Chapter 8
The insults from Ryan‘ s employees didn’t faze me–they only confirmed what I had already suspected.
To make Emily’s transition into the role of the new “Mrs. Cooper” seamless, Ryan must have spun an elaborate tale at the office, painting me as the villain. According to his version, I’d wronged him, forcing him to break up with me. He’d crafted a perfect narrative to earn sympathy and respect, while secretly asking me to remain his mistress, his convenient secret.
Disgust didn’t even begin to describe how
I felt.
I took a steadying breath, fixing my gaze on Emily, whose face was a mask of dread.
“You know,” I said, my voice calm but
cutting, “you and Ryan really are a perfect match.”
A bitter smile tugged at my lips.
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Chapter S
“You‘ re like two pieces of trash that just naturally belong together–a perfect bitch and dog.
My words landed like a slap and Ryan’s face twisted in fury.
“What did you just say?!” he bellowed, raising his hand as if to strike me.
But before he could, Emily grabbed his arm, her panic written all over her face.
“Miss Yates!” she pleaded, her voice trembling. “Please, today is my wedding day. Whatever issues we have, can we settle them another time? I’m begging you!”
She bowed deeply, an action that shocked everyone in the room–including Ryan.
He stared at her in disbelief, his anger momentarily replaced with confusion.
Turning back to me, his voice rose again, sharper and more desperate.
“Claire! What the hell did you do to her?!” he demanded.
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Chapter 8
He clutched Emily’s shoulders, his tone dripping with concern.
“Emily, did this woman threaten you?” he asked. “Don’t listen to her nonsense! She’s a liar, always has been!”
He shot me a glare filled with venom.
“Listen to me, Claire,” he growled, his voice low and threatening. “You’d better bebehave. Otherwise, I’ll make sure you
leave here completely humiliated.”
snl met his gaze, unfazed.
ave.
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“Oh?” I said with a faint smirk. “I’d love to see who ends up humiliated.”
“Fine!” he barked, his face contorted with rage. “Let’s settle this right now!”
He pulled out his phone, swiping furiously through his photo gallery until he found Dice what he was looking for.
ite.
Holding up the device triumphantly, he yoneered at me.
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Chapter 8
“I’ll give you one last chance, Claire. Leave now, or I’ll show everyone exactly what kind of person you are!”
His voice carried through the hall, drawing the attention of the guests.
Unfazed, I crossed my arms and replied calmly, “You might want to check with your bride first. See if she’s ready for what’s about to happen.”
Just as I expected, Emily’s face paled even further. She grabbed Ryan’s hand in a panic.
“Ryan, please,” she whispered urgently. “Today is our wedding day. Let’s not make this worse.”
Her desperation only fueled his anger.
“Enough!” he snapped, shaking her off. Turning to the staff, he thrust his phone into their hands.
“Project these photos on the screen!” he ordered. “Let everyone here see what kind
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- 3.
hapter 8
ance of shameless woman she is!”
very
re!”
theh
But before the staff could comply, I moved.
My hand shot out and the sound of my slap choed through the hall.
mily staggered back, clutching her face in
ns amis
hock.
to chat to
SrEmily,” I said, my voice low and pemenacing, “get on your knees.”
sfa he room fell silent.
nkstan’s
11 eyes were on us, disbelief etched into very face.
is perhispa
ay.deday.
ut none of them mattered. My entire ocus was on her.
ler body trembled violently. She could see ledueled!
in my eyes–I was done playing.
›ghed, sha
he weight of the situation finally broke he thrus
- er. Slowly, shakily, she sank to her knees, er head bowed in submission.
Os on the
asps rippled through the crowd.
one here
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pter 8
st chasshameless woman she is!”
owerower
t before the staff could comply, I moved.
ou areou are
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hand shot out and the sound of my slap foed through the hall.
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ily staggered back, clutching her face in y carmy arms
ock.
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See if shenily,” I said, my voice low and perappenacing, “get on your knees.”
flyEmily room fell silent.
Red Ryan
eyes were on us, disbelief etched into ry face.
she whisp
redding day
I
one of them mattered. My entire
us was on her.
only fuel?ody trembled violently. She could see
n my eyes–I was done playing.
snapped, sh
taff, he the weight of the situation finally broke
- i.
Slowly, shakily, she sank to her knees,
ead bowed in submission.
photos ontotos
veryone rippled through the crowd.
he
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Chapter 8
“Miss Yates, I’m sorry!” she cried, her voice cracking. “I was wrong! I shouldn’t have taken your boyfriend! Please, don’t ruin me—I won’t go through with the wedding!”
The hall erupted into chaos. Guests whispered furiously among themselves, shocked by the turn of events.
As for Ryan, he stood frozen, his expression a mix of fury and utter disbelief.
He’d thought he could control the narrative, but the reality was crumbling around him. And I?
I stood there, calm and composed, watching them unravel. The show wasn’t over yet.
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