Chapter 2
“Let go of me!” Chelsea shouted, thrashing against the iron grip of the goons hauling her away. Her heart sank when she recognized the old man standing by, smirking in satisfaction–Stewart.
“Well, don’t just stand there! Get her in the damn car!” Stewart barked, and his black–suited goons sprang into action.
“Help! Someone, please help me!” Chelsea screamed, her voice cracking as she struggled.
The hotel staff exchanged nervous glances, recognizing Stewart and choosing to look the other way, while the security guards pretended to be suddenly very busy elsewhere.
Anger and helplessness swirled inside Chelsea. This was beyond humiliating.
23
Stewart’s gaze lingered on her face, twisted in fury, like he was already judging her guilty of whatever twisted story he’d spun in his mind. His eyes narrowed, and he practically shook with rage.
With the whole crowd watching, his men roughly shoved Chelsea into a waiting car, pinning her to the backseat like she was some kind of threat.
Stewart leaned in, his face inches from hers, close enough for her to smell the stench of his aftershave. He noticed a faint red mark on her neck, and his face darkened further.
He lifted his hand to slap her. “You little slut, parading yourself around like this-”
But before his hand could connect, he was suddenly yanked back, almost falling flat on his back.
Shocked, Stewart looked up to see a tall, broad–shouldered man standing over him, his expression colder than ice. The newcomer radiated a quiet menace that made everyone freeze.
“Back the hell off,” Winston ordered, his voice as sharp as a blade,
“Who the hell are you?” Stewart blustered, trying to puff himself up. “You think you can just—”
The words died in his throat when he met Winston’s fierce, unblinking stare. For a long, terrifying second, Stewart looked like he might argue, but then he backed off, muttering curses as he scurried away.
Chelsea sat up, her pulse racing, trying to make sense of what had just happened. She looked up at her unexpected savior- Winston Moody, the last person she’d expected to see here.
“You alright?” Winston’s voice was calm, but his eyes were hard, still fixed on Stewart’s retreating form.
Chelsea took a shaky breath, nodding. “I… thank you. I don’t even know what would’ve happened if you hadn’t…”
This was the second time he’d stepped in to save her.
“Who were those guys?” Winston asked, his gaze flicking back to her, now filled with concern.
She let out a bitter laugh. “Just my dad’s latest idea of ‘setting me up‘ with someone. His idea of matchmaking.” She gave a wry smile. “Sorry you got dragged into this mess. Let’s just… go,”
Winston’s brow furrowed. ‘Matchmaking? That guy’s old enough to be her dad. No wonder she wants out,‘ he thought.
They made plans to meet the next day to finalize everything, and Chelsea caught a cab back to her tiny, cozy apartment.
Since her mom’s passing, she’d fought to break away from the Wise family, even going so far as to remove herself from the
1/4
DDD
5:15 pm GDD
Chapter 2
family records.
Her stepmother, Angela Wise, had always been paranoid Chelsea might try to claim some of the family fortune and practically handed her the freedom she’d been desperate for.
+23
The next morning, Chelsea gathered all the paperwork she’d need and headed straight to city hall.
She spotted Winston immediately, waiting in the shade of a tree. He looked effortlessly handsome, standing tall with that calm, unshakable confidence that made heads turn.
She’d imagined her wedding day so many times, always dreaming of romance, of a love that would sweep her off her feet. But here she was, staring at the man she was about to marry–not out of love, but necessity.
“Alright, let’s get this over with, Mr. Moody.” Chelsea walked up to Winston, clutching the papers like it was an anchor dragging her down.
Winston barely looked her way, his reply barely a murmur. “Yeah, fine.”
Half an hour later, they both walked out of the city hall, one trailing behind the other.
“Relax, we’ll be able to get divorced in a year,” Chelsea said, her voice a mix of frustration and resignation. She never thought she’d be getting married just to shake free from the Wise family’s grip.
The marriage license felt like a deadweight in her hand, practically suffocating her.
Meanwhile, Winston just tucked his copy away like it was nothing. He had a big meeting that afternoon and wasn’t about to let this little “detour” mess up his schedule.
“I have to go,” he muttered, then took off without even so much as a goodbye. He didn’t even leave his phone number.
Chelsea was about to shout after him when her phone buzzed. It was her father, Drogo Wise, and he sounded livid. “Chelsea! How dare you team up with some random guy to go against Stewart Robinson! Get your ass back here right now!”
There it was–the fury she’d been expecting. Sighing, Chelsea agreed to go back and grabbed a taxi.
Being treated like some pawn her father could trade off whenever he wanted? It made her sick.
The second she stepped into the living room, a cup went flying her way.
“Care to explain yourself, Chelsea?” Drogo’s face was red with rage. He couldn’t believe she had the guts to pull this stunt, humiliating Stewart and putting his whole scheme in jeopardy. “What, did I raise you too soft? Now you think you can do whatever the hell you want?”
Chelsea dodged the cup without flinching, looking her father dead in the eye. The man standing there wasn’t the father she remembered. Ever since her mother, Zelene Powers, had died, Drogo had become a stranger.
He’d remarried Angela and dragged her stepsister, Margot, into their home. Over time, Chelsea had lost her father’s affection, her family‘ warmth–everything. Even her relationships had become nothing more than tools in his business dealings.
Stewart was lounging on the sofa, a smug grin twisting his lips as he glared at her. “Drogo, you think a little slap on the wrist will fix this? This girl thinks she can just toy with me? She’s got another thing coming.”
His eyes roamed over her, his expression dark. ‘She’s a pretty little thing… if I can’t take her home, at least let me have my fun, he thought grimly.
2/4
+23
Chapter 2
Chelsea reached into her bag, pulled out the marriage license, and tossed it onto the table. “Sorry to disappoint you–I’m already married.”
Drogo’s face turned an ugly shade of red. “Chelsea! You got married behind my back? Who the hell gave you the right?”
Angela, ever the drama queen, chimed in, stirring the pot. “Chelsea, even if you didn’t want to marry Stewart, how could you make such a reckless decision?”
Chelsea laughed bitterly, her eyes hard. “My mom’s gone, and in my heart, my father is too. I make my own choices now.”
Drogo spat back, “Ungrateful brat! I raised you for over twenty years, and this is how you repay me? Fine! You’re no daughter of mine!”
“Good riddance! Like I was planning to stick around.” She didn’t hesitate, turning her back on him without a second thought -she’d been ready to leave the Wise family behind for a long time.
“Don’t expect a damn penny from me ever again!” Drogo’s words cut like ice, but Chelsea didn’t flinch.
She paused, though, as a cold realization settled in. ‘Is he really going to cut me off?‘
She’d poured her heart and soul into the Wise Group, brought success to the family business, yet she’d never seen a dime. She hadn’t even received the shares that every other Wise family member was entitled to.
Now, with nothing but a few bills in her wallet, she was on her own.
Angela, acting as though she was pleading on her behalf, tried to stoke the flames. “Honey, Chelsea’s just a little confused. You’re really gonna leave her with nothing? I mean, I know the apartment’s in her name, but…”
Drogo’s voice was ice–cold. “That apartment? Paid for by the Wise family. She’ll be out by tonight!”
Chelsea clenched her jaw, refusing to let them see her break. She walked out, not sparing a single glance back.
In her heart, she made a vow: she’d rather starve than ever touch another cent from the Wise family.
*****
Nova Group had just wrapped up a marathon of a meeting.
Fabian slipped into the conference room, shutting the door quietly behind him. “Mr. Moody,” he murmured, “I’ve got all the dirt you wanted.”
“Go,” Winston said. He rubbed his forehead, looking like he’d had enough. The woman he’d married, Chelsea, was still a mystery to him.
“Ms. Wise,” Fabian started, “she’s the eldest daughter of the Wise family from Evergreen. But her father, Drogo Wise, couldn’t give two shits about her. Obsessed with her younger sister, treats Chelsea like she’s invisible.
“And get this–the guy she grew up with, her childhood boyfriend? He got snatched away from her. Apparently, he was drugged and handed off to some older dude.”
Fabian looked through his notes, his expression skeptical. He couldn’t help but wonder why Winston would tie himself to someone with that kind of baggage.
“Boyfriend?” Winston’s tone was laced with curiosity.
“Yeah, from the Tucker family,” Fabian replied.
3/4
5:15 pm GODD
Chapter 2
(23)
Winston froze, fingers halting over the documents. The Tuckers–the same family that had been going toe–to–toe with him. recently.
‘And now I am married to the ex of their precious son? This is getting good,‘ he thought, smirking.
Just as Fabian was about to spill more, his phone buzzed. He took the call, exchanged a few quick words, then looked back at Winston, hesitant. “Mr. Moody, I’ve got an update from the city hall. Apparently, your marriage license with Ms. Wise? It’s… invalid. They say some of the paperwork was incomplete.”
Winston barely blinked. “Let’s keep that under wraps,” he said, his tone cold. To him, this whole marriage was for convenience anyway. Whether it was legit or not didn’t mean jack.
Fabian gave a nod. “Understood, Mr. Moody.”
*****
Meanwhile, Chelsea was wandering, feeling lost and exhausted. Her only plan was to find her friend Kate Meyer, who worked at Nova Group, and crash at her place.
She hadn’t eaten all day, her head was swimming, and she was starting to feel faint. She leaned against the wall, just trying to steady herself.
Finally, the elevator doors slid open. She looked up, thinking it was Kate, and tried to push herself up–but the sudden movement made her head spin.
As the world blurred, she felt herself falling forward.
Then, a fresh, woodsy scent of pine filled the air just as a strong hand wrapped around her waist. Cold, razor–sharp eyes locked onto Chelsea’s pale face.
The man’s heart skipped a beat. ‘Fuck… it’s her. What the hell’s she doing here?‘
He recognized Chelsea. ‘Wade Tucker’s ex? Hell, had she already put two and two together? Was last night’s little run–in just a freaking accident, or is she onto me?‘
4/4
#
AD
Comment
