Watching the video, Ashley was stunned and unable to comprehend. She couldn’t believe the events of that night had been recorded and how Joshua had obtained it. She was certain the man in the video wouldn’t have sent it, so who was responsible?
The hall was warmly lit, but Ashley felt a coldness spreading through her. It was as if she had been dragged into darkness, consumed by despair.
“Joshua, is this the girlfriend you said was innocent and naive?” Melinda’s anger shook her deeply. She had never felt such humiliation before.
Joshua exclaimed in frustration, “Grandma, I’ve been fooled too. I haven’t been intimate with her yet. I didn’t know she was like this.”
Upon hearing his confession, Melinda understood the situation immediately. Her anger surged even higher. She raised her cane and struck Ashley hard. “You deceitful woman! How dare you trick us? I’m going to teach you a lesson today.”
Ashley fell to the floor, writhing and crawling, screaming in agony. Despite her age, Melinda had been strong and assertive in her youth. She had dealt with many deceitful people like Ashley and knew how to strike hard, leaving Ashley unable to stand.
Ashley lay on the floor in pain, begging for mercy repeatedly.
But no one stepped in to stop it.
“Stop! Stop!” Stacey rushed forward, trying to protect Ashley by holding her close.
But Melinda showed no mercy. “Your daughter is deceitful. As her mother, you failed to raise her properly. She deserves this.”
Then, Melinda used her cane to hit Stacey.
Stacey cried out in pain but didn’t dare fight back. She could only shield her daughter and endure the strikes from the cane.
Petter’s legs buckled, and he collapsed to the floor. He crawled towards Melinda and bowed, pleading for mercy. “Mrs. Reed, please, have mercy. My wife is pregnant. She can’t take any more beatings.”
Upon hearing that Stacey was pregnant, Melinda stopped her attack. After letting out her anger, she snorted heavily and left with help from others.
Onlookers in the hall pulled out their phones, recording the scene with disapproving looks aimed at Ashley.
Bianca stepped back, watching the situation with a cold expression.
This shameful incident happened on Melinda’s birthday, damaging the Reed family’s reputation. The Reed family expelled Ashley, Stacey, and Petter. The three leaned on each other as they walked across the villa’s lawn, their presence exuding deep sadness and despair.
A striking figure blocked their way. Bianca stood nearby in a red dress, radiating elegance. Her presence contrasted sharply with the trio’s somber mood.
“Bianca, it’s you, isn’t it? It has to be you,” Ashley charged at Bianca, seeming unhinged.
But Bianca gracefully dodged aside, causing Ashley to trip and fall hard.
Bianca bent down slightly, giving a cold stare to the woman now crying on the ground.
Ashley’s pride and everything she valued had collapsed. Now, she was simply the object of mockery.
But it wasn’t Bianca who had ruined Ashley; it was Ashley herself.
Bianca smirked and said, “Ashley, I might have missed your big wedding with Joshua, but I saw your ‘spectacular’ departure. Look at yourself now. You don’t need my help to fall; you’re already broken. Who do you think you are to try to bring me down? Keep dreaming.”
“I’m not done with you.” With resentment in her eyes, Ashley glared fiercely at Bianca.
“You still have the energy to talk?” Bianca replied with a smile, unruffled. “Looks like today’s punishment wasn’t enough for you.”
“Bianca, did you have a part in this? Did you do something to Ashley?” Petter’s eyes drilled into Bianca, his anger rising as he realized his company’s chance to get funding from the Reed family had vanished.
Bianca sneered at Petter, stood up, and stared at him coldly. “Things done secretly will be revealed. You see a loyal daughter and faithful wife in them. But how many shameful things have they done behind your back?”
With that, she walked away, ignoring Petter’s angry expression.
Weakly lying in Petter’s arms, Stacey knew saying anything now would only make him angrier. She was too tired to say anything.
Meanwhile, Dave stopped his car on the road nearby. Bianca got into the front seat.
“It’s done. Let’s go home!” Bianca smiled softly as if tonight’s events meant nothing to her.
Dave smiled and said, “Of course.”
“This rental car is really comfy. I’m feeling tired. I might take a nap,” Bianca sighed, closing her eyes.
Dave looked at her lovingly, admiring her beautiful profile.
She could rest now. With him there, she felt safe and could sleep peacefully.
The car stopped in front of their apartment building. Bianca was still fast asleep, completely worn out from everything that had happened that night.
Dave smiled warmly. After parking, he gently opened the car door and lifted Bianca out.
“Bianca…” Her eyes fluttered open as she found herself in Dave’s arms, feeling a bit disoriented. Her tired body wanted to be set down.
“Stay still,” Dave said firmly yet kindly. He carried her inside their home.
Carefully placing Bianca on the soft bed, Dave looked at her with affection. “Would you like help changing into your nightgown?”
Bianca blushed and hesitated. “Okay, but you have to close your eyes.”
“Like I haven’t seen your body before,” he teased with a smile, his throat moving subtly.
“But I’ll feel shy…” Bianca nibbled her lip gently.
Dave’s eyes grew intense, and suddenly, he leaned in to kiss her, trying to leave her breathless. Bianca couldn’t resist wrapping her arms around his neck.
His warmth melted the chill in her heart.
After a tender kiss, Dave nibbled her ear and whispered huskily, “I wanted to kiss you earlier tonight. Has anyone ever told you how stunning you look in red?”
Dave loved how Bianca looked innocent yet alluring in red.
Because of that red nightgown last time, he couldn’t get enough of her in bed all night long.
Bianca quickly reached out to touch his strong chest, pouting as she said, “Let’s make a deal first. Don’t be as intense as last time. I… I can’t handle it.”
“I wanted to be gentle with you, but I’m sorry, you look incredibly irresistible today,” Dave said, holding Bianca’s waist and burying his head in her soft, fragrant hair. He spoke in a low, magnetic voice, “So, don’t get your hopes up too much, Bianc…”
His cool lips brushed down her neck, causing Bianca to tremble ever so slightly.
She held onto him tightly, feeling his warmth and heartbeat, and whispered, “You saw what happened today; I practically have no family left, just like you now.”
Dave stopped, lifting his eyes to meet Bianca’s gaze.