Born to Rule, Destined to Destroy Novel 7

Chapter 7
Dominic stormed into Barnett Mansion, fury simmering beneath his skin. Adriana greeted him with a tender smile, voice soft as silk. “Dominic, you’re back? Natalia invited me to stay a few days—alright with you?”
“Of course! He’d be thrilled!” Natalia chirped, catching his distracted air with a playful wink. “Right?”
“Yeah,” Dominic muttered, drifting to the sofa, hands moving mechanically to pour coffee. The cup met his lips—his face twisted. “Why’s this cold?”
The housekeeper darted forward, flustered. “Sorry, Mr. Barnett—I was cleaning, lost track. I’ll brew fresh now.” She snatched the pot and fled to the kitchen.
Camila scoffed, disdain sharp. “Dominic’s coffee’s always hot when he’s home—tradition. Some know that yet slack off, lounging about. Valeria managed it flawlessly—no housekeeper needed. Some aim for Mrs. Barnett but can’t touch her shadow!”
Adriana’s eyes stung, the barb piercing; she sought Dominic’s defense, but he stared at the cold brew, adrift. Hot coffee had greeted him daily—Valeria’s quiet care, a rhythm he’d deemed trivial. Now, her absence gnawed, revealing her worth.
Adriana’s uneasy smile faltered. “I missed it this once, Dominic—I’ll ensure it’s hot next time. How’d it go with Valeria? Did she apologize to Commissioner Barnett?”
Her name soured his reverie into irritation. “She’s unreasonable—called Uncle Javier right in front of me, claiming Egret’s on board!”
“What?” Camila and Natalia’s faces darkened, shock twisting to disbelief—Valeria, once meek, daring to dupe Javier?
Adriana bit her lip, worry threading her tone. “That call seals it—no turning back now. The Barnetts…”
“If she harms us, she’ll pay,” Dominic vowed, voice a glacial edge, chilling Adriana’s spine.
Across town, Valeria wrestled her own frustration. Why did Dominic, so obsessed with shielding the Barnett name, stall their divorce? His caution should’ve rushed it—yet here they lingered. Massaging her temples, she unlocked her phone. Diego’s text glowed: “Pierith Raceway tomorrow night—free race. You in?”
Her pulse quickened—racing’s thrill from three years past flared anew. “Count me in!” she typed, a spark igniting. Speed could burn off this pent-up storm.
At 2:00 p.m., Pierith Raceway buzzed as Valeria filled her entry form—until Adriana and Dominic loomed, unwelcome shadows. “Valeria? You here?” Adriana’s tight smile belied her grip on Dominic’s arm, possessive as ivy.
Valeria cursed her luck. “You’re allowed, but I’m not?”
Dominic smirked, cutting. “You, racing? Scared Javier’ll expose you, so you’re begging me for help?”
“Don’t flatter yourself—I’m here to race, not grovel,” she shot back, eyes rolling.
Snickers rippled from onlookers—Dominic’s clique, elites who’d long mocked her. “Since when do you race? Just the clingy housewife!” “Old Mrs. Barnett’s pity got you in—without us, you’re nothing!” “Pretending now? A farce!” Their scorn, once veiled, now bared its teeth.
Valeria sidestepped, dodging their venom, but a lanky youth blocked her, sneering. “Where to? This is Pierith’s elite circle—you don’t belong. Get out!”
Her gaze narrowed, voice frost. “Who’re you to decide? Organizers rule here, not you.”
Dominic, simmering from yesterday, glared as his friend faltered. “Entry’s three grand—how’d you afford it? Some cheap trick? Shameless!”