My Husband Is a Million Years Old Vampire-Chapter 39

She took a slow step forward, her heels clicking against the floor, savoring every moment of Valentina’s humiliation.

"You acted all high and mighty, but in the end, you’re just like every other beggar." She tilted her head mockingly, her smile widening. "Quiet. Defeated. Powerless that is who you’re now."

She let out a satisfied laugh, shaking her head in fake pity.

"Honestly, I expected more fight from you."

Edward crossed his arms, watching Valentina closely.

"Nothing to say?" he taunted.

"No clever comebacks this time?"

Valentina took a deep breath, her nails digging into her palm. She wasn’t going to give them what they wanted—she wouldn’t break. Not in front of them.

But as she stood there in silence, she knew one thing for certain—this wasn’t over.

At that moment Victoria leaned even more closer, her eyes glinting with malicious delight.

"If you had just accepted my offer, none of this would be happening right now." She let out a cold chuckle, shaking her head.

"But no, Valentina had to act all proud, all stubborn. And look at where that got you."

She crossed her arms, tilting her chin up arrogantly.

"You should be grateful I even offered you money. Now? You’re getting nothing. Not a single dime."

Edward stood firm, his face void of sympathy.

"You tampered with the items," he stated bluntly, "so you’ll pay for them in full. And let me make this clear, Valentina—you won’t be walking away from this scot-free."

Valentina took a slow breath, her thoughts racing. She knew she hadn’t stolen anything—the manager had given her those items willingly. The only mistake she had made was opening two of them. That was the only offense she could reasonably be charged for.

Her gaze hardened as she stared at Edward, realizing something deeper was at play here. Victoria’s influence.

If Edward were truly fair, he would acknowledge that the blame didn’t rest solely on her. But that wasn’t happening.

Victoria had compromised him.

There was no level playing ground here. No real justice.

This wasn’t about her committing a crime.

This was about power. Control. Humiliation.

Valentina gritted her teeth, her fingers curling tightly into fists. They want her broken. They want her to beg. But she wouldn’t.

Immediately Valentina lifted her chin, her eyes unwavering.

"You can’t prosecute me," she said, her voice steady and sharp.

"I didn’t commit fraud. I didn’t steal. Whatever you do, Edward, I promise you—I’ve seen worse."

Hearing valatina word’s Edward’s expression darkened instantly. His jaw tightened, his fingers curling into fists at his sides. "Worse?" he echoed, his voice low and dangerous.

"You think this is the worst I can do?"

Victoria laughed mockingly, stepping forward.

"Look at her, still pretending to be fearless," she sneered.

"You won’t be so tough for long, Valentina. Keep acting strong. I’ll enjoy watching you break."

Edward ignored Victoria, his cold gaze locked onto Valentina. He took a slow step closer, voice dripping with authority.

"You’re nothing here, Valentina. I can make sure you rot in this station. Or worse, I can make sure you disappear completely."

Valentina refused to flinch.

"You’re bluffing," she said, even as the weight of the situation pressed heavily on her chest.

Edward let out a bitter chuckle, then turned to the officer standing by the door.

"Bring the manager in again."

The officer nodded and left the room.

Valentina’s stomach clenched.

Edward smirked, crossing his arms. "Let’s see if you can still act fearless after this," he murmured.

The door swung open again, and the officer stepped in, dragging the manager back into the interrogation room.

Edward held up his phone, his fingers hovering over the screen, his smirk widening.

"Let’s see how fearless you are when the real power steps in," he said coldly.

"Once I report this to the boss, Valentina, your little game is over. You’ll regret ever stepping foot in that store."

Victoria clapped her hands together mockingly, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

"Oh, this is priceless!" she laughed. "Valentina, you were already pathetic back then, but now? Now, you’re just a complete joke." She took a step closer, lowering her voice just enough to let the venom drip from her words.

"If I had known you were this pathetic, I wouldn’t have wasted my time pretending to respect you. You were never worth it."

Valentina said nothing, but inside, she was furious—not at them, but at herself.

How could she have been so careless?

Her hands curled into fists, her jaw tightening as she fought the bitter truth weighing on her chest. She couldn’t believe she didn’t even have her husband’s phone number. She had walked into this situation alone, and now, she had no way to call for help.

Edward finally pressed the call button, his phone ringing as he tilted his head toward Valentina, watching her reaction closely.

"Let’s see what your fate will be now," he said smoothly.

Edward pulled out his phone, his fingers tightening around it as he dialed the direct number of the company’s owner. The phone rang twice before a deep, authoritative voice answered.

"Edward, what is it?"

Edward stood straighter, his lips curling into a smirk as he exchanged a look with Victoria, who was still gloating.

"Sir, there’s an urgent issue that needed immediate action. A woman named Valentina used fraudulent means to obtain our most exclusive luxury items—items that are not even meant for sale. The manager, in his incompetence, gifted them to her for practically nothing. I took swift action. She has been arrested, and the manager is also being held for questioning."

However there was a brief pause on the other end of the line.

"Fraudulent means?" Maximilian’s voice was calm, but there was an underlying sharpness to it.

Edward nodded, his confidence unwavering.

"Yes, sir. She manipulated the manager, but I think he’s having an affair with him, she walked out with items, and the manager is foolishly defending her. We can’t even sell them anymore. but now I have arrested both of them, I just wanted you to be aware of everything, because the damn manager kept on saying I have made a mistake that you’re going to be mad when you find out"