Chapter 23
Josephine released Clarise, though her tone remained sharp.
“Do you really have to be so harsh? Alright, Rue made a mistake, but are you saying your son didn’t do anything wrong?”
Clarise sneered. “Of course he’s not innocent either. That’s why they’re a perfect match, aren’t they?”
“Either they get married quietly, or they don’t get to be together at all,” she added firmly, refusing to back down.
Ruby’s eyes flashed. Even if they wanted her to marry, who said she was willing to marry Gabriel?
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But before she could say a word, Josephine gritted her teeth and gave in.
“Fine. No wedding ceremony, then!”
Clarise let out a cold laugh. “Well, you’ve already gotten what you came for. Now leave. I don’t want to see your whole family anywhere near me any longer.”
Alexander had never been humiliated like this before. He gave a cold snort and left with Ruby.
After they were gone, Gabriel finally spoke up, his voice quiet.
“Mom, this wasn’t Rue’s fault. Don’t blame her like that. She doesn’t deserve it.”
Clarise scoffed. “Only an idiot like you would still believe her. Do you really think she’s
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dying to marry you?
“I already had people look into her life in France. All those powerful men she was involved with–most of them were already married.
“And this? She’s had her hymen restored more times than you’ve been to the hospital in your entire life!
“I’ve been smart my whole life–how did I end up raising such a fool?
“You like her so much? Fine, then, Be my guest. You’re no saint either. You two deserve each other–locked in, for good.”
With that, she turned and left the hospital room.
Gabriel lay there frozen, his mind buzzing.
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He opened the thick envelope. Every photo inside shattered his assumptions.
Ruby had always seemed so sweet and innocent around him–like a delicate flower. Sure, she’d be a little bolder when things got intimate, but he thought it was all for him. He thought she’d learned it to please him.
Now he knew better.
She wasn’t inexperienced she was a seasoned player.
Gabriel clenched the photos in his fist, his eyes burning with rage.
“Ruby… How dare you lie to me! I gave up Vivi for someone like you?! I won’t let you off so easily!”
Meanwhile, Violet had been busy preparing
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for her wedding these past few days.
Xavier was planning a wedding of the century for her, sparing no expense–about 150 million dollars.
At first, Violet wanted to decline. It felt too big, too extravagant.
But even Cressida sided with him.
“Most women only get married once in their lives,” she said. “It shouldn’t be something they have to settle for. Besides, Xavier’s loved you for so many years. If you don’t let him make this special, oh, dear, he’ll be heartbroken.”
In the end, Violet agreed.
Since she had already severed ties with the Martins, there would be no one to walk her
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down the aisle.
The thought weighed on her for days.
On the day she went to try on wedding dresses with Beige, she received a call from her mother–pleading for help.
Violet hadn’t intended to get involved with the Martins again. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t bring herself to turn her back completely–not on the woman who gave her life.
“Beige, I need to go back to my parents‘ place. Let’s pause the dress fitting for today.”
Beige grabbed her hand. “Vivi, after everything they’ve done to you, you don’t owe them anything. Even if they’re in trouble, it’s not your responsibility to fix it.”
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Violet gave a wry smile. “She gave birth to me. Just this once–I’ll repay her for that.” Beige frowned. “Then I’m going with you. | don’t feel safe letting you go alone.”
“Okay!”
They quickly changed out of their gowns and had the bodyguards accompany them to the Martins‘ place.
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