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Chapter 17: Shattered Pretenses
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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
A Wedding Vow of Vengeance Chapter 19: Diamond in the Rough
"Disgraceful!" Lady Morrison fanned herself. "To speak to one's fiancée that way!""And at Mr. White's birthday, no less," another socialite tutted.Even Mrs. Henderson, who'd always snubbed Ashlyn, shook her head. "The girl had every right to defend herself.""Is this how the future chairman behaves?" Someone whispered loudly.Christopher's face reddened. "You don't understand! She was with—""With whom exactly?" Jonathan's crisp voice cut through the murmurs. He approached with measured steps, each click of his shoes against marble amplifying the tension."I... I saw her—""You saw what?" Jonathan raised an eyebrow. "Because I've been watching Miss Ashlyn all evening, and the only inappropriate behavior I've witnessed is yours.""Who do you think you are?" Christopher snarled."Jonathan Ross, major shareholder of Sparkle & Shine." He smiled coolly. "And Miss Ashlyn's business partner."The room erupted in gasps."Business partner?" Mrs. White's voice quivered. "What nonsense is this
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
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 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 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 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 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
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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
