The Engagement Ring He Forgot, the Fortune He’ll Never Touch cahpter 10

Six months later, Wesley and I held a wedding that drew global attention.

The ceremony was held at the most lavish private estate imaginable.

That day, a heavy rain fell from the sky.

I stood before the floor-to-ceiling window of the main house, letting a dozen elite stylists tend to the train of my gown.

“Ms. Hartwell, it’s almost time. Mr. Ashford is waiting for you.”

Jason entered, his tone respectful but his expression tinged with hesitation.

“It’s just… there’s a situation at the gate.”

I draped a white stole over my shoulders and lifted my eyes with cool indifference. “Say it.”

“It’s Bennett.” Jason lowered his voice.

“He’s out there making a scene like a lunatic.”

“Security can’t get rid of him—he’s clinging to the gate, says he won’t leave until he sees you, even if it kills him.”

“Go take a look.”

Outside the towering ornamental iron gates of the estate, rain hammered down in sheets.

Beyond the security line, I finally saw him.

The man who once looked down on everyone else was now completely broken.

The injuries from the last incident in the parking garage had left him permanently disabled.

He dragged a leg that could no longer support his weight.

He had stood in the mud and rain for an entire night. His clothes reeked of filth and decay.

“Adelaide! Adelaide!”

When he saw me approaching through the crowd of bodyguards, he forced his mangled face into the gaps of the iron gate and screamed.

“You finally came to see me! I knew you weren’t really that cruel!”

Tears and mucus streamed down his face.

He stretched out trembling hands covered in mud and scars.

“Adelaide, I was wrong! I really gave you my life!”

“Don’t marry someone else—please. I don’t want anything else. Just let me stay by your side…”

“As long as I can see you from far away every day, that’s enough!”

“Please… just look at me!”

I stopped walking and looked at him quietly.

The moment he saw me pause, his entire body jolted.

His gaze locked onto the luxurious wedding gown I was wearing.

Memories surged in his mind.

The day in the villa when he had protected Sierra.

When he had allowed my custom wedding gown to be trampled underfoot.

The gown I had once treasured more than anything.

Regret twisted his expression as he broke down crying.

But that brief pause of mine filled him with delusion.

He thought his pathetic act had finally broken through my defenses—that I’d actually softened.

A surge of wild joy appeared across his ruined face.

“Adelaide! You still can’t let me go, right?”

“I knew it… I’ve suffered with you through so much. How could you really abandon me…”

I looked at him. There was not a trace of warmth in my eyes—no anger, no pity, not even disgust. Only indifference.

I slowly turned my head toward the security chief standing beside me.

My lips parted. Each word hit him like a blow.

“Use the pressure washer. Wash the blood and filth off the ground.”

“Don’t let shameless trash like this filthy up my red carpet.”

The wild joy on Bennett’s face froze solid.

“Adelaide…” His eyes went wide. “…What did you say?”

I gave him no answer.

Wesley came to my side, black umbrella in hand, and slipped an arm around my waist, drawing me into his shelter.

I took his arm and turned away without a backward glance.

Behind me, security activated the pressure washer without mercy.

A violent stream of water slammed into Bennett’s chest.

“No! Adelaide! You can’t do this to me!”

“I suffered with you! Why don’t you want me anymore!”

I didn’t look back.

Step by step, I walked down the red carpet paved with imported roses.

Amid applause and flashing lights, I entered the hall that marked the beginning of my new life.