Chapter 10
“Victoria?!”
Marcus appeared in the elegant hall with Sophie on his arm, her belly visibly swollen.
The moment he saw me, his pupils contracted sharply and he let out a strangled roar: “You faked your own death?!“]
My heart stabbed with pain at the sight of that rounded belly.[]
They really had… ended up together after all.]
Marcus instinctively moved to grab me.]
A cold, hard boxwood cane came whistling through the air, striking his outstretched wrist viciously![]
Kingsley had appeared at my side without warning, one hand casually resting on my lower back.[]
He wore a matching dark–patterned formal suit, his face still bearing that sickly pallor, but his gaze was commanding and he radiated an aura of cold menace that warned others to keep their distance.
“Marcus Black.” Kingsley’s voice wasn’t loud, but it cut clearly through all the noise. “Keep your dirty hands to yourself. She belongs to the Ash family now.”
Sophie bit her lip and timidly grabbed Marcus’s arm, tracing words in his palm: “Marcus, don’t… we’re the ones who wronged her… Sis, I’m sorry…“]]
She bowed slightly to me despite her pregnant belly.
I caught a flash of irritation in Marcus’s eyes and his indifference to Sophie’s gesture.[]
Something was off.
“It’s all in the past.” I replied coldly and turned to leave.[]
Suddenly my body was airborne! Kingsley had swept me up in his arms!
“Kingsley! Put ine down!” I struggled.
Kingsley looked down at me, the backlighting giving his sharp features a golden edge, though his eyes still held their usual mockery.[]
“Stupid woman, your legs went weak.“[]
Carrying me in his arms, he ignored Marcus’s blazing glare and strode away.
Kingsley’s bedroom looked more like a cold command center.
Servants brought me new clothes from several top dark fashion brands that I usually wore,
“You investigated me?” I watched coldly as he stripped off his jacket, revealing a lean torso with a thin layer of muscle.
“You think just any piece of trash picked up off the street can be ‘Kingsley Ash’s fiancée‘?“]
I didn’t understand what he meant, but I changed clothes anyway.
At the dinner party.
The Ash family patriarch, Victor Ash, held court at the head table with natural authority.
Marcus forced down his murderous aura and raised his glass: “Mr. Ash, your estate is magnificent. I toast to you.“[]
He drained it in one gulp.
Victor Ash didn’t even lift his eyelids. Instead, he turned to me, his voice unusually gentle:
“Miss Sterling, thank you for putting up with this brat’s antics. He’s got a wild streak–please be patient with him.“[]
This underground godfather who controlled nearly thirty percent of the world’s arms and energy supply was personally toasting me.
The entire room was stunned.]
I steadied myself: “You’re too kind, sir.“[]
Victor surveyed the room, his voice low but suffocating:
“Today, I’m announcing something. Lynn Sterling is now officially recognized as my daughter–in–law. The Sterling family’s business–everyone keep an eye out, don’t let any blind flies bother her.“[]
The room erupted in shock, followed by a tide of congratulations.[]
The crystal glass in Marcus’s hand groaned under the pressure.]]
Mr. Ash!” Marcus shot to his feet, his voice hoarse. “Victoria Sterling is my wife! She can’t be the Ash family’s daughter–in–law!”
Mr.
Dead silence filled the room. Victor finally looked up, his gaze like he was staring at an insignificant ant.[]
“You?” Kingsley swirled his wine glass leisurely, his lips curving into an icy smile. “You think you’re worthy?“]
Marcus completely lost control, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at me. “Victoria! You tell me! Are you with me, or with this dying sickly bastard?!“]
“CRASH!” Victor’s wine glass shattered on the floor, his gaze sharp as a blade.[]
But Kingsley just laughed softly.
He stood up and walked to the center of the hall, the lights falling on him.[]
He pulled out a sealed medical file and opened it in front of everyone.
“Who said I don’t have long to live?” He held up the report for all to see, but his eyes were locked on mine. “My terminal illness was ‘cured‘ by Lynn.“]]
The room erupted! ALS cured?!
“Kingsley! What are you saying?!” Victor’s voice lost its composure for the first time.
The report was quickly passed around, its definitive “cured” conclusion shocking everyone.
Only I felt deep suspicion rising–that precise antiserum had been too convenient.]]
Kingsley ignored everyone else. He faced me and dropped to one knee.
A perfectly cut, rare black diamond ring of at least ten carats lay quietly in his palm, refracting light like an abyss.
“I know you might not trust me right now.” His voice was clear, cutting through the silence. “Marry me. The Ash and Sterling families will be bound by blood, sharing glory and shame. My father can sign the agreement immediately–half of the Ash family assets will be in your name. Vows are bullshit, but profit is an eternal chain. Victoria Sterling, will you take the gamble?”
Marcus’s eyes were bloodshot with rage: “Victoria! You’re my woman! Come back!”
I looked at the black diamond in Kingsley’s palm, then at Marcus’s twisted face.
The gunshots from my past life, my parents‘ severed limbs, the cold humiliation… all intertwined with this blood–stained but powerful scepter before me.
I slowly extended my hand, my fingertips ice–cold, but my voice unnaturally calm:
“I’ll take that bet. Kingsley.”
