Semua Bab Spent My Love, Cleared the Score: Bab 1 - Bab 9

The butler who had arrived with the groom's party started pacing frantically when he realized that the bride had been swapped. "This is madness! Ms. Mayer, you've been engaged to Mr. Reeve for over a decade. Are you just going to stand by and watch him marry a widow who guts fish for a living?"I looked toward Tracie Mayer, my so-called fiancee, who was clinging to Everett Huffman's arm. The two of them wore matching couple outfits as they stood among the wedding party. At the mention of our engagement, she frowned and coolly said, "Everyone knows that engagement was just a silly joke as kids. If he thinks he can tie me down with that, think again."Though our engagement was approved by both families and known throughout Crisea, she denied it without a hint of shame. Whatever promises that once existed were now nothing more than a joke.Everett casually raised his hand to show off the matching ring he shared with Tracie. "Everyone's waiting for the wedding to start, so don't was

Before I could climb the stairs, Tracie barked, "The second floor's converted into Everett's room. He doesn't like people touching his belongings, and your stuff is in the servants' quarters!"I froze.Since when did I even lose the right to a room in the house?Forcing down the sting in my chest, I pointed upstairs. "Mom and Dad left me that room, so what gives you the right to hand it to him?""Forget it," I added. "I'm done arguing over that. Dad's paintings and my trophies are still in there, and I'm taking them with me."Adeline's gaze nervously flickered before she started stammering. It was Tracie who answered and calmly told the truth. "Everett found that junk an eyesore and threw it out ages ago. There's nothing else you own in the room."Fury erupted in my chest. The family photos, paintings from Dad, and trophies I had with Mom at the kindergarten fairs were some of the few tangible memories they had left me. For countless sleepless nights, I had clung to these objec

I shot Tracie and Adeline a cold look. All my prior submissiveness had vanished. "Listen carefully, Tracie. Our engagement ended the moment you swapped the bride, and from now on, you and I have nothing to do with each other."As for you, Adeline, go ahead if you want to be Everett's sister. We will no longer stay in touch either."With that, I told the bodyguards at the door to drive them out.Tracie and Adeline never left. They stubbornly stayed outside the villa, waited for me to come out and give them an explanation. But I couldn't be bothered.Jayne and I got married, and the wedding was just a simple ceremony. She wanted a destination wedding, so we held a small gathering at home and invited close friends and family to a meal.Adeline was my only remaining family, but since she had long chosen Everett over me, I didn't let her in. So, there were no family members on my side.The Coopers never probed. Instead, they smiled throughout the meal and asked where Jayne and I pla

My voice carried across the room and began drawing attention. Tracie felt her dignity crumble under the odd stares. She eyed Edmund and roared, "I know exactly why you're here! "You want to land a partnership with Mr. Welch, but I won't let you have it your way. No one will help you except for me, Aston."She confidently turned to Edmund. "I'm willing to give up three percentage points on this project, as long as you work with my company."Then, she raised an eyebrow at me and added, "If you don't divorce her today, the deal's mine."Jayne let out a soft laugh of pure disdain. "Have you forgotten who is standing next to him? Who do you think is the better partner here, Mr. Welch?"Without a second thought, Edmund extended his hand to me with a beaming smile. "My apologies, Ms. Mayer, but I find Mr. Reeve's new company to be far more innovative and promising."After shaking Edmund's hand, I smiled and watched as Tracie's face turned a sickly shade of gray. "Sorry, Tracie, but m

A week later, Tracie showed up at my door, dragging Everett along to apologize. He was deathly pale, barely conscious, and looked like he was clinging to his last breath.Her men forced him to his knees, and her eyes were swollen from crying. "I'm sorry, Aston. I've looked into everything, so now, I know that he's been the mastermind behind everything."All these years, he's been exploiting our sympathy and trying to take your place in our hearts. I gave him what he wanted and made him donate all the blood he never gave, so are you satisfied now?"From the balcony, I could see the needle marks covering Everett's arms and couldn't help but lament how frightening Tracie's ruthlessness was. But now, a delayed apology meant nothing to me.As I looked at the scene, all I was concerned about was whether the noise outside the gates would disturb Jayne and affect her pregnancy. When I returned to the bedroom and saw her sleeping soundly, I finally felt at ease.After tucking her in, I t