Chapter 59 Embarrassment

"What's up?"

Valerie's eyebrows knitted together, a flicker of confusion in her eyes. She quickly masked it with a smile at Howard. "Oh, nothing."

Maybe she was just overthinking.

They walked in together. It was raining heavily that day, and just before entering, Valerie's shoes got completely soaked. Valerie opened the shoe cabinet, only to find a single pair of slippers.

Her hand froze mid-air. She looked up at Philip and asked softly, "Are there any more slippers?"

"Aren't these fine?" Philip pointed at the slippers. "Mr. Carter can wear them."

Valerie's brows furrowed deeper as she glanced around at Philip and the others in the living room. Everyone was wearing slippers; no one was without them.

Just one pair for the two of them—what was that supposed to mean?

Assuming Philip didn't know she was coming to The Carter Manor, Valerie patiently explained, "Could you please get me a new pair of slippers?"

"I don't think that's necessary," Philip shrugged. "You can just come in as you are."

Valerie's smile wavered.

Just come in?

Was she supposed to walk in barefoot or with her shoes on, dirtying the entire floor?

If she really did that, the moment she left The Carter Manor, rumors about her being rude and ill-mannered would spread throughout the social circle! Valerie's gaze at Philip grew colder, and her good mood was gone.

This was a blatant attempt to put her in her place!

But since it was her first visit to The Carter Manor, Valerie didn't want to leave a bad impression on Raina and the rest of the Carter family.

She took a deep breath, trying to suppress the emotions welling up inside her, and forced a smile. "One pair isn't enough. I need..."

"You don't have the right to give orders here," Philip interrupted impatiently, casting a disdainful glance at her before turning to leave.

"She doesn't, but do I?" Howard spoke up.

Sitting in his wheelchair, Howard coldly watched Philip's retreating figure and chuckled softly. "I've been away from The Carter Manor for a while. Philip, have you become arrogant, or do you think the Carter family's salary isn't enough to match your loyalty, and you've already found a new employer?"

Philip turned around with a forced smile. "Mr. Carter, what are you saying? I'm absolutely loyal to the Carter family."

"Then do you think being the Carter family's butler puts you above even the lady of the house?" Howard questioned.

Philip was instantly silenced, losing the arrogance he had shown while speaking to Valerie. He quickly lowered his head and admitted his mistake.

"You're apologizing to the wrong person," Howard said calmly. He turned to hold Valerie's hand and gently said, "Say what you wanted to say again."

Valerie stared at him, the bad mood Philip had stirred up vanishing in an instant.

She smiled and looked at Philip, not taking the opportunity to insult him back. She simply repeated, "I need a new pair of slippers."

"Right away," Philip said hurriedly, fetching a new pair of slippers for Valerie and put slippers on Howard.

"Howard, there's no need to make things difficult for a butler."

Howard looked up to see his "good uncle" Hayden approaching.

Hayden's gaze shifted between Howard and Valerie, raising an eyebrow with a warm smile. "I didn't expect you two to be a couple."

He continued with a knowing look, "So, that's why Aurelia Holdings suddenly landed the Carter Group's project."

Howard met his gaze calmly, his voice steady. "I gave the project to Aurelia Holdings because they have the skills to handle it."

Hayden's face darkened instantly, but before he could respond, Raina stepped in.

"Come on, everyone, dinner's ready."

Howard turned away from Hayden, uninterested in his reaction. He looked at Valerie and said softly, "Grandma knew you were coming and made a few special dishes herself."

Valerie nodded, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Growing up, she hadn't spent much time with other people's families.

Suddenly being around so many people, especially a family like the Carters, made her nervous.

She felt a reassuring squeeze on her fingers and looked at Howard. He gently rubbed her fingertips and whispered, "It's okay."

Those simple words were like a warm sun, melting away her anxiety.

As she wheeled Howard to the dining table, Valerie saw Raina at the head of the table. She smiled sweetly and called out, "Grandma!"

"My dear Valerie, I've been looking forward to seeing you!" Raina took Valerie's hand warmly. "You've lost so much weight. You must try the dishes I made!"

"Absolutely!" Valerie's eyes sparkled with a smile. "Just the smell of your cooking tells me it's going to be amazing!"

Raina's eyes crinkled with joy as she invited everyone to sit.

Valerie didn't forget about Howard, carefully pushing his wheelchair and helping him get settled.

As she ate, she felt two unfriendly gazes on her.

Following the feeling, Valerie looked up and met Jasper's disdainful eyes.

Their eyes locked, and Jasper didn't bother to hide his contempt. He raised his chin and coldly questioned, "Others saw Howard was disabled and ran off without a second thought. I heard you stayed with him even when he hid his background. Are you just pretending?"

Jasper's harsh words came one after another. "You knew he was rich and went after his money, didn't you?"

Valerie tightened her grip on her spoon, frowning as she explained, "When I married him, I didn't know his background. I only knew he was young and promising and helped me escape my family. I'm grateful to him."

"Valerie, since you're already part of the family, there's no need to hold back," Hayden said, setting down his bowl with a mocking tone. "Speak freely. We're all here to support you."

He paused, his gaze growing sharper. "Did Howard use money to threaten you into silence? Otherwise, why would a young, beautiful woman willingly marry a man in a wheelchair? If you don't want to stay married, we can offer a substantial settlement for you to remarry in style. We won't make things difficult for you!"

Valerie's face turned pale, her hand trembling slightly.

Howard slammed his utensils on the table, his face dark. He glared at Hayden and retorted, "Are you questioning her motives or my judgment?"

Hayden sneered, his eyes full of provocation. "Howard, we're just worried you're being deceived. After all, a woman will do anything for money."

Howard's expression grew even darker, his voice low and menacing. "You'd better understand that she is my wife, not someone you can insult and question at will. If you continue to speak nonsense, I won't hesitate to show you the true meaning of consequences."