Secret Heiress: The Mafia Billionaire's Surrogate

Valerie's POV

I woke up because of the non-stop doorbell ringing all over the house. I scratch my eyes because I “Who would ring the bell this early morning?” I walked towards the door with my sleepy eyes. I turned the doorknob and opened the door, “Do you have any idea there's a person resting—” I paused and widened.

Mrs. Gray raised her eyebrow, “Are you saying something?”

“N-no, ma'am…” I stammer. I felt like my tongue backfired after seeing her standing at my porch. The house that was bought by Mason. Mrs. Gray stepped in, wandering her eyes around the house. I shut the door, and followed her to the living room where I found her sitting here comfortably. “What do I owe you for this pleasure, Mrs. Gray?”

She wiped the coffee table with her finger and looked at it before showing me, “Don't you dust your house?”

“I… uh…”

“Nevermind. Golddiggers like you never know how to do house chores, so it doesn't surprise me. Perhaps, you're looking for maids to clean your house?” She asked.

I gulped, “I do…” Damn! I don't know what to say! I'm not ready for her visit, especially since Mason didn't warn me about this.

“Good. You need it, especially golddiggers don't know how to clean their houses.” I smiled forcedly even though I'm getting annoyed to her words. She's been calling me golddigger like I didn't hear it. “What brings you here, Mrs. Gray?”

She stood up and answered, “I once in your place, Valerie. I aim to be with the richest man in the world, and I had it. I became his wife and we had a son. However, my ridiculous husband wanted his oldest son to take over his empire and what's worse, Mason married a golddigger.”

“Uh, can I speak?” I questioned.

“Go ahead.”

“First of all, I'm not a golddigger. Second of all, I didn't marry him because of his money. Mason was a good man and you didn't see it. Third of all, I have a long patient and your taunting won't work. So, what can I do for you?”

“How much?”

I furrowed, “I beg your pardon?”

“I know my stepson paid you to be his wife, and I wouldn't be surprised if you accept the money he pays you. Perhaps, you have an important someone taking care of and you badly need the money. That's why you flirt with him and accept his proposal,” she explained.

“Oh, I see. Why are you thinking I'm a paid wife of Mason? Isn't it promising for you to believe that we're married? Mason is a nice guy in any way, and it wasn't my fault if you didn't see it. I wasn't paid to be his wife because we fell in love with each other and I love him more than you think,” I responded. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that she will believe it, even though I'm not good at lying.

She scoffed, “Do you think I'm stupid to believe you?” Mrs. Gray chuckled sarcastically, “I know wh*re when I see one. Besides, this house seemed to come from my stepson. He spent his money to buy you a house, and that's one of the signs you're a golddigger.”

“For your information this house didn't come from your stepson and I will never ask him to buy me a house,” I lied. This house was bought by Mason, and we talk about this. He told me not to tell his stepmother about the ownership of this house, and made Mrs. Gray believe it was mine although it wasn't.

She rolled her eyes, “Whatever.” Mrs Gray opens her first and takes something out of it. She even grabbed a pen before turning at me and asked, “As I questioned you earlier, Valerie. How much?”

“I'm not negotiating with you, Mrs Gray.”

She smirked, “Everyone loves money, Valerie. I know you love it too. So tell me how much money you wanted and I will pay for it three times the money my stepson has paid you.”

I chuckled, “What? Didn't you hear what I said, Mrs. Gray? Perhaps I have to repeat myself?”

“Don't be a fool. We're talking about money and you are taking it down just to prove you are not after my stepson's money. That was the foolish word I ever heard in my entire life. I can pay you 20 million dollars just to stay away from mason,” she offered.

20 million dollars is kinda tempting. If I was a desperate woman who badly needed money, I would bite it. However, I'm not an in need woman. I will never bite her trap because my existence to his life has more important reasons, and all I wanted is to drag Mason down and make him suffer in my palm.

“Is 20 million not enough? Then I will add another 20 million just to stay away from him. You are ruining the heir's future,” she added the sum of money to convince me, but my answer was still no deal. “Okay. Last offer. I will give you 50 million, Valerie. You are not fit to be Mason's wife, and I know that because I am his stepmother. I want nothing but best for him, but he chose a desperate woman who will waste all his money for her hobbies. Deal or no deal?” She offered when I didn't say anything and remained silent.

I chuckled softly before crossing my arms while shaking my head and replied, “Are you being serious, Mrs. Gray? My love for Mason is priceless. You cannot offer me any money you have because I'm not the kind of woman. Even if you offer me 1 billion dollars just to stay away with him, I will never accept it.”

She clenches her jaw in annoyance before putting her check back to her purse because she can do anything about my decision. Mrs. Gray moved closer and muttered, “The first time I laid my eyes on you, I knew something was wrong. I will find it and make you leave our lives immediately.” She leaned forward and added, “You wanted to play with him, Valerie. Then I'll give it to you. But I can't guarantee that your life will be at peace because I will make your life miserable than it used to be…”