Chapter 116 - Variety Show (17)

"Follow them," Aaliyah ordered through gritted teeth as she watched Valentina get into a black car. 

Although the car looked simple, as someone who grew up in the lap of luxury, there was no way she wouldn't recognize that type of vehicle.

That was a Mercedes-Maybach S 680. And not just any version; it was the latest version that was supposed to be released the next year. She only knew about it because her father and elder brother were speaking about it, and she had considered buying it for them. However, when she looked at the price, she was hesitant to spend her hard-earned money on it.

Although Valentina had denied it, it was clear that she was selling her body to executives, and this was the clearest proof. After all, she knew better than anyone that Valentina had no money. The measly allowance given by the Salazar family was little better than minimum wage and definitely not what the blood daughter of a wealthy family should receive. She could spend the entirety of Valentina's monthly allowance on a purse and not even bat an eye.

Cursing the handsome bodyguard who kept Valentina fully covered with his body, somehow blocking all the angles of the pictures she was taking, she leaned forward and smacked the head of her driver.

"I said follow her!"

"But they haven't left yet, miss." The driver responded in a calm tone, although he was angry. However, he knew he couldn't react as this was a good-paying job, and he didn't want the young miss to report him to the master. He still had to put his kids through school, after all.

"Tch."

Aaliyah sat back down angrily but kept her gaze locked on the car. As Valentina's car drove off, her driver sped up to follow them.

They cruised for a couple of minutes before suddenly, Valentina's vehicle sped up and began weaving through traffic at an insane speed before turning onto smaller roads.

As her driver lost track of Valentina's car temporarily, Aaliyah couldn't hold back and smacked the driver's head once more, causing the car to swerve.

"I said you should follow them closely!" she ordered angrily once he had straightened out.

"Miss, I can't. We've reached the end of the road, and we're by the entrance of the gated community, and the car went through there," The driver replied through gritted teeth as he pointed at a large ornate gate that had scenic estates only seen in movies behind it. As they watched, Valentina's car was waved through the gate as the security men bowed.

As they approached, Aaliyah had to hide her shock. What was Valentina doing in Paradise Cove??? Had they followed the wrong car?

"Well, what are you waiting for? Drive through." Aaliyah hissed.

"Of course, Miss." As the driver drove up, they were quickly stopped as a man in a security uniform stepped out in front of the car, and another gestured for the driver to lower his window.

"Can I help you?" the guard asked in a firm polite tone.

"Yes, we're following our friend who just went ahead." Aaliyah lowered her window and spoke to the guard with a charming smile. She knew her face was beautiful and she was gaining popularity as an artist, so there was a chance he might recognize her and do her this favor.

"You need a pass to enter the premises. Where's your pass?" the guard asked in the same firm voice.

"We don't have one. My friend just said I should follow her. Are you sure you can't let us in?" Aaliyah batted her eyelids as she reached into her purse and pulled out some cash to discretlely offer the guard.

The guard snorted disdainfully before knocking on the door frame angrily, "I know your type. You're one of those crazy stalker people who chase others in hopes of climbing up instead of working hard to have a steady future. No pass means no entry. I don't care if it's your mother, grandmother, or aunt is in the car in front. You can't follow. If it's really your friend, they would have alerted us as they went through. I suggest you leave before I get you arrested."

"But sir, I promise I really know that person. We're best friends. In fact, you could even say we're sisters!"

"And I'm a multibillionaire who's working a guard job for fun. Get out of here before the cops are called and I report you for stalking. Now!" The guard yelled out before walking back into the guard station, completely ignoring Aaliyah.

As the guard standing in front of the car gestured angrily, Aaliyah could feel her teeth grinding once more. These low-life bastards dared to be rude to her? They should watch themselves!

"Miss, what do I do?"

"Obviously, leave. Do I have to think for you?" pissed at the stupid question, she hit the back of his head again.

Tch. It seemed that stupid Valentina had gotten a decent backer. If it was somebody wealthy enough to live in Paradise Cove, then she had to be a bit more careful. She would have to reevaluate her plans and make sure her accomplice wouldn't say anything about her to the police.

Still, she wasn't too worried. Although Valentina had talked a big game, she was still bound by her contract to Black Rock Entertainment, and despite finding a backer, she clearly couldn't afford to break it and pay the fee. Additionally, that backer had only provided small-time roles to Valentina, which showed that the person didn't really have a lot of influence.

Although she had been a bit worried when Roman Grayson mentioned poaching her to Platinum Entertainment, clearly, that was nonsense that he had probably said to appease Rio from the Fallen Angels since he and Valentina were supposedly on friendly terms. Nothing had changed; Valentina would still be under her thumb as she continued to take everything from her and prove that despite her birth, Aaliyah was the better Salazar daughter.

Still, remembering the easy smile Valentina had during her live stream as she spoke with Rio and Shawn, the beautiful view in the background, and even the luxurious clothes Valentina wore today, she felt uncomfortably bitter. Why was she still living well even though she was suppressed? Why was she still making connections even though her family didn't love her? Why was she still sparkling and beautiful, laughing casually, and gracefully moving through life instead of being downtrodden and depressed as she was before?

Why? Why? Why? Why?

As her inferiority complex reared its head, Aaliyah bit her thumb and tried to calm herself down.

It was fine. She would handle the man she sent to mess up Valentina's place, then go cry to her father so he could force the Black Rock Executives to properly chain Valentina up, forcing her to only work menial jobs until she died. That was the only way her heart could be at peace.

Turning to the driver, her eyes became cold.

"Head to the Salazar company. I need to see my father."

"…Yes, miss"