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Chapter 5 The Real Mrs. Valence

Fifteen percent. That's almost as much as the major shareholders in the company.

But Christopher agreed without a second thought, even adding an extra five percent. No hesitation.

I never expected him to say yes. To most, I'm just the average Jane marrying into wealth.

Christopher's dad, Charlie Valence, certainly thought so. His buddies do, too. And Christopher himself? He's harder to read.

I softened my expression, eyes locked on his. "You really mean it? Dad won't agree."

He wrapped me in an embrace, inhaling deeply. "You're not an outsider. Besides, in the Valence family, I call the shots."

I had to admit, money is a powerful thing. Fifteen percent of the Valence Group shares easily doused my morning's anger.

There's wisdom in the notion: A man who spent on you might not love you, but one who wouldn’t, surely didn’t.

A sudden urge to compare hit me. I smiled, "What about Evelyn? Would you give her the same?"

Christopher paused, then answered firmly, "No. Legally, Evelyn has no claim to the Valence Group. All I can give her is a job."

He pulled me close, his voice steady above my head. "I'll have Donald Quill bring the transfer agreement this afternoon. You were impressive today. I didn't know you were friends with Mr. Grimaldi."

"There's a lot you don't know," I said, rolling my eyes. "I'll talk to Valencia. Hopefully, today's events won't mess up their partnership with the Valence Group."

"Thanks, babe." He planted a kiss on me. "It's Bentley's 80th birthday tonight. We need to go to the Valence family manor. I'll meet you in the parking lot after work."

"Got it."

I wasn't about to refuse. A thought crossed my mind, and I made a decision. "Honey, I've got a surprise for you tonight."

A few days ago, his lie about the necklace made me unsure if I should tell him about the pregnancy.

But since he knows the difference between me and Evelyn, I shouldn't keep it a secret.

After Christopher left, there was another knock on my office door.

Elissa walked in cautiously, looking conflicted. "Hope, are you okay?"

"I'm fine now." With those shares, I could never earn that much as a design director.

Elissa was indignant. "You might be fine, but Evelyn's on cloud nine. She just waltzed in as the new design director. Can you believe it? Hope, you and Christopher..."

She trailed off, maybe remembering the "forget-your-feelings" water I drank in the break room. She finally realized something had changed in my marriage with Christopher.

I filled Elissa in on everything that happened over the past couple of days, gently rubbing my belly. "I want to give this baby a happy family, so I'll do my best to sort things out with Christopher. But if he betrays me, I won't stick around."

Elissa's eyes welled up with tears. "Hope, I support whatever you decide! Don't worry about the baby. As long as I'm here, you two will never want for anything."

Her words warmed my heart. Elissa's friendship was a treasure.

By evening, I slipped the pregnancy test results into my bag, ready to tell Christopher he was going to be a dad.

The elevator took me straight to the underground parking lot, and I easily found the black Bugatti.

After waiting for nearly half an hour, there was no sign of Christopher. Instead, his assistant, Donald Quill, rushed over.

Donald opened the back door and gestured for me to get in. Then he took the driver's seat and handed me an agreement. "Mr. Valence had an urgent matter. He asked me to take you home. This is the share transfer agreement. It's in duplicate, and Mr. Valence has already signed it. Just sign your copy and keep it."

"Alright."

I skimmed through the agreement, signed my name, and handed one copy back to Donald with a polite smile. "Thanks for the trouble."

As autumn set in, the days grew shorter and the nights longer.

By the time the car pulled into the Valence family manor, dusk had already fallen.

The house was decked out with birthday decorations, creating a festive atmosphere.

Once Donald parked the car, I grabbed my bag and got out.

At the entrance, Christopher was in a three-piece suit, his hair perfectly slicked back, showing off his handsome features. He was surrounded by guests, mostly Valence Group partners, exchanging pleasantries.

"Mr. Valence, you're so young and accomplished. The Valence Group has thrived under your leadership."

So, Christopher's urgent matter was playing host. I chuckled to myself and was about to walk over when I saw Evelyn wrap her arms around his.

Evelyn, looking every bit the lady of the house, seamlessly joined their conversation. "Hello, welcome."

The guests, not knowing who Christopher's wife was, assumed Evelyn was Mrs. Valence.

"Oh my, Mrs. Valence is so elegant and beautiful. Mr. Valence, you're a lucky man."

Christopher's expression remained neutral, not denying it, as he guided them towards the banquet hall. "This way, please."

I couldn't help but laugh silently and walked up to Christopher, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "So, this is the famous Mrs. Valence?"

Christopher saw me and was about to speak, but I cut him off. "Mr. Valence, you didn't mention having a wife when you were in my bed last night."

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