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Chapter 10: Shattered Glass
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2024-11-18 23:20:42Related chapters
A Wedding Vow of Vengeance Chapter 11: Pride and Prejudice
"Apologize to her. Now." Christopher's voice boomed across the ballroom.Ashlyn raised an eyebrow. "For what? Showing everyone how pathetic your little affair is?"The crowd murmured disapprovingly."How dare she!""After everything the Knights did for her...""Such a disgrace!"Christopher stepped forward, his face red with anger. "You're shameless, showing up here like this.""Shameless?" Ashlyn laughed bitterly. "That's rich coming from you. Tell me, Christopher, during our engagement, how many nights did you spend 'working late' with Penelope?""There was nothing between us—""Really? The late-night calls? The secret meetings?" Ashlyn's voice dripped with venom. "I wasn't blind, Christopher. Just stupid enough to believe your lies."Penelope clutched Christopher's arm. "That's not true!""Of course you'd defend him." Ashlyn smoothed her dress. "You know what? I'd rather be with a random stranger than spend another second with a lying coward like you.""Get out!" Christopher pointe
A Wedding Vow of Vengeance Chapter 12: The Truth Unravels
"Ashlyn, please!" Mrs. White hurried down the marble steps. "Christopher was wrong to treat you that way.""Was he?" Ashlyn turned, her smile razor-sharp. "Or was he finally showing his true colors?""Don't say that. You know he loves—""Does he?" Ashlyn's laugh was hollow. "Then explain why you let him chase after that illegitimate daughter when you knew exactly what she was."Mrs. White's face paled. "What do you mean?""Oh, come now. The mysterious meetings? The convenient timing of her return? You're not stupid, Mrs. White. You just chose to look the other way.""That's not—" Mrs. White straightened her spine. "Everyone! Listen to me! Ashlyn is still Christopher's rightful fiancée!"The party guests turned to stare.Penelope burst into tears. "I just wanted us all to get along! I invited Ashlyn to join us, to be friends...""Liar!" A lady in blue stepped forward. "We all saw you attack her!""She deliberately provoked Ashlyn," another chimed in."I would never—" Penelope dabbed at
A Wedding Vow of Vengeance Chapter 13: Unmasked Intentions
"She... she ruined her own wedding," Penelope sobbed into her handkerchief. "Sleeping with every man who'd have her..."The crowd gasped.Ashlyn's eyes turned to ice. "Are we really doing this, little girl? The innocent victim act?""I'm not acting!" Penelope wailed."Enough!" Mrs. White's voice cracked like a whip. "Security, bring me the surveillance footage. Now."Penelope's tears dried instantly. "That... that won't be necessary.""Oh, but I think it is." Mrs. White smiled coldly. "Unless you have something to hide?"The large screen in the ballroom flickered to life. The footage played crystal clear:Penelope stalking toward Ashlyn.Her hands reaching for the necklace.The clear aggression in her stance."You lying little—" Mrs. White started."How dare you attack my daughter!" Ava Knight pushed through the crowd. "Ashlyn attacked her unprovoked!""Silence!" Mrs. White's voice turned deadly. "You dare speak after what you did? After driving Ashlyn's mother to her death?"The room
A Wedding Vow of Vengeance Chapter 14: The Price of Pride
"As you can clearly see," Mrs. White gestured to the screen, "Penelope's hands are reaching for Ashlyn's throat.""I was trying to hug her!" Penelope protested, wringing her hands. "We were such good friends once...""Strange way to show affection," Eric muttered, rewinding the footage. "Look at her fingers, they're clearly grasping."Ava Knight stepped forward, frowning. "Why would my daughter try to strangle you? What possible reason—""Perhaps she wanted this?" Ashlyn tilted her head, the chandelier lights catching the spectacular diamonds adorning her neck.Gasps echoed through the room."The Aurora collection..." Christopher's voice was barely a whisper."You recognize it?" Ashlyn's smile was predatory. "Weren't you trying to acquire it recently?""I... I was outbid.""By quite a margin, I heard." Ashlyn traced the diamonds with her finger. "Ten million, wasn't it?"Mrs. White's eyes widened. "Ten mil— who...""Does it matter?" Ashlyn shrugged elegantly. "Let's just say I have...
A Wedding Vow of Vengeance Chapter 15: Pride Before the Fall
"Ashlyn, dear one." Steven White's voice carried across the banquet hall. "Come, sit with me. Eric, escort your cousin."Eric offered his arm with a gentle smile. "Shall we?"As they passed Christopher and Penelope, Ashlyn's lips curved into a mocking smile. "What was it you said earlier? That I should leave? How embarrassing for you."Christopher's fists clenched. "You—""Careful," Ashlyn's voice dropped to a whisper. "Wouldn't want to make another scene, would we?""You're enjoying this," Christopher snarled."Immensely.""That's enough!" Brodie White's voice boomed. "Christopher, control yourself. Everyone, please continue enjoying the evening."Two women helped a trembling Penelope toward the powder room."Christopher." Mrs. White's voice was sharp. "Come with me. Now."Ashlyn watched them leave, satisfaction glinting in her eyes."Don't let them get to you," Eric squeezed her arm gently."Get to me?" Ashlyn laughed. "Oh, Eric. I stopped caring about Christopher White a long time
A Wedding Vow of Vengeance Chapter 16: Threads of Deception
"Are you truly well?" Richard's warm breath tickled Ashlyn's ear as he held her in the moonlit garden."I told you, I'm fine." Ashlyn leaned back against his chest. "Christopher means nothing to me now.""Say the word, and both families will disappear." His voice carried a dangerous edge. "One signature from me, and their empires crumble."Ashlyn chuckled. "Not yet, darling. The game's just getting interesting.""You always did enjoy playing with your food.""Patience is a virtue." Ashlyn turned to face him. "Besides, revenge tastes sweeter when served cold."Meanwhile, in a lavish guest room upstairs:"Hold still!" Ava dabbed at Penelope's bruised cheek. "That witch could have killed you!""Mother, why did Mrs. White defend her?" Penelope winced. "She hated Ashlyn before.""Perhaps because of the Winters." Ava's lips tightened."Ashlyn's maternal grandparents?" Penelope sat up straighter. "What about them?""They're making moves to recognize her publicly." Ava's voice dripped with ve
A Wedding Vow of Vengeance Chapter 17: Shattered Pretenses
"She left with some man," Ava's voice dripped with satisfaction. "Quite cozy in the garden, I hear."Christopher's knuckles whitened against the doorframe. "Penelope.""Yes?" She dabbed at her fake injuries."Help me end this farce of an engagement.""But Christopher—""Don't pretend you care!" He paced the room. "That shameless woman... making a fool of me!"Penelope hid a smile. "Are you sure? The merger—""I'll make her end it herself." Christopher's eyes blazed. "Watch me destroy her reputation so thoroughly she'll have to leave town."In the moonlit garden:"I should return," Ashlyn straightened her dress. "Grandfather will be looking for me."Richard caught her hand. "Let me come with you.""We discussed this. No one can know about us yet.""Then let Jonathan shadow you." Richard nodded to his assistant lurking nearby. "I don't trust Christopher's temper.""Fine." Ashlyn kissed his cheek. "But tell him to be discrete."The banquet hall buzzed with whispers as Ashlyn entered. Chr
A Wedding Vow of Vengeance Chapter 18: Pride Comes Before the Fall
"How dare you!" Ava's shrill voice cut through the shocked silence. "Such vulgar behavior at Mr. White's birthday celebration!"Ashlyn turned slowly, her eyes glacial. "Shut. Up.""I beg your pardon?""Did I stutter?" Ashlyn's smile was razor-sharp. "Or should I remind everyone about your own... vulgar behaviors?""Grandfather," Ashlyn addressed Steven directly. "I apologize for disrupting your party, but I won't stand here and be humiliated."Christopher touched his bleeding temple, finally registering the sea of phones recording everything. "You... you all saw what she did!""We saw plenty," Mrs. White's voice dripped disappointment. "Including what led to it."Steven White's face was thunderous. "Christopher.""She's changed!" Christopher pointed accusingly. "The old Ashlyn would never—""The old Ashlyn?" Ashlyn laughed bitterly. "You mean the one you could manipulate? The one who stayed silent?""That's not—""Tell them, Christopher." Ashlyn's voice carried. "Tell them why I chang
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A Wedding Vow of Vengeance Chapter 28: Shifting Tides
"Please," Penelope's voice cracked as she knelt before Ashlyn. "I know I've wronged you. Can you ever forgive me?"The gathered crowd watched in stunned silence as the once-proud Penelope Cole debased herself.Ashlyn's lips curved into a cold smile. "Forgiveness? Oh, I forgive. But forget?" She leaned down, her whisper carrying across the silent hall. "Never."Penelope's shoulders shook as she rose unsteadily, mascara streaking her cheeks. She turned to flee, her heels clicking against the marble floor."Penelope, wait!" Christopher caught her arm. He turned to Ashlyn, face flushed with anger. "You've gone too far. This public humiliation—""Too far?" Ashlyn's laugh was crystalline. "Tell me, Christopher, what exactly have I done wrong?""You're being aggressive, vindictive—""By not submitting?" Ashlyn's eyebrow arched. "By not playing the meek little girl anymore?""That's not—""Shall we discuss who really has the right to be aggressive?" She began ticking off points on her manicur
A Wedding Vow of Vengeance Chapter 27: The Binding of Souls
"Wait," Ashlyn's voice cut through Penelope's oath like a knife. "You're not finished."Penelope's hand trembled mid-air. "What more could you possibly want?""Everything." Ashlyn's smile didn't reach her eyes. "If you break this oath, you forfeit everything.""What do you mean by everything?""Your family name. Your possessions. Your home." Ashlyn stepped closer. "Every single person who calls you family or friend."Gasps echoed through the banquet hall."You can't be serious," Penelope's voice shook."Dead serious." Ashlyn's eyes glinted. "Like your friend was."The color drained from Penelope's face. "Don't...""Don't what? Mention how the real Ashlyn died?" "That was an accident—""Was it?" Ashlyn's laugh was hollow. "Like the forged documents were an accident?"Penelope's hands clenched at her sides. "You're punishing me.""No, I'm protecting what's mine." Ashlyn circled her slowly. "Now swear it. Properly.""This is insane!" Christopher stepped forward. "You can't demand—""I c
A Wedding Vow of Vengeance Chapter 26: Oaths and Consequences
The crystal chandeliers cast dancing shadows across the White family's grand banquet hall as Ashlyn's voice rang out clear and sharp."Swear it, Penelope. Swear you'll never claim my mother's shares.""This isn't... I can't just..." Penelope wrung her hands. "These are complex company matters. There are board members, stakeholders—""I'm not asking you to decide company matters," Ashlyn's tone was razor-sharp. "I'm asking you to renounce what was never yours to begin with.""The board needs to—""The board?" Ashlyn laughed. "The same board that approved those forged documents?"Whispers rippled through the gathered crowd."Now wait just a minute!" Ava's shrill voice cut through the tension. "Who do you think you are? Some orphan girl who got lucky with a few investments?""Mother, please—" Penelope tried to intervene."No! I won't stand here and watch this nobody threaten my daughter!" Ava's face was red with fury. "Penelope has worked tirelessly for Knight Industries. She deserves th
A Wedding Vow of Vengeance Chapter 25: The Price of Legacy
"You want me to what?" Penelope's voice echoed through the now-silent ballroom."Renounce any claim to the Knight shares," Ashlyn repeated calmly. "Publicly. Right here, right now.""But those shares—""Belonged to my mother," Ashlyn's voice cut like glass. "Before someone forged her signature."The crowd's murmurs grew louder."You can't do this!" Ava stepped forward, her designer heels clicking against the marble. "Those shares are legally Penelope's now!""Legal?" Jonathan laughed darkly. "Is that what we're calling fraud these days?""The documentation—""Was forged," Mrs. Henderson interrupted. "We all saw the proof.""This is ridiculous!" Ava's face flushed. "Penelope has been a faithful steward of those shares for years!""Faithful?" Lady Morrison's voice dripped with contempt. "Is that what we're calling embezzlement now?""I never—" Penelope started."The quarterly reports tell a different story," Jonathan pulled out his tablet. "Shall we review the discrepancies?""Those rep
A Wedding Vow of Vengeance Chapter 24: The Price of Redemption
The silence in the ballroom was deafening after the chaos of the previous moments. Penelope stood in the center, all eyes boring into her."I can explain," Penelope's voice quivered. "Everything I did... I thought I was protecting Christopher.""By stealing another woman's gifts?" Lady Morrison scoffed."By forging documents?" Mrs. Henderson added."I was afraid!" Penelope's eyes darted around the room. "Ashlyn was different... she had this way about her. I thought she'd take everything from me!""Take everything?" Jonathan laughed. "The orphan girl who barely spoke at events? Who worked twice as hard to prove herself worthy?""You don't understand—""We understand perfectly," Mrs. White's voice was steel. "You saw a threat where there was none, and you destroyed an innocent girl's life."Penelope's shoulders slumped. Her carefully constructed world was crumbling."I..." she turned to Ashlyn, tears streaming down her face. "I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry."Ashlyn's expression remained im
A Wedding Vow of Vengeance Chapter 23: Shattered Illusions
"You planned this!" Christopher's voice echoed through the ballroom. "All of it! Just to humiliate me in front of Father!""Planned what exactly?" Ashlyn's voice was razor-sharp. "Your public accusations? Your unfounded jealousy? Your complete lack of evidence?""You manipulated everyone—""Oh, please," Lady Morrison interrupted. "We all saw what happened. The girl handled herself with more grace than you deserved.""If it wasn't for Jonathan stepping in," Mrs. Henderson added, "you would have physically assaulted her!""I would never—""Like you never did before?" Jonathan's voice cut through. "Shall we review the security footage from last month's gala?""That was different! She provoked—""She existed," Mrs. White's voice was ice. "That seems to be her only crime."Christopher spun toward his mother. "You're taking her side?""There are no sides here, only facts." Mrs. White's eyes were hard. "And the facts show you threatening a major shareholder.""She's not just a shareholder! S
A Wedding Vow of Vengeance Chapter 22: The Fall From Grace
"Well, can you blame her?" Lady Morrison's voice dripped with disdain. "Three years without a single gift? I'd have accepted a diamond from the devil himself!""My late husband gave me something every month," Mrs. Henderson added. "Even if it was just flowers."The murmurs of agreement grew louder."I was busy with the company—" Christopher started."Not too busy for Penelope's gifts, apparently," someone called out.Christopher's mouth opened and closed, his eyes meeting Ashlyn's icy stare."Nothing to say now?" Ashlyn's voice was soft. "No more accusations?""I... I didn't realize—""That's your problem, isn't it?" Jonathan stepped forward. "You never realize. Never notice. Never think.""Stay out of this!" Christopher snapped."Why should he?" Steven White's voice boomed. "He's right. Your judgment has been... questionable.""Father, please—""Five hundred million in diamonds," Steven continued. "Do you know what that means?""It means someone's trying to buy their way into our com
A Wedding Vow of Vengeance Chapter 21: The Price of Love
"I'm sorry," Penelope's voice trembled. "I told Mother I saw a man buy Ashlyn's diamond. I didn't mean to start all this...""Wait a moment," Lady Morrison's fan stilled. "Mr. Ross, you said you facilitated the sale, but you didn't actually purchase it?"Jonathan's smile was enigmatic. "I merely handled the paperwork."The room buzzed with whispers."Then who bought it?" Mrs. Henderson leaned forward eagerly. "Five hundred million dollars isn't pocket change, even in our circles."All eyes turned to Ashlyn."A gift," she said simply. "From someone who saw me as precious as the diamond itself.""A gift?" Christopher scoffed. "What man gives a five-hundred-million-dollar gift without expecting something in return?""A better man than you," Ashlyn's voice was ice. "Tell me, Christopher, what evidence do you have of any impropriety?""The diamond itself is evidence!""Is it?" Ashlyn touched the jewels at her throat. "Like all those gifts you gave me over the years?"The room went silent.
A Wedding Vow of Vengeance Chapter 20: The Web of Lies
"I suggest you choose your next words carefully," Jonathan's voice cut through the murmurs. "Slander is a serious offense, especially when directed at a major shareholder.""He's right," Lady Morrison interjected. "Where's your proof, Christopher?"Christopher's jaw clenched. "You don't know her like I do. She's capable—""Capable of what exactly?" Jonathan's smile was razor-sharp. "Because I've overseen Miss Ashlyn's affairs since she left the White mansion. Every meeting, every transaction, every movement.""You weren't there today!""Actually, I was." Jonathan checked his phone. "2:15 PM - Miss Ashlyn visits her apartment to collect belongings. 3:45 PM - Arrives at the Ritz-Carlton to prepare for tonight's event.""Lies! Penelope said—" Christopher stopped abruptly.The room went deadly quiet."Said what?" Ashlyn's voice was dangerously soft."I..." Christopher turned to Penelope. "You told me she left with a man!"Penelope's face paled. "I... I just said someone helped with her ba
