Chapter 6

In the city’s largest shopping mall, Bryce had rented out the entire space to ensure Hanna could shop to her heart’s content. When they arrived, a group of staff members was already waiting, bowing politely as they greeted them. “Mr. Dobbs, are you here to pick out clothes for Miss Dobbs again? You’re always so—” “No.” Bryce cut them off mid-sentence, his voice sharp with intention. “From now on, Valery’s privileges here are revoked. She’s grown up now. It’s time to stop indulging her.” The so-called “privileges” were nothing more than having the season’s latest fashion delivered to their home in advance. Back then, Bryce had always been concerned about Valery’s appearance. Her status as an orphan often made her the target of ridicule, and he didn’t want her to be mocked for dressing poorly as well. But now, he was taking it all back. Valery told herself she wasn’t upset, but deep down, she knew she was. Yet, what could she do? Bryce was right about one thing—everything she had was because of him. He owed her nothing. If anything, it was she who was indebted to the Dobbs family. “Valery, what do you think of this outfit?” Hanna’s excited voice called out from a distance. She stood in a corner, her eyes sparkling as she held up a casual outfit. It wasn’t her usual style, but it seemed like something Valery might like. “It looks great. Valery, help Hanna try it on,” Bryce instructed. Valery clenched her hands slightly but obediently followed Hanna into the fitting room. The moment the door closed, Hanna’s bright smile vanished. Her expression turned cold, and she cast Valery a look of disdain. “I can’t believe you actually dared to come along, Valery. Don’t you find yourself disgusting?” “Falling in love with your foster brother? Do you seriously think that just because some people called you the Dobbs family’s child bride over the years, you will marry Bryce? Don’t delude yourself.” “Look at yourself. In all these years, has anyone in the Dobbs family cared about you besides Bryce? Don’t forget how much his sister hates you. And by the way, Bryce and I are getting married soon. How thick-skinned do you have to be to keep clinging on?” Listening to Hanna’s words, Valery felt like a stray dog taken in off the streets. Now that they were about to get married, there was no longer any room for her. “Hanna, I’m not clinging on. I—” “Really?” Hanna sneered, cutting her off mid-sentence. Without warning, she slapped Valery hard across the face. The sound was sharp and echoed in the small space. Valery staggered, holding her stinging cheek as tears welled up in her eyes. “Valery, I’m about to marry your brother. I just wanted to get along with you, but why can’t you be a little nicer to me?” Hanna’s voice rose in a pitiful wail, loud enough to be heard outside. “Bryce, don’t blame her. Valery is still young. She didn’t mean it,” she cried out dramatically. “Valery!” Before Valery could even process the voices calling her name, another slap landed on her face, sending her crashing to the ground. This time, the person who struck her was Anne—the true Dobbs family heiress, adored and spoiled her entire life. Anne had always despised Valery. In her eyes, Valery was nothing more than a scheming street rat who had bewitched her brother in an attempt to claim the Dobbs family’s fortune. Conversely, Anne admired Hanna. “Who gave you the nerve to hit Hanna? You’re just a stray dog my family took in. If it weren’t for my brother spoiling you, you’d be fighting with wild dogs for scraps in some alley. And yet here you are, ungrateful and brazen enough to lay a hand on your master. I'll teach you a lesson today.” Anne’s temper was as fiery as ever. Having trained in taekwondo since childhood, every slap landed with precision, striking Valery where it hurt most.