Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO
Chapter 248
Blake’s POV
The ballroom went dead silent. Every camera froze mid–flash as I stared at the plastic rings sitting in the velvet box. Not elegant jewelry- cheap toy rings with fake plastic diamonds that caught the light all wrong.
These reporters had been told to capture Parker Group’s next masterpiece. Instead, they were photographing what looked like dollar store costume jewelry. I could feel their confusion rippling through the crowd.
I’d personally made sure the media knew these rings would showcase our new jewelry line. The designs were promoted as revolutionary – the creation of a brilliant designer that would soon hit market.
And now this.
I turned to Laurel, my expression hardening. The rings had been delivered directly to her from the workshop. She’d insisted on keeping them until the ceremony.
Her face was pale, eyes wide with what appeared to be genuine shock.
“Blake darling, L…” She bit her lip, voice shaking. “I don’t know what happened.”
She met my eyes with visible panic. “You know appearances mean everything to me. Even if I hated Audrey, I wouldn’t humiliate myself at my
own engagement.”
She had a point–Laurel Rose would never willingly make herself look bad in public. Her entire career depended on her perfect image.
“Who else handled these rings?” I asked quietly.
Laurel leaned closer, lowering her voice. “The workshop delivered them. They said the designer personally checked them before sending them to me.” Her expression darkened as the pieces connected. “It was Audrey!”
Before I could respond, a mocking voice cut through the silence.
“Well, what do we have here?”
Heads turned toward Astrid Wilson, who sat casually nearby, swirling red wine in her glass. She nodded toward the ring box with amused eyes.
“Parker Group and Rose heiress getting engaged with plastic rings?” She took a slow sip. “Is your love that cheap?”
The crowd stayed silent, attention bouncing between Astrid and us. The reporters were waking up now, adjusting their cameras to capture this unexpected drama.
Astrid finished her wine in one go and stood. Her red dress made her stand out like a flame against the sea of black and white.
“Though I shouldn’t be surprised,” she continued. A homewrecker and a cheating husband – how much could that be worth?”
Laurel froze beside me, face draining of color. I felt my jaw tighten as whispers spread through the room.
Someone in the crowd recognized her. “Astrid Wilson! Stop talking nonsense!”
Astrid just smiled and walked toward the stage. She took the microphone from the stunned host with one smooth I.
“Does anyone here not know Blake Parker was married to my friend Audrey three years ago?” Her voice echoed through the speakers. “Is there anyone in New York who doesn’t know he was still married when he started sleeping with Laurel?*
1/2
Chapter 248
“Does having money and fame suddenly make cheating acceptable?‘ Astrid asked, her voice growing harder.
I watched her eyes glisten with unshed tears before she walked directly toward me. From her pocket, she pulled out a small object a star shaped pendant with tarnished metal, its gold tone faded with age.
“Recognize this?‘ She held it out.
My heart stopped when I saw it. My mother’s pendant. The one she’d given me as a child.
Five years ago, when I was recovering in that small clinic, I’d given the pendant to Laurel as thanks for helping with my treatment costs. Rachel had told me that her sister liked it, and she’d treasure it.
When I reconnected with Laurel four years ago, she’d told me she lost it. I’d been disappointed but understood.
Yet here it was in Astrid’s hand.
I turned to Laurel, watching her reaction.
Her lips curled with contempt as she snatched the pendant from Astrid. “Which garbage dump did you find this in?” She held it between her fingers like something dirty. “You really think Blake would remember this?”
Chapter Comments
∞ 1
