FROM THE ROCK BOTTOM TO THE HIGH SOCIETY

over herself, her voice trembling with anger

rried. In three months, I'll divorce you and send you

him, leaving her shaking wi

been for him to marry Valerie, her cellmate. It was a dying request he couldn't refuse, but

his thoughts. "Young

sharply. "What

the bathroom window,"

ed as his eyes narro

room. His eyes stopped on a message scrawled across the mirror in bo

a moment, Victor stood frozen, his jaw tightening. Was

aff waiting outside. "Search the grounds. C

ger, his fingers brushing the words on the mirror. His mother's la

-

nes to keep from slipping. Her arms and legs were scratched and bleeding, her clothes torn to rags, but s

nd into the valley beyond. The journey was grueling, but by dawn, Valer

Esmeralda Sullivan froze in

?" Esmeralda stammered, her

itter smile. "I finished my se

no place here! Look at you-filthy and pitif

ent to prison. Four days ago, you visited me and gave me that address. You promised me money to s

er was gravely ill. By the time I got the funds together

e held herself back. This wasn't the time to c

t grave in your hometown's cemetery. I've done more than enough for you

d a stack of bills at her feet. "Take t

sharp. "You raised me because you felt guilty. And I repaid you by following through with yo

ay, her head high despite the pain a

-

Are you actually feeling bad for her? That girl is a curse! She was born o

inds out the man from that night isn't dead-and that he's now h

ctor Regal has no time for nobodies like her. Our focus should be on getting B

l family, but he's still an illegitimate child. I doubt Old

egitimacy stop him from taking over the Regal empire. He's a man who play

save him, nothing will stop their marriage. Holton, just wait-our daughter

guilt over Valerie

y and was about to step onto the main road when a flashy,

at our house for eight years. Valerie, have you lost count of how many men have used you? And you still haven't showered?

in Belinda's face. The cold splash left Belinda sputtering and gasp

t her in shock.

ng as she interrupted. "Now you l

, she turned and walked away,