Chapter 22
She’s not here to cause trouble, is she?
Mad what right does she have? Does she still think she’s Mrs. Shaw?
The two families are announcing their engagement; she’s just humiliating herself.”
But she didn’t do anything wrong. She had a relationship; her boyfriend is marrying someone else, why is it her Caul?
-The
guests whispered amongst themselves, most enjoying the spectacle, few speaking up for me–those who did were quickly silenced.
Rita’s face turned ashen upon seeing me, as if she’d seen a ghost. Seraphine looked flustered. Julian was even more panicked; he was about to approach me.
“Don’t go,” Rita clung to his arm, preventing him. “Julian and I are getting engaged; we’ll be married soon. Stop bothering him…”
Julian was beside himself, but couldn’t create a scene in front of so many people. He whispered to Rita to shut coldly pulling her hand away. Rita looked like she was about to cry. Julian approached me again; Caffrey and his
up
brother intervened, pulling him back.
Caffrey: Julian, be reasonable! Do you want to humiliate my sister in public for her?”
Julian:“Let go!” The guests‘ anticipation heightened; whispers grew louder.
I continued walking toward the center of the ballroom. Passing a table, I picked up a glass of red wine and elegantly took a sip.
“What are you doing?! Leave immediately!” Seraphine descended from the stage, blocking my path.
Julian broke free from the Crowes, walking towards me, his expression cold.“Don’t cause a scene; we’ll talk at home. “Julian, are you taking a concubine?” I interrupted, my tone laced with mockery.
His face darkened. Rita and the Crowes were furious at the word “concubine.” What did it mean? It was an insult–calling Rita a mistress, even if she married Julian, she’d be the second wife! A blatant provocation! The guests were shocked; I was bold; where did I get this confidence?
Rita, losing control, sputtered, “Olivia Frost, you’re shameless! I’m Julian’s wife; we’re getting engaged! I’m the legitimate one!”
“Shut up!” Julian roared. Seraphine rushed over, comforting Rita.“Rita, darling, don’t stoop to her level.”
I said, “Don’t stop her; let her speak.”
“Olivia Frost, if you dare say another word, you won’t get a cent!” Seraphine, fearing I’d reveal our secret marriage, threatened me with money. But she immediately remembered the agreement from last night, her heart sinking. Julian’s eyes narrowed.“What compensation?” Seraphine looked guilty.
“I thought it was true love; it’s all about money.”
“And shameless–taking the money and still causing trouble.”
“She’s not happy about losing her sugar daddy after years and is trying to extort more money.”
Whispers rippled through the crowd. The Crowes were unhappy with Julian; hearing me act so brazenly after taking the money, they felt humiliated. Caffrey stepped forward.“Ms. Frost, please leave; otherwise, don’t blame us for being impolite!”
16.00
Chapter 22
Menu
“Impolite? I turned to Caffrey, a smile playing on my lips. “What right do you have to be impolite to me? In ancient times, even after Rita married him, she’d have to kneel and serve tea to me, call me ‘older sister‘!” My voice was calm, my tone gentle.
Caffrey was momentarily stunned, then found it absurd; this woman was unbelievable! Others thought I was crazy. Rita laughed angrily.“Kneel to me? Why? What gives you the right? Kneel? I’ll visit your grave!”
I turned to her. “You don’t agree?” I put down my wine, taking a marriage certificate from my bag, placing it before her. Now answer me: Do I have the right to make you kneel and offer me a toast?”
Rita stared at the certificate, dumbfounded. The ballroom fell silent. Julian and I were already married!! They’d thought it was a scorned ex–girlfriend trying to extort money; it was actually the wife confronting the mistress and her family!! The Crowes were utterly humiliated.
“Adultery and seducing a married man, then shamelessly announcing your engagement? Don’t you…” I looked at them with disdain.“Do you have any legal knowledge? Bigamy is a crime!”
The Crowes‘ faces paled and flushed. Mrs. Crowe nearly fainted. Her daughter had seduced a married man! Soon, all of Chicago would know! And she’d let Seraphine spread those rumors, even cooperating.
“Mrs. Shaw! How could you hide such an important thing!”
“You’ve ruined my daughter!” The Crowes were enraged. Seraphine frantically tried to explain, soothe, apologize.
Julian pressed his temples, giving up on stopping me. He just wanted this farce to end.
I picked up my wine glass again, walking to Julian, looking at him–the man who’d shared my youth, my marriage… leading to this ugly scene. I raised my glass, pouring the wine over his head.
The entire room gasped! He seized my wrist, his face grim.“Must you do this?” His grip was strong; the wound on my wrist reopened, like my heart, shattered countless times. Anger and sorrow filled my eyes.“Let’s divorce.” I broke free, throwing the empty glass at Rita’s feet.“Be locked together with this wretched woman!”
Julian was shaken by my fury. He tried to speak but saw the red in his palm; opening his hand, it was covered in blood He looked at my wrist; a patch of red silk was soaked; blood flowed from my palm, dripping onto the carpet… The sight sent shivers down everyone’s spines.
The Crowes were preparing to leave with Rita. As the room fell silent, everyone focused on Julian and me. Rita stepped forward, pushing me to the ground.
“You wretched woman! Last night, so many men couldn’t even kill you? You should just die!”
