Chapter 405 Beaten
That sentence was the last straw, breaking Emily's final defense.
She trembled all over, unable to speak.
Just then, urgent footsteps echoed from the corner.
"Charles! What the hell did you just say?!"
Elodie rushed over, her face still flushed from drinking, but her eyes terrifyingly sober. Daniel followed behind her, his expression dark as thunder.
They had already walked away, but Elodie suddenly remembered she'd left her phone at the bar. When they returned, they'd caught Charles's last few words.
Elodie pointed at Charles, her voice shaking. "Charles, have you lost your mind?!"
Daniel stepped forward, shielding Emily behind him. He looked at Charles, his gaze cold as ice. "Apologize."
Charles looked at them, his heart suffocating with pain, but his face remained cold. "I'm stating facts. Daniel, this is between her and me. You have no right to interfere."
"She's my cousin."
Charles sneered. "So what?"
Before he could finish, Daniel's fist flew at him.
The punch was swift and fierce. Charles could have dodged it, but he took it head-on. The fist connected with his face, making him stagger back two steps, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
"Charles!" Emily cried out, instinctively rushing forward, but Wesley held her back.
Charles wiped the blood from his lips. "Good. Beat me to death. That's what you all want anyway."
Elodie charged forward too, fueled by alcohol, and shoved him hard. "You bastard! After everything Emily's done for you, this is how you treat her?"
Charles stumbled backward, hitting the lamppost. Pain shot through his back, but he laughed. "Right, I'm a bastard. So hurry up and divorce me. Stay away from me."
"You—" Elodie raised her hand to strike again, but Daniel stopped her.
Daniel looked at Charles, his voice icy. "Charles, I don't know what's gotten into you. But I'm remembering every word you said tonight. From now on, our families are finished."
Charles straightened up, his chest threatening to split open, but he forced himself to stand tall. "Good riddance."
He looked at Emily one last time.
She stood beside Wesley, pale as death, tears streaming down her face. Those eyes that once overflowed with love now held only pain and confusion.
Charles's heart wrenched violently. He almost blurted out "I'm sorry."
But he couldn't.
He gritted his teeth and turned to leave. Each step felt like walking on knife blades, but he didn't dare look back.
Because he knew that one glance back, and he'd collapse.
Emily watched his figure disappear into the night and finally couldn't hold on anymore, collapsing to the ground.
"Emily!" Elodie rushed over and held her.
Emily leaned into Elodie's arms, sobbing uncontrollably. "Why… why is he doing this?"
Wesley and Daniel exchanged glances, both seeing the gravity in each other's eyes.
Charles's behavior tonight was too abnormal.
So abnormal that… it seemed deliberate, like he was purposely provoking Emily.
In the shadows around the corner, Charles leaned against the wall, gasping for air. His face hurt, his back hurt, but nothing compared to the pain in his heart.
He pulled out his phone, trembling as he called Nathan.
"The divorce agreement… draft a new one. Better terms. Add another 10% of Windsor Group shares, and… transfer all my personal stocks and funds to her."
Nathan was silent for a long time on the other end. "Mr. Windsor, you…"
Charles closed his eyes. "Just do it. As soon as possible."
After hanging up, he slid down against the wall, covering his face with his hands.
Emily, I'm sorry.
This is the only way I can protect you.
There isn't much time left… the Rivera family has already targeted you.
I have to make you hate me, have to make you leave me.
Only then will you be safe.
When Elodie helped Emily into Starlight Manor, she looked completely drained.
The villa was one Emily had bought when she first returned to Thalassia—simply decorated, facing the ocean. When Elodie had her falling out with her family, Emily gave her a key so she'd have a place to stay.
"Sit down first. I'll get you some water." Elodie helped her to the sofa and headed to the kitchen.
Emily sank into the couch, eyes red and swollen, Charles's cruel words replaying in her mind.
"Disgusting…"
"Can't handle being alone…"
"Shopping for a new boyfriend…"
Each word was like a knife, cutting into her heart over and over.
Elodie returned with water and handed it to her. "Drink some."
Emily took the glass, her hands still shaking.
Elodie sat beside her. After a long silence, she finally spoke. "Emily, maybe you should… just divorce him."
Emily's head snapped up.
Elodie avoided her gaze, her voice soft. "I know this isn't what you want to hear. But after seeing how he acted tonight, the things he said—he doesn't deserve you putting yourself through this."
"Elodie…"
"There are plenty of men out there. You're amazing. Once you're divorced, you'll have guys lining up. Why torture yourself over him?"
Emily shook her head, tears falling again. "No… he's not like that. That's not who he is."
"Then why did he say those things tonight? Emily, wake up! He showed you his true colors. What are you still holding onto?"
Emily bit her lip, unable to answer.
She knew Elodie meant well, but she couldn't let go.
The Charles who once cherished her, who shielded her from storms, who said "Emily, you're the only woman I'll ever love"—
How could he have changed overnight?
Emily murmured, "He must have a reason. Wesley said so too."
Elodie sighed. "What does he know! And even if Charles has his reasons, he can't treat you like this."
Emily lowered her head, tears dripping onto her hands.
"Elodie, you don't understand. When you love someone, you can't just stop loving them on command. Even if he hurts me… I can't let go."
Elodie looked at her broken state, feeling both angry and heartbroken.
Angry at her foolishness, heartbroken at her devotion.
"Fine. Go take a shower first. Get some sleep. We'll talk tomorrow."
Emily nodded and dragged her exhausted body to the bathroom.
Hot water cascaded over her, but it couldn't wash away the chill in her heart. She remembered Charles's last look at her—there had been pain there, reluctance… so why did he say those things?
When she came out, Elodie had already made up her bed.
"You take the master bedroom. I'll sleep in the guest room. Call me if you need anything."
"Thank you."
"Don't be silly with me."
The night deepened.
Emily lay in bed, tossing and turning. The sound of ocean waves drifted through the window like a mournful song.
She closed her eyes, and Charles's face appeared before her.
His smile, his frown, his tenderness, his coldness…
Every image made her heart ache.