Her mother's bracelet

Sitting on the balcony with a glass of red wine hanging by the light grip of her slender fingers was Valerie, who stared at the full moon. She had her thoughts completely drifting from reality and was day dreaming about the past.

It has been a regular occurrence as of late, causing her sleepless nights and headaches, but she could not risk going to a psychologist because if the reporters found out, they would make a big deal out of it and would probably make up a story that she was getting therapy for her so called mental illness?

She lowered her glass to her lips and pressed it against them, shut her eyes and sipped from the glass.

Her life as it was, was already ruined with the image she created for herself. She wasn't always like this.

Yes, she was smart and over her head most times, thanks to her extraordinary gene, indifferent to anything that she didn't care about and completely nonchalant to her uncle and aunts biased treatment, but when she discovered the truth behind her parents death, her whole world turned upside down and she completely lost herself, shutting everything out, including the guy she liked and marching towards the part of vengance.

"Miss." Frankie called, stepping onto the balcony with a respectful pose and Valerie glanced at her, giving her a go ahead to report her findings. She handed Valerie her phone and Valerie scrolled through, her eye brows contorting in displeasure.

The rumors were being taken quite seriously. She didn't have a mental illness but it was spreading a lot that anyone who saw it would believe that she did have one. And when a lie gets said repeatedly, it eventually becomes the truth in the eye of everyone.

This wasn't good.

Her people in the company weren't even able to put down such a news, which made it clear that there were more than one person involved in this act to spread a vicious scandal.

Her mind went to one other person who could be involved. There was no way this would benefit him, if you look at it in a materialistic aspect, but for the case of his self satisfaction, this might just be his doing.

She sighed and tossed the phone aside before downing the rest of the wine in her glass.

"Your dress for the auction is ready." Frankie said and Valerie threw her glance away, nodding her head softly.

Another reason why Valerie chose Miami as her vacation spot was because there was an auction event that had something she wanted. It was her bracelet. The bracelet her mother had made for her when she was just two years old.

Of course, it was not your ordinary string bracelet, it was made with real diamond stones and red rubies. It's size was also adjustable because her mother wished she would wear it for the rest of her life. And each time she would look at it, she would be able to remember that her mother loved her dearly.

Her mother, who was an artisan who dealt with gem stones and diamonds, also left her legacy in that bracelet. Anyone who could get their hand on it, would know the secret of the great artisan.

But Valerie didn't care about any of that. All she wanted was to get back what was hers, the item of affection her mother left for her.

"Miss, they're still here." Frankie added.

"How many this time?" Valerie asked, her attention drifting to the stary sky and Frankie responded,

"Three, but I'll take care of them. Just give the orders."

There were people following them. There were always people following them so it wasn't a new occurrence but for them to follow them all the way to Miami... They were so desperate.

After they got to Miami, there had been a lot of weirdos trying to get her picture, approach her with harmful substances and reporters who were trying to get her statement about what had happened to her cousin as well as her actions as a villainess.

Everyone wanted to know, desperately, if the heir of the Ross group was really a mentally unstable patient, and her uncle was really pushing it by trying to agitate her. Then, she would lose her temper, hit someone and then spread more rumors that she was very violent in her dealings.

It was such a pathetic attempt but she could not deny that this recent rumor could be fatal to her.

Her plans had never gone wrong, up until a year ago. Since she lost the vote to take over the company in a very sudden, shocking and humiliating way, there had been one interference or the other in her plans.

She wasn't supposed to lose the vote since she was far above 18, done with her school and learning, but they denied her right as the heir with the excuse that she was still too young'. Hah, a 23 years old was young in their eyes, who were they trying to fool?

Her uncle was at it for sure.

And then, they suggested she took on the position of manager first. Not the CEO but a manager.

It was quite the blow and rumors spread that she was denied access to her inheritance because she had such a horrible character, bad composure, lacked business sense, and that the company would definitely go bankrupt under her control.

Valerie had to reconstruct her plans because of this but things just weren't going the way she wanted anymore.

And then there was the rumors of her having a mental illness when she was seen breaking things in a boutique for being looked down on. The rumors solidified after her cousin's death and this was not something to be taken lightly as it could put all her efforts in jeopardy.

If it is indeed confirmed, somehow, that she has a mental illness, even if she didn't, then she would have to step down from her position in the company completely and give up her rights because no one would risk leaving the company to a mentally deranged patient.

Thus... She glanced at her sleeping pills on the table... She had to be careful when visiting the hospital.

Her uncle's influence was not to be taken lightly either. He was just an interim chairman but everyone seemed to hold him in high regards simply because he had been acting Chairman for over 20 years. They all knew she was the rightful owner yet they could not help but stick to her uncle's side, just in case some 'unforseen' accident occurred and she left the company to him.

Knowing she was mentally ill would immediately break the last bit of trust her people had in her and move to her uncle's side, leaving her with no one.

And if that happened... She clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. But she let go, sighed and said,

"Take care of them." She dug her fingers in her temple. She was exhausted. "And Frankie," she lifted her gaze and said, "Please, be careful."

Frankie looked at her master and smiled in understanding before nodding and leaving.

"Goodnight, Miss."