Wesley’s threats didn’t bother him.


    He’d been cocky with Prisci because someone powerful had sent him, and he believed he’d walk away unscathed.


    Wesley crouched down to check Prisci’s ankle, then picked her up and carried her out.


    She didn’t say anything.


    When they got to the car, Larissa came running over.


    “Prisci!” she said, her face full of worry. “Are you okay? Wes heard you were hurt and came str


    Purchasepleted


    Prisci’s voice was calm, but sharp. “How thoughtful of Mr. Carlton. Must’ve been tough finding time for me.”


    Larissa didn’t know how to respond.


    “Let’s get you to the hospital,” Wesley said quietly.


    After a checkup at the hospital, Prisci’s foot had barely hit the ground before Wesley came in and scooped her up again.


    As they reached the door, Larissa walked over, biting her lip. She looked at Wesley, then at Prisci. “How is your ankle?”


    Prisci didn’t answer. She just stared at her.


    Larissa looked a little hurt and gave a tight smile. “Hey, don’t take it the wrong way. Wes and I were just on a work trip. I had a fever, and he helped me stand. That’s all.”


    nd


    1522


    Prisci tugged on Wesley’s shirt and said coolly, “Can we <b>go</b>? My ankle hurts.”


    Wesley grunted. “Larissa, I’m taking Prisci home. The driver wille get you.”


    Then they took the elevator down to the underground car park.


    Wesley fastened Prisci’s seatbelt.


    She turned to look out the window without saying anything.


    Back at Chaston Vi, he carried her into the living room.


    Then he took out a pearl ne and sped it around her neck himself. “A gift.”


    She touched it. Just the feel of it told her it was expensive.


    Then she took it off and put it back in the box.


    “You don’t like it?” he asked.


    “I do,” she said, but her face stayed nk.


    Wesley went quiet for a moment, the ck shirt making him look even colder. “Larissa’s in charge of the perfume project now. I took her to a meeting.


    “Back at the hotel, well, she had a fever.”


    “I know. She told me at the hospital.” Prisci gave a faint smile, the kind a well–bred wife wore when she learned not to ask about her husband’s affairs.


    Wesley’s eyes locked onto that fake smile, then shifted to the ne. His anger red.


    <b>17.06</b>%


    “Prisci, do you have to act like this?”


    She blinked, not sure what he meant.


    He was the one who didn’t want questions or drama.


    That first month after Larissa came back, she cried and made a scene. In the end, he ignored her calls and let her get kidnapped and lose their child in a storm.


    He hated her for being emotional. Now she wasn’t, and he was still


    angry.


    After a pause, Prisci said, “You said you wanted to help her career. I get it.”


    Wesley stayed silent, stuck between saying something and holding it <ol><li>in. </li></ol>


    Prisci didn’t want to waste time on this. They had something more important to talk about.


    “You said we’d talk when you got back. So let’s talk,” she said softly. looking at him.


    His voice rose, tight with anger. “I said if you picked me up from the airport, we’d talk. But where were you?”


    Prisci’s patience nearly cracked. “I was at the police station.”


    Wesley knew that. He stood there, calm and cold. “And?”


    She met his eyes, her face nk. “I couldn’t go.”


    “Then I don’t owe you anything,” he said, turning away. “I’ve got work to do. You stay home and rest.”


    33.90%


    “Wait.” Prisci pushed herself up, trying to follow, but <b>the </b>pain <b>in </b>her ankle stopped her. Her eyes reddened as she shouted after him, <b>“</b>What do I have to do for you to agree to a divorce?”


    “You’ll know when I feel like it,” he replied, and strode out without looking back.


    “Wesley!” Her voice broke as she stumbled after him.


    Pain shot through her leg, and she copsed by the door.


    “Mrs. Carlton!” the servant cried out.


    Wesley paused for a second, but didn’t turn around. He got in his car and drove off.


    Prisci sat on the floor and broke down in tears.


    She just wanted an answer, but he was too cruel to give her one.


    “Mrs. Carlton, let me help.” The servant gently helped her up.


    “Mr. Carlton loves her so much. Why does she want a divorce? No wonder she’s been downtely,” the servant thought.


    Wesley didn’te home that night.


    Prisci stayed awake, crying so hard her pillow kept getting wet and drying out.


    She never thought she could cry like that.


    By morning, her eyes were so swollen she had to hold an ice pack to them.


    Just then, Corrine called.


    “Something’s up,” Corrine said gravely. “Wesley’s affair is blowing up


    15221


    online.”


    The ice pack slipped from Prisci’s hand and hit the couch. Her voice came out rough. “What?”


    “It’s a whole mess. Just check online,” Corrine said, sounding grim but satisfied. “Honestly? He asked for it.”


    Prisci opened her phone and saw it.


    A video of Wesley carrying Larissa into a hotel had gone viral, with a caption saying he was cheating with his sister–inw. Below that were photos of Prisci looking exhausted, and an audio clip from the police station.


    It included the reporter’s taunts and her own shaky voice saying. “Enough…”


    All this looked like solid proof of a love affair.


    Social media blew up with criticism.


    Prisci had always kept a low profile, but her Holiday Series perfume was a hit and brought her recognition. Once people realized she was Wesley’s wife, the bacsh turned on Wesley and Larissa.


    The scandal spread fast.


    Wesley valued his privacy and never left much for people to dig up. But since Larissa came back, the way he spoiled her gave the paparazzi something to go after.


    Corrine was right–Wesley asked for it.


    Prisci hadn’t wanted to get involved, but now she was right in t


    thick of it. And it was a mess.


    Before she could figure out what to do, the head of PR at the Carlton Group called. They wanted Larissa toe in for a press conference. Prisci agreed.


    She drove to thepany, but the entrance was packed with reporters. She had to reroute to the underground garage and take the private elevator up to Wesley’s office.


    The outer office was hectic.


    Someone spotted her and rushed over. “Hi, Mrs. Carlton!”


    “Where is Mr. Carlton?” Prisci asked.


    “He’s in a meeting. Would you like to-”


    “I’ll wait in his office.”


    The worker stopped her. “Sorry, it’s locked.”


    Prisci didn’t overthink it and went to the lounge to wait.


    After an hour, the PR director messaged her back. Prisci got up to go find her.


    She stepped out and noticed Wesley’s door was ajar.


    She figured the meeting was over and walked toward the door.


    Just as she reached it, she heard Larissa’s soft, tearful voice inside.


    Chapter29