Chapter 22
The Storm Before the Chaos
The whispers began the moment I stepped in.
“Why is she here?”
“Does she think she’s still Mrs. Shaw?”
“She’s humiliating herself…”
“But isn’t she the victim? Her boyfriend is marrying someone else—why is it her fault?”
Those who spoke up for me were quickly silenced.
I ignored them all.
Their Panic
Rita’s face turned ashen.
She looked like she’d seen a ghost.
Seraphine’s expression faltered.
But Julian—
His panic was undeniable.
He took a step forward—
“Don’t go,” Rita clung to his arm, voice trembling.
“Julian and I are getting engaged. We’ll be married soon. Stop bothering him…”
Her grip was tight, but Julian was colder.
He whispered something, then pried her hand away.
Rita’s eyes filled with tears.
Caffrey and his brother intervened, blocking Julian.
Caffrey’s voice was sharp.
“Julian, be reasonable! You want to humiliate my sister for her?”
Julian’s jaw clenched.
“Let. Me. Go.”
The whispers grew louder.
The anticipation thickened.
I walked forward, unfazed.
Passing a table, I picked up a glass of red wine, taking a slow, elegant sip.
Then—
“What are you doing?!”
Seraphine stormed off the stage, blocking my path.
Julian broke free from the Crowes, his expression dark, cold.
“Don’t cause a scene.”
His voice was low, controlled.
“We’ll talk at home.”
I laughed.
“Talk?”
I tilted my head, eyes sharp.
“Julian, are you taking a concubine?”
The ballroom froze.
The Insult
Julian’s face darkened.
The Crowes? Livid.
Rita? Losing control.
I had called her a mistress.
Even if she married Julian, she would only ever be second.
A blatant provocation.
Gasps filled the room.
Where did I get this confidence?
“You—”
Rita’s voice shook with fury.
“Olivia Frost, you’re shameless!”
She glared at me.
“I’m Julian’s wife! We’re getting engaged! I’m the legitimate one!”
“Shut up!”
Julian’s roar shocked everyone.
Seraphine rushed over, calming Rita.
“Rita, darling, don’t stoop to her level.”
I smirked.
“Don’t stop her,” I said.
“Let her speak.”
Seraphine’s eyes flashed with warning.
“Olivia Frost, if you dare say another word, you won’t get a cent!”
She was desperate now.
She feared I’d reveal everything.
But her face paled.
She remembered last night’s agreement.
Julian’s gaze snapped to her.
“What compensation?”
Seraphine stiffened.
A wave of whispers rolled through the crowd.
“She took the money and is still causing trouble?”
“She just wants more.”
“She can’t accept losing her sugar daddy.”
The Crowes’ expressions darkened.
Caffrey stepped forward.
“Ms. Frost,” his voice was sharp.
“Leave, or don’t blame us for being impolite.”
I turned to him, smiling.
“Impolite?”
I took another sip of wine.
“What right do you have to be impolite to me?”
I tilted my head.
“In ancient times, even after Rita married him—”
I paused, letting my words sink in.
“She would have to kneel and serve tea to me.”
Call me ‘older sister.’”
My voice was gentle.
The silence was deafening.
Caffrey was stunned.
Others thought I was crazy.
But Rita—
Rita laughed angrily.
“Kneel to you?”
Her eyes burned with hatred.
“You must be delusional.”
“I won’t kneel to you.”
Her voice dropped to a venomous whisper.
“I’ll visit your grave.”
The Truth
I set my glass down.
Reaching into my bag, I pulled out a marriage certificate.
I placed it on the table.
And smiled.
“Now, answer me.”
I met Rita’s stunned gaze.
“Do I have the right to make you kneel and offer me a toast?”
The entire room fell silent.
Marriage certificate.
Legal. Binding. Proof.
Gasps erupted.
“Julian and Olivia… are already married?”
The Crowes? Utterly humiliated.
The Collapse
I turned to them.
“Adultery.”
“Seducing a married man.”
“Then shamelessly announcing your engagement?”
I let the words sink in.
I scoffed.
“Do you even know the law?”
My gaze sharpened.
“Bigamy is a crime.”
The Crowes’ faces drained of color.
Mrs. Crowe staggered.
Her precious daughter had seduced a married man.
And soon—
All of Chicago would know.
Julian’s Judgment
Julian’s temples throbbed.
He was done trying to stop me.
He just wanted this nightmare to end.
I lifted my wine glass.
I walked to Julian.
The man who had shared my youth.
Who had destroyed my trust.
And led us to this ugly scene.
Then—
I poured the wine over his head.
The gasps were deafening.
His hand shot out, seizing my wrist.
His grip was tight, unforgiving.
“Must you do this?”
His voice was low, strained.
Pain burned through my wrist.
I saw the blood.
My old wound had reopened.
Just like my heart.
Anger.
Sorrow.
Everything boiled over.
I yanked free.
And threw the empty glass at Rita’s feet.
I spat out the words—
“Let’s divorce.”
“Be locked together with this wretched woman.”
Julian stiffened.
Something flickered in his eyes—
But I didn’t care anymore.
The Attack
The Crowes moved first.
They grabbed Rita, ready to flee.
But the room was focused on me.
On Julian.
Then—
A hand shoved me.
Hard.
I stumbled, hitting the ground.
And a furious voice screamed—
“You wretched woman!”
My blood ran cold.
Rita’s eyes blazed with hate.
“Last night, so many men couldn’t even kill you?”
She hissed.
“You should just die.”
