Mated to My Fiancé’s Alpha King Brother

29 Chapter 29

Valerie’s POV 1

Anna had been working at Nightshadow Industries for three days now, and every evening brought delicious updates that made my

vindictive heart sing with satisfaction. She’d call me after work, her voice bubbling with malicious excitement as she described how

perfectly her plan was unfolding.

“You should see her face, Val,” Anna had whispered into the phone last night, her voice carrying that familiar note of cruel pleasure I

remembered so well from our school days. “Every time I dump more work on her desk, every time I make her fetch my coffee, she looks

like she wants to strangle me. But she can’t do anything about it because precious Damien thinks I’m his long-lost love.”

I’d laughed until my sides hurt, imagining that pathetic omega bitch scrambling to keep up with Anna’s demands while pretending

everything was fine. After years of watching Seraphina somehow land on her feet despite every obstacle thrown her way, it was deeply

satisfying to know she was finally getting what she deserved.

But Anna’s best discovery had come yesterday afternoon.

“I found her address,” Anna had announced triumphantly. “And get this-I know where her little bastard goes to school. Silver Moon

Harbor Elementary, just fifteen minutes from the office. The kid gets picked up every day at three-thirty by some woman named

Ophelia.”

The information had sparked an idea so perfect, so beautifully cruel, that I’d actually shivered with anticipation. If there was one thing I

knew about Seraphina Knight, it was that she would do absolutely anything to protect that child of hers. Anything.

Which was exactly what I was counting on.

Now, sitting in Gabriel’s pathetic excuse for a car outside our cramped apartment, I dialed my mother’s number with steady fingers. The

phone rang twice before Elizabeth’s familiar voice answered.

“Valerie? What do you want? I’m busy.”

“Hello to you too, Mother,” I said sweetly, injecting just enough sarcasm to let her know I wasn’t intimidated. “I called because I have

some interesting news about our dear adopted daughter.”

a pause, and I could practically hear Elizabeth’s mental gears shifting. “Seraphina?

was dead to

said, settling back in the passenger seat with a satisfied smile. “In fact, she’s doing quite

one of the most prestigious companies in Silver Moon

company,” Elizabeth snapped. “That girl chose to walk away from this family.

and

still be useful to us?” I interrupted, knowing I had to play this carefully. Elizabeth was greedy, but she

make her think the idea

1/4

time. “What do you

month. But Seraphina… she’s young, healthy, and apparently quite beautiful according to my friend who works with her.” I paused for effect. “There are men out there who would

woman like that.”

if the call had dropped. Then Elizabeth’s voice

interested than before.

“What kind of men?”

kind with deep pockets and flexible morals,” I said, my pulse quickening as

wilder days. A businessman named Harold Morrison. Very successful, very wealthy. He’s

I could

enough to cover Dad’s medical bills ten times over,” I said, knowing I had her now. “Wealthy

enough to make sure you

person would be interested

proven she can

card.

never agree,”

if she had the

hear Elizabeth’s sharp intake of breath as understanding dawned. “The

said, triumph flooding through my veins. “And I know where the boy goes to

that brisk, businesslike tone she used when she was planning something particularly unpleasant.

pulled back in a conservative style. Most

name as Seraphina’s.

see children beginning to emerge from the building in small groups, their backpacks bouncing as they ran toward waiting parents and caregivers. I made my way to the main entrance, where a tired-looking teacher with graying hair was checking off

her with my most winning smile. “I’m here to pick up my nephew, Adrian Knight. His mother had an emergency

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29 Chapter 29

teacher looked up from her clipboard, her expression politely curious. “I’m sorry, but I

And

I said, emphasizing the shared surname as I pulled out my driver’s license.

but we’re very

the matching last name.

said, my