Chapter 39: Chapter 39

“You're the most beautiful bride I've ever seen, Patricia. You're really my adorable daughter”.

Patricia smiled broadly as Claudia kept on raining praises on her. She was dressed in her gorgeous wedding dress. “Have you forgotten from whom I got my beauty, Mom?”

Upon hearing that, Claudia chuckled. Her dreams have always been for her daughter to get every good thing in life, especially from her stepdaughter Valerie. “Of course, darling. You're so smart and beautiful. Who else would you have gotten all those attributes from if not your mother?”

“Today, I've fully taken that which has always been my sister's. Valerie shouldn't even bother showing her face because whoever her boyfriend is, he'll never match up to Justin” Patricia laughed.

Claudia patted her shoulder, and commented. “I can't wait for her to make a fool out of herself with the boyfriend she said she has. You're the only child of the Watson's, who is worth inheriting everything that your father has. I won't let that half sister of yours get in your way”.

“Thank you, Mom”.

Claudia smiled and cat-walked elegantly. “You have nothing to worry about. Your step-sister is going to get the worst humiliation of her life today. She is a loser, and a loser she'll remain”.

With that, they shared a laugh hysterically and headed out of the room.

Meanwhile, Edmond, on the other hand, kept pacing around with his cell phone, trying to contact Valerie.

Claudia walked to him with a glass of cocktail. “Sweetie, you look so unsettled. It's your daughter's wedding, and you should be having fun”.

Hearing that, Edmond forced a smile at her. “I'm delighted, Claudia. But I've been trying to contact Valerie, but it's not going through”.

Claudia turned her gaze away, and smiled mischievously, then thought.

“Poor thing! Why would she show her face here? I'm sure she'll not even dare to step her feet here. Too bad! Her Father is worried about her”.

“Claudia, are you listening at all?” Edmond's voice smacked her out of her thoughts. She cleared her throat noisily, and gulped. “Of course, Edmond. I'm distressed about Valerie. You know she's my daughter too, but I'm very sure there must be a valid reason why she's not here yet, right?”

Cupping his forehead in his palms, Edmond sighed a little. “I know. But I'm worried because Valerie would have called if she wasn't going to make it to the wedding. That's strange!”

Claudia tried to conceal her rage, and replied sweetly. “I'm sure she's on her way here. You have to cheer up for your daughter Patricia. It's her happy day, and you can't let anything make her feel bad. Let's go”.

The glamorous party had already started, and the venue was filled with special guests. It was the wedding that Patricia solely desired.

“Congratulations on your wedding, Mrs. Justin” One of the guests handed some parcels to Justin and Patricia.

Justin forced a smile at them. He was really comfortable, but he had no choice. “Patricia, why isn't your sister here yet?”

Her face countenance changed, and she bit her lower lip hard. “Does it matter?”

“We invited her, Patricia. It's only right that I ask of her. What's with the insecurity?” Justin turned his gaze away.

Patricia clenched her fist in fury, and thought.

“I'm the one he's getting married to, but he can't get that pest of a sister out of his mind. I hate it!”.

Patricia was still fuming when she heard some guests whispering among themselves.

“Have you heard? The eldest daughter of the Watson's family has just arrived?”

“She's a beauty”

“I didn't know she was that beautiful. I heard Patricia is just an illegitimate daughter”.

“Her name is Valerie. She's so pretty, and she wore the most expensive attire to the wedding”.

Patricia widened her eyes in shock, and jerked up from the seat in front of the guests. She raged in fury to hear people call her an illegitimate daughter. Raising her head, she sighted her eyesore, Valerie.

Justin couldn't help but drop the glass he was holding. Valerie approached them and her dress glittered like the sun. Her beauty was jaw dropping as the dress showed off her elegant shape.

Patricia's mouth parted. “The black diamond dress? How could she afford that?”

Everyone's attention was drawn to Valerie. She was more like the star of the show because her dress was pricier and beautiful than that of the bride.

With a heartwarming smile, Valerie walked to her father, who embraced her happily. “Father, I apologize for being late”.

“My dear child, I've been so worried.” Mr. Edmond smiled. Claudia glared at her with rage. It took her so much to conceal her annoyance.

Valerie disengaged the hug, and turned to Claudia. She smirked at her and whispered. “You look astonished to see me, Mom. Are you disappointed?” She asked, still wearing a smile.

Claudia gulped hard, and faked a smile. “Of course not.” She replied in between gritted teeth.

One of Claudia's friends rushed to her and said. “Claudia, you never told us you had such a gorgeous daughter. She'd be a perfect match for my son, you know”.

“Is that so?” Claudia smirked.

“Hi Aunt. I'm Valerie Watson” Valerie introduced herself to them, and they hugged her in turns. “You're a beauty, dear”.

When Patricia couldn't take it anymore, she got up from the seat where she was seated. Justin grabbed her wrist. “What are you going to do, Patricia?”

Gently, Patricia slapped his hand off with a fake smile and mumbled. “Why do you care about that? I'm going to welcome my sister”.

With that, she walked towards Valerie but stopped after a few steps. “Waiter, can I have tonic water?”  She whistled at a waiter. The waiter nodded, and handed a glass of tonic water to her.

Patricia walked to Valerie, and smiled. “Hi sister. I thought you wouldn't make it to the wedding. I was becoming worried that maybe you couldn't find a date” She chuckled a little.

“Patricia?” Edmond narrowed his eyes at her. Of course, everyone was watching.

Valerie gulped. “Is that so?”

“Yes sister. By the way, why don't you introduce me to your capable boyfriend? Or don't you have a date?” Patricia mocked, and pretentiously tripped. She poured the tonic water all over Valerie's dress.

Everyone gasped. Justin sprang up and rushed towards them. Patricia clasped her palm over her mouth with a fake expression. “Oh no! I'm so sorry, sister. I didn't mean to. Baby, please help me. I'm a bit dizzy. You know, pregnancy and all that”.

Justin had no choice than to rush to her, as she was pretending to be feeling nauseous.

People were already beginning to whisper.

“Such a beautiful lady doesn't have a boyfriend?”

“Her younger sister is getting married, and she doesn't even have a boyfriend?”

“Is she cursed? Who knows, she might be. Her younger sister has the best suitor”.

Tears circulated in Valerie's eyes. She was still dripping wet from the drink Patricia poured on her face.

Just then, someone covered her with a suit. She turned swiftly in shock.

“I apologize for being late, sweetheart. I'm here now”.

Everyone couldn't help but drool at the handsome man who covered her with his suit.