CEO Plus-Size Ex-Wife

Chapter 132: Come Back To Us

As Margaret Willow's expression softened, she revealed her plans to Valentine Anderson with a sense of reassurance, "I have everything under control. Pete will be taken from the Singer's mansion tonight. For now, just enjoy yourself. There's nothing else for you to worry about."

Valentine Anderson looked at Margaret Willow, his features relaxing into a look of gratitude that hadn't been there before. "Thank you, Margaret. I can't express how much it means to have your support," he said earnestly.

Margaret's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she replied, her voice thick with emotion, "You're my husband, Pascal. Supporting you is what I'm here for."

She expertly loosened his tie before straightening it, giving his suit a final once-over. Stepping back, she appraised him with a fond smile and declared, "Handsome."

Valentine glanced at his own reflection in the mirror, and a cold, calculated smile spread across his face.

The bedroom door swung open, and a woman clad in an exquisite dinner gown entered. "She'll be accompanying you tonight," Margaret announced, turning towards Valentine.

"Understood," Valentine replied smoothly, though his mind was already darting ahead to the events planned for the evening.

After a tender peck on the cheek, Margaret sent him on his way. It wasn't until they were in the car, on their way to the Singer's mansion, that Valentine realized he hadn't asked for the name of his companion for the evening.

Turning to her, he inquired, "What's your name?"

The woman responded in a gentle, almost shy tone, "Sir, I was wondering if you wouldn't ask. My name is Anne Gate."

Valentine briefly considered her name, then suggested, "For tonight, you don't need to call me sir. Act as if we're truly together—you should call me Pascal."

Anne gave a small, obedient nod, but remained silent as the car continued towards the Singer's mansion. After half an hour, the vehicle glided through the gates and into the mansion.

As the chauffeur brought the vehicle to a smooth halt, Valentine barely waited for the engine to quieten before he was on his feet, quickly striding toward the grand hall where the anniversary event was being held.

"Valentine!" Anne called out, her voice barely reaching him as he marched away without a second thought for his companion still seated in the car.

Realizing his blunder, Valentine spun around and hurried back to Anne. With a remorseful and hurried expression, he linked his arm with hers and apologized, "Sorry, let's hurry in together."

Without waiting for her response, he began to pull her towards the brightly lit and bustling hall on the Singers' estate.

The security detail was hard to miss; guards patrolled the grounds of the Singers' mansion, a testament to the tight security enveloping the entire courtyard.

As Valentine joined the queue to the hall, his eyes sought out Andrea and Lucas Anderson, who were greeting guests at the entrance. His expression darkened, and a fierce jealousy ignited within him, his fingers tensing as he tried to contain his emotions.

"Pascal, is everything alright?" Anne asked, sensing the change in his demeanor.

However, Valentine was too fixated on Andrea and Lucas to respond, his gaze locked onto them with a fiery intensity.

Upon reaching the entrance, Andrea Singers gasped in apparent surprise, while Lucas Anderson feigned shock, exclaiming, "Mr. and Mrs. Willow, we didn't expect to see you at our anniversary celebration. We're truly honored by your presence."

Although Valentine managed a smile, it did little to mask the bloodshot rage in his eyes as he replied with biting sarcasm, "I wouldn't miss this for the world. An anniversary where a brother replaces his brother to claim his wife—indeed, it's an occasion worth celebrating."

Lucas's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "What do you mean, Mr. Willow?"

"Let's not dwell on it, Mr. Anderson. We wouldn't want to delay the other guests, would we?" Valentine's tone was icy, a stark contrast to the warmth of the hall.

The tension between them was thick, almost tangible. Andrea quickly intervened, nudging Lucas, who then, with feigned enthusiasm, ushered Valentine and Anne into the hall. "Please, Mr. and Mrs. Willow, make yourselves at home. Our waiters are at your service for anything you might need."

Once they were inside, Lucas turned to Andrea with a serious expression. "Andrea, I think someone has been feeding my brother false information."

Andrea nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it's Mrs. Willow who seems to be the source. She was married to the late Pascal Willow."

Lucas's face fell into a look of helplessness as he realized his mistake in addressing Anne as Margaret Willow. With the real Margaret absent, the situation had taken a complicated turn.

They no longer stationed at the entrance to welcome attendees, they delegated the responsibility to the butler of the Singer's mansion and proceeded into the hall themselves.

Arm in arm, Andrea and Lucas Anderson mingled with the crowd, exchanging pleasantries with guests clustered in groups or paired off.

The sight of their beaming smiles soured Lucas Anderson's mood. Overcome with frustration, he snatched a glass of wine from a waiter and downed it in one go.

"Pascal, you should stop drinking. What if you get drunk?" Anne's voice was laced with worry, her concern palpable.

Valentine Anderson shot her a stern look and dismissed her sharply with a snort of anger. "Get lost!" he spat, before turning his attention back to Andrea and Lucas Anderson, who were conversing with three men.

At that moment, an announcement echoed from the podium, "The priest has arrived. We shall commence with speeches from the parents of the couple and the sister before proceeding with the subsequent competition."

Valentine Anderson halted his approach towards Andrea and Lucas, his eyes scanning the room until they settled on Mrs. Anderson as she made her way to the podium.

His fists clenched in a mix of sorrow and disbelief; Valentine couldn't fathom that his mother and sister, the two people he held dear, could betray him. His eyes reddened, his gaze turning icy with hurt.

"Thank you, everyone, for taking time out of your busy lives to join us here and support my son and his wife. Words fail to express my gratitude..." Mrs. Anderson's voice wavered as she paused, her eyes scanning the crowd. They eventually found Valentine, and with a smile and tears streaming down her face, she continued, "Valentine Anderson, my son, wherever you are, know that I love you dearly. I wish for your return, not only do I long for it, but Andrea, Benita, and yes, even Lucas, we all hope for you to come back to us."

At her words, Valentine Anderson's expression shifted dramatically, and as he looked around, he noticed Andrea, Benita, and Lucas also directing their gazes toward him.