One Night in Valeria - Chapter 11: Chapter 11
You are reading One Night in Valeria, Chapter 11: Chapter 11. Read more chapters of One Night in Valeria.
Morning after the gala Jessica's apartment the knock came at 6:13 a.m, three times firm, unapologetic. Jessica didn’t answer.
She sat on the floor, back against the wall, still in her crumpled red gown. Her mask was beside her. Cracked. Useless.
Her phone buzzed non-stop.
#VELARSCANDAL
#HALEGIRL
#BLOODINRED
She finally looked at it and what she saw made her stomach twist:
Front-page news.
A side-by-side image of Klara Hale, smiling and young… and Jessica, her daughter, standing in a crimson gown at the Legacy Gala.
History repeats itself in silk: The bastard bloodline returns to Velaria.
Velar Global Liam’s office,Liam didn’t sit. He paced, fists clenched, barking orders to his media team. You don’t let anyone mention her name again. You hear me? You drag every tabloid that prints that filth.
His assistant cleared his throat.
“Sir… the photo of Klara and Dorian. It’s real. It’s been leaked.”
Liam stopped cold.
His blood ran ice.
“How?”
“We traced it… to someone in the PR division. We think Delacourt paid him.”
Liam’s jaw flexed.
Smith.
Of course it was him.
Elsewhere — Smith’s Apartment
Smith swirled brandy in a crystal glass, watching the coverage on a massive screen. “And just like that,” he whispered, “the golden boy gets tarnished.”
He smiled. “Let’s see how long Liam protects her now.”
Jessica’s apartment midday,someone knock her door finally opened the door. But it wasn’t Liam standing there.
It was an older woman. Late 50s. Elegant. Stern. Eyes sharp like cut stone.
You’re Klara’s daughter,” the woman said. Jessica stepped back cautiously. “And you are?”
"A woman who knew both families. A friend. A warning. And maybe… a second chance."
She handed Jessica an envelope sealed in the same crest that haunted her.
He didn’t just betray your mother, Jessica. He betrayed someone else, too.
Who? Jessica whispered. Me.
Inside Liam’s car he sat in the backseat, head in his hands.
He’d seen her walk past him in the lobby earlier face blank, eyes hollow, spine straight like a soldier.
She didn’t look at him.
Didn’t even blink.
She was gone.
But he hadn’t given up.
She’s not just her mother’s daughter, he said to Celeste over the phone. No, Celeste replied. She’s stronger. Which means if she turns on us… Velaria won’t survive her.”
She sat on the floor, back against the wall, still in her crumpled red gown. Her mask was beside her. Cracked. Useless.
Her phone buzzed non-stop.
#VELARSCANDAL
#HALEGIRL
#BLOODINRED
She finally looked at it and what she saw made her stomach twist:
Front-page news.
A side-by-side image of Klara Hale, smiling and young… and Jessica, her daughter, standing in a crimson gown at the Legacy Gala.
History repeats itself in silk: The bastard bloodline returns to Velaria.
Velar Global Liam’s office,Liam didn’t sit. He paced, fists clenched, barking orders to his media team. You don’t let anyone mention her name again. You hear me? You drag every tabloid that prints that filth.
His assistant cleared his throat.
“Sir… the photo of Klara and Dorian. It’s real. It’s been leaked.”
Liam stopped cold.
His blood ran ice.
“How?”
“We traced it… to someone in the PR division. We think Delacourt paid him.”
Liam’s jaw flexed.
Smith.
Of course it was him.
Elsewhere — Smith’s Apartment
Smith swirled brandy in a crystal glass, watching the coverage on a massive screen. “And just like that,” he whispered, “the golden boy gets tarnished.”
He smiled. “Let’s see how long Liam protects her now.”
Jessica’s apartment midday,someone knock her door finally opened the door. But it wasn’t Liam standing there.
It was an older woman. Late 50s. Elegant. Stern. Eyes sharp like cut stone.
You’re Klara’s daughter,” the woman said. Jessica stepped back cautiously. “And you are?”
"A woman who knew both families. A friend. A warning. And maybe… a second chance."
She handed Jessica an envelope sealed in the same crest that haunted her.
He didn’t just betray your mother, Jessica. He betrayed someone else, too.
Who? Jessica whispered. Me.
Inside Liam’s car he sat in the backseat, head in his hands.
He’d seen her walk past him in the lobby earlier face blank, eyes hollow, spine straight like a soldier.
She didn’t look at him.
Didn’t even blink.
She was gone.
But he hadn’t given up.
She’s not just her mother’s daughter, he said to Celeste over the phone. No, Celeste replied. She’s stronger. Which means if she turns on us… Velaria won’t survive her.”
End of One Night in Valeria Chapter 11. Continue reading Chapter 12 or return to One Night in Valeria book page.