<b>Chapter </b>97


    Ruby still hadn’t recovered fromst night.


    Then, just like that, another blow hit her.


    Theo had resigned as CEO of Newton Enterprises, and he was gone. Disappeared, without a trace or even a whisper in the news.


    She’de charging back, ready to fight for true love–only for true love to walk right out of her life.


    Overnight, Ruby had be Riverdale’s biggest punchline.


    That morning, she sat numbly on the couch, staring into space,pletely shell–shocked.


    “What happenedst night? Why would Theo just up and leave Riverdale?” Tina’s voice was sharp and anxious.


    With Theo gone, Howard was stepping in to take over Riverdale’s affairs. If their family wanted to get anything out of this, it’d be a miracle now<i>. </i><!--


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    Ruby gave Tina the short version of what had happened.


    Tina stood at the foot of the bed, silent, her grip on her phone so tight her knuckles went white.


    “If Theo stayed, everyone would keep calling him a heartless jerk. Hiding away for a couple of years, letting people forget… maybe that’s his only chance.” Tina sighed.


    Leaving was probably good for Theo. For them–the ones hoping to cash in–it was a disaster.


    Ruby had lost, and lost badly.


    She spent ages sulking, asking everywhere she could think of about Theo’s whereabouts, but every trail was locked down tight.


    The Newtons wanted nothing to do with the Martins anymore, and they definitely weren’t about to give her any information.


    And then two years slipped by.


    Not a single word.


    Two Years Later


    Ruby was at the hospital for a check–up when she bumped into Chelsea, who was there visiting someone. Just her luck–they ended up in the same elevator.


    Chelsea’s voice was pure poison, ringing in Ruby’s ears. “Some peoplee home so full of hope, and look how that turned out.”


    “You act like some tragic heroine, but honestly? You just scare everyone away.”


    “Patricia saw thising, you know. She always said you’d never get through the Newton family’s doors.”


    11:18


    Ruby’s fists clenched so tight her nails dug into her palms. She red at Chelsea, trembling with


    anger.


    ?? ?


    “So what if a dead woman saw iting?” Ruby shot back.


    Chelsea’s eyes swept over her, pure disdain in every nce. Was she fishing for gossip? Did she really think Ruby was that dumb?


    “Honestly,pared to some girls dying to marry rich, you’re nothing special. It’s been three years, and you still aren’t Mrs. Newton, are you?”


    “Three years! For all you know, Theo could have a kid overseas by now. Didn’t the Newtons always want a grandchild?”


    “If he really does, how are you going to face anyone in Riverdale? When Patricia was around, <i>you </i>could me her for stealing your shot. She’s gone now–who are you going to me?”


    “If I were you, I’d be too embarrassed to even show my face.”


    A year ago, Ruby had joined thepany, working under Emerson.


    She was now deputy director in the nning department–finally putting all those years abroad to use. In thest year, she’d pulled off a ton of big and small events, building herself a solid reputation. <fnafa8> This update is avable on find{n}ovel</fnafa8>


    Six months ago, she ran a huge cross–century project in partnership with Riverdale’s official media–it was a smash hit.


    She’d finally made a name for herself in Riverdale.


    For a while, she even thought she’d reached the top.


    The elevator doors slid open. Chelsea strode out, brushing past Ruby with a bump of the shoulder, her whole presence screaming superiority. To her, Ruby was nothing but an insect.


    “Mr. Martin, is everything alright?”


    Victor, her assistant, was waiting for her downstairs. He looked a little confused when she didn’t step out of the elevator right away.