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Chapter 8: Hidden Agendas
Last Updated:
2024-11-14 18:54:43
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A Wedding Vow of Vengeance Chapter 9: Diamonds and Daggers
"She's insane," Christopher paced the private study. "Completely insane!""What exactly did she demand?" Mrs. White clutched her champagne glass."That I publicly announce Penelope seduced me. That she manipulated everything." He slammed his fist against the mahogany desk. "She wants me to destroy Penelope's reputation to clear her name.""Absolutely not! The Knights would never recover from such scandal.""Exactly. She knows what she's asking is impossible."Mrs. White's eyes narrowed. "Then we'll play a different game. Marry her first—""Mother—""Listen to me! Once she's legally bound to you, you can make amends with Penelope privately."Christopher scoffed. "You think Ashlyn would agree?""Please. She'll be desperate to have you back. What other options does she have?"The study door burst open. "The Knights have arrived!"In the grand ballroom, whispers followed Penelope like perfume."Stunning!""Such grace!""Who cares about legitimacy with beauty like that?"Penelope basked
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"Is that... Ashlyn Knight?" "The disowned daughter?""How dare she show her face here!"The whispers rippled through the crowd as Penelope stalked toward Ashlyn, her face twisted with barely contained rage."Those diamonds," Penelope's voice cracked. "Where did you get them?"Ashlyn's red lips curved into a cruel smile. "Jealous, darling? At least my man fights for me. Unlike Christopher, who couldn't even be bothered to bid for you."Nearby guests gasped."Did you hear that?""Poor Penelope...""She looks so... common next to Ashlyn."Penelope's hands trembled. "Give me those diamonds!"She lunged forward, fingers grasping for the glittering necklace. Ashlyn stepped back smoothly, her hand connecting with Penelope's cheek in a sharp crack.As Penelope stumbled, Ashlyn's stiletto found her foot. With a shriek, Penelope toppled backward into the towering champagne display. Glass shattered, liquid sprayed, and screams filled the air."Penelope!" Christopher rushed forward, Ava Knight c
Last Updated : 2024-11-18A 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
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"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
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"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
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"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...
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"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
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"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
Last Updated : 2024-11-19
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A Wedding Vow of Vengeance Chapter 119:
"Veronica responded cautiously, indicating a possibility." Both individuals must participate in the ritual by being present, holding the necklace's two halves, and reciting a particular incantation. "Do you have the incantation?" Jennifer asked eagerly.Veronica nodded, pointing to the diary. "It's written here," she said, her voice filled with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. "But there's a warning. The ritual is powerful, and if performed incorrectly, it could have... unforeseen consequences.""What kind of consequences?" Jennifer asked, a shiver running down her spine."The diary doesn't specify," Veronica admitted, her voice grim. "But it emphasizes the importance of precision and understanding the full implications of the ritual.""We need to find Isabella," Jennifer said, her voice determined. "We need to try this.""I agree," Veronica said, her eyes filled with resolve. "But we need to be careful, Jennifer. We don't know what we're dealing with. This magic...
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A Wedding Vow of Vengeance Chapter 117: Shared Worries
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
