Chapter 177

Celine Valmont's eyes flickered with amusement as Julian Valmont's face darkened like a storm cloud.

Once Lucien Valmont was out of earshot, Julian lowered his voice. "Sis, what should I do?"

Celine arched a brow. "Really smitten?"

"Of course. I want her," Julian replied, stubbornness flashing in his eyes.

His unattainable first love was now behind bars, and despite his efforts, he couldn't get her out.

The family elders had warned him—if he interfered again, they'd strip him of his inheritance.

With two ambitious cousins eyeing his position, he had no choice but to accept it.

But Aria Bennett's eyes... they were the spitting image of his lost love.

If he couldn't have the original, a replacement would do.

Celine's red lips curled. "Once we're back in the capital, find an opportunity to take her. Get some photos, some videos—she won't refuse."

"Those other girls you played with before, didn't they all fall in line?"

To her, people without connections were nothing more than playthings.

Julian's eyes lit up. He knew this game well—the other girls had all begged him not to expose them in the end.

"But Damian Cross and Nolan Reed..."

Those two men were his biggest concerns.

Celine's gaze turned dismissive. Her useless brother was good for nothing but causing trouble.

But that suited her just fine. Once she secured the Whitmore Group, she'd slowly swallow the Valmont empire whole.

"Men lose interest eventually. What's the rush?"

She couldn't let this idiot ruin her plans.

"Run it by me before you make a move."

Julian nodded eagerly. "Of course, of course."

Then Celine remembered something. "Oh, and stay away from Roman Vale."

If Roman could have her brother's woman thrown in prison just like that, he wasn't someone to trifle with.

Julian scoffed. "What kind of connections could he have? We've been classmates for years—"

"Shut up!" Celine cut him off coldly. "Lay low for now. I'll look into it first."

Meanwhile, Elias Vaughn approached briskly.

"Trouble from the Valmonts?" He'd just finished a call when he saw the Valmont family members storm off.

Damian's voice was calm. "They tried to strong-arm us into selling rough stones. We sent them packing."

Elias adjusted his glasses. "The Valmonts always resort to dirty tricks."

"If it weren't for leaving them to you, Roman would've dealt with them already."

Damian's lips quirked slightly. "The Valmonts are ours."

He remembered Aria saying she wanted revenge herself.

"But don't hold back on the pressure," he added.

A slow bleed hurt the most.

Elias understood. Crossing this living executioner meant the Valmonts were finished.

His friend was clearly serious this time.

"Don't worry." A glint flashed behind his lenses.

Aria and the others continued selecting rough stones. An hour later, Audrey Lane and Vivienne Archer pulled at her sleeve, pouting.

"Aria, help us check these numbers~"

They handed her a notebook filled with serial codes.

After confirming their budgets, Aria examined the raw jade carefully. Their luck wasn't bad—two or three out of thirty stones might yield something.

She picked five for each, plus an extra high-quality piece.

"If we strike jade, I'm making three pairs of bracelets!" Vivienne exclaimed excitedly.

Audrey grinned. "I'll craft three sets of earrings—I've already designed them!"

Aria smiled. "Sounds perfect."

"When mine are cut, I'll carve you both protection charms myself."

"Ahhh, I love you!" Vivienne hugged her and planted a kiss on her cheek.

The three laughed together, their shadows stretching long under the golden sunlight.