?Chapter 58:


    Marc felt a wave of panic surge through him the moment Ste brought up divorce again.


    “Ste, I know you’re upset today,” he said, trying to sound calm. “Let’s talk when we get home, alright? Whatever apology you want, I’ll give it to you. Juste here. Don’t make a scene.”


    Ste let out a coldugh. He thought she was just being dramatic?


    Marc nced at William. “Mr. Briggs, regardless of what happened, you signed my wife’s patent. I’m genuinely happy for her. Thank you for recognizing her talent.”


    He emphasized “my wife” deliberately—staking his im in front of William. It was a move meant to intimidate, to mark his territory. As long as the divorce wasn’t finalized, he still had that hold over her.


    Haley, standing just behind him, nearlybusted on the spot. Her face twisted in fury.


    William watched it all, amused. “Mr. Walsh, perhaps you should focus on calming your mistress. She looks ready to blow. As for Ms. Russell’s patent—her work speaks for itself. It’s got nothing to do with you, so there’s no credit for you to take.”


    William wasn’t usually this talkative, and Ste felt moved. It felt like justice—to finally have someone on her side who saw through Marc’s performance.


    Every time she confronted Marc, he twisted it into some petty tantrum, some jealous outburst. But now, with William exposing him in front of a crowd, Ste felt a deep sense of vindication.


    Marc’s face darkened. The charity event had gone up in mes for him. And worse, Ste wasn’t on his side anymore. She was staring at him now—stone-faced, unmoved.


    Marc stared at Ste’s unwavering expression, his anger overshadowed by panic. His fingers trembled. He didn’t want to lose her. He couldn’t lose her.


    Divorce? Absolutely not.


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    Gripped by desperation, Marc reached out to grab her hand again, thinking maybe—just maybe—he could reel her back in. But before Ste could even move, William stepped in and blocked him without hesitation.


    Marc froze. Ste looked at his pitiful, wounded expression—and felt absolutely nothing. She’d been through too much with him—and Haley. Whatever pain he was in now didn’t even scratch the surface of what she’d endured.


    Marc opened his mouth to say something when—WEE-OOO. The sound of police sirens sliced through the banquet hall. Momentster, a team of officers walked in, their expressions hard and professional.


    One of them read from a file, “We received a report of kidnapping and assault. Haley Smith, Marc Walsh, and Jazlyn Walsh—pleasee with us.”


    Haley’s mouth dropped open. Ste had really called the police?


    She turned pale, grabbing her mother’s hand in a panic. “Mom, I don’t want to go!”


    Beatrice was stunned. But she didn’t believe her daughter hadmitted such a crime.


    Then, snapping into action, she turned to the officers. “This must be a mistake. My daughter hasn’t done anything wrong! You can’t just arrest someone over an usation.”


    But the officer was firm. “We’ll sort that out at the station, ma’am. Please don’t interfere.”


    Beatrice’s heart dropped.


    Back in Achury, she could’ve shut this down with a single call. But this was Choria—her name meant nothing here. She’d onlye because Haley insisted, and now she was standing helpless as her daughter was about to be taken away.


    Haley clung tightly to her mother’s hand, pleading with her eyes. But the officers were already moving in.


    One stepped forward with handcuffs. His voice was t. “Ms. Smith, pleasee with us.”


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