Naturally, Valentine Anderson was incensed upon hearing Andrea Singers publicly declare that he was impotent. No man would take kindly to such an announcement, particularly in a public setting—it struck at a sensitive spot for all men.
Glaring at Andrea, his expression darkened, yet when she turned towards him, he managed to force a strained smile.
Meanwhile, Andrea's lips curved into a smile as she cast a quick glance at Rose Ferguson, who was visibly stunned by the revelation that Andrea Singers was actually Valentine's ex-wife—someone she had sought funding from and had criticized just days before, unknowingly.
Without addressing any further questions from the group of eager journalists, Andrea smoothly made her way down the red carpet.
Valentine Anderson felt a strong urge to follow her, but he found himself completely hemmed in by enthusiastic journalists who were keen to delve into the topic of his fertility.
A journalist wasted no time in putting Valentine Anderson on the spot with a direct question: "President Anderson, is your ex-wife being truthful?"
Caught off guard and eager to mend things with his estranged wife, Valentine Anderson didn't mince words in his response, his tone laced with frustration. "If she claims I'm impotent, then so be it. If she says otherwise, then that stands too."
The journalists were taken aback by Anderson's unexpected admission, seeing a different side to the typically arrogant and self-assured billionaire.
As the unfolding drama took on the hues of a love story, the reporters leaned in, hungry for more.
"Excuse me, I need to pass through," Valentine Anderson demanded in a low, strained voice, his eyes betraying his inner turmoil at being rejected by Andrea.
"President Anderson, what are your prospects of reconciling with your ex-wife?" another journalist pressed, sensing the emotional undercurrents at play.
Valentine Anderson's gaze dulled as he stared sternly at the inquirer before responding, "I will contact your Boss, who will be more than willing to address your question on my behalf."
In the intensity of the moment the group of journalists momentarily forgot that Valentine Anderson held the key to the City.
A mere call to their superiors could result in being dismissed and ostracized from Vegas City. Once the reality dawned on them, they all fell silent and quickly adjusted their demeanor.
They parted to allow Valentine Anderson to stride into the banquet hall.
As he traversed the red carpet, Rose Ferguson called out, "Valentine, Val!"
Coming to a halt, Valentine Anderson pivoted, visibly irritated and perturbed. "What is it?" he retorted impatiently.
Rose Ferguson, her expression contorted in fury, clenched her teeth and prepared to strike, but before her hand could land the blow, Valentine Anderson swiftly seized her arm with a menacing glare. "Rose, considering a slap, are you?" he growled, his voice low and threatening.
At that moment, Jack entered the hallway and witnessed the tense confrontation. His fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, seething with anger. Rose had left him outside to deal with a group of journalists while running after her ex-boyfriend, stoking his rage.
With a determined expression, Rose forcefully pulled her arm back, her eyes ablaze with anger as she locked gazes with Valentine Anderson. She had grown accustomed to asserting dominance by slapping him in the past, but the man standing before her now was no longer the compliant young man she once knew.
"Did you do it intentionally to retaliate against me?" Rose Ferguson demanded, her voice filled with fury. She believed that the right thing for Valentine Anderson to have done, if he wasn't seeking revenge, was to disclose that Andrea Singers was his ex-wife before their recent meeting.
"Are you worthy?" Valentine Anderson sneered with disgust, then turned on his heel to walk away, resenting the fact that he had to engage in conversation with Rose after what she had done to him.
When Rose Ferguson noticed Valentine Anderson was walking away, she clenched her teeth and spoke through her anger, "She will never agree to be with you after everything you've done. Do you honestly believe any woman would want an impotent man like you? Forget it! You have nothing to offer her. The sooner you give up, the better."
Valentine Anderson froze, memories of Rose Ferguson destroying his marriage flooding back. She was actively working against his efforts to reconcile with Andrea this time. Her words stung with a fresh wave of fury.
Whirling around with a menacing expression, he advanced towards her, his eyes filled with a dangerous intensity as he demanded, "Say that again."
Rose Ferguson instinctively took a few steps back, her fear palpable as she witnessed Valentine Anderson's unprecedented rage.
"What are you doing with my wife?" Jack's voice cut through the tension, his presence finally acknowledged after silently observing the escalating confrontation between the two.
Valentine Anderson shifted his gaze away from Rose's face as he turned to Jack. "Keep an eye on your wife," he said curtly before walking away.
Rose Ferguson glanced nervously at Jack, who bore a menacing expression that sent shivers down her spine.
"Do you still have feelings for him?" Jack inquired in a low, ominous tone.
Rose shook her head frantically, sensing his rising anger. She began to retreat, but Jack swiftly blocked her path, trapping her between his arms as he pressed her against the wall, his gaze icy.
"You abandoned me out there. How should I make you pay?" Jack murmured, running a finger along Rose's cheek.
Trembling with fear and her face drained of color, Rose stammered, "I-I-I..." but faltered, unable to form a coherent sentence.
Jack placed a finger over her lips, silencing her. "Your reckoning will come when we return home, understood?" he whispered, a smile spreading across his face—a smile more chilling than staring down the barrel of a gun for Rose Ferguson.
Advancing with purpose, he made his way toward the entrance of the banquet hall, leaving Rose Ferguson in tears. Her knees buckled, causing her to slump to the floor, appearing fragile and pale.
"Rose Ferguson, are you okay?" a voice inquired unexpectedly.
In an instant, Rose Ferguson leaped to her feet, mustering a smile as she responded, "I'm fine."