Maverick could complete his words, she raised her neck slightly and shut his lips with her lips, hating to hear the degrading words fall from his lips.
Valencia separated from him, intending to lie back and bawl her eyes out, but before she could, Maverick wrapped his big hands around her tiny waist, locking her in place.
Just a touch of the silly, cute woman was enough to tantalize Maverick and get his passion ignited.
Thinking that it doesn't matter if Valencia didn't sign it today; he will let her sign in his presence tomorrow after the wedding. As long as he gets her to sign it, the date it was signed doesn't matter. With that thought, Maverick pressed Valencia down.
____________
"Valencia Carter, I have met a lot of shameless women in the past, but I've never met someone as shameless as you! How can I make you understand that our Vandenberg family will never accept a lowly person like you, which was the reason none of us attended your wedding? So what if my cousin marries you today? You'll end up getting divorced when Tatiana is back." Gillian's hands were folded, and her eyes were fixed with contempt as she scorned the sitting Valencia, whose head was bowed in shame.
Valencia had just taken her bath and sat down, intending to get dressed with the help of the dressing staff, when Gillian burst into the room.
Despite the fact that it was Valencia's wedding day with Maverick and there was the presence of the dressing staff in the room, Gillian didn't bother to hide her contempt for Valencia since she couldn't wait to tear up that shameless woman who had pestered her cousin for years. Gillian believed that if it wasn't for Valencia's shamelessness, Maverick would never marry Valencia!
Valencia's fist clenched tightly, and her eyes pooled with tears due to the humiliation.
Last night, she discovered for the first time that she had always been taken as a substitute and her marriage had always been taken by Maverick as nothing—that had already turned her world and mood upside down.
Now seeing the pure disgust and disdain in everyone's eyes made her mood plunge deeply. Even though it wasn't her fault, she knew no one would care. After all, everyone had always believed that Valencia wasn't worthy of Maverick.
Moreover, for Maverick, Valencia had recklessly done many things to get into his good book and satisfy him, which had further caused her reputation to plummet. Wasn't she the stupid…
Splash!
A glass of water was suddenly poured on Valencia's head by Gillian. Valencia's face turned pale, and her body trembled at the humiliation.
"You're so disgusting, like your shameless mother. You approached my brother for your secret motive and bothered him until he accepted you. Let me tell you, my brother will never like you. To him, you're forever a substitute for Tatiana. Did you know who Tatiana is? You're not worthy to wipe her shoes. I promised that if you get married to my brother, I'll make your life a living hell and make you more of a laughingstock…"
Valencia's head lowered bitterly. What's the point? At this moment, she realizes that she is really stupid. To Maverick, she was worth nothing, and to his family, that was worse. She had always wanted to be happy in marriage and avoid the type of life her mom faced in marriage.
However, isn't she doing the same thing she promised to refrain from if she ended up getting married to someone like Maverick?
Although Maverick had always been her crush due to his speech that year, now she realizes that he wasn't worth it. He was just a stupid dream she had believed in!
A mocking chortle spilled past Valencia's lips. How did she get into this situation?
Upon seeing the quiet Valencia, Gillian snorted and folded her eyes. "Are you deaf…"
Slap!
A crisp slap that fell on Gillian's right cheek reverberated in the room, making everyone stunned.
Everyone gasped in shock. Valencia had just slapped the pampered daughter of the Vandenberg family. What the hell!
Gillian gasped, and her body shook. Her lips parted, and her hand flew to her cheeks as if she couldn't believe that Valencia slapped her. Gillian stomped her feet and seethed angrily. "You bitch. How dare you…"
"That's for saying nonsense about my mother." Valencia calmly said, and before they could blink, she raised her hand again.
Slap!
"And that's for the water and humiliation." Valencia simply pronounced with a chuckle. Her gentle demeanor had now disappeared, and what was left was the aura of an enlightened woman.
Valencia stood up and casually made a small bow to Gillian, her expression filled with excitement and enlightenment. "Thank you for showing me the sort of stuck-up family I'm trying to marry into, and thank you for letting me realize how stupid I was." Valencia calmly explained, her aura was so strong that it left everyone mesmerized and attracted.
Somehow, they can't relate the infamous good-for-nothing Valencia that was always in the news to the person who had just given a slap to Gillian.
Gillian snapped out of her thoughts. She couldn't believe that she had just thought that Valencia and her brother would really look good together! She must've gone crazy.
Her face contorted into a frown. It turns out that Valencia has always been a pretending bitch because of her brother, but in actuality, Valencia is like all those scheming bitches who are after her brother because of her brother's status and money. "Valencia, how dare you call our family a stuck-up…"
Valencia smiled and sweetly turned to the dressing staff. She brushed off Gillian's words by interrupting, "I'm sorry for the delay, sisters. Can I visit the restroom for a minute?" She politely asked while donning a calm smile on her face.
The dressing staff sisters felt their hearts soften. Valencia looked so soft and kind, and she even asked them for permission, unlike many daughters of the wealthy family. They felt their disdain for her disappear immediately!
Valencia is so soft, gentle, and adorable; how can she be the nuisance mentioned in the news? They can't help thinking that someone must have been scheming at Valencia. "Yes. No problem, Miss Valencia."
"Thank you." Valencia calmly replied and bowed before she leisurely strode out of the room
