My Husband Is a Million Years Old Vampire-Chapter 40

Hearing Edward’s explanation, Maximilian Whitmore’s anger was initially fiery, but as Edward spoke, it simmered into something else—curiosity. His grip on the phone tightened.

"Edward, hand the phone to the manager."

Hearing what the owner just said.

Edward hesitated for a second, confusion flashing across his face. He was expecting his boss to commend him, not ask for the manager’s side. Still, without a word, he shoved the phone into the manager’s hands.

The manager, though shaken, took the phone and held it carefully to his ear.

"S-Sir..."

Maximilian’s voice came through, cold and cutting.

"What the hell were you thinking? Giving out something that was never meant to be sold—do you have any idea what you’ve done?"

The manager swallowed hard, but he forced himself to respond with a whisper.

"Sir, it was... it was exactly as you once told us. Many years ago, you gave clear instructions—when we see that particular ring, we are to treat the owner with the highest respect and grant them anything within our power."

Their was a Silence on the other end.

Maximilian’s voice returned, quieter this time, but with a sharp edge.

"Describe the ring."

The manager took a deep breath, steadying himself.

"A deep emerald green, set in gold, with an engraved clover at its center."

Then another silence followed.

A slow, unsteady exhale came from Maximilian’s end of the call.

"You’re telling me... she had that ring?" His voice, once filled with scorn, now carried something else—realization.

Immediately the manager nodded, even though Maximilian couldn’t see him.

"Yes, sir. She had it."

At that moment Edward’s smile widened as he listened to the manager muffled voice.

At that moment Maximilian said again.

"Are you sure of what you just said."

"Yes, sir," the manager stammered, his voice trembling.

"I’m absolutely certain. I checked again myself, just to be sure. The ring, the picture, everything matches. It’s definitely him."

The owner’s response was swift and decisive.

"Give the phone to Edward. Now."

Edward’s eyes gleamed with triumph as the manager reluctantly handed over the receiver. He could almost feel the owner’s anger radiating through the phone, the scolding the manager must have endured.

"Edward," the owner’s voice crackled through the line, "let Valentina go imme-"

The words cut off abruptly, swallowed by the static that filled Edward’s ear. He frowned, straining to make out the muffled sounds. The network was failing, the connection growing weaker with each passing second.

"I’m sorry, sir," Edward said, his tone dripping with false confusion. "Could you repeat that? The line seems to be breaking up."

He paused for a moment, a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Did you say I should lock Valentina up? Is that what you want me to do?"

Edward knew full well that was the owner’s intention, he didn’t want to make any mistake just in case the owner want to go stronger on the punishment.

He repeated the question, his voice rising with feigned uncertainty.

"Should I lock Valentina up? Is that what you’re saying, sir? I just want to make sure I have your confirmation."

At that moment Edward’s brows furrowed. He shifted on his feet, gripping the phone tighter.

"Sir? I didn’t hear that clearly—are you saying I should lock Valentina up?"

More static. The signal was breaking up badly.

Edward tried again.

"Sir, do you mean I should—"

Then—

The call dropped.

Immediately the screen of his phone dimmed.

Edward blinked. His phone had shut off.

At that moment Edward clenched his jaw as his phone dimmed into silence. His brows furrowed, and a flicker of irritation crossed his face. He tapped the screen—nothing.

Dead.

Then he exhaled sharply.

"Damn it." He muttered under his breath, then scoffed. He had forgotten to charge his phone.

Still, from what he managed to hear, he was certain of one thing—the owner wanted Valentina locked up.

"Alright," Edward straightened, slipping his dead phone into his pocket. "Lock her up."

The words rang out like a gavel slamming down in judgment.

At that moment the manager’s eyes widened. His body tensed.

"Wait, no, that’s not—"

Immediately Edward snapped his head toward him, his glare seething.

"Are you deaf?" His voice was like a whip.

The manager shook his head quickly.

"No, sir! That’s not what Mr Maximilian said! He said he was coming. He wants her released—not locked up! You’re making a mistake!"

Then Edward let out a slow, sharp exhale, his patience thinning.

At that moment his fingers curled into a tight fist.

"And you," he sneered, stepping closer to the manager, "are a bloody fool. If you think I didn’t hear him correctly, then you’re more useless than I thought."

His eyes darkened.

"What I heard before the line cut off was that he was coming—coming to handle this mess. And that means only one thing." He leaned in, voice dropping into a chilling whisper.

"He’s bringing the company’s legal team to deal with this thief."

Valentina sat stiffly in her seat, her knuckles whitening as she gripped the edge of the metal table. Her stomach twisted, but she refused to show weakness.

However before she could speak, Victoria’s cruel laughter sliced through the room.

She sauntered forward, arms crossed, lips curved into a smirk of pure delight.

"Oh, Valentina." She sighed mockingly, shaking her head.

"I warned you, didn’t I? But no, you just had to be stubborn."

She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice to a taunting whisper.

"And now, look at you. Rotting in a cell."

Her grin widened, her eyes glinting with sadistic satisfaction.

"Tell me, sweetheart," she tilted her head, her voice dripping with condescension.

"Who has the last laugh now?"

Valentina sat motionless, her hands resting on her lap, her nails pressing lightly into her palms. Disappointed. Frustrated.

If only she had Raymond’s phone number.

None of this would be happening.

By now, he would have handled everything effortlessly. She wouldn’t be sitting in this interrogation room, facing Victoria’s cruel smirk and Edward’s gloating arrogance.

Victoria folded her arms, shifting her weight slightly, enjoying every second of Valentina’s silence.

"What’s wrong, Valentina?" she cooed, tilting her head mockingly. "All out of words? You were acting high and mighty just moments ago."

She let out a soft chuckle before pulling out her phone.

"You know what would make this even better?" She tapped the screen, then held up the phone as if filming.

"An apology."

Her eyes gleamed with amusement. "Come on, Valentina. Say you’re sorry. Say you were wrong. Beg me."

At the same she leaned in closer. "And maybe, just maybe, I’ll be kind enough to convince Edward to let you go."