Damon began scrolling through our old chat records, desperate to piece together “evidence” of Leo’s alleged backstabbing. He looked like a tattling schoolboy, eager to snitch for credit. almost laughed out loud.
Weren’t they supposed to be best friends?
I never imagined that when personal interests clashed, they’d tear each other apart like wild dogs over a bone.
Leo wrapped his arms around me from behind and chuckled lightly.
“Elena, let me tell you something. With the Carter Family’s power, we’re miles above the Blackwood family. The only reason I ever called him my ‘brother‘ was to stay close to you.”
I turned in surprise. So all of this had been planned… from the very beginning?
He smiled, eyes gleaming. “That idiot Damon thought he was being clever, hiding everything from you. What he didn’t know was that his entire background had already been thoroughly investigated.”
His words pulled me into a spiral of memories. I remembered those nights in the private rooms when Damon would sit with Leo and the others, casually tearing me apart with his words mocking me for being foolish, for clinging to him, for dreaming about marriage.
He bragged about being a second–generation heir, spinning tales of how well he played me. How he pretended to be infertile just to avoid fatherhood. How stupid I must have been to fall for it.
What he didn’t know was that every time he opened his mouth, Leo was silently memorizing every word for me.
He passed along the information without hesitation. Sometimes he’d even add extra venom, as it to ensure I’d open my eyes and walk away.
And now I finally had. I’d divorced him.
Leo was elated. Like a loyal dog, he trailed after me day and night, grinning ear to ear. He held my hand tightly that night, his excitement keeping him wide awake.
“Elena,” he whispered, “just thinking about marrying you in two days makes everything feel sc
perfect.”
“When I watched you marry Damon before, it felt like the world owed me something.”
“But now… the world finally gave you back to me.”
The day of the wedding arrived.
Damon had flown to Bali as expected, accepting Leo’s invitation without suspecting a thing.
While waiting for the ceremony to begin, he smoked a cigarette and turned to a friend nearby.
“So… which rich heiress did Leo manage to snag?”
The friend raised an eyebrow.
“You really don’t know? He’s marrying the eldest daughter of the Whitmore Family. The richest family in the city.”
Damon choked.
Chanter 7
3/13 636%
That Whitmore family?
The family whose patriarch controlled a significant chunk of the capital’s business empire? Even the Blackwood Family depended on their cooperation.
And now Leo was marrying their daughter? A real–life princess?
He sat up straighter, suddenly eager to get a glimpse of the bride.
Then, the emcee’s voice echoed through the venue. “Please rise and welcome the bride.”
Under the spotlight, I walked out slowly, holding the long train of my gown, a smile dancing or my lips.
Leo stood at the end of the aisle, looking at me with unwavering warmth. He took a step forward to meet me.
And just then…
“Elena!”
A shout tore through the hall. Damon was on his feet, face pale, eyes wide with disbelief.
“It’s… you?”
He stumbled forward, panic overtaking him.
“The eldest Miss Whitmore… how could it be you?”
“You told me you were an orphan. That your parents abandoned you abroad. That you grew up
poor…”
His voice cracked.
“Tell me, how could you be her?”
I took a step back, avoiding his outstretched hand. My voice was cold, steady.
“Is there even a point in explaining now?”
“There is!” He was desperate. “I need to know the truth, Elena. Why did you lie to me?”
