Marriage Resumption (Valeria and Hackett)

"Why are you here too? Have you already considered yourself a son-in-law of the Maddox family?" Valeria crossed her arms and looked at Kaden, mocking him.

This time, it wasn't Kaden's turn to speak. Elsie spoke first, "Kaden hasn't become a son-in-law of the Maddox family, but you haven't officially returned to the Maddox family either. What gives you the right to judge him?" Kaden looked at Elsie with gratitude in his eyes. He knew he still had feelings for her but was afraid of falling out of favor, which is why he wanted to keep his distance.

However, to be honest, Elsie wasn't trying to defend Kaden. She just didn't like Valeria.

"Elsie! How dare you talk to Valeria like that!" Clayton was furious.

Elsie had to swallow her anger, but she was seething inside.

Valeria, on the other hand, didn't get angry. She just laughed. "So, are you planning to marry Kaden? My next words might affect your relationship, so maybe your fiancé should step aside for a moment."

"I'll say it again! We don't have any plans to get married!" Elsie gritted her teeth. She didn't want anything to do with Kaden right now

"Elsie, don't argue with your sister. I'll step aside," Kaden said. He knew what Valeria was going to say, but since she asked him to step aside, he obliged.

But Elsie grabbed Kaden's arm. "You don't need to step aside! Stay here!"

Then Elsie turned to Valeria. "If you have something to say, say it in front of us. We haven't done anything wrong, and we have nothing to hide!"

Valeria laughed again, glanced at Hackett, and said, "Can I speak now?"

Hackett, with an indifferent expression, sat down on the sofa as if he had nothing to do with it. "Of course, you can. Say whatever you want. The goal is to uncover the truth."

Clayton and Loretta exchanged confused glances, completely puzzled by what these young people were talking about. "Mr. Hardin, is my kidnapping last night related to you?" Valeria didn't beat around the bush and asked directly. "Ms. Sharp, what are you saying? You can't joke about something like that. How could it possibly be related to me?" Kaden's innocent and pure appearance fooled Clayton and Loretta, but it didn't fool Hackett, who was sitting on the sofa, observing.

"So, it must be related to her sitting next to you, right?" Valeria still leaned towards the idea that everything was orchestrated by Elsie behind the scenes, as Kaden had no reason to be involved otherwise.

With this, Elsie got furious and yelled, "What nonsense are you spouting, Valeria? Don't think you can make baseless accusations just because Mom and Dad are spoiling you now!"

Elsie's heart was pounding in her chest as she feared that Kaden might say something that would implicate her.

"Why are you so nervous? I didn't say it was you," Valeria said, crossing her arms and raising her chin slightly.

"I. I'm not nervous at all! It's you who's going too far! Even though the Maddox family owes you a lot after all these years, you can't just come back and bully me!* 17.39 Wed, Nov 27 RB.

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Valeria ignored her words and continued. "The purpose of those people kidnapping ine last night was simply to prevent me from attending this family reunion banquet. Based on the current situation, whoever benefits the most from my absence is the most suspicious. Elsie was left speechless and didn't even know how to defend herself.

Loretta couldn't bear to see her two daughters hurting each othe and tried to mediate, "Valeria, you must be mistaken. How could your sister do such a thing? Over the years, she has been eagerly anticipating your return, just like the rest of us."

Clayton had been silent the whole time, watching his two daughters quarrel. He finally spoke, "Valeria, it's good that you're back. As for the people who kidnapped you last night, Hackett and I will investigate it thoroughly and provide you with an explanation. As for this banquet, we can reschedule it. In any case, I will announce your existence to the world, and no one can stop me."

Clayton's words left everyone in silence, including Elsie. Elsic even felt that her father was starting to doubt her.

"Thank you, Dad."From NôvelDrama.Org.

When Valeria said this, everyone was shocked, even Hackett had a hint of surprise on his handsome face.

Clayton and Loretta exchanged glances, filled with joy and bewilderment. Clayton looked at Valeria, "What did you call me? Say it again

Clayton was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. It had been so many years since he had heard his eldest daughter call him "Dad." Now he finally heard it, and it almost felt unreal.

Valeria, seeing Clayton so moved, repeated, "I said, thank you, Dad, Mom."

In the next second, Loretta also burst into tears, finally hearing Elena call them "Dad" and "Mom".

"Clayton, Elena is really back this time, and we must protect her and never lose her again," Loretta said emotionally, leaning into Clayton's embrace.

Clayton patted Loretta's back, "From now on, we'll always be together as a family. I've been waiting for this moment for too long."

Seeing this scene, jealousy began to overflow in Elsie's heart. Her parents were being overly dramatic, weren't they? They had found Valeria after all this time; was it really necessary to be so excited? Valeria had only called them "Mom" and "Dad" once, and they were this happy?

Elsie couldn't help but imagine if Valeria kept being coddled and acting spoiled, would her parents end up leaving all their wealth to her?

The thought was terrifying. Soon, Valeria would replace her in her parents' eyes and become the pampered daughter of the Maddox family.

Elsie had noticed that since Valeria's return, her parents had paid much less attention to her.

Due to the recent kidnapping incident involving Valeria, Clayton strongly insisted that Valeria and Alex stay at the Maddox family for safety reasons and to put their minds at ease.

Valeria reluctantly agreed, wanting to rebuild her relationship with her biological parents after being missing for so many

years.

In the afternoon, after Hackett picked up Alex from school, he took him directly to the Maddox family. Alex wasn't shy and felt at home wherever he was, perhaps because he had been used to moving frequently with Valeria. "You should go back. You have been here all day," Valeria said to Hackett.

Hackett's expression darkened slightly. "Is this how you treat your lover? Use and abandon?"

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"Then why don't you stay at the Maddox family too? But we're divorced, so it wouldn't be appropriate for you to live here," Valeria teased Hackett.

Of course, Hackett knew that. Valeria and Alex were staying with the Maddox family, leaving him alone to face the huge estate and the annoying Naomi.

Hackett sighed in resignation. "You and Alex can sleep together tonight. If you're scared, just hold him close, and consider it as if I'm with you."

What did he mean by that? Did Hackett assume that she would have nightmares and be frightened in the middle of the night?

After saying this, Hackett turned to leave, but Valeria called out to him, "You don't need to worry about me. I'll call you if I need anything."

Hackett chuckled softly. He wanted to ask Valeria if she had agreed to give their relationship another chance, but he decided against it. He would handle his current tasks first before discussing their future.