Semua Bab RISE OF THE EX WIFE : Mona's Revenge: Bab 11 - Bab 20

Chapter 11The study was dark except for a single lamp, its warm glow barely reaching the corners of the massive room. Alexander Kane stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, an untouched glass of thirty-year-old whiskey in his hand. Outside, his vast estate stretched into shadows, but his eyes fixed on the old oak tree silhouetted against the setting sun.Twenty years. The weight of those years suddenly felt heavy on his shoulders.With movements that seemed almost reluctant, he moved to his desk and opened the bottom drawer, the one he never let anyone else touch. Inside lay a battered tin box, its blue paint chipped and faded. His hands trembled slightly as he lifted it out.The first photo hit him like a physical blow. A dark-haired boy grinning proudly next to a half-built treehouse, his clothes clearly secondhand but his smile bright enough to light up the world. His father's handwriting on the back: "James Jr - Summer, 2004. Dreams under construction."Dreams. He almost laughed a

Chapter 13"Again." Alexander's voice echoed through the private training room.Mona tried to keep her hands steady as she poured the tea, fighting exhaustion. They had been at this for hours - the same movement, over and over. Her arms ached from holding the heavy silver teapot at the perfect angle."Your elbow is too high," he said, walking around her. "A true lady never shows strain."The tea splashed slightly as she adjusted her position. A drop landed on the pristine tablecloth."Now we start over." Alexander's voice stayed calm, but Mona heard the steel beneath it. "Every detail matters. Every movement must be perfect."Mona bit back her frustration as servants rushed to replace the tablecloth. This was her life now - endless lessons in everything from table settings to corporate finance. Dawn to dusk, Alexander pushed her harder than anyone ever had."I don't understand," she said, watching the staff reset the table. "Why does it matter how I pour tea? I thought we were plannin

Chapter 15The Caldwell mansion's front door exploded inward with enough force to crack the frame. Lora burst in like a hurricane, her perfect composure shattered, mascara streaming down her face. Her heel caught on the antique rug, the first gift Emily had let her choose for the house, and she ripped it apart with her bare hands."I'll kill her!" The scream was primal, barely human. "I'll destroy that worthless bitch!"She grabbed a crystal vase from the entryway table and hurled it against the wall. Water and roses scattered across imported marbleSarah stumbled in behind her, ashen-faced, phone buzzing constantly with social media notifications. #CaldwellMeltdown was already trending."That bitch!" Lora screamed, kicking off her Louboutins. One heel shattered a mirror in the foyer. "That worthless, pathetic...""The Ming vase," Emily whispered in horror as Lora grabbed the priceless heirloom. "Lora, that's been in the family for-"The crash echoed through the mansion. Three hundred

Chapter 17Alexander's study was dark except for the glow of multiple screens. Each one showed a different angle of Mona's confrontation at the event, Emily's attempted assault, Lora's meltdown, their humiliating retreat. The videos had gone viral within hours."Look at their faces," Alexander's voice held quiet satisfaction. "The moment they realized you weren't their victim anymore."Mona watched herself on screen, back straight, chin high, that black card glinting like a weapon. Was that really her? This composed woman who made Sarah Caldwell, Emily Caldwell and Lora Bennett lose control?"The internet is quite entertained," Alexander clicked through various social media posts. "#CaldwellKarma is trending citywide. Every society matron who ever snubbed you is now scrambling to get on your good side.""They're all vultures," Mona said softly. "Ready to feast on whoever shows weakness.""Exactly." Alexander turned to face her, his expression unreadable in the dim light. "And you just

Chapter 19The soft bristles of the makeup brush against her skin transported Mona back in time.*Five Years Ago*"Hold still," Emily's voice had cut through her excitement. "God, don't you know anything about proper engagement presentation? Here, let me do it."The makeup brush had felt like a weapon then, as Emily erased and redrew her face to Caldwell standards. Too much blush - "We're not hosting a circus." Too little lipstick - "Try to look somewhat sophisticated." Every stroke a reminder that she wasn't good enough.*Present Day*"You have amazing bone structure," the stylist's gentle voice pulled her back. "Such elegant features. This highlighter will make you glow like a queen."Mona focused on her reflection. The woman in the mirror was both familiar and strange. Perfectly styled hair, expertly applied makeup, but something else too. Something in her eyes that hadn't been there five years ago.Power.The dress they unzipped took her breath away. Deep midnight blue that made h