Chapter 46 The Exposed Truth
Brielle smirked. "Got Ambrose wrapped around your finger, and now you're feeling bold."
Scarlett had been mid-turn when she froze. Her lips curved into a cold smile. "To deal with you? I've never needed backup."
She nodded at Ruben. "Thanks for your help, Officer."
Then she walked away.
Brielle wasn't done. She chased after her, but Ruben called out.
"You're not going anywhere."
Brielle whipped around, her expression dripping with contempt. "Officer, doing her favors behind the scenes? She won't know. Want me to tell her about your little crush?"
Ruben let out a cold laugh. "You know why you'll never measure up to her?"
"Because you're dumb. And jealous."
Nothing set Brielle off faster than being told she was inferior to Scarlett.
Sure, Scarlett was smart—skipped grades, big deal. But Brielle got into the same university. How was she any worse?
So what if Scarlett skipped grades? She was a lovesick fool who married a trash human and lived in misery.
Meanwhile, Brielle was living her best life. Where exactly did she fall short?
At the Mellon house, Owen loved her just as much as Scarlett. How was she inferior?
Jealous? Please. What did Scarlett have that was worth envying? Brielle just couldn't stand how Scarlett acted all high and mighty when she was such a simp for men.
"What's so great about her? She got played by some guy. You think I'm jealous of her miserable life? That's laughable." Brielle spat the words, then spun on her heel and stormed out.
Ruben stood there, stunned by what he'd just heard. Scarlett got played? Was she living miserably now?
He was about to ask more when Brielle vanished. He quickly pulled out his phone and called Ambrose.
Brielle caught up to Scarlett at the entrance. She refused to back down. She had to get the last word.
"Scarlett, don't think I don't know you're hooking up with Ambrose. You used to act all pure and untouchable. Now look at you—selling yourself for protection."
Scarlett stopped. Her gaze turned icy as it landed on Brielle.
"The Boleyn and Mellon families had zero connection before. Now, suddenly, Ambrose claims they're old family friends? That might fool Wesley, but it doesn't fool me."
"Brielle, if you need to attack me just to feel alive, I'll make sure you don't get that chance." Scarlett's voice was frost.
Brielle crossed her arms, a smug smile playing on her lips. "How could I not survive? Wesley would never abandon me. But you? He definitely won't lift a finger for you."
Scarlett's expression darkened.
Sensing weakness, Brielle pressed harder. "Has Wesley been awful to you all these years? That's because he never loved you. He loves me."
Her laughter rang out, cruel and triumphant.
"The money I just paid you? Wesley gave it to me. So tell me, Scarlett—how does it feel knowing the man you love is in love with someone else?"
Scarlett's hands clenched into fists at her sides.
They really were together.
Why? Why would they do this to her?
If it were anyone else, she might've let it go. But Brielle? Did they think she was that easy to push around?
The pain was suffocating. Scarlett ground her teeth, forcing herself to walk up to Brielle. When she spoke, her voice trembled with hurt and fury.
"This is how it feels."
Then she raised her hand and slapped Brielle across the face.
Twice.
Brielle hadn't seen it coming. The strikes landed before she could react. Her cheek burned.
"You bitch! How dare you hit me! I'll make you pay for this!"
She lunged at Scarlett, fingers reaching for her hair—but a hand caught her mid-air. Then she was shoved backward.
Brielle crashed hard onto the floor of the police station. She was about to unleash a string of curses when she saw who had intervened.
Ambrose.
Why was he here?
Had he come to rescue Scarlett?
"You want to throw punches here? I can arrange a few days in lockup for you." Ambrose's voice was deadly calm, laced with menace.
Brielle shivered. Anyone else, she wouldn't care. But Ambrose was different. He didn't give her an ounce of respect. And he clearly cared about Scarlett.
"You okay?" Ambrose turned to Scarlett, his tone softening with concern.
Scarlett's unfocused gaze drifted to his face. It took her a moment to process. "What are you doing here?"
"I was passing by." He pulled out his phone and called Ruben.
"There's a crazy woman here trying to assault people. Lock her up for a few days."
Brielle scrambled to her feet. "I didn't even touch her! She hit me first! Why are you locking me up?"
"Because I saw what I saw." Ambrose had zero interest in arguing.
Ruben appeared seconds later. He grabbed Brielle's arm.
"You tried to ram into someone, now you're trying to fight people at the station? You really are brainless."
He started dragging her inside. Brielle fought back, shouting.
"I'll get a lawyer! You'll all pay for this!"
"Ambrose, you think Scarlett's some pure, innocent woman? She's not! She's filthy! She's been with so many men, even Wesley won't touch her!"
The words stopped everyone cold—Ruben, Ambrose, and Scarlett herself.
Scarlett's entire body trembled.
How did Brielle know? Did Wesley tell her?
Brielle tried to say more, but Ruben clamped a hand over her mouth and hauled her inside. Her voice finally died away.
Ambrose said nothing. He just watched Scarlett. He saw every micro-expression, every shift in her posture. His eyes darkened.
"Let me drive you home."
Scarlett didn't know how she ended up in the car. She didn't even register when Ambrose took her hand.
Once inside, she hugged herself tightly. Her mind was in chaos.
In the luxurious Bentley, Ambrose sat beside her. He observed her carefully, then reached for a bottle of low-proof wine. He poured it into a crystal glass.
"Don't worry. She won't dare run her mouth again."
His voice pulled Scarlett back. She turned to meet his unreadable gaze, then noticed the glass he held out to her.
"Want a drink? Might help calm your nerves."
When people are hurting, drowning their sorrows sounds tempting.
Right now, Scarlett wanted exactly that.
She didn't hesitate. She took the glass and downed it in one gulp. The burn in her throat couldn't touch the ache in her chest.