Chapter 6 Then I Am the Other Woman

Valerie wanted nothing more than to kick Laura out of her office. The woman stood there in a pristine white dress, her hair intricately braided to the side, looking every bit the picture of innocence.

But as the project lead for Aurelia Holdings, Valerie had to maintain her composure and professionalism. Any scandal could ruin her.

Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself. "Ms. Johnson, if you're here looking for Wayne, you're in the wrong place."

"I'm not here for him. I'm here for you." Laura bit her lower lip, her expression sincere as she gave a small bow. "I came to apologize."

Valerie was taken aback. She narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing Laura's seemingly harmless demeanor, but found it hard to stay angry.

"You didn't do anything wrong. Why are you apologizing to me?"

"No!" Laura's voice trembled with emotion. "If I had known Wayne was with you before his proposal to me, I would never have accepted."

Laura's agitation was palpable. "This is my fault. I'm here to ask for your forgiveness."

The word "proposal" felt like a knife twisting in Valerie's heart. She remembered waiting in the freezing snow, the cold seeping into her bones. The memory brought tears to her eyes, and she quickly turned away, not wanting to show weakness in front of Laura. She needed to get rid of her as soon as possible.

"I understand. If there's nothing else, Ms. Johnson, feel free to go."

But Laura didn't move. She stood there, looking like she had more to say. Valerie's patience was wearing thin.

"Is there something else?"

Laura hesitated, watching Valerie's face carefully. She seemed unsure, almost afraid.

Valerie's irritation grew. She despised Laura's expression, as if she were bullying her, especially since she hadn't done anything wrong.

"Valerie," Laura finally spoke, a smile on her face. "As a fellow woman, I understand you."

"But I'm going to marry Wayne."

"I saw the messages he sent you."

Valerie froze, recalling the last message she had sent Wayne.

Laura tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, feigning distress. "Men are clueless about these things, but I know you understand."

"You can't force a square peg into a round hole. It's better to let things happen naturally."

Valerie fell silent. If she didn't understand Laura's meaning by now, she didn't deserve her position in the business. Did she really think she would shamelessly cling to Wayne?

Her calm facade cracked, anger replacing the bitterness. Laura's expression, a mix of the Johnson family's inherent arrogance and the innocent act she had put on earlier, was infuriating.

Valerie's face went pale as she realized Laura's apology was never sincere. It was a blatant display of triumph. She had been foolish to think Laura felt any guilt.

Knowing any further conversation would only humiliate her, Valerie forced a smile. "Yeah, letting things happen naturally is probably for the best."

"Ms. Johnson and Wayne are a perfect match. I wish you both a long and happy life together."

Her voice was hoarse, the words painful to say. She had once imagined those blessings for herself and Wayne.

Laura was stunned. "Aren't you going to curse me out?"

"Curse you?" Valerie's smile was bitter. "Why would I curse a perfect couple? I genuinely wish you happiness."

"Even though I took your fiancé, you don't hate me?"

"If he could be taken, he was never meant to be mine."

"You're just going to give up on all those years together?"

"If those years meant anything—" Valerie paused, her gaze mocking. "You wouldn't be here apologizing."

Laura's expression shifted, unable to retort. The scene she had hoped for wasn't happening, and she was frustrated.

She scowled, no longer hiding her disdain.

"Hypocrite," she muttered before storming out.

Valerie didn't react, as if she hadn't heard Laura's parting words. She sat back at her desk, staring at the pile of documents, unable to focus on work.

As the workday ended, Valerie left Aurelia Holdings, only to see another person she didn't want to face.

She paused, feeling a surge of anger. Was this never going to end?

Before she could find a way to avoid him, Wayne spotted her.

"Valerie!"

She stopped, resigned, and walked over to him.

"Shouldn't you be with Laura? What do you want from me?"

"Aren't you worried she'll cry to you again?"

Wayne's face darkened. "So you did treat her badly!"

"I told her not to come apologize. It wasn't her fault, but she insisted!"

"If you have a problem, take it out on me, not her."

Valerie was exasperated. She hadn't done anything to Laura.

Looking at Wayne's tense and defiant posture, it seemed as if she really was the one bullying Laura.

Valerie couldn't help but recall the times she had been bullied. Except for that one time when she almost became a bar girl, Wayne had always just brushed off the other incidents.

Right now, Laura was just trying to have a chat with her, yet Wayne was so anxious. Once again, Wayne made her realize that there are indeed differences between she and Laura.

"I didn't do anything to her."

"How is that possible!" Wayne retorted without a second thought. "I know I was wrong to propose to her after standing you up, but that's no reason to bully her."

"You know what you promised me that day, right?" Valerie's voice shook with anger and pain. "What am I to you? The original? The other woman? Or is Laura the other woman?"

Wayne's face twisted. "Laura isn't—don't say that!"

"Right," Valerie nodded. "So I'm the other woman."

"No—"

He tried to explain, but a clear voice interrupted.

"Who dares to bully my Valerie?"

They both turned to see Howard being wheeled over by Joseph. Valerie met his eyes, quickly wiping her tears, but her voice still trembled. "What are you doing here?"

Howard's gaze was cold as he looked at Wayne. "I couldn't just let you be bullied, could I?"