Semua Bab The Wrong Bride: Bab 11 - Bab 20

As Ethan stepped into the hallway, employees straightened immediately. Voices dropped to a hush. Every eye followed him — the CEO had arrived.The same man who, half an hour ago, had eaten toast in silence beside his new wife.Ethan Newton’s expression changed the moment he crossed the lobby. The calm mask of power slipped back into place. His assistants followed closely behind, tablets in hand, reading updates and figures as they hurried to match his pace.“Mr. Newton,” one of them said carefully, “should we prepare a public statement in regard to your marriage, sir?”Ethan’s reply was cool and sharp. “No one needs to know.”He stepped into the elevator. The mirrored walls reflected him from every side — a man split between two versions of himself: the ruthless CEO, and the quiet stranger from a small, newly bought apartment.His jaw tightened. He didn’t like the thought. The marriage was nothing but duty — a promise to his grandfather, a convenient shield against gossip and social e

“Yeah. And I meant it. Some mistakes shouldn’t get a second chance.”The silence that followed felt calm but heavy.Ethan looked at his watch.“Anyway, I have work to do. The company won’t manage itself.”“Ah yes, the busy husband,” Lawrence joked. “Already too busy for celebration?”“Some of us actually work,” Ethan said simply.“Sure,” Lawrence replied. “Just make sure your new wife doesn’t find out you love your job more than her.”“You talk too much,” Ethan said evenly.“And you say too little,” Lawrence answered. “Fine, I’ll stop. Congratulations, Ethan. You finally gave your grandfather what he wanted.”Ethan looked toward the bedroom door, where a faint shadow moved under it.“Maybe,” he said softly. “Maybe not.”Lawrence didn’t hear that.“Take care, my friend. Say hello to Mrs. Newton for me.”“I will,” Ethan said.He ended the call and set his phone down.For a moment, he sat still. The quiet around him felt deep.He should have felt free; the deal was done, his grandfather

Another day had started; meetings to attend, deals to close, and secrets to keep.Somewhere in his new apartment, a woman he barely knew was making breakfast, not realizing her husband lived two different lives.Ethan adjusted his sleeves and walked toward the boardroom. His steps were quiet but firm. Behind his calm face, one thought stayed with him:This marriage won’t last. Once I find the woman who saved me, I’ll make things right.But for now, he had a part to play, the perfect husband in public.The cold, distant man in private.While Ethan was busy planning how to end his marriage when he found the woman from his past, Ava was checking the shop she and Pearl were about to open together.Pearl’s father had asked her to come home for good, and she had agreed. Starting a small fashion and design business with Ava felt like the right step.While Ava made notes about what still needed fixing, Pearl was already on her way to her father’s house.She stepped outside into the cool morni

He forced himself to stay focused. ‘You can’t fail this mission, Lawrence,’ he told himself. ‘You’re the leader of the Devils. Do it and move on.’He wrapped his arm around her gently. “When I look at you,” he said in a low voice, “I feel like I’m looking at Angel Margrethe.”Pearl blinked. “Is there really an angel called Margrethe?” she asked, surprised and amused.“Yes,” he replied quickly, trying to sound sure. “The most beautiful one in heaven.”Pearl laughed softly. “I’ve never heard of her.”Her laughter made him uneasy. She was pure; too pure for what he was planning.When her laughter faded, she looked up at him. “Everyone on campus is curious about the queen’s boyfriend. Why do you keep our relationship secret?”Lawrence’s expression hardened slightly. “It’s not the right time yet,” he said.“Then when is the right time?”“Very soon. I just need to handle a few things first.”Silence followed. The room grew heavy with words unsaid.She looked at him again, a small smile formi

“Get out,” she said again, her voice breaking. “If you don’t leave, I swear I’ll do something terrible.”When he saw the wild look in her eyes, he stepped back, helpless. He lingered by the door, listening, terrified she might harm herself.A few minutes later, Pearl emerged, fully dressed, her face unreadable. She walked past them all without a word.No one could describe what she was feeling; not even Pearl herself. All she knew was that something inside her had shattered beyond repair.Once outside the hotel premises, Pearl walked fast, almost running. Her heart pounded painfully, but she didn’t care who saw her. She only wanted to reach her hostel and disappear from the world.It was still daylight. The boys had planned it that way; to stage her humiliation under the open sun, where every detail could be seen.“Bet money… change-over money,” she muttered bitterly, laughing with