CHAPTER 2 – "THE WOMAN NO ONE DARED TO OFFEND"
Emily looked up through tear-filled eyes.
The elderly woman smiled warmly.
"You don't belong in that fountain."
"You belong somewhere far better."
Emily whispered,
"Thank you..."
The woman helped her stand.
Unlike everyone else...
She didn't laugh.
She didn't film.
She simply treated Emily with dignity.
Ryan rolled his eyes.
"Seriously?"
"It's just my aunt."
"She always overreacts."
The woman slowly turned toward him.
For the first time...
Her expression became cold.
"Am I?"
Ryan forced a laugh.
"Relax, Aunt Margaret."
"It was only a joke."
The guests laughed nervously.
Margaret calmly looked around the garden.
Then she asked one quiet question.
"Did everyone enjoy watching someone be humiliated?"
The laughter immediately stopped.
Several guests lowered their phones.
Others suddenly looked uncomfortable.
Margaret nodded slowly.
"I thought so."
Ryan crossed his arms.
"You always ruin everything."
Margaret smiled.
"No, Ryan."
"You just ruined your own future."
Ryan laughed again.
"My future?"
"You've been retired for years."
"What exactly are you going to do?"
Margaret looked at her watch.
Then...
She made a single phone call.
Only six words.
"Please begin the transfer immediately."
She hung up.
Nothing happened.
Ryan smirked.
"That's it?"
Emily looked confused.
The guests exchanged awkward glances.
Then...
Ryan's phone vibrated.
One message.
Then another.
Then ten more.
His smile disappeared.
His business partner was calling.
Again.
And again.
He answered.
"What?"
His face turned pale.
"What do you mean the investors pulled out?"
"What do you mean every account is frozen?"
"What board meeting?"
He slowly looked toward Margaret.
His hands started shaking.
She calmly reached into her handbag and placed a thin folder on the marble table.
Inside were ownership documents.
Ryan stared at the first page...
His heartbeat stopped.
The company he proudly called his own...
The luxury resort where they were standing...
Even the event management firm that had organized the wedding...
Were all controlled by a private family trust.
The signature at the bottom read only one name.
Margaret Elizabeth Bennett.
Ryan whispered,
"No..."
Margaret looked directly into his eyes.
"I gave you every opportunity to become a man worthy of this family."
"You chose cruelty instead."
She turned toward Emily.
"And beginning today..."
"You will decide whether this marriage survives."
Emily slowly closed the folder.
Then she looked at Ryan...
Not with tears anymore—
But with a calm smile that frightened him far more than anger ever could.
Because for the first time that day...
May you like
He realized he no longer had any control.
END OF CHAPTER 2... (The biggest revenge is only beginning.)
