Chasing the Unexpected

Chapter 705

The next morning, Valarie woke up and began her morning routine. She spent over two hours in front of the vanity perfecting her makeup.

After applying her lipstick, she looked at the stunning woman in the mirror and couldn’t help but smirk self- deprecatingly.

She never thought she would find herself needing to use her looks to attract someone.

Suppressing her swirling thoughts, she headed downstairs.

In the living room, Phoebe was watching TV when she heard footsteps and looked up, momentarily taken aback.

Today, Valarie wore a new light green, figure–hugging dress. The first two buttons at the front were designed like water droplets, exposing a portion of her flawless skin–so exquisite it was hard to look

away.

Her long hair was pinned up with a light green hairpin, and her makeup was delicate, reminiscent of early spring buds swaying in a gentle breeze.

“Valarie, I didn’t arrange any blind dates for you today. Why are you all dressed up? Going out?” Phoebe asked.

Valarie replied nonchalantly, “Yes, I have an appointment today. Dad isn’t back yet?”

Phoebe’s expression shifted to one of concern as she shook her head. “No. Come sit down. I need to talk to you.”

Unable to sleep last night, she had contemplated things for a long time.

She felt her husband was right–they shouldn’t burden Valarie with the responsibility of saving the Weir Group. It was selfish to ask her to sacrifice her marriage and future for the sake of the family business.

Valarie sat down beside her, confusion etched on her face. “What’s wrong?”

Phoebe sighed and said, “Valarie, I know I’ve been pushing you to go on blind dates lately. It must be exhausting for you.”

Valarie lowered her gaze, her fingers clenching slowly. “No, you’re right, Mom. I really should get married.”

Phoebe knew all too well what her daughter truly thought.

“Valarie, I won’t pressure you to go on blind dates anymore. If you don’t want to get married, then don’t. Not everyone has to get married,” she said. Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Valarie looked up with a frown. “Mom, maybe others don’t have to get married, but I’ve enjoyed all the resources the Weirs have provided. Now that the company is in trouble, I’m willing to enter a marriage alliance if it can help. I just want to find someone I like, someone I can spend my life with.”

Phoebe sighed. “Just someone you like? How could that ever lead to a lifetime together?”

She was not unaware of how young people thought these days.

It wasn’t like her generation, where marriages were often arranged, Nowadays, many valued love and

freedom, with plenty of people choosing not to marry at all.

Taking Valarie’s hands, she gazed into her eyes and spoke slowly. “Valarie, don’t force yourself. If the company goes bankrupt, that’s just its fate. You don’t have to bear such a heavy burden.

“Your father and I hope you can find someone you truly love and spend your life with–not someone you settle for just to save the company.”

A wave of heartache washed over Valarie. She never expected her mother to say such things.

“Mom, I understand,” she replied.

Phoebe gently patted her hand, reassuring her, “Don’t worry about the company. Your happiness is what matters most.”

After sitting with her mother for a while, Valarie checked the time and decided to leave.

If she had hesitated about developing her relationship with Zayn before, she now understood what she needed to do after hearing her mother’s words.

For them, love wasn’t a necessity.

Yet, for some reason, Brandon suddenly flashed through her mind.

She recalled how he had smiled while presenting her with a bouquet, how he tightly held her hand, his eyes filled with concern, how he had chased her in his car–only to block her path, looking anxious and frustrated–and how he had drunkenly spoken while hugging the edge of a table.