Chapter 118
The car door swung open and a tall man stepped out, his voice urgent.”
“Are you okay, sis? Did that bastard hurt you?“}
My brother anxiously scanned me from head to toe, checking for any injuries. Only when he was sure I was unharmed did he finally exhale in relief.}
“Damn it, I should’ve gotten here sooner. I let them treat you like this.”
I looked up at him–at that familiar, protective face–and all the emotions I had been holding back came crashing down.
“Claude… I was wrong. I just want to go home. I miss Mom and Dad…“}
His expression softened as he wiped away my tears, pulling me into a warm embrace.}
“It’s okay now. I’m taking you home. No one will ever hurt you again. And if you don’t want to marry for business, then don’t. I’ll take care of you for the rest of your life.“}
For the first time in a long while, I let my guard down, resting against my brother’s shoulder.}
Just then, the doors to the stock exchange opened again. Nicholas and Gwendoline were being escorted out in handcuffs.
The moment Nicholas laid eyes on Claude, his face twisted in shock.
“Y–You’re… Claude Godfrey? Heir to Nova Eternum Industries?!“}
Claude met his gaze with icy disdain. His voice was dangerously low.
“You’ve got some nerve, Nicholas. You thought you could hurt my sister and walk away? Get comfortable in prison–you won’t be leaving anytime soon.”>
Nicholas turned back to me, his panic barely concealed. His eyes, once filled with contempt, now shone with desperation–like a man realizing he had bet against the wrong horse.}
“Mr. Godfrey… this is all just a misunderstanding! I–I didn’t know she was your sister!“}
“A misunderstanding?” Claude scoffed. “You cheated on her. Used her to build your company, then discarded her like she was nothing. Humiliated her in front of the entire industry. And now you dare call it a misunderstanding?“}
Nicholas collapsed to his knees, his voice thick with desperation.
“Mr. Godfrey, I messed up! I know I did! Please, just give me one more chance. If the Godfreys steps in, I can still fix this. I–I’ll marry Rose! No, I’ll even discard my family name and join your honorable family as a househusband. I’ll leave everything I had if that’s what it takes!”
Claude let out a sharp, amused scoff.
“Spare you? You really think that’s on the table?“}
His gaze was filled with nothing but disdain.}
“You? Marry into my family? You’re nothing but a parasite trying to latch onto something better than yourself. Do you really think you’re worthy?“!
Seeing no hope with my brother, Nicholas turned to me instead. His entire demeanor shifted–eyes soft, voice dripping with regret. As if the same man who had betrayed, humiliated and discarded me in front of everyone just minutes ago had never existed.
“Rose, please–I made a mistake! I’ll do anything! For the sake of what we had, can you forgive me?”
I met his eyes, my expression calm, unwavering. “Nicholas, when you backed me into a corner, did you ever stop to think about what we had?”
If I had been just another woman, his lies and public humiliation could have ruined me completely. The slander, the online harassment- he had set out to destroy me. And if I hadn’t fought back, he would have succeeded.
I didn’t wait for his answer. I turned, stepping into the car with my brother, shutting the door on the wreckage of my past. As we drove off, Nicholas grew smaller in the rearview mirror, still kneeling, still begging.
When we pulled up to Emperor Bay, my parents were already waiting at the door.
The moment my mother saw me, her eyes welled up with tears. She rushed over and pulled me into a tight embrace.
“Sweetheart, you’ve been through so much…“}
Even my father–usually so composed–couldn’t hide the concern on his face. He placed a firm yet gentle hand on my shoulder, his voice laced with quiet regret.}
“Why didn’t you tell us sooner? A daughter of the Godfreys should never have to endure something like this.”
Leaning into my mother’s warmth, I finally let the tears fall–not because of what I had suffered, but because of my own stubbornness. I had worried them so much.0
“Dad, Mom… I’m sorry. I should have listened.“}
My father sighed, his voice softening. “What’s done is done. From now on, with us here, no one will ever hurt you again.“”
My brother, standing nearby with his usual confidence, smirked.
Don’t worry, Dad, Mom. I’ve already handled everything. Nicholas and Gwendoline are finished and Rose’s reputation won’t take a hit. As for the people running their mouths online? Let’s just say they won’t be spreading lies anytime soon.“)