Chapter 35
Talia’s abrupt departure left an eerie atmosphere in the Taylor’s house.
Initially, Talia had been the one eagerly pushing for the engagement to Kendrick, and now, out of the blue, she declared she wanted to call it off…
The members of the Taylor family exchanged glances. No one had anticipated that Talia, who had always been so amenable, would leave without so much as a backward glance at Kendrick.
Valerie broke the awkward silence. “Mom, Dad, please calm down. Tally is still young and doesn’t know any better. She endured a lot in prison and just couldn’t sort out her feelings right away, which is why she talked back to you…”
“Twenty–four years old and still considered young?”
David slammed his hand on the table in a fit of rage. “She’s not young anymore. She just blurts out nonsense without a second thought. Does she think she can cancel the engagement on a whim? If she actually does it, won’t that just give credence to the rumors between you and Kendrick?
“She never cares about how others will be affected!”
Valerie hung her head, her eyes welling up with tears. “As long as Talia is happy, I don’t mind taking the blame… It’s just some harsh words. At worst, I can bear it.”
Maeve, seeing Valerie like this, gently rubbed her shoulder in
Chapter 35
sympathy. “A girl’s reputation is crucial. If people wrongly assume that you’re stealing Talia’s fiance, it’ll hurt your reputation.”
Valerie pursed her lips and folded her hands in front of her.
Out of the corner of her eye, she stole a glance at Kendrick, who was sitting silently on the sofa.
He sat there, a cigarette between his well–shaped fingers, his brow furrowed slightly.
The swirls of smoke obscured his cold face, making it hard to discern his expression clearly.
His reaction was far from normal.
Valerie felt uneasy. She was just about to approach him and cajole him affectionately when Kendrick stubbed out his
cigarette and stood up.
“I’m leaving,” he said.
David and Maeve exchanged a look and quickly signaled to Valerie with a wink.
Valerie nodded and trailed after Kendrick. “It’s pouring outside. Let me walk you out.”
As soon as they were out of the room, David voiced his concern. “Do you think Kendrick will be so furious that he’ll break off the engagement with our family? His face was gloomy when he left just now.”
The Deven family was at the very top of the wealthy elite, and countless people were desperate to establish ties with them.
Chapter 35
Kendrick was the heir to the Deven family…
11 288 vouchers
He had been publicly rejected from the engagement by a woman. Wasn’t that an insult to him?
Maeve let out a sigh. “Tally is being too self–willed, but hasn’t she been like this over the years?
“Don’t worry. It’s quite normal for young people to have squabbles. In a couple of days, once she’s thought things through, she’ll take the initiative to apologize to Kendrick.”
David thought Maeve’s words made sense.
Over the years, they had witnessed Talia’s deep affection for Kendrick.
She had even been in prison, yet she still sent a letter to Kendrick every week.
They had been childhood sweethearts, and surely their seven- year relationship couldn’t be shattered so easily.
So they believed that Talia couldn’t truly want to break off the engagement; she was just throwing a tantrum out of anger.
***
Valerie set Kendrick off and reached out to straighten his suit and tie.
In the middle of adjusting it, something occurred to her, and her eyes welled up with tears.
“It’s all my fault. Tally has misunderstood again.”
Valerie hung her head, covering her face with one hand as
Chapter 35
”
tears streamed down her cheeks. “I told you I wouldn’t steal you away from her, but why is she still causing a scene with. you?
“She’s really been pampered too much and is so self–willed. She made you lose face in public. Kendrick, it’s all my fault.”
Seeing Valerie crying so sorrowfully, Kendrick took out a tissue to wipe away her tears. “Don’t shed tears for her. She doesn’t deserve it.”
Valerie pursed her lips, appearing as if she was struggling to hold back her emotions. “Don’t be like this… We’re at the gate of the Taylor’s house. What if someone sees us…
“Ken, as I’ve said before, I’ll be satisfied as long as I can just look at you from afar… Given my status, I’m not worthy to be by your side.”
Kendrick instinctively reached for another cigarette.
Remembering how prickly Talia had been just now, he couldn’t help but feel that Valerie was gentle and generous.
However, the Deven family was a noble wealthy family, and they would never permit a woman of uncertain background to become a part of their household.
Valerie’s biological parents were unknown…
His heart softened. He kissed the top of Valerie’s head. “Valerie, trust me. I won’t let you suffer these wrongs in vain.”
He had scarcely finished speaking when Kendrick glimpsed a black car parked nearby out of the corner of his eye.
vicod
Chapter 35
Reacting instantly, Kendrick released Valerie and took two steps forward.
A thought flashed through his mind, “Could that be Kayson?”
