When Valeria woke up, it was already noon and it was quiet in the villa.She headed downstairs and one
of the maids came to greet her, "Sir William has already gone to work.Lunch is ready.Do you want to
eat now?"
"And the others?"Valeria asked offhandedly.
"Ms.Anthony and Lucas went out for errands and they probably won’ t be back for lunch today."
"Okay then, I'll have lunch now" answered Valeria.
Upon hearing that, the maid went to serve lunch at the dining table.
Valeria only had a few bites of food before she heard the sound of a car coming to a stop from the
driveway.
It was Lucas, Paisley, and Danya returning from their trip.
One after another, the three of them walked through the front door, where the maid waited to ask,
"Welcome back! Have you had anything for lunch yet?"
"No," Lucas simply replied.
Meanwhile, Paisley and Danya’s eyes fell on Valeria, who was sitting in the dining room.
Embarrassed, Valeria regretted not waiting a little longer, which she would have done if she had known
that they would come back for lunch.
As her mouth fell open to explain, the maid said, "It's my bad.Miss Brown asked if the three of you
would be back for lunch.I thought you wouldn't, so I suggested that she should eat first."
Lucas smiled, "It's alright.We didn't think we would be back in time for lunch either.We're back because
something came up, and we need to go to the company later.Ms.Anthony, please eat something .We'll
go to the office once you've finished your lunch."
Paisley nodded and walked towards the table with a smile.
She even warmly greeted Valeria, to which Valeria responded with a grin.
Meanwhile, Danya was following close behind Paisley, and she frowned at Valeria, "Miss Brown, have
you just woke up?"
"Yes, “ Valeria nodded.
"Looks like you've taken the phrase ‘make yourself at home' literally, Miss Brown" Danya scorned.
Valeria glanced at Danya when she heard what she said and she was confused to see her disdainful
look.
Valeria was sure that she had never done wrong to Danya, so she couldn't fathom why Danya was
being so hostile to her.
Valeria's smile faded, and she decided to resume her meal as she ignored Danya.
Danya’s face darkened.
In her opinion, Paisley was intelligent, talented, and good- looking, so she obviously outclassed Valeria
no matter how Danya looked at it.
Danya just couldn't see what William had seen in Valeria.
Thinking of this, Danya decided to goad Valeria.
After all, William had left the villa, and Lucas was their ally.
So, she pulled a smile and continued, "Miss Brown, you're from B City , right? I remember reading the
news about a plagiarizing designer from B City that has the same surname as you.It wouldn't be you,
would it?"
Danya didn't mind if Valeria didn't react to her provocation.She only wanted to hit Valeria where it hurt
because Valeria was, in fact, a woman surrounded by scandals.
Her dad, Ronald, had a mistress, and Valeria herself was accused of plagiarism.
She had to realize that she was in no competition with Paisley.
Although Valeria was later clarified that she didn't plagiarize, no one could prove the credibility of the
clarification given because of the relationship between William and her.
As far as Danya was concerned, William might have settled the dispute with his money.
The more Danya thought about it, the more she felt that she had hit Valeria's nerves in the right spots.
Therefore, she continued with feigned genuineness, "Why did you do that? Or were you wrongly
blamed?"
Just as Danya had done speaking, Valeria looked up from her plate, and she peered at Danya,
"Haven't you learned about table manners? Or did your employers not train you in that?"
Danya was flustered, and Valeria stopped eating.
"Plus, you should know what happened in the end if you read the news, shouldn't you? You'd know that
the Howard Group had apologized for their baseless accusation if you paid any attention to the
news.Anyway, I believe you're old enough to know your place.Who are you to be pointing fingers in my
business? Do I know you?"
Valeria's unambiguous and unsparing speech had startled Lucas.
He had always thought Valeria to be a docile woman, but it seemed like even a worm would turn.
At the same time, Danya was trembling with anger after listening to Valeria's upbraiding.
However, Danya couldn't talk back because she was the one who brought it to herself.
Besides, Valeria was right.
In Valeria's eyes, Danya was a nobody, and she wasn't wrong to tell Danya off for putting her nose into
something that was none of her business.
Danya’s reckless behavior had brought shame to Paisley, too.
Since Valeria had pointed out that Danya was only someone who served, Paisley couldn't exactly say
anything to warrant Danya.
Not only that, but Paisley must also take Valeria's side in this matter.
So, she sternly said, "Danya, what's wrong with you? You've upset Miss Brown.Apologize to her, now!"
Paisley only said that in the hope that Valeria would let the matter go for her sake, and she wouldn't
insist on making Danya apologize.
However, Valeria did the opposite of what Paisley had intended.
Still holding her cutlery, Valeria stared at Danya, waiting for Danya's apology.
Danya gulped in frustration, but she still said, "I'm sorry, Miss Brown.I shouldn't pry into your business
in the future.I won't do that anymore."
Since Danya and Paisley had lost face, Valeria enjoyed her food in peace for the rest of the meal and
she treated Danya as she wasn't there.
After lunch, Paisley and Lucas left the villa together, saying they were going to the company to help
William.
Meanwhile, Valeria was walking upstairs.
She couldn't shake the strange feeling she had when she heard that Paisley was going to the company
with Lucas.
Then, she recalled Paisley's provocation on the cruise ship a few days ago, and she couldn't help but
frown.
Paisley admitted that she liked William and she had also said that Hayden was fond of her.
Valeria couldn't help but doubt the true purpose of Paisley's trip to Sydney.
It was too much of a coincidence for Paisley to run into William after being mugged and then moved
into the villa, all on William and Valeria's first day in Sydney.
And now, Paisley was even going to the company with Lucas, namely to help William out.She usually
wasn't one to think so much about something.
Yet now, she had to be.
Valeria picked up her phone and called William.She didn't wait long before William answered the call,
"Have you rested well?"
"I did.I have something to ask you.Why is Lucas bringing Ms.Anthony to the company?"
"We're going to collaborate with an Italian company, and we're in need of an Italian interpreter for the
meeting with them later in the afternoon.Since Ms.Anthony speaks Italian, we've decided to ask for her
help."
"I see"
Valeria wasn't convinced.
It might be true that William didn't feel anything for Paisley.
But it didn't necessarily mean that Paisley felt the same for William.
Valeria was tricked once by Mason, so naturally, she wouldn't want to be tricked in the same way again.
She asked, "Say, what do you think about Ms.Anthony?"
"She's fine, I guess?" William replied indifferently.
"She's such an extraordinary woman and your impression of her is just fine?"
Valeria urged and not buying William's half-hearted answer.
"Hey, she can outshine the sun for all I care.It's none of my business! "
William laughed.
"Now, did you call me just to discuss how bright Ms.Anthony is?"
"Of course not, I just...I think Ms.Anthony likes you."
Valeria hesitated, but she finally got it off her chest.
William replied, "Look at me! I'm smart and handsome.Isn't it normal for women to fall for me?"
62fb1bb41dcb31934bd49bda