เข้าสู่ระบบ"Let go of my wrist," Flora demanded, trying to yank her arm back.Arthur dropped her hand, but he didn't step back. He kept her trapped between his large body and the dining table. "You are thinking about running.""I will run," Flora said directly. "The second you turn your back, I will walk out of this house.""If you walk out of those gates, Devon dies," Arthur said simply.Flora froze. "You wouldn't.""I will put a bullet in his head myself," Arthur said, his tone completely flat. "And then I will dismantle your father's company piece by piece. I will make sure Harvey Vance spends the rest of his life in a federal prison for tax fraud.""My father just disowned me," Flora shot back. "He slapped me in front of hundreds of people. You think I care what happens to him?""Yes, you do." Arthur tilted his head, studying her face. "You are too soft, Flora. You care about your parents. And you still care about the coward who left you bleeding on the floor today.""I don't care about Devo
The limousine pulled through a massive wrought-iron gate and stopped in front of a sprawling stone mansion. Through the rain-streaked window, Flora saw armed guards stationed at the entrance, holding assault rifles."Get out," Arthur commanded, opening his door."Where are we?" Flora asked, her voice shaking slightly as she looked at the towering structure."My estate. Your new home," Arthur replied. "Get out of the car.""I am not going in there. I want to go back to the city.""You have nothing in the city. Your father threw you out, and your fiancé betrayed you. Get out, Flora.""I can go to a hotel. I have money in my bank account.""Your bank accounts are frozen," Arthur said flatly. "I had my people lock them down thirty minutes ago. You have zero dollars to your name. Now, step out of the car before I drag you out."Flora glared at him, her chest heaving. She knew he wasn't bluffing. Reluctantly, she slid across the leather seat and stepped out into the cold night. A guard imme
The heavy oak doors of the venue slammed shut behind them. Cold rain hammered the pavement outside, washing away the chaos of the city."Umbrella, Boss," a guard said, instantly popping open a large black umbrella over them."Get the door," Arthur commanded."Yes, Boss!"One of the men yanked open the heavy door of the black stretch limousine parked by the curb. Arthur ducked inside, still carrying Flora, and placed her on the leather seat."Take us to the estate," Arthur said to the driver as he slid in next to her."Yes, Mr. Sterling."The doors shut, cutting off the sound of the rain. The privacy screen rolled up automatically, sealing them in the quiet, dim interior of the car.Flora sat rigidly against the door, pulling her torn wedding dress tightly around her. She was shivering, but not from the cold."Take that ridiculous veil off," Arthur said, pouring himself a glass of bourbon from the minibar."Don't touch me," Flora snapped as he reached for it."I didn't touch you. I tol
"Begin the ceremony," Arthur commanded. His voice was low, yet it carried across the dead silence of the ruined wedding hall.The elderly priest stood frozen behind the altar. He clutched his Bible so tightly his knuckles turned white. "S-sir, this is highly irregular. I cannot—""You can, and you will," Arthur cut him off. "Change the name on the registry. Cross out Devon Cross. Write Arthur Sterling. Do it now.""You can't just barge in here and do this!" Harvey Vance yelled from the floor, his face red with a mix of fear and lingering rage. "I am calling the police! This is kidnapping!"Arthur didn't even look at him. He simply raised two fingers."Drop the phone, old man," Doni ordered, stepping forward and pressing the cold barrel of his Beretta directly against Harvey's temple. "Kick it over here."Harvey swallowed hard, his hands shaking as he dropped the phone and kicked it across the marble floor."Flora!" Devon screamed. He pushed past his mother, who was desperately trying
Vanessa's confession successfully paralyzed Devon's common sense. The man stared at Vanessa with a mix of disbelief and utter disgust. Amidst the suffocating silence, Vanessa's parents stormed onto the stage. Their faces were beet red.Vanessa's father violently grabbed Devon by the lapels of his suit. "You bastard, Devon! You've ruined my daughter! I don't care if you were drunk or what, you gotta take responsibility!""Marry her right this second!" Vanessa's mother shrieked hysterically, pointing her finger right in Devon's face. "Or we're gonna drag you to jail on rape charges! We'll make sure the Cross family name is completely ruined!"That threat scared Devon's parents half to death. Devon's father quickly stepped forward, prying Vanessa's father's grip off his son's suit."Just calm
The chaos on the wedding stage was far from over. Flora was still slumped on the marble floor, her shoulders shaking violently as she held back her sobs. Her father’s slap had left a glaring red mark and a stinging numbness spreading across her cheek."You damn brat! You've completely ruined my reputation!" Harvey barked. His chest heaved as he fought to contain his explosive rage. He glared at his daughter with a look of pure hatred. "Get out of here, Flora! As of this second, you're not my daughter anymore! Get the hell out of my house!"Seeing her husband raise his hand, ready to deliver a second blow, Diane jolted. Her shock instantly vanished. She quickly ran over and shielded her, hiding Flora’s trembling body behind her back."That's enough, Harvey! Stop it!" Diane screamed. Tears streamed down her face, but her gaze boldly challenged her husband. "Don't you dare lay a hand on Flora! Don't kick her out!"Diane’s defense only added fuel to the fire. Harvey pointed a trembling fin







