Chapter 26
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“Mr. James, you… Valeria tried to find words, but she was at a loss, Barron had left her utterly speechless.
It seemed that she was having a particularly unlucky day, with both Barron and Hackett finding new ways to tease her.
Barron, on the other hand, was quite pleased with himself. He stood up and pulled Valeria to the table, urging her to sit down. “Come on, Valeria Sit. Be a good girl.”
Then, he glanced disdainfully at his grandson, Hackett, and remarked, “You have no business here. Just do whatever you need to do. Don’t be a nuisance. Valeria and I have things to discuss.”
Valeria was utterly confused and turned to look at Hackett behind her.
Hackett took a seat directly across from her, suppressing his anger, and asked in a low voice. “What did you want to achieve by deceiving us into coming here?”
“You’re mistaken I only wanted Valeria to come, not you. Didn’t I say that? I want to introduce Valeria to a good man.” Barron deliberately provoked Hackett across from him.
Hacken’s brows furrowed instantly, His voice was laced with frustration. “This is absurd!”
Barron chuckled inwardly. He knew that Hackett still cared deeply for Valeria, even if he had not realized it.
Maintaining his composure, Barron replied, “How is this absurd? A few years ago, I handed Valeria over to you, thinking you were a responsible man. But what did you do? How did you treat her? How did you make her suffer? Now I’ve seen the light. If you two can’t get along, so be it. I won’t force it anymore. Since you can’t provide happiness for Valeria, I’ll find someone who can. That way, I can rest easy”
Hackett was speechless.
Barron shifted his gaze to Valeria, who was seated beside him. I know you don’t like him and don’t want to remarry him. I won’t force it anymore. But you said you have someone else, which is clearly a lie. Do you think I can’t see through that! So, I want to find a man who can truly bring you happiness.
“Mr. James, seriously, you don’t need to do this for me. I can find someone on my own. You can’t force relationships.”
Valeria felt truly overwhelmed. Barron’s rapid change of stance left her at a loss for words. Just yesterday, he had insisted on arranging her and Hackett’s reconciliation, and now he was suddenly setting her up on a blind date.
“Don’t worry. Just meet him. If you don’t like him, we can move on to the next candidate. I have plenty of resources at my disposal. Trust me. We’ll find someone better than that brat.” Barron’s eyes flickered mischievously as he glanced at Hackett sitting across from him.
Hackett’s handsome face tensed up, and he silently observed how Barron would play his game.
“Mr. James, I’m really busy with work right now. I don’t have time for this. At that moment, Valeria just wanted to find an excuse to escape.
It’s okay. He’s about to arrive. Just give it a shot. I think this young man is impressive in many ways. Barron glanced at Hackett again. “If you’re uncomfortable sitting here, why don’t you return to your business? I’m arranging a date for Valeria
“Grandfather, is this necessary? You’re setting up a blind date without even asking her?”
Valeria was now divorced from Hackett, and they no longer shared any significant connection. Still, Hackett could not quite understand why he felt an unexplainable sense of displeasure when he thought about Valeria going on a blind date.
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Chapter 26
Barron snorted. “What business is it of yours? Could it be that you still care about Valeria? Does her going on a blind date make you uneasy?”
“No!” Hackett vehemently responded.
Then shut up! Get out! Don’t hinder us!” Barron wanted to see how long Hackett could maintain his tough exterior.
At that moment, the door to the private room swing open.
A well–dressed man entered, looking cultured and refined. He seemed to be the blind date Barron had arranged.
“Mr. Barron, I apologize for being late, the man said politely.
Barron chuckled. “Hey Danny, come over here! It’s not that you’re late, we arrived early. Let me introduce you. This is Valeria Sharp, our lovely lady. She’s a lawyer too, so you two should have a lot to talk about, being in the same profession
and all”
Valeria was left dumbfounded, unsure how to react. Barron really had gone the extra mile, setting her up on a blind date within their own field.
Valeria, meet Danny Bentley. He’s my friend’s grandson, a partner at a law firm, quite accomplished,” introduced Barron while keeping an eye on Hackett’s expression across the table.
Hackett’s face had turned sour at that point. His gaze critically evaluated Danny before him, top to bottom, and he concluded: not worthy. This man was not up to Valeria’s standard.
Valeria managed an awkward smile, then turned to Hackett with a pleading look as if to say, “Can’t you do something about this?”
Hackett wanted to intervene, but Barron was currently unapproachable. Regardless of what he said, Barron would not listen. After a while, Barron unexpectedly proposed, “Since you’ve met each other now, why not go for a walk outside? Give yourselves some privacy. Sound good?”
“Mr. James, but, well, alright. Valeria was embarrassed enough to wish she could vanish, but she reluctantly agreed.
So, she left the private room with the man named Danny.
Barron sipped his coffee contentedly, observing Hackett’s reaction across the table.
Suddenly, Hackett also stood up, ready to leave.
“Where are you going while they’re on their date? Sit down. Don’t create a disturbance.”
Hackett glanced back, his teeth gritted. “I’m going to be the driver!”
There was no way he’d let Valeria spend time alone with Danny
Valeria followed the man outside, hoping to find an excuse to leave, but could not think of a good reason.
Suddenly, Hackett’s deep, seductive voice echoed behind her. “Valeria, I’ll drive you home.”
A glimmer of light sparked in her eyes, and she turned to look at Hackett.
Hackett promptly positioned himself between Valeria and Danny, his voice dripping with gravity. “She’s taken now. You don’t stand a chance.
With that said, he pulled Valeria behind him and started walking toward his parked car.
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Chapter 26
Danny remained rooted to the spot, protesting. “But it was Mr. James who set up this date!”
Without looking back, Hackett replied, “Now I’m telling you to leave
Valeria found herself placed in the passenger seat by the man. Looking at his forceful, dominant demeanor, she realized nothing had changed from before,
Hackett started the car, hinting the gas pedal and swiftly leaving the scene.
Meanwhile, inside the private room. Barron was leisurely sipping his coffee.
A bodyguard walked in suddenly and reported. “Mr. Hackett forcefully took Ms. Sharp away
Barron chuckled as if he had foreseen this moment, muttering to himself, I knew it. Deep down, he still has feelings for Valeria, even if he hasn’t realized it yet. This reverse psychology tactic will work in no time”
“You truly are remarkable, and you understand Mr. Hackett well. The bodyguard could not help but admire.
Barron looked smug, playing with his cup. “That rascal grew up under my watchful eyes. I know his mindset all too well. No matter how hard he pretends to be indifferent, deep down, I’m sure he still cares about Valeria.”
SEND GIFT
