Larissa's Game of Thrones (Larissa) novel Chapter 117

Haskell looked at Valeria, a faint, unreadable smile on his face. “If you were hoping I’d be marrying some useless woman just to laugh at my expense, Valeria, I’m afraid you’re going to be disappointed.”

“Haskell, you misunderstand me!” Valeria quickly denied. “I would never think that. Of course, I was hoping the Judson heiress would be as talented and beautiful as Honora, if not more so! But that seems impossible, doesn’t it? If she were truly that special, Paxton Judson would never have let her marry you in Honora’s place.”

“After all,” she added, a smirk she could no longer contain spreading across her face, “you’re not the man you used to be. I’m just being realistic.”

Taunting Haskell felt so satisfying.

Haskell remained perfectly calm. “If you want to know what she’s like, you could just ask Draven. Why bother asking me? Or is it that you saw Crispin isn’t with me and thought you could say whatever you want without getting slapped?”

Valeria instinctively shrank behind Thatch. “Haskell, I was just asking because I care about you. I wanted to hear your own thoughts on her. You don’t have to threaten me.”

“Besides,” she added, her tone turning accusatory, “if you and Grandpa hadn’t suggested I stay home, I wouldn’t be so completely in the dark.”

She then turned to Draven, tugging on his arm impatiently. “Draven, since Haskell won’t tell me, you have to. What happened tonight? Is the Judson heiress a complete embarrassment?”

Draven shook his head. “Quite the opposite. She’s formidable. She even managed to outshine Honora.”

Hearing him emphasize her status as an “adopted daughter,” Valeria felt a surge of rage. She was so close to screaming the truth—that she wasn’t adopted at all, but her father’s biological child.

Thatch, who had been silent until now, finally spoke, his expression one of weary disappointment. “That’s enough, Haskell. Stop calling Valeria an adopted daughter. You were the one who begged your grandfather to let her stay. You doted on her like a real sister for three years. There’s no need to take your frustrations about your legs out on her.”

A chilling smile touched Haskell’s lips. “You’re quite the devoted father. When Valeria speaks out of turn, you say nothing. But the moment I criticize her, you jump in to scold me. Anyone who didn’t know better would think Valeria was your real daughter and I was the adopted one.”

Thatch sighed, feigning concern. “Haskell, I know you’ve been in a dark place since the accident, but don’t let your mind run wild. The psychologist I hired for you will be here tomorrow. He can help you work through these feelings.”