For the first ti, he felt a deep reluctance creeping in. Then, at that mont, his gaze landed on Valentina fully.
She stood there, unaffected by Maria’s words, or at least pretending to be. There was a quiet strength in her posture, a presence that was undeniably different from Chloe’s. She didn’t need to declare anything or prove her worth—she simply existed with an elegance that spoke for itself.
At that mont a flicker of sothing stirred in his chest.
Was he really making the right decision?
For a split second, it was as if ti had rewound. The Valentina he had once known, the woman he had secretly admired for so long, stood right in front of him.
But this wasn’t just the Valentina from the past—this was a version of her that was even more breathtaking. Every feature, every movent, every glance carried an effortless elegance that left him montarily speechless.
Seeing her for the first ti on the cctv caras was sothing else, but now in person he couldn’t take his eyes off her.
His chest tightened. She’s even more beautiful than before...
For years, he had tried to suppress it—the feelings, the admiration, the quiet yearning that had remained buried within him. If not for that accident, if not for the burn that had scarred her, things would have turned out differently.
Their families had subtly hinted at it, the chemistry would have been undeniable, and the way they had looked at each other had said more than words ever could.
But he hadn’t been able to open up to her back then. He had been a coward. And when she disappeared from his life, he convinced himself it was for the best.
Yet here she was now, standing just a few feet away, as if the universe had decided to throw her back into his path.
At that mont his fingers twitched, the ghosts of what-ifs lingering in his mind.
Then, suddenly, a prickling sensation made him shift his gaze.
Chloe.
She was watching him, her expression was unreadable, her lips pressed together ever so slightly.
Liam swallowed, quickly schooling his face back into neutrality.
Imdiately Liam turned away, forcing his gaze to settle anywhere but on Valentina.
He couldn’t afford to slip—not here, not now. The past was the past, and whatever had once been between them was long buried. Or at least, that’s what he told himself.
However Chloe saw it, the flicker in his eyes. The hesitation. The mont of weakness.
And in that instant, all her suspicions were confird.
At that mont her chest burned with a quiet rage, her nails digging into her palm as she clenched her fist. So this was it. This was the real reason Liam had been so distant, why he had suddenly found endless reasons to postpone their wedding. It wasn’t just the contract alone. It wasn’t just work, It was her.
Valentina.
That woman had ruined everything again. She had reappeared out of nowhere, slipping back into their lives like an unwanted ghost, like a shadow that refused to disappear.
At that mont Chloe’s lips curled in silent fury.
"She’s trying to take him away from ."
Her mind raced, venomous thoughts swirling.
She doesn’t even have to do anything. Just by existing, just by breathing in the sa space as them, she had already begun tearing Chloe’s world apart.
She bit her tongue, holding back the urge to lash out. Not here. Not yet.
But deep down, a realization settled like poison in her veins—Valentina was going to outshine her.
Just like she always did.
At that mont Maria’s lips curled in irritation, her eyes narrowing as she glared at the receptionist.
"How dare you?" she scoffed, lifting her chin as if the re thought of being grouped with Valentina and Raymond was beneath her.
"Do you not see the class difference here? Do you not understand who we are?"
The receptionist, though composed, remained firm.
"Madam, this is our company policy. Everyone who enters here is required to present a VIP card. If Mr. Raymond and Miss Valentina are here, it ans they have already been verified by our security. We cannot make exceptions."
Imdiately Maria’s nostrils flared, but before she could explode, Chloe leaned in close and whispered, her voice sharp with suspicion.
"Mother," she murmured, her words barely audible, "sothing doesn’t add up. If they needed a VIP card to get in, and they’re here..."
She trailed off, letting the implication sink in.
Then Maria’s expression darkened.
Chloe’s eyes flicked toward Raymond and Valentina, a newfound curiosity burning in her gaze.
How did they get in?
As they moved deeper into the dealership, Chloe’s sharp whisper cut through the air.
"Just let them in already," she muttered to her mother. "If we’re going to disgrace Valentina, we might as well start now."
Maria, narrowing her eyes, smirked. "Fine, let’s see how this plays out."
The saleswoman nodded politely, gesturing toward the VIP section. "Right this way, please."
With that, the group started walking toward the luxury showcase area, their steps echoing against the pristine showroom floor. Maria and Chloe strutted confidently, their expressions laced with smug amusent, convinced that Valentina and Raymond would make fools of themselves.
Valentina, however, carried herself with quiet poise, her heels clicking softly as she walked beside Raymond. She wasn’t about to let their whispers get to her. She had been through worse.
Raymond, on the other hand, seed completely unbothered. His gaze lingered on Valentina, admiration flickering in his eyes as he leaned toward her slightly.
"You look breathtaking today," he said, his voice smooth yet firm.
Imdiately Valentina turned to him, a little surprised by the sudden complint.
"This dress," he continued, eyeing the elegant fabric hugging her figure, "fits you perfectly. But even if you were wearing rags, you’d still be the most beautiful woman here."
His words were gentle yet filled with undeniable certainty, making Valentina’s heart skip a beat.
"Raymond," she whispered, shaking her head slightly.
He smirked, as if reading her thoughts.
"I an it. And I’m going to make sure you leave here with a car that matches your beauty and your standards."
His voice was confident, unshaken by the onlookers who had overheard his words. So scoffed. Others, like Chloe, clenched their fists. Maria simply rolled her eyes.
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