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.”

could practically hear Elizabeth’s mental gears shifting. “Seraphina? What about

little bitch was

in the passenger seat with a satisfied

the most prestigious companies in Silver Moon Harbor, living in

care if she’s the CEO of the entire damn company,” Elizabeth snapped. “That girl chose to walk away from this

and

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

her think

1/4

longer this time. “What do you

every month. But Seraphina… she’s young, healthy, and apparently quite beautiful according to my friend who works

woman like that.”

that followed was so complete I wondered if the call had dropped. Then Elizabeth’s voice came back, lower

interested than before.

“What kind of men?”

flexible morals,” I said, my pulse quickening

Very successful, very wealthy. He’s been looking

I could practically hear

ten times over,” I said, knowing I had

nice part of town. Wealthy enough to make sure you never have to worry

would be interested in

twenty-three years old, beautiful, and has already proven she can bear children. Harold

card. “The only problem is

agree,” Elizabeth said

had the right motivation.” I

sharp intake of breath as understanding

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

businesslike tone she used when she was planning something particularly unpleasant. “You’ve done well,

day, I checked my appearance in the car’s rearview mirror, making sure I looked appropriately respectable. My blonde hair was pulled back in a conservative style. Most importantly, I’d brought my identification-the driver’s license that clearly showed my legal name

last name as

ran toward waiting parents and caregivers. I made my way to the main entrance, where a

here to pick up my

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29 Chapter 29

clipboard, her expression politely curious. “I’m sorry, but I don’t

And

I said, emphasizing the shared surname as I pulled out my

but we’re

identification carefully, noting the matching last name. “I

but the line was busy,” I said, my voice taking on just the right note of