Albert nodded slightly with a smile. He was again very happy with how graciously she comported
herself under the circumstances. She was sensible and reasonable. "It's rare to have a daughter-in-law
who is so well behaved. You should treat her well in the future. Don't try to find fault with your family
members for an irrelevant outsider." He had made it very clear that he didn't want Valery to become a
member of the Rong family.
Mary held her tongue and sulked in silence. She knew very well that Albert bore a grudge against
Elizabeth because of the fact that Elizabeth had kicked Luce out of his life. However, he had never
shown it.
Perhaps that explained why he didn't like Valery and why he supported Essie.
Noticing his wife's silence, Albert did not address her again and left her to reflect on her actions. He
turned his back on her and walked away with Walt and Essie.
"Brother, Daddy, please don't tell Zac about what happened today. I don't want their relationship to turn
sour because of me," Essie pleaded as they walked back to the mansion. She already knew that they
wouldn't talk to Zac about it, but she asked them this favor to showcase her tolerance and generosity.
That way, she wouldn't be blamed if the relationship between Zac and his mother deteriorated.
Albert nodded with appreciation in his eyes.
As the future hostess of the Rong family, she should be generous, tolerant, and magnanimous. Mary
was narrow-minded and vindictive. If it were not for the sake of keeping the family secrets, he would
not have tolerated her like this.
As soon as she was back in her room, Essie placed some ice on her face, lest Zac came back and see
the reddened hand print on her face. Since Albert had already helped her clear the air, letting Zac
chastise his mother once he saw her face would be counterproductive.
After exiting the Emperor building, Zac headed to the hospital to visit Valery.
Valery was looking forward to seeing him. The moment she saw him, her tears started streaming down
her face.
"Zac, we nearly lost our child. I was so scared," she whimpered pitifully.
"It's okay now. Just be careful in the future," Zac said in an emotionless tone.
"If someone wants to hurt my child, I will be careful not to fall under the same trap," Valery said bitterly.
To Valery, it was definitely Essie who planned everything to get her to miscarry her child in the hopes of
getting rid of the baby. Luckily, God blessed her and the baby and thwarted that evil woman's plan.
With a somber expression on his face, Zac told her, "Don't place the blame on others. This accident
happened because you lack common sense, and that servant who served you wasn't exactly the
sharpest tool in the shed."
The corners of Valery's mouth twitched violently.
After being scolded by Albert, Mary had called her and warned her not to mention this matter again,
which would needlessly provoke Zac. But she couldn't stand it anymore; obviously, Essie had done it.
Why did she still have to put up with that woman?
"Are you going to wait until she actually manages to kill your child before you could see her for what
she really is?" So impassioned was she in her hatred that she was nearly screaming.
A cold, cruel light flashed in Zac's eyes. He spoke with thinly-veiled anger, "Valery, do you think that I
am completely unaware of the tricks you have been playing behind my back? You think I didn't know
that you sent me that video? I let you have your way for the baby's sake. Once the baby has been
born, you're on your own." His voice sounded even colder than usual.
Feeling as if a layer of her own skin had been peeled off, Valery turned so pale, and even her lips
trembled with fear.
Her terror left her speechless and frozen in place, and her reaction made Zac even more irritated. He
said, "If you want to stay in the Rong family, you have to be honest. Otherwise, I won't go easy on you."
Every word was full of warning.
After saying his piece, he stood up and walked out. He could feel his energy flag the more he looked at
her.
When he arrived at home and saw Essie, his heavy heart lightened and was filled with warmth.
In front of a worktable, Essie was busily cutting fabric. Zac walked towards her, hugged her from
behind, and rested his chin on her shoulder.
"Don't bother me. One wrong snip, and this entire cloth will be useless."
"You are a talented designer, so I'm sure you'd be able to remedy that and make another style out of it,"
he murmured with a slight smile.
"Stop flattering me. I won't buy it." Essie turned around and poked him on the forehead.
"Then, what do you want? So, should I be gentle or domineering? Take your pick." He smiled evilly and
began to let his hands roam her body.
"What are you doing? I'm working," she retorted as she playfully swatted away his mischievous hands.
"Play with me first, then work." His low voice was bewitching her, hypnotizing her to allow him any
liberties he wanted to take...
She shook her head. "No! Get out! Don't bother me!" She turned around and pushed him gently. She
was so weak against his charm that her action only seemed like coy demurral.
With a naughty smile playing on his face, Zac swept away the table's contents in one sweeping
gesture.
Walt headed toward Essie's studio. He stood by the door, fully intending to check in on her, but he
abruptly stopped in his tracks as the faint sounds of lovemaking filtered through the closed door.
He stood there, teeth clenched, veins popping on his forehead, and eyes burning with a jealous rage.
She was supposed to be his woman! She should have been in his arms right now, if only his brother
didn't steal her away.
The resentment in his heart, which was not even small to begin with, grew another layer.
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