Chapter 20
Violet’s hand from midair when she heard Luna’s words. She stared at Dylan behind Luna, her expression a mix of emotion.
Dylan rook in the chaos around him with a sarcastin
rat
Valerie’s face turned even redder at the judgmental comments from everyone. She brushed everything aside and shot an accusing finger at Dylan.
“This is all on you! I’d never ended up in Altoria if it weren’t for you!” she yelled.
With the Padden family’s background, Valerie’s life in Alberia should’ve been easy and comfortable. But Violet was set on teaching her a lesson, so she canceled her credit card.
Valerie barely managed to get by with the small amount she received from Mandy every month.
“Me? Who was it that looked down on me and made fun of me? And who sent you to Altoria in the first place? You can’t even see that, and you’re blaming me for everything.” Dylan said icily. “Valerie, did you forget your brain in Altoria?”
Dylan’s dig at Valerie for being stupid made her leap to her feet, ready to go off on him again.
“Enough” Violet turned to Valerie, abooting her a pointed look as she warned, “Haven’t you had your fill of Altocia yet?”
“Seriously, V? You’re coming at me just because of Dylan? What’s so great about him anyway? He’s short and chubby. He doesn’t even have a good build or any style. He’s just an orphan-
Dylan suddenly stepped up and slapped Valerie across the face.
“Yeah, I’m an orphan. So what? At least I’m better than someone as uncivilized as you!” He turned to Violet. “Violet Padden, get your sister in check!”
Violet tightened her fist, her face set as she directed her secretary, Nicky Stenson “Nicky, get Val to the hospital.”
Without missing a bear, Nicky hurried over, clamped a hand over Valeria’s mouth, and pulled her out.
“Dylan, “Violet said, looking a bit ashamed “I’m really sorry about what happened today..”
“Ms. Padden, I think you should be apologizing to someone else, not “Dylan shot back, his voice cold
He glanced over at Callum, who had just rushed in after being called by Gallen Ammon, the buder, and added. “It’s the Farrows‘ banquet tonight.”
Callum had already gotten the lowdown from dalen on his way here. He didn’t even look at Violet, who was busy trying to apologize. Instead, he turned to Luna and Dylan, worry written all
over his Lace.
“Are you tookay?” Callum asked.
Once he saw them nod, he finally shifted his focus to Violet. “Ma. Padden, my assistant will talk to you about compensation for today’s little mess”
Then, Callum had Galen take Luna and Dylan upstairs to got some rest.
The banquet went on without much of a hitch, hardly affected by what had happened.
Violet wrapped up her talk about the compensation with Galen late into the night before heading back to the Padden villa, When she arrived, she noticed the lights were still on.
The housekeeper spotted her and quickly rushed over, looking worried “Ms Violet, could you please talk to Mr. Padden? Ms. Valerie’s still pretty naïve…”
Violet listened to the housekeeper as she walked through the door. She immediately spotted Valerie kneeling on the floor, her face streaked with red handprints.
Nearby on the rouch, Mandy sat with her head down, quietly subbing.
Chester held a whip, shooting a furious look at Valerio. “I can’t believe hour spoiled you’ve gotten! Do you even know who Dylan is? Or what the Farrows are about? And you actually dared to provoke them?”
Since most of the Padden family’s business was overseas, Chester was frequently out of the country, leaving Mandy to handle everything at home.
This year, he finally decided to refocus on things back in the country.
After listening to the butler, Bulus Romero, recount everything they’d done over the years, Chester was so burious he nearly passed out.
“Since you have no idea about the boundaries, just stay in Altoria and don’t even think about coming backd” Chester roared.
“Dad!” Valerie yelled, still on her knees.
Violet quickly jumped in to break the tension. “Dad, Val’s still pretty clueless
“Clorless? She’s over 20 and still acts without chiming And you! What else’ls on your mind besides love?”
Watching her daughters get scolded so harshly, Mandy muldn’t stay quiet any longer. “Chester-
Chested suddenly recalled she was there when he heard her voice. “And you! You’re the perfect example of a man who’s spoiled her kich rottan”
His eyes blazed again at the thought of Violet, the daughter he’draised with so much care, ending up in accidents and landing in the hospital twice because of some pay, all while getting tangled up in endless drama
“It’s on thing for them to be acting ridiculous, but why are you letting yourself get caught up in all this nonsense!
“Violet’s ready to throw her life away for some guy, you might as well let her do it! The Faddens are never shot on kids. So, there’s no reason to ruin a guy’s future over this.
“Valerie’s no better. She should be learning something worthwhile at her age, but she’s picking up all the wrong things.
“Ir’s had enough she has no respect for Dylan, but now she’s being disrespectful to her elders, tool What on earth have you been teaching her all these years?”
After heating how badly Mandy and Valerie were being chewed out, or couldn’t take it anymore. She was about to step in, but Chester’s sharp look stopped her cold. “Take Valerie and go to the study. I’ll deal with you in a bl
