Chapter 1 A Reputation in Ruins
Emily Spencer was the cherished daughter of one of Kingboport's most distinguished literary families, raised under the strictest standards of propriety. And yet, she had now been dragged through two scandals so public and humiliating that they became the talk of the entire social circle.
The first scandal exploded across the internet when intimate photos of her in bed with her fiancé's sworn enemy went viral.
Insiders sneered with vicious delight. "Look at her, acting like some cheap dancer from a nightclub. She's got moves even those girls couldn't pull off."
The second came when her fiancé, Brenton Richardson, poured millions into throwing a lavish birthday celebration for the simple-minded girl he was keeping as his mistress.
People in the circle laughed out loud. "She comes from a cultured family, but over the past three years she's practically driven herself crazy, and she still can't even compete with a girl like that."
Emily could only offer a faint, self-mocking smile in response.
Yes, she had truly lost her mind for him. Brenton had been her childhood sweetheart, the one she adored. Their families had celebrated their engagement right after graduation, everything falling perfectly into place. But one month before the wedding, she was framed and violated by Marcellus Coleman, Brenton's sworn enemy. The compromising photos were splashed across every platform.
Marcellus even taunted Brenton directly. "Your precious fiancée seduced me."
Brenton responded with cold fury, spending six months crushing the Coleman family until they fled the country entirely. He never called off the engagement, yet their wedding was postponed again and again under endless excuses.
Emily had tried countless times to explain the truth, but Marcellus's words had already rooted themselves deep in Brenton's mind. Slowly, that poison turned into justification. He began cheating without shame.
The first time, it was with his secretary. He even brought the woman into the house that was meant to be their marital home.
Shaking with rage and stripped of every ounce of her refined upbringing, Emily destroyed their future bridal suite in a blind fury and demanded they end everything.
For three days, she wandered in despair. Then Brenton found her, eyes brimming with tears and pain.
"I only care so much because I love you. Once I balance the scales in my heart, I can finally settle down and build a real life with you. Just this once, Emily. Trust me. We'll have the wedding next week."
Gazing into those tormented eyes, her heart softened once more.
Yet the wedding was delayed again after the Richardson family consulted a fortune-teller who declared the chosen dates ill-fated.
When a new date was finally set, Emily discovered his latest affair with an unknown young actress.
Photos of their intimate moments on set spread like wildfire. She stormed into his company and wrecked his entire executive office. Unable to find him there, she marched straight onto the film set, pointing a trembling finger at him before choking out through tears, "We're finished."
This time, Brenton resorted to self-harm to win her back.
"Emily, I would die for you. How could I not love you?"
Seeing him covered in blood and wounds, she yielded again.
But before the newly scheduled wedding could arrive, he strayed once more, this time with a woman who was intellectually disabled. A "simpleton," as others would say.
For the first time, Emily witnessed Brenton showing another woman the tenderness and patience he had never fully given her.
He spent a fortune orchestrating a grand birthday gala for Scarlett, openly declaring their connection to everyone. When someone uttered the word "stupid"at the party, he personally beat the man until he was hospitalized.
Emily could no longer deceive herself that these were mere fleeting indiscretions. She had to accept the painful truth: Scarlett held a unique place in his heart.
She had already done enough reckless, humiliating things for this man. Now, at last, she felt awake.
So when the crowd whispered cruel jokes and waited eagerly for her next meltdown, Emily simply turned to Scarlett with a gentle smile. "Happy birthday."
Everyone stared in stunned silence.
Brenton grabbed her arm as she turned to leave, his face tight with irritation. "What game are you playing now? New tactics? Today is Scarlett's day. Don't push it too far. I won't let anyone ruin this party."
Emily looked back at him, noting how he stood like a man ready for battle. A deep, aching bitterness spread through her chest.
"Don't worry," she said quietly. "I won't cause any more scenes."
For a fleeting moment, doubt flickered across Brenton's face. After a brief pause, he leaned close to her ear. "I promise the wedding in two weeks will happen without any more issues. After that, I'll treat you right. Scarlett is the last woman besides you. She's just a sweet, innocent fool who doesn't understand anything. Be generous and cut her some slack."
Emily blinked, her heart sinking.
His voice sounded so tender, yet those gentle words were spoken to ask her to yield to another woman.
She pressed her lips together, searching for a reply, when Scarlett suddenly took her hand in delight. "This ring is so beautiful! I love it! Can you give it to me?"
The entire room fell deathly silent. Guests exchanged uneasy glances.
This was the Richardson family heirloom ring, reserved exclusively for the next mistress of the house. Through all their storms over the past three years, Brenton had never asked for it back.
Yet now, this naive girl was demanding it in front of everyone.
All eyes turned to Emily, waiting for her reaction.
Brenton's brows knitted in concern as he reached to pull Scarlett away, but Emily had already slipped the ring from her finger and gently placed it onto the girl's hand.
"If you like it, it's yours."
Scarlett squealed with joy.
Brenton's head snapped up, his expression darkening like a gathering storm. He seized Emily's wrist with crushing force, as if he might shatter her bones.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
She tried to pull free but couldn't. Meeting his gaze steadily, she answered in a calm, even voice, "Isn't this what you asked me to do? To let her have her way?"
