Chapter 172

Lucius studied Valerie closely, his gaze intent. "Are you still angry about the puzzle ball?" It would make sense if she were. No woman would be pleased to see her husband keeping a gift from an ex. Valerie blinked, confused. "The puzzle ball? What about it?" Her thoughts were clearly elsewhere. She grabbed her phone, turned it on, and immediately, a flood of messages and missed calls filled the screen. The first voice message on WhatsApp was from Kieran. "Val, what's going on over there? Your phone's off, and you're not answering messages. Are you taking advantage of the fact that I'm out of town and can't show up to check on you myself? "I saw what Marnie said about you. That woman's twisting the truth. Someone needs to teach her a lesson, and I—" Valerie stopped the playback midway and replied simply, "I can handle it. Mind your own business." Next came a message from Everett. "Val, the firm's ready to file a suit against the Woodwards whenever you give the word." She respo