All Chapters of A Wedding Vow of Vengeance : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

"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.

"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

"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

"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

The crystal glasses clinked as Charles Richardson raised his flute. "To Knight Industries' bright future," he announced to the gathered elite in the grand ballroom. His eyes fixed on Ashlyn, standing at the center of attention in her crimson evening gown. "And to its remarkable CEO," he added, a slight tremor in his voice as he reached into his pocket, fingers brushing against a small vial. Ashlyn's lips curved into a practiced smile. "Your support means everything, Mr. Richardson." She moved closer, lowering her voice. "Though I can't help but wonder why the sudden show of loyalty?" "Can't an old friend of the family show support?" Richardson's hand trembled as he took another sip. From across the room, Christopher Cole watched the exchange, his conversation with board members forgotten. "Excuse me, gentlemen." He made his way toward the pair, only to be intercepted by Penelope. "They seem rather cozy tonight," Penelope remarked, her champagne untouched. "Almost too cozy." "Si