Chapter 43
“Is the here to crash the party?
“Damn, the halls on this chick Still thinks she’s Mrs. Kelce or something?
They literally just announced their engagement. Talk about social suicide”
But what did she actually do wrong? The guy two–timed her and decided to marry someone else. How is that on her?]
The guests traded whispers like currency.[]
Most were here for the spectacle, salivating at the prospect of Adeline Paige’s public humiliation. The rare voices of reason were swiftly drowned out ]
Evelyn’s face went ghostly white as Adeline approached–like she’d seen a corpse rise from the grave.[]
Amanda nearly choked on her champagne.[]
Even more rattled was Tristan, who immediately moved to intercept []
“Don’t you dare,” Evelyn dug her nails into his arm, anchoring him in place. Forgetting they were in public, she shrieked at Adeline with territorial venom, Tristan and I are getting engaged, you psycho! We’re about to become husband and wife, so back the fuck off him already…]
Tristan looked like his head might explode
But with Manhattan’s elite watching, he couldn’t lose it completely.[]
He could only mutter through gritted teeth for Evelyn to shut her mouth, yanking his arm away like her touch was suddenly toxic[]
Evelyn’s lower lip trembled in a practiced pout.[]
As Tristan advanced again, Jayden and his brother Wayne seized him from both sides.
Jesus Christ, Kelce, Jayden hissed. You’re really going to throw my sister under the bus for that nobody?]
“Get your hands off me!” Tristan snarled.[]
The guests excitement surged like a stock market rally.[]
The whispers crescendoed.]]
By now, Adeline had reached the center of the ballroom
She moved with the lethal grace of a lioness, pausing only to snag a glass of cabernet from a passing tray, taking a deliberate sip as if she were at a wine tasting.
“What do you think you’re doing? Get out this instant!” Amanda buildozed down from the stage to block her path.[]
Tristan finally shook off the Grantham brothers and reached Adeline, his handsome face glacial Cut the theatrics. We can sort this out at home-
“Acquiring a concubine, Tristan? How very medieval of you, Adeline cut him off, her tone casually vicious, each word dripping with acid.]
Tristan’s jaw tightened to breaking point.[]
Evelyn and the Granthams erupted at the word “concubine.
The implication wasn’t subtle.
She was branding Evelyn a homewrecker, declaring that even with a ring, she’d still just be the side piece! Pure, calculated provacation!
The guests were floored. Adeline Paige wasn’t just unafraid–she was on the offensive. Where did this titanium backbone come from?
Evelyn’s façade of sophistication cracked wide open. “You worthless skank! I’m Tristan’s real woman–we’re getting engaged! I’m the one he wants, not some desperate has–been sharin
“SHUT, UF.” Tristan’s voice cut like a blade.
Amanda rushed to Evelyn wrapping a protective arm around her. “Hush, sweetie. Don’t sink to gutter level. She’s not worth your breath.“]
Adeline responded with the smugness of someone holding four aces. “No, please, let the child speak It’sing. 1
“One more word out of you, Adeline Paige, and you won’t see a single penny of your settlement!” Amanda threatened, terrified the truth about the marriage would surface.
Then she remembered last night’s forced agreement.]
Her stomach dropped
Tristan’s eyes narrowed to dangerous slits. What settlement are you talking about?
Amanda couldn’t hold his gaze[]
“So much for true love Just another transaction“]
“The nerve–taking fursh money and still showing up to ruin everything
me
“Cant handle being kicked off the gravy train. Making a scene for a bigger payout 1]
The whispers from New York’s elle turned into a hissing chorus]
The Granthams, already furning at Tristans apparent prioritization of Adeline, now felt the humiliation burning deeper. Their princess was being drag
Jaylen stepped between them “Miss Paige, walk out now or well have security throw you out.
gged
1 through the mud at her own engagement announcement.
Throw MI out? Adeline’s electric gaze stufted to Jayden, a lethal smile spreading across her face. “On what authority? In the old days even if serving tea and calling me Sister
your
pathetic sister managed to
marry in, on her wedding night she’d still be kneeling before ne
Fier voice was syrupy with muck sweetness, each word a stiletto between the ribs [
Jayden was momentarily stunned by her hypnotic confidence before snapping out of 11. Who the hell did this woman think she was?]
”
Chapter 43
The room collectively decided she must have lost her mind.]]
Evelyn let out a shrill, unhinged laugh Kneel to YOU? For what? Who the hell do you thank you are? Kneel? I’d rather piss on your grave, you delusional bitch!”
Adeline turned to her with predatory focus. Need proofri
She set down her wine glass with theatrical precision and extracted a marriage certificate from her clutch, displaying it in Evelyn’s face like a royal flush. “Now tell me, trash, do I have the right to make you scrub my floors?“]
Evelyn stared at the document, her bram vaibly short–circusring
The ballroom went cemetery stent.
Tristan and Adeline were MARRIED?!]
What they’d written off as an ex–girlfriend’s jealous tantrum was actually a WIFE exposing her cheating husband and his side piece!]
The Granthams social standing evaporated in real time.[]
“One cheats in marriage, the other spreads her legs for a married man, and you have the balls to announce an engagement? Adeline looked around the room like she was surrounded by particularly slow kindergartners. “News flash bagamy isn’t just tacky–it’s a felony![]
The Granthamns faces cycled through a rainbow of mortification]
Mrs. Grantham swayed on her Louboutins
Her daughter had been screwing a married man![]
By morning, every socialite in Manhattan would know her precious girl was a homewrecker![]
And worse–she had personally helped Amanda promote this illegal engagement, even sending out whispers to Page Six]
Amanda Jones! How DARE you hide something this crucial?“]
You’ve destroyed my daughter’s reputation!“]
The Granthams were out for blood
Amanda frantically scrambled to explain, placate, and grovel]
Tristan pressed his fingers against his pounding temples, having surrendered to the inevitable nuclear fallout.]
He just wanted this nightmare to implode in private.
Adeline snatched another glass of wine and approached Tristan, her eyes drilling into the man who had walked her through prom, into marriage… and straight into this cesspool]
She raised the wine glass over his head and poured it down like christening a ship bound for hell
The crowd collectively gasped!
Tristan captured her wrist in a vise grip, his face ash–gray. “Was this theatrical bullshit really necessary?]
His grip was punishing, reopening her wounds. Pain ignited her already rage–filled eyes with murderous intensity. “Let’s. Fucking. Divorce.
She ripped her hand free, hurling the empty glass at Evelyn’s feet. “Congratulations on your new pet!”
Tristan looked genuinely shaken by her fury.
As he started to speak, he noticed something wet on his palm. Opening his hand, he found it covered in blood.[]
His eyes shot to her wrist, where the crimson ribbon was now soaked through. Blood was streaming down her hand, dripping onto the pristine carpet…
Horror rippled through the witnesses.[]
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The Granthams were preparing their retreat with Evelyn when, in the dead silence with all eyes fixed on the bleeding Adeline, Evelyn suddenly lunged forward and shoved Adeline violently to the ground.
“You disgesting whore! Weren’t you fucked to death by all those men last night? Why don’t you just die already![]
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy DaisyNovel. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.