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Chapter_69
Preston couldn’t shake off Yvonne. He knew she had too much leverage and too many secrets, and he couldn’t afford to ignore her just yet. As the Valentine Corporation teetered on the edge of collapse and Yvonne’s uncle—a man who had invested heavily in the corporation—loomed large, Preston finally recalled the true power Yvonne held. His face darkened as he moved to help her up, but Yvonne, brimming with resentment, brushed his hand away with a cold glare.
Straightening herself, she made her way upstairs with an air of quiet dignity. “You’d better remember who can save the Valentine Corporation in its hour of need,” she warned, her voice sharp. “Be grateful, Preston.”
Later that evening, Yvonne arrived at a luxury hotel and knocked on a door. The man who answered was older, perhaps in his fifties or sixties, overweight and ostentatiously dressed. His eyes lit up when he saw Yvonne. “Ah, my dear niece, you’ve come!” he greeted, his voice smooth.
Yvonne pushed his wandering hands away with a playful scold, “Uncle Kyler, let me in first. We’ll talk inside.”
“Talk” was perhaps an understatement for what happened next. Kyler, a wealthy man running a large company in Emperor City, was a figure from Yvonne’s past when she was involved in the entertainment industry. However, it wasn’t Kyler she was truly interested in. Her sights were set on his wife’s prestigious family—the Bartels of Emperor City, a clan known for its immense wealth and power. The Bartels made her hometown of Banyan City seem insignificant by comparison.
Over the years, Yvonne had been working tirelessly to ingratiate herself with the Bartels, claiming to be a niece of theirs to gain influence and social standing. She was proud of her supposed connection to the family, and now, in her moment of desperation, she was relying on it.
“Uncle Kyler, you must help me,” she implored tearfully. “Please, talk to the Bartels. My daughter and I are in dire straits.”
Her charm worked, securing a staggering $500 million investment for the Valentine Corporation. The following day, Kyler brought good news—he had arranged for the Bartels’ heiress to meet with them, moved by their plight.
Yvonne’s heart swelled with pride. This was her chance to make a significant leap in society. She had never dreamed she would get to meet Elaine Bartels, the renowned and influential member of the family. Monica was equally stunned. “Mom, is that the cousin you’ve always mentioned? The one who’s so powerful?”
Yvonne, still basking in the excitement, nodded. “Yes, Elaine is the one I’ve told you about. She’s the most powerful and influential of them all.”
The excitement in the air was palpable as they awaited Elaine’s arrival at the Valentine Mansion. A sleek Maserati pulled up, and Monica—expecting a woman of modest tastes—was taken aback when Elaine stepped out, exuding an air of effortless aristocracy and confidence. She was as beautiful as Whitney, if not more so, with a presence that commanded respect.
Monica couldn’t help but notice the luxurious watch Elaine wore, understated yet clearly of immense value. The contrast between their family’s humble surroundings and Elaine’s polished elegance was jarring.
Inside the mansion, Elaine was unfazed by the grandeur of the place, sipping her coffee with a discerning air. Kyler, nervous, stammered, “Elaine Bartels, welcome.”
“Leave us alone,” Elaine instructed with a calm authority.
Kyler quickly complied, stepping aside.
Elaine turned to Yvonne and Monica, her voice soft but measured. “I’ve heard about your situation, and while I’m moved by your predicament, I’m not doing this out of pure charity. Who are you up against?”
“Whitney,” Monica replied, venom thick in her voice.
Elaine smiled, a playful gleam in her eye. “I hear you’ve been caught up in a plagiarism scandal. But don’t worry,” she added, her tone coldly reassuring, “I can make sure you stay in the competition and even turn things around for you. But there’s a condition: you will follow my instructions without question, keep my involvement a secret, and always know your place. Understood?”
Yvonne and Monica were taken aback by Elaine’s directness but were also overcome with excitement. This was exactly the opportunity they needed.
Monica, trembling with anticipation, said, “I’ll do whatever it takes, Cousin Elaine. Just help me stay in the competition and crush Whitney.”
Elaine nodded, pulling a design draft from her bag and placing it on the table. “This is your comeback design. Study it well. In two days, you’ll present it live. Don’t fail me.”
Monica looked at the design in awe. “Cousin Elaine, this is even better than Whitney’s work! Are you a jewelry designer too?”
Elaine smirked, her eyes cold. “What is Whitney compared to me? With my support, you just need to follow my lead, and Whitney will be out of the picture.”
Monica felt a chill creep up her spine as she observed Elaine’s calculating expression. She was more than just a benefactor—Elaine was a woman with a plan, and she was about to make things happen in a way that Monica had never imagined.
Eager to show gratitude, Yvonne invited Elaine to dinner, and Monica offered her a tour of the Valentine Mansion. Elaine’s interest was piqued when she asked, “Where is Whitney’s bedroom?”
Monica frowned. Was Elaine familiar with Whitney? Did she have a grudge against her as well? This could work to their advantage.
As they passed Monica’s room, Elaine’s sharp eyes caught sight of a striking jade half-ring on the wall. “What’s this?” she asked, stepping into the room with an air of interest.
Monica, suddenly uneasy, explained, “It’s a half-ring Whitney left behind. I took it because it looked valuable. Too bad it’s incomplete, or it could’ve fetched a fortune at auction.”
Elaine’s eyes narrowed as she inspected the ring. Her expression shifted, and then she smiled, a hint of something unsettling in her eyes. “I like it, Monica. Would you give it to me?”
Monica, eager to please, replied instantly, “Of course! I’d give you anything, Cousin Elaine. Mom and I are loyal to you.”
Elaine’s smile widened, and she clutched the half-ring tightly in her palm, as though she had just secured a prize. Beneath the warmth of her smile, a cold resolve simmered. “Good. Now, tell me—does Whitney know about medication?”
Monica stiffened, her voice turning icy. “Who knows? Her mother always kept her shrouded in mystery. But one thing’s for sure—she rarely gets sick.”
Elaine’s eyes gleamed with a sharp, calculating focus. As she descended the stairs, a thought crossed her mind—her search for Whitney had just taken a darker turn. The half-ring, the object of her obsession, had once belonged to Whitney. It was a symbol of her past, one that she had unknowingly let slip through her fingers.
But now, as she held it in her palm, the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place. Elaine knew that Whitney had to be eliminated—she was a threat, a rival who had occupied Ludwik’s heart for too long.
Her gaze hardened, and she smiled once more, this time with a chilling intent. Whitney would go down. She had been searching for her all along, and now, it seemed, she had finally found her.
