Snapping out of her initial shock, Andrea fixed Valentine with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. She knew exactly what he was up to; her ex-husband was trying to win her back by appealing to her through his culinary efforts.
"Valentine Anderson, is all this effort meant to make me forgive you and take you back?" Andrea asked pointedly.
Valentine didn't shy away from the truth this time. He hung his head slightly and responded with a soft sincerity, "Andrea, when we were married, I didn't fully appreciate all that you did for me. It wasn't until you left that I realized how crucial you were to my life. This is my honest attempt to win you back, to show you I've changed."
Andrea listened to Valentine and chuckled; his words weren't enough to sway her. She had been duped by his seemingly sincere words before and was determined not to fall for them so easily again.
Before she could retort, Butler Tom approached the dining table. "Ma'am, the dress you wore has been laundered and pressed by Mr. Valentine Anderson himself," he informed her.
Surprised, Andrea raised her eyebrows and gave Valentine a questioning look. Why was her ex-husband acting so out of character?
Once Tom had left, Andrea quipped, "Nice PR move. How much are you paying them to sing your praises?"
It was clear that the household staff were all in on Valentine's scheme.
"No price is too high to demonstrate my sincerity," Valentine replied humbly.
Andrea gave Valentine another look, wondering if he really had changed, or if this was just another facade. Her ex-husband had always been egotistical and self-centered, but the man before her seemed markedly different.
Rolling her eyes, Andrea realized that arguing was futile; if he was pretending, his true colors would show eventually. She took a seat and began to eat, then, with a look of disbelief, she asked, "Since when do you know how to cook?"
Valentine's face lit up with joy. He had spent years perfecting his culinary skills, all for this moment. "A few years ago. I learned for you. Do you like it?" he asked eagerly.
"Passable," Andrea responded curtly. She wasn't accustomed to this new, love-struck version of Valentine Anderson.
After finishing her meal, Andrea fixed Valentine with a serious gaze. "Valentine Anderson, let's forget the past. I can't envision us together in the future."
Expecting a heated retort, Andrea was taken aback when Valentine lowered his head, and upon raising it again, his eyes were filled with tears. She was rendered speechless by his display of emotion.
Valentine nodded, looking every bit the aggrieved spouse, as he wiped away his tears. He appeared genuinely distraught.
"Tsk, you could win an Oscar for this performance. Maybe you should consider becoming a stay-at-home dad—you'd excel in that role," Andrea said with a mix of sarcasm and exasperation.
"If that's what you want, I would be happy to be a stay-at-home husband," Valentine agreed promptly, without a hint of hesitation.
Andrea clenched her jaw in frustration, realizing she had never known Valentine to be so shameless and thick-skinned.
Realizing that conversing with her ex-husband was utterly draining, she abruptly informed him, "Get ready, we're meeting up with Rose Ferguson," before striding towards her room.
Andrea Singers felt compelled to give him a heads-up; she was curious about Valentine Anderson's reaction and whether he still harbored feelings for Rose Ferguson.
Without waiting for a reply, she disappeared into her room, swiftly changing into a chic outfit for the rendezvous. Emerging from her room, she exuded a striking aura of beauty and elegance.
Andrea Singers took great care in her appearance, knowing she would be facing her romantic rival. As she descended the stairs, she caught sight of Valentine Anderson, looking debonair in a sleek black suit.
"Tsk!, handsome men are such a handful," Andrea Singers muttered to herself as she descended the staircase.
"Mrs. Andrea Singers, I'll be your chauffeur," Valentine Anderson announced with a warm smile.
Andrea breezed past him, rolling her eyes in exasperation. Valentine Anderson swiftly opened the car door for her in the garage and assumed the driver's seat, navigating towards the meeting location.
The grand hotel loomed ahead, a prominent fixture in Vegas City known for its opulence and steep prices, yet perpetually bustling with visitors.
Exiting the car, Andrea turned to Valentine and uttered, "Come with me."
Valentine complied without a second thought, much to Andrea's surprise. She had anticipated orchestrating the meeting effortfully, but it seemed unnecessary now.
Ascending in the elevator, they reached the pinnacle floor and entered the exclusive chamber. Inside, Rose Ferguson and a companion awaited their arrival.
Andrea's lips curled into a satisfied smile as she observed the astonishment on Rose's face upon seeing them enter.
Andrea cast a quick glance at Valentine Anderson before turning to Rose. "Mrs. Ferguson, do you know Valentine Anderson?" she inquired.
Rose Ferguson hesitated, stammering slightly as she denied, "Yes, no of course, I... I only know him as the owner of Val. Corp."
Attempting to provoke a reaction, Andrea shot a smug look at Valentine Anderson, but his expression remained unreadable.
"Mrs. Singers, it's a pleasure to meet you. I never imagined I would encounter someone as remarkable as you in my lifetime. I am truly impressed," the man next to Rose Ferguson remarked, his eyes gleaming and a hint of drool on his lip.
Frowning, Andrea replied unhappily, "And who might you be?"
As Andrea surveyed the man standing beside Rose Ferguson, she noticed Rose's pallor and the bruises scattered across exposed areas of her body beneath her gown.