Chapter 9
In the car, Julian held my hand tightly, squeezing with obvious jealousy.
I teased him: “You don’t usually like riding in flashy cars like this.“]
He raised an eyebrow: “Couldn’t let you look bad in front of your EX, could I?“[]
He put extra emphasis on “ex,” acting like a total kid about it.[]
I rested my head on his shoulder: “Relax, I don’t have a habit of picking up trash.“[]
Only then did he loosen his grip, a satisfied smile playing at his lips.[]
Julian Cross was my classmate when I studied abroad–classic DC elite family heir.[]
But he didn’t have any of that spoiled rich boy attitude.]]
Instead, he was driven and hardworking, competing with me for top grades every year.
After I beat him yet again, he got down on one knee and proposed.]]
“The Cross family has strict rules–dating without marriage intentions is just playing around, so I figured I’d cut straight to the
chase.”
So he secretly proposed, and I secretly said yes.[]
Julian was incredible–so incredible it took some getting used to.
People say your first love leaves a scar on your heart.]
He was like fate’s gift to me–scar removal cream.]
His love for me was built on respect and growth, lifting me up to become my own strong, independent person.[]
Not some clingy vine under someone else’s protection.[]
I thought after that conversation at the hospital, Ryan would finally give up.[]
But he somehow found out where I worked and started camping outside my building every day–waiting for me after work with flowers or food, looking all pathetic and desperate.[]
Actually, Hazel had kept in touch with me over the years, always sharing gossip about Madison and Ryan.[]
So I knew roughly how things ended for both of them.]
Madison got expelled from school.[]
The victims refused to sign any forgiveness agreements, so she ended up with three years in prison.[]
Chapter 9
After getting out, she had to work random jobs to pay off her debts.
Ryan used his connections to cut off all her opportunities, making her a pariah that everyone avoided.[]
That ten million I sued for? She’d probably never pay it off working minimum wage her whole life.[]
Perfect. She loved playing games, right?[]
Let’s see if she can handle playing for the rest of her life.[]
Another Friday afternoon, I dragged my exhausted body toward the exit, but downstairs I found Ryan and Madison literally fighting each other.[]
Madison’s eyes lit up when she saw me, rushing forward only to get stopped by security.[]
“Scarlett Whitmore! Drop this bullshit lawsuit right NOW! It’s just one dick–you gon
ruin my entire life over ONE GUY?!“]]
I signaled security to drag her away, but she threw herself on the ground and wouldn’t budge.]]
“Can’t control your own man, so you use dirty tactics to attack other women? Is this how employees at big companies act?!”
Her scene was drawing a crowd, making her cry even harder.[]
Ryan was pulling and dragging, trying to get her out of there, looking at me with pure shame and apology:
“Scarlett, I didn’t bring her here! I’ll get rid of her right now!“]
Madison seemed determined to make this as big a scene as possible, throwing away any dignity.[]
“Pathetic women always take it out on other women! It’s your own fault you couldn’t keep him interested–why blame me?!“]
I crossed my arms and watched her performance, not worried at all.
Seeing me stay so calm, Madison started panicking.
“I’m warning you–if you don’t drop this case today and pay me compensation for emotional damage, I’m going straight to your CEO!”
“Big companies care about their reputation. They’ll definitely fire you!”
I watched her smug expression and just shrugged.]
Ryan couldn’t budge Madison, and this scene was highlighting just how powerless he was.[]
All he could do was keep apologizing to me.
Just when I was debating whether to tell her the truth, warm hands settled on my shoulders.
“In my company, nobody gets to talk about firing my fiancée.“]
“Not even me.“[]
4
Chapter 9
Julian’s calm expression and natural authority commanded the entire room.]
Madison stared for a moment, then suddenly seemed to snap, pulling a bottle from her jacket while screaming and charging at me.[]
“You bitch! Let’s see if any man wants you after I ruin that face!“]
A sharp, stinging smell hit my nose. By the time I realized it was sulfuric acid, it was too late.]]
Julian grabbed me, but the bottle was about to splash right on me.
THUING E
At the last second, Ryan caught Madison’s wrist and threw himself in front of me.
“AHHHHHHH!!!“]
A horrific scream echoed through the lobby.]
Madison’s face was smoking, a rotting smell filling the air.]
The entire side of her face was eaten away by acid, leaving her unrecognizable as she rolled on the ground in agony.
r unrecognizable as she rolled on the ground in agony.[]
Ryan wasn’t much better–his entire right hand was severely burned.]
Before the ambulance took him away, Ryan’s eyes were locked on mine,
oking sadly:
“Scarlett… does making one mistake really mean you never get a second chance?“]
I looked at him without answering.
But silently, I thought to myself:[]
Yep.1
