Chapter 10
Rhea’s mind raced, piecing things together. I was wrong. I was SD wrong
It hit Rhea like a lightning bolt – Matthew’s flowers, his gifts, every note he had ever sent to Mabel bore a clear inscription. “To Mabel” or “To My Love Not once had he used the initials “M. Harper
Rhea had never seen anyone use “M. Harper for Mabel.
Which could only mean… That tiara wasn’t from Matthew.
A wicked grin spread across Rhea’s face. It seemed, that “little snake” Mabel hadn’t just stolen her life–she’d gone behind everyone’s back and found herself another man
Adrenaline surged as Rhea darted toward the stairs. She knew he moment had come
“Matthew she called out, her voice dripping with faux delight as she descended the staircase. “What a surprise! Weren’t you out with Mabel How did you have time to come by?”
Matthew stood near the foot of the stairs. He was in a light gray suit that seemed made perfectly for him. His broad shoulders and chiseled jaw made him look like he’d stepped out of a magazine.
But the warmth Rhea hoped to see in his expression was nowhere to be found. Instead, his gaze turned cold and sharp as steel. What are you talking about?” Matthew’s voice was low, laced with suspicion. “She went out With who?”
Rhea’s hand flew to her mouth in mock horror. “Oh no!” she gasped, wide–eyed “1. I thought she was meeting you.” Rhea’s voice trembled, each word crafted to seem like an unintentional slip. “She said she was going to see HER MAN before she
The room felt like it dropped ten degrees as Matthew’s expression darkened. His jaw tightened, and his hands clenched into fists at his sides. If he hadn’t stopped by on a whim tonight, he right never have known. But now? The image of Mabel with another man was like poison coursing through his veins.
Beatrice, noticing the storm forming on Matthew’s face, quickly grasped the situation: Mabel was digging her own grave.
This was the perfect opening for Rhea. Beatrice wanted the best for her real daughter.
She wasted no time stoking the fire. “Matthew, you almost scared me for a bit tonight. That tira you gifted – 13 million dollars? Rhea was so thrilled when she received it. She locked it up in her room and treated it like a precious baby.”
Thirteen million?” Matthew froze, his expression growing colder by the second.
The price shocked Matthew to the core. He furrowed his brow, has voice turning icy. “Mrs. Harper, I’ve never bought Rhea. any tiara”
Beatrice feigned surprise, her tone laced with exaggerated awkwardness. “Oh? Really? My mistake, then I must have been a gift from one of Rhea’s other friends. Never mind. Just forget what I said.”
Forget that? How could he? The suggestion that someone else had given Mabel such an extravagant gift was a direct blow to Matthew’s pride.
Matthew, heir to the prestigious Preston family, had women lining up for his attention. The only reason he had agreed to the engagement with Mabel was because she was beautiful, poised, and seemed manageable a perfect match.
The Harper family’s modest wealth barely ranked in Matthew’s eyes, but he had been willing to overlook it. But now, Mabel was betraying him. And that blow on his pride, he couldn’t overlook.
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Beatrice subtly signaled to Rhea, and she picked up on the cue instantly. Without hesitation, Rhea sidled closer to Matthew, her arm slipping through his, her body pressing just enough against him that her chest nearly brushed his side.
Rhea tried to calm him, her voice, soft and coaxing. “Matthew, don’t be upset. I’m sure Mabel didn’t mean any harm. Maybe she just went out with some friends. Why don’t you stay here and wait for her? I’ll keep you company until she gets back. You can talk to her then… though who knows if she’ll even come back tonight.”
Her words were loaded with suggestions and only fueled Matthew’s growing anger. His jaw tightened as his grip on his
emotions faltered.
“No need,” he said coldly, his words sharp. “I’m leaving”
But Rhea, not about to let him go, tightened her hold on his arm and walked with him to the front door, her voice dripping with sweetness, “Don’t be mad at her, okay? Let me walk you out. You two can talk it out later. Maybe it’s just a misunderstanding.”
Matthew’s face remained a mask of stone, but he didn’t pull away from her. His lack of rejection only spurred Rhea on, and she clung closer as they reached the door.
As they stepped outside, Rhea was already scheming, trying to figure out how she could convince Matthew to take her with him that night. Before she could speak, the deep hum of an engine cur through the quiet night air. A sleek, black Rolls- Royce Phantom glided toward the Harper villa, commanding attention.
The car came to a smooth stop at the gates, and Matthew’s expression turned hard. A sense of foreboding swept he knew Mabel was in that car.
over him-
The Rolls–Royce was a global limited edition, worth nearly one million dollars. It wasn’t just a car; it was a symbol of power and exclusivity that only a select few could ever dream of owning
Rhea, standing next to Matthew, stared, awe–struck. Compared to this magnificent Rolls–Royce, Matthew’s five–time–cheaper Porsche seemed laughably ordinary.
The driver stepped out of the car with quiet grace, walking around to the back. With practiced deference, he opened the rear door
Mabel stepped out of the Rolls–Royce, her dark purple dress hugging her curves like it was made for her. The rich color and flowing fabric exuded elegance, her every movement graceful and deliberate. As she lifted her gaze, her eyes landed on Matthew and Rhea standing at the villa’s entrance.
Matthew braced himself, expecting her to stammer excuses or look flustered after being caught cheating. But to his surprise, Mabel’s expression remained calm completely unbothered. She turned back to the man still seated in the Rolls–Royce and said something with a warm, almost playful smile. Her demeanor was relaxed and genuine, tinged with reluctance as she waved goodbye.
The driver shut the door with precision, and as the car pulled away, Matthew and Rhea caught a fleeting glimpse of the man inside. His profile was sharp and unmistakably masculine.
Who 15 he? Mathew wondered.
The Rolls–Royce glided off, leaving a trail of questions in its wake. Mabel walked toward the villa, her heels clicking softly against the ground,
Her gaze shified between Matthew and Rhea, an amused smile tugging at her lips. “Oh? Were you two heading out?”
Rhea’s heart soared. Still smiling, huh? Let’s see how long that lasts once Matthew puts you in your place.”
Before Rhea could savor her imagined victory, Matthew shoved her aside, his full attention locked on Mabel.
He couldn’t help it Tonight, she was breathtaking. Her radiant buty outshone everyone and everything around her. Even
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her confident, unruffled dergeanor added to her allure.
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Mabel usually dressed in loose–fitting clothes, keeping her figure concealed. But tonight’s outfit was a different story. The dark purple dress hugged her in all the right places, highlighting curves that Matthew hadn’t realized she possessed.
Matthew’s anger fizzled as his mind scrambled for an excuse to explain her behavior anything to soothe his pride. After all, she’s My fiancée. That fact alone gave Matthew a sense of victory over whoever had been sitting in that car.
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Clearing his throat awkwardly, Matthew tried to sound casual, even gentle. “Mabel, why didn’t you tell me you were meeting friends tonight? I could’ve given you a ride.
Rhea’s jaw nearly hit the floor. What? What is he doing? This wasn’t the explosive scene she had envisioned.
Mabel had just stepped out of another man’s car late at night. Matthew should have been yelling, accusing, maybe even breaking things in fury. Instead, he was now calmly asking why she hadn’t called him for a ride.
Rhea seethed silently. What’s next? If she moved in with another man, would he offer to carry her bags?”
But if Rhea thought Matthew’s reaction was absurd, Mabel’s response was downright shocking.
She rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with disdain. “And what business is it of yours?”
Matthew was stunned.
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