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Chapter_54
Whitney’s face flushed with embarrassment as she pushed Tiana away, but before she could recover, Tiana was already moving on to the next topic. “I’ve set everything up at the Imperial Garden Bar. Loads of our old classmates and friends have been ringing up asking about you. Sure, some of them are just fair-weather friends, but there are a few genuine ones in the mix. Whitney, you’ve got to start building your network.”
Whitney knew exactly what Tiana meant. If she was to make a comeback in Banyan City, she needed the right circle to welcome her back, especially after the scandal that had tarnished her name.
Before Whitney could even consider the idea, Tiana grabbed the steering wheel and sped toward the pub.
Back at the villa, it was still early, not even seven o’clock yet. Taryn watched with surprise as the man entered, sharply dressed in a suit with his assistant trailing behind him.
“My boy?” Natalie rushed over, lips pursed in astonishment. “You’ve been so busy lately, and now you’re home early?”
Ludwik’s eyes scanned the room, searching for something—or rather, someone. Felix, always smiling, asked, “Madam, where’s Whitney? She said she’d be back early today to—”
Ludwik shot him a look, cutting him off mid-sentence. He sank arrogantly into the sofa, his impatience growing as he waited for Whitney’s arrival. “Where is she?”
“Whitney? She hasn’t come back yet,” the old lady replied, puzzled.
Taryn chimed in, “She sent a text. Said she was out having fun.”
Felix’s smile faltered, sensing the tension growing in the room. Ludwik’s icy glare made him uncomfortable, and without a word, Felix quickly made his exit.
Ludwik picked up his coat, his face emanating a chill. “Damn,” he muttered under his breath, heading toward the door.
“Where are you off to in such a fury?” Natalie called after him as he stormed out.
Meanwhile, at the Imperial Garden Bar, Tiana had gone to the restroom and was not yet back. Whitney was about to check on her when Tiana burst into the room with an odd look on her face. “Whitney! Guess what I just caught on camera?” she said excitedly, waving her phone.
Whitney stepped outside to see what was so urgent. Tiana showed her the screen, revealing a shot of Roselyn pacing anxiously outside an exclusive Presidential Suite. Roselyn’s face was red with a mix of cold fury and determination.
The suite number was 088.
Tiana raised an eyebrow. “Preston came here to drown his sorrows, stumbling drunk right into the suite but forgetting to close the door!”
Whitney’s expression froze as she recognized the suite. She knew it was Preston’s regular business room at the Imperial Garden Bar. Suite 088—no small feat for anyone to get access to.
Tiana clicked her tongue, her expression complex. “You didn’t see that coming, did you?”
Whitney narrowed her eyes, connecting the dots. “With all the Valentine family drama today, it must’ve been a spur-of-the-moment decision.”
Roselyn had gone all out. “I mean, if it were me, I couldn’t do it—not with someone older than my dad, even if he keeps in shape.”
Whitney scoffed softly. “Monica made a fool of her at the Golden Hue Bar just the other day. Roselyn’s path to wealth crumbled, and now she’s after Monica. But I didn’t expect her to be so bold.”
Tiana eyed Whitney’s reaction closely. “Preston’s your dad. With Roselyn doing this, you’re not going to—”
Whitney let out a bitter laugh. “What kind of father would let his own daughter suffer like this? Tiana, I’m starting to doubt whether he’s really my father at all.”
Tiana nodded thoughtfully. “Even if there’s something off, they’ll never tell you the truth.”
Whitney’s voice turned icy. “That’s why I have to get my revenge first. Once I’ve taken down the Valentines one by one, the truth I’m after will finally surface.”
She smiled calmly, an air of determination settling over her. “I don’t have to worry about undermining Roselyn. She’s sharpened her own knife, and now the Valentine family is going to spiral into chaos.”
Tiana grinned, imagining the priceless look on Yvonne’s face when she found out. “It’s better this way. Let them handle their own mess!”
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Whitney, Simon was also in one of the private lounges at the Imperial Garden Bar. Monica, desperate to find him and make things right, had barely managed to get inside with her face covered. With her name still trending and more scandals leaking out, she was immediately recognized on the streets.
She was relieved to find Simon, but there he was—drunk and alone, slumped across the table. Monica hurried over, her voice sweetened with intent to mend fences and plead her case. But before she could speak, she noticed a photo of Whitney on Simon’s phone screen—a photo taken before her abduction, Whitney smiling and gazing at Simon with girlish adoration.
Monica’s heart clouded with jealousy. She pinched Simon’s arm, frustration bubbling inside her. “Simon! You still have her picture? Wake up and look at me!”
Simon stirred, his eyes barely opening, but his gaze remained fixed on the photo of Whitney. He remembered how she had dazzled at the awards ceremony, completely outshining Monica. He had always known Whitney had innate talent, and now, as he thought about it, he wondered if Ludwik had taken a liking to her, even possibly rescuing her that day.
Monica’s fury flared as Simon ignored her. “You can’t back out of our engagement!” she shouted, trying to pull him away, but he shrugged her off violently.
The commotion they caused drew the attention of others in the bar. Monica, now treated like a pariah, could sense the backlash growing. Uneasy, she stomped off in a rage, unable to stand being the center of attention any longer.
Back at the Valentine estate, she threw herself into Yvonne’s arms, sobbing with hatred and frustration. “He’s still hung up on Whitney! Will he ever marry me, Mom? That wretch, why won’t she just die? She’s made life miserable for us, and now Daddy won’t even look at us. Hasn’t he come home yet?”
It was already 2 a.m., and Yvonne had no idea where Preston had gone. Over the years, she had kept him on a tight leash, cutting off all his little flings. But tonight, Yvonne felt an unsettling unease. Where could Preston possibly be, especially since he hadn’t been answering her calls?
Deep down, Yvonne loathed Whitney, her jealousy simmering beneath the surface. Whitney had waltzed into the Valentine family’s life, demanding everything she desired, leaving her own family in ruins. Yvonne had never felt so desperate.
This wasn’t over. Yvonne wasn’t about to concede defeat so easily. She still had an ace up her sleeve.
At ten past midnight, a luxury car with a chilling aura pulled up outside the Imperial Garden Bar. Felix opened the door swiftly, and a tall man with long legs stepped out of the vehicle, his gaze hardening at the sight of the bar’s neon sign.
So, this was where the young madam had decided to spend her time.
Felix silently crossed his fingers, hoping the young madam’s rebellious spirit wasn’t about to cause trouble.
As Ludwik made his way toward the entrance, his gaze inadvertently caught sight of a scene inside the bar. The crowd was drunk and rowdy, but amidst the chaos, one woman’s face stood out. Her porcelain skin glowed under the dim lights, and she wore a tight-fitting dress that accentuated her sculpted legs. She was holding a drunken friend, chatting with another man, her laughter sparkling like a delicate provocation.
Ludwik’s lips tightened into an icy line. His eyes narrowed as his gaze settled on her.
Felix lowered his eyes, sensing the tension rising.
