My Husband Is a Million Years Old Vampire-Chapter 127

Upon hearing what Valentina just said.

Avery’s face twitched. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out right away. She had expected to make Valentina flinch, maybe feel small, embarrassed even—but now?

She was the one standing in silence, biting back her frustration.

Valentina had struck deeper than she’d planned for.

Director of Sterling Design? It sounded like a joke at first. Like Valentina had just said something for show. But the calmness in her tone, the certainty in her eyes—it wasn’t for attention. It was real.

Avery’s hands curled slightly at her sides, She was angry now, Furious, even. Valentina wasn’t just standing up for herself—she was making it impossible for Avery to get under her skin, and that alone was driving her crazy. This wasn’t how the game was supposed to go, this wasn’t how she thought it would turned out to be. Not at all.

But then something clicked.

Sterling Design...The name repeated in her mind again. This time slower. Clearer.

Her eyes narrowed.

"Wait..." she muttered under her breath. "Sterling Design? You mean that Sterling Design?"

At that moment Valentina raised a brow. "Yes."

Avery blinked rapidly, her thoughts scrambling.

"The one that handles interior architecture? Commercial luxury spaces? The one under GSK’s umbrella?"

However Valentina didn’t fully catch what she was saying but nodded slowly. "Yes, that’s the one."

At that moment Avery froze, her heart skipped once.

Tier six in GSK... that Sterling Design? The weight of it hit her all at once.

And the woman standing in front of her... now had the title Director of it.

Then Avery stood speechless for a few seconds. Her lips slightly parted, but nothing came out. Her brows creased just a little as her eyes scanned Valentina again—this time not in mockery, but in confusion and quiet surprise. ƒreewebɳovel.com

She hadn’t expected this, not even close.

Without being told she knew any company under GSK, no matter the tier, was a serious deal. GSK didn’t just hand out contracts to random businesses. To be a director in one of them—especially at Sterling Design—wasn’t small. That was power. That was credibility. That was class.

At that moment Avery forced a small smile. "Wow... that’s actually... that’s actually good. I mean, impressive."

Then Valentina gave a small nod, still calm.

Avery tilted her head slightly. "So that’s how you got the position then? Makes sense now... maybe someone helped you from the inside? A little back door connection? I’m your friend so you can tell me"

Raymond’s eyes flicked to Avery, but Valentina didn’t react. She stood firm, her tone cool, her posture still.

She didn’t need to raise her voice, she didn’t need to defend too hard.

She just looked at Avery and said, "No. I’m not one of those people who rely on their parents or sit around waiting for family businesses to hand them titles. I’m working for mine."

She let that sink in.

"I don’t run a company owned by my family. And I didn’t walk through the back door either. I earned my place. That’s the difference."

Immediately Avery’s fake smile twitched again.

Valentina didn’t blink.

"Anyone with sense would understand that," she added. "And they’d also understand why I deserve that position."

Then she folded her arms gently.

"Two very different things, Avery."

At that moment Avery’s face hardened even more, even though she tried to hide it behind a plastic smile. But her pride had already taken the hit. Valentina’s words rang clear in her ears—’I’m not one of those people who rely on their parents... I earned my place.’

To anyone listening, it was a direct shot. And Avery knew it. The insult wasn’t loud, but it was sharp—too sharp to ignore. It burned beneath her skin.

’So that’s what she thinks of me?’ she thought, clenching her jaw behind closed lips. ’That I’m bragging on something handed down to me? That I didn’t earn my own seat?’

But instead of confronting it head-on, she decided to change the subject, regain control of the situation, she wouldn’t allow valatina to get the betterment of her, not now not always, she hasn’t lost to her before and she wouldn’t lose now.

Avery cleared her throat and straightened up. "Well... since you’re now in Sterling Design and all, you should already know—GSK is opening up a major contract next week."

Upon hearing what Avery just said Valentina didn’t respond immediately, she just kept her eyes steady on her.

"It’s huge," Avery continued, her tone laced with strategy now. "Ten billion dollars. Whoever wins it, their company’s going to skyrocket. They’ll jump tiers instantly."

Then she glanced briefly at Raymond before returning her attention to Valentina.

"So I just thought I’d let you know... since we’re all being open here." She gave a fake little laugh. "You might want to prepare something solid for the pitch. I mean, we’ve already got our proposal ready. And don’t worry—there are some people inside GSK who are rooting for us."

Still Valentina stayed silent, reading between every word Avery said.

Avery went on, "My father’s company is doing quite well lately. Adding this contract will just move us into second-tier family status quickly."

She smiled again, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

Underneath, her message was clear:

Then Avery’s voice dropped slightly, her words now laced with quiet venom.

"So, Valentina," she said, stepping a little closer, her chin lifting with pride, "don’t get too carried away. I know you’re feeling confident with this new position, but let’s get one thing clear."

Again Valentina’s eyes didn’t move, but her heart slowed. She could already sense where Avery was heading.

"We are not mates," Avery said sharply. "Not in status. Not in experience. Not in anything. You might be a director now, but that doesn’t place you on my level."

Raymond shifted slightly, but Valentina didn’t react.

"You should learn to respect your elders," Avery added coldly. "In this business world, titles come and go, but class doesn’t."

That part—respect your elders—struck deeper than it sounded. It wasn’t about age. It was about dominance. About reminding Valentina where she thought she belonged.