Chapter 18 A wave of terrified screams erupted throughout the venue as the guests scattered in panic , plunging the scene into utter chaos . Andy was even more frightened , his little face turning pale as he clung tightly to Arnold . Theodore ignored the surrounding turmoil , stepping forward one step at a time , pressing the muzzle of his gun steadily against Arnold's forehead , his voice squeezed out through clenched teeth . " Give me back my Vallie , my Andy . " " Theodore , stop ! " Valerie tried to rush forward , but Arnold held her back firmly with his arm . Facing the dark barrel of the gun , Arnold showed not a trace of fear on his face . He even patted Valerie's hand reassuringly . " Don't be afraid . " The calmer he appeared , the more intense the madness burned in Theodore's eyes . What right did he have to win Vallie's love , to earn Andy's trust ? " I told you to give them back to me ! " Theodore roared , his finger already pressing on the trigger . " Theodore , put the gun down first , and I'll talk to you ! " Valerie broke free from Arnold's restraint and stepped forward . Theodore finally shifted his gaze away from Arnold , the madness in his eyes fading slightly . 0.00 % 09:45 Chapter 18 11 253 Walchert " Fine , come with me . " He slowly lowered the gun , but still gripped it tightly in his hand . " Vallie , don't go ! " Arnold grabbed her , his eyes full of worry . " Don't worry , I can handle this , " Valerie gave him a reassuring look , then said to Theodore , " Let's go to the café next door . I don't want Andy to see any of this . " Theodore nodded obediently . The café had already been cleared out , leaving only the two of them inside . " What do you want to talk about ? " Valerie spoke first , her voice icy cold . " Vallie , come back with me , " Theodore pleaded anxiously . " I know I was wrong . This past year , not a single day has gone by that I haven't searched for you , that I haven't regretted . Please forgive me , will you ? Let's take Andy and go back to Los Angeles . We can be like we used to be ... " " Like before ? " Valerie let out a soft laugh . " Theodore , have you forgotten ? The Valerie you're looking for died a long time ago . " She met his stunned gaze . " She died the moment you threatened me with Andy's life to force me to shut down the livestream . She died when you let Olivia pour my mother's ashes down the toilet and had people slap me ninety - nine times . The person sitting here now is a complete stranger to you . " With a heavy thud , Theodore left his seat and dropped to his knees on the tiled floor in front of Valerie . The man who once wielded power in Los Angeles , always above others , now knelt on the ground without a shred of dignity , looking up with tears welling in his eyes . 26.10 % 09:45 C Chapter 18 288 wouchers " I'm sorry ... Vallie , I'm so sorry ... " he choked out , reaching for her hand , but she recoiled from him in disgust . Valerie looked down at him from above , her eyes utterly unmoved . She mocked him lightly , " Did you learn this act from Olivia ? Did you used to kneel and beg her like this too , letting her train you like an obedient dog ? What a pity , Theodore . She might have fallen for it , but I won't . " " No ... Vallie , as long as you forgive me , I'll do anything you ask . If you want me to die , I'll do it . " he pleaded humbly . She narrowed her eyes . " You'll do anything , Theodore ? Then can you bring my mother back to life ? Can you gather all her ashes that were flushed down the drain ? " Theodore grabbed the hem of her dress . " Olivia ... she's already been sentenced to death . The execution is next month . She killed your mother , and she'll pay with her life . " He thought that saying this would bring her even the slightest comfort . But Valerie laughed , laughing so hard that tears streamed down her face . " She'll pay with her life , and that's what she deserves . But what about the pain Andy and I suffered ? Who will pay for that ? " She walked to the door , leaving him with one final sentence . " Theodore , I'm warning you . Don't harass me or my family again . In Britain , breaking into a home and threatening someone with a gun is enough to put you behind bars for life . " Valerie thought her warning would work , but she still underestimated the obsession of a madman . 59.37 % 09:45 Chapter 18 The next morning , when Valerie went out for her run and opened the door , she was met with an unbelievable sight . Theodore was actually kneeling on the lawn in front of their villa , his body covered in dew and grass clippings . Hearing the door open , he lifted his bloodshot eyes , and then did something that sent a chill down Valerie's spine . 280 Vers