Chapter 178

Melvin had indeed shielded Kate too well when he was alive. She had no idea any of this had happened. Lucius gave her a brief, measured account—how he had been forced into marriage with Valerie, and the thing Gustavo had later revealed about the past. When he finished, Kate looked astonished. "So, a year ago, you married a woman you didn't even know?" At the mention of Valerie, Lucius' expression softened. "Yes. She was chosen for me by Father before he passed away. She's a few years younger than I am, studies at Arcton University, and is very beautiful." He had seen countless attractive faces, but Valerie's beauty was something else entirely—something that defied his expectations. Kate caught the gleam in Lucius' eyes. "Luc, do you like her?" He pondered for a moment before answering, "She's different. Being with her feels easy." Valerie was independent and brilliant, calm in the face of problems, and always full of surprises. It was hard not to be drawn to her. Kate smiled. "