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Chapter 17: Shattered Pretenses
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2024-11-21 02:53:30
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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
Last Updated : 2024-11-21A 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
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"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
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"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.
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"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
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"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
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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
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"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
Last Updated : 2024-11-22
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Final Act: Present Day The gala gleamed with luxury. Chandeliers emit a warm golden glow throughout the room, reflecting off the crystal goblets and shiny marble floors. It was a festivity of victory, not only for Ashlyn Bennett but for a legacy revived. The tables were filled with the elite of the business world. Conversations hummed with curiosity, admiration, and whispers of awe over the events of the International Business Summit. The Ashlyn Bennett Foundation’s launch was the talk of the night, and at the center of it all stood Ashlyn herself, poised but undeniably powerful.Richard Knight rested against the bar's edge, swirling his drink. His gaze remained fixed on Ashlyn, who was engaged in a conversation with a distinguished man dressed in a pinstriped suit. “She’s something, isn’t she?” Steven White remarked, sidling up beside him. His voice carried a mix of pride and regret. Richard smirked. “Something? She’s everything. Hard to believe she pulled all of this off in one l
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Veronica sat opposite Isabella, a serious expression on her face. "So," she began, her voice low. "Tell me everything."Isabella hesitated, her fingers nervously tracing the outline of the Gemini Heart pendant resting against her chest. "It's... complicated," she began, her voice hesitant."I've dealt with complicated things before," Veronica replied, her eyes steady. "Try me."Isabella took a deep breath. "My name isn't Isabella," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's Jennifer. Jennifer Clarke."Veronica raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. "Jennifer?" she echoed. "But... you look exactly like Isabella.""That's because... we switched bodies," Jennifer explained, her voice trembling slightly. "Our souls... they swapped."Veronica stared at her, a mixture of disbelief and curiosity in her eyes. "Switched bodies?" she repeated. "How is that even possible?""It's the necklace," Jennifer said, touching the Gemini Heart. "It happened wh
A Wedding Vow of Vengeance Chapter 116: The Ally
"I missed you, Alexander," Sophia cried. "Ever since Isabella came into your life, you've been... different. Distant. I felt like I was losing you.""So you decided to sabotage my relationship?" Alexander asked, his voice filled with hurt and anger. "To lie and manipulate me into turning against the woman I love?""Sophia cried as she expressed, "I didn't mean to cause you any pain, Alexander." I simply... I desired for everything to return to normal. Prior to her arrival and I was scared of losing another family member like we lost dad.""Nothing will ever return to how it used to be, Sophia," Alexander said firmly, his voice unwavering. "You've completely changed everything. You have shattered my trust and my belief in you." Sophia's cries grew stronger, her body trembling with sadness. She had nothing left - her brother's faith, connections with her family, and the man she had fought hard to win back were all gone. Alexander observed her, feeling a weight of sorrow and disill
A Wedding Vow of Vengeance Chapter 115: Unmasking
Sophia's confident expression wavered, shifting to a glimmer of astonishment. "I have no idea what you're referring to," she replied, pretending to be innocent. Isabella snapped at Sophia, "Don't act shy with me. I listened to it all. The picture, the falsehoods, the scheme to tear us apart. It all originated from you."Sophia's calm facade finally shattered. "Who cares if it did?" she snapped, her eyes filled with rage. "He is too good for you. You are just an opportunistic Bennet."Isabella stated angrily that it was untrue, her voice filled with emotion. "You are only jealous. Jealous of our joy, jealous of the love we have for each other.""Feeling jealous?" Sophia laughed with contempt. "Don't be dumb. I am simply trying to defend my brother from a deceptive witch such as yourself.""Protect him?" Isabella echoed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "By framing my father? By feeding Alexander lies?""Your father was a criminal," Sophia insisted, her voice rising. "He deserves ev
A Wedding Vow of Vengeance Chapter 114: Whispers of Deception
As night descended, they snuggled on the couch, watching a movie, their bodies wrapped around each other. A feeling of routine came back, a pleasant break from the disorder in their daily lives. Isabella whispered softly, leaning her head on Alexander's chest, "This is nice.It just the two of us." "Yeah," Alexander agreed, tightening his arms around her. "Just us."While they enjoyed their renewed bond, they couldn't shake a persistent feeling of unease. The sensation of being observed, of something feeling off. While carrying Isabella to bed, Alexander noticed a sudden movement outside the window. He looked quickly, but noticed no one. He brushed it off as just his imagination, yet the sense of unease lingered. Later that evening, while Isabella was fast asleep in his embrace, Alexander couldn't rid himself of the sense that something was wrong. He rose from the bed and approached the window, gazing out at the darkness. The road underneath was empty, with only the soft buzz of t
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Veronica's eyes grew wider. "Monica?" Do you really think that's a wise decision? Isabella was adamant about needing to hear it directly from her. "I need to find out the truth." Veronica nodded. "Okay. I'll go with you."They found Monica at the same luxury hotel, lounging by the pool, a smug smile playing on her lips."Ah, I see," Monica sarcastically uttered. "If it's not the betrayed wife. What reason do you have for this visit that caught me by surprise?"Isabella advanced, her fiery gaze fixed ahead. She expressed a desire to discover the truth, her voice vibrating with rage. "Tell me the truth about you and Alex's alleged child." Monica arched one eyebrow. "And why do you believe I will share any information with you?" "I know for sure that you are not telling the truth," Isabella stated, her voice getting louder. "I am sure that this is all planned. I am going to find out one way or the other."Monica chuckled, emitting a rough, scraping noise. "You are out of touch wit
A Wedding Vow of Vengeance Chapter 112: Vanity
Alexander paused, his face briefly showing a hint of uncertainty. He said with a strained voice, "I... I can't bring myself to believe it. The way he behaved... the gleam in his eyes while revealing the safe code... it seemed like he was aware of something we weren't."Isabella suggested that, "perhaps he was simply concerned," although a hint of doubt had been instilled in her thoughts."Perhaps," answered Alexander, though uncertainty still lingered in his tone. The upcoming days were a flurry of inquiries, questioning, and allegations. The intense media hype about Monica and Daniel kept going strong, further escalating the situation. Every discussion, every exchange was tainted with a sense of doubt. "David, have you found anything else about James and Uncle's whereabouts?" Alexander asked over the phone, his voice sharp with impatience."Nothing concrete yet," David replied. "Sterling has vanished. Cleaned out his accounts, disappeared without a trace. And James is in Europe.
A Wedding Vow of Vengeance Chapter 111: Uncovering Motives
Three days laterThe opulent office, once a symbol of Romano power and success, now felt like a prison. The silence hung heavy, broken only by the occasional muffled sob from Mr. Romano."I... I can't believe this," Alexander said, his voice hoarse. "How could Sterling do this? We are family."Isabella sat beside him, her hand resting on his. "I know," she whispered. "It doesn't make sense."Alexander looked up, his eyes red-rimmed. "He was always... different. Ambitious, yes, but this..." He trailed off, shaking his head."We need to figure out why," Alexander said, his voice firm. "There has to be a reason beyond simple greed.""What about Monica?" Isabella asked. "And the child? How does that fit into all of this?"Alexander ran a hand through his hair, his face etched with frustration. "I don't know. But I intend to find out."He stood up and began pacing the room, his mind racing. "James said he manipulated the marriage agreement. We need to see the original document.
A Wedding Vow of Vengeance Chapter 110: Corporate Takeover
Monica ended the call before Alexander could answer. His thoughts were racing as he gazed at his phone. He had never encountered a woman named Monica, much less had a child with her. This must have been some sort of error. The following day, the news spread like wildfire through the press. Headlines blared, "Secret Love Child of Romano Heir!" Photos of Monica and a young boy, prominently displayed in newspapers and websites, sparked the controversy. The media frenzy escalated dramatically, with reporters constantly following and harassing Alexander and Isabella. "Mr. Romano, is that accurate? "Do you possess a hidden son?" "Isabella, what are your thoughts on your husband being unfaithful?" "Are things turbulent in your marriage?" They were overwhelmed by the incessant barrage of questions, leading to a tornado of disorder and bewilderment. "This is absurd!" Alexander shouted as he made his way through the crowd of journalists. "I have no idea who this woman is
