Chapter 192: Chapter 200

Francesca stood rooted to the spot and racked her brains on how to appease Floretta when a cold and strict female voice suddenly rang out.

“Let her go.”

Francesca turned to look at the door when she heard that.

Only then did she realize Valerie had silently walked over with Olivine’s support.

Frightened by Valerie’s powerful aura, Francesca stammered, “O-Old Mrs. Golding, what brings you here?”

She had not received any news of Valerie coming over to the residence.

Valerie scoffed coldly, and her expression darkened. “If I didn’t come, I would have missed out on such a good show.”

Her gaze fell on Floretta. She did nothing to hide her disdain as she uttered sternly, “This is my first time seeing such an unreasonable kid. It is obvious she doesn’t have a mother. What an uncultured brat!”

Floretta was frightened by her and immediately stopped crying. She hastily climbed down from the couch and hid behind Francesca.

Olivine scoffed inwardly upon witnessing that scene. However, she concealed her disdain and carefully supported Valerie’s elbow before comforting the latter softly, “Old Mrs. Golding, please don’t get upset.

Floretta is only a child and doesn’t know any better. She must have wanted Angeline to be her mother after learning she is a celebrity.”

Valerie furrowed her brows, her expression grim as she bellowed angrily, “What mother? I will never accept an unknown, obscure celebrity into the Golding family as my granddaughter-in-law!”

Floretta was dumbfounded and heartbroken when she heard the determination in Valerie’s tone.

“Your words don’t count.”

Floretta could no longer stand Valerie degrading Angeline. She walked out from behind Francesca with her hands on her hips and defended Angeline.

“Angel is a good person. Also, you’re not qualified to decide who Daddy is marrying. You’ve ruined your son’s happiness with the excuse of being concerned about him!”

“Wow. Who taught you to say such words? You’ve become increasingly unruly because you have been spending time with that lowly woman. You haven’t learned anything worthwhile from her.”

Valerie’s face was flushed. Then, she glanced at Francesca and ordered, “Wasn’t she demanding to get out just now? Then, let her go. I want to see where she can go!”

Francesca went pale the moment she heard that. She kneeled on the ground and pleaded, “Old Mrs.

Golding, please don’t do this. Ms. Floretta is still young, so she wasn’t trying to offend you. She says things she doesn’t mean.”

Valerie’s expression remained grim. There was no room for negotiation in her tone.

“She was supposed to go to the orphanage. Evander was generous enough to let her stay by his side.

However, it seems she has been living too comfortably.”

Floretta glared at the old woman resentfully. Her face was red with anger, and her chest heaved.

“Grandma, please be careful with your words.”

At this moment, a deep male voice rang out.

Evander had gotten off work early. He was standing at the entrance with displeasure written all over his face.

“Evander, you’re back! Old Mrs. Golding and I have come to visit you.”

Olivine put on an amicable smile and walked over to Emerald to help him take off his blazer.

Alas, before she could even touch Evander’s shoulders, the latter avoided her and uttered impatiently, “Why are you here?”

Olivine’s hands froze in midair. She pouted forlornly and replied in a tearful voice, “Evander, our families share a close relationship. Do I not have the right to visit you?”

“That’s right!”

Valerie defended Olivine and slammed the walking stick in her hand against the floor.

“Look at how you treat Olivine. I can tolerate you breaking off the engagement without notifying us, but how can you disrespect her?”

“Grandma, you must be joking.”

Evander’s icy gaze swept across Olivine’s face and landed on Valerie. He said in a grim voice, “Floretta is my daughter. Have you guys ever respected her before?”

His seemingly nonchalant words held profound meaning.

Valerie stumbled slightly as she looked at Evander in disbelief.

Parting her lips, she asked, “Are you siding with this brat against me?”

Evander approached Floretta with an unreadable expression and helped Francesca up from the ground. Then, he picked Floretta up.

His tone was cold and emotionless as he spoke. “Floretta is part of the Golding family even if you can’t accept this fact after five years. I believe Grandpa would support me if he’s still alive.”

“You—”

Valerie was rendered speechless when Evander brought up his late grandfather.

Humiliated, she clutched her chest and started panting heavily. Disappointment filled her eyes.

“Grandma, come and rest here for a while.”

Scared out of her wits, Olivine quickly helped Valerie to the couch.

Evander, on the other hand, completely ignored them while he inspected Floretta’s body to make sure she was fine.

“Are you okay?” His voice was full of concern.

“Daddy, I’m fine.” Floretta was overjoyed. She wrapped her arms around Evander’s neck and gave him a kiss on his cheek.

“You’re the best, but I really didn’t try to offend Great-grandma.”

Evander’s heart melted. He caressed Floretta’s head before replying gently, “Okay. I trust you.”

He had already heard the commotion when he was at the door. Luckily, Floretta is still young. She will soon forget these sad occurrences.

However, he still felt sorry for his daughter. Therefore, he would do his utmost best to protect her.

Annoyance swirled in his heart as Valerie continued making a ruckus. He frowned and glanced toward her.

“Grandma, why don’t you just cut to the chase and tell me the purpose for your trip here today? It’s because of the Sherrock family, right?”

His casual words immediately stopped Valerie from blabbering. She queried sternly with a cold expression, “What are you going to do?”

Evander snorted coldly in response. He was not surprised by Valerie’s reaction, for he had already predicted how she would act. She would always clutch her chest as if she was going to faint.

Initially, he was fooled and would listen to the old woman whenever she did that until Sylas gave him a copy of Valerie’s health report a while ago.

All her vitals were perfectly fine. She had no health issues with her heart and could live another ten years without a problem.

“The Sherrock family didn’t educate their child properly, allowing the boy to bully Floretta publicly in school. As her father, I can’t stand by and do nothing. Removing all the investments from Sherrock Group was my bottom line.”

When he uttered the last statement, he gave Olivine a meaningful glance. His tone was heavy with warning.

Stunned, Olivine stood transfixed on the spot. She remained silent as she shuddered involuntarily in fear.

Upon hearing Evander’s words, Valerie glowered at Olivine as she propped her hand on her walking stick.

It was evident that Evander treasured his daughter.