Chapter 10
Chloe was caught by security.
Desperately, she screamed that she was the closest person to the owner of the building. But when Chris actually approached, he walked right past Chloe and towards me. “Ashley, are you okay? Call an ambulance!”
The sudden twist brought all the media over.
I deliberately exposed the purple bruises on my neck, crying tearfully to Chris.
“Chloe is the murderer of our child!”
As soon as I spoke, countless flashes went off.
Sobbing, I handed Samantha the video of Chloe and me in the bathroom.
Samantha understood immediately and cast it to the big screen at the company’s annual meeting.
In the footage, Chloe’s face was fierce, her words venomous.
Slapping, choking, and striking with a bag, she bore no resemblance to the delicate heiress but rather a tough girl from the streets.
With that demeanor, there wasn’t a hint of her supposedly weak heart.
And there I was, the very image of a victim.
I was weak, helpless, and unable to fight back.
The stark contrast between me and Chloe deeply stirred the audience’s emotions.
The room fell silent, then erupted.
The media acted swiftly, not even waiting for the event staff to react, and had it all over the internet in no time. Once posted, it caused a media sensation.
The economic fortunes of the Walker and Kade families suffered a severe blow overnight, losing hundreds of millions. In disbelief, Chris stared at Chloe.
“How could you do this?”
I could feel Chris’s grief and anger.
He and Chloe had been close since childhood, and after so much time spent together and care, he considered her closer than a biological sister.
He had repeatedly ignored his family for her.
Chloe broke down in tears, trying to grab Chris’s hand, but he pushed her away.
“Get out! I never want to see you again!”
Chris had never spoken to her with such severity before, and she stood there as if struck by lightning.
“Chris, she lied to me! Please believe me, I did nothing to betray you!”
Chris was no fool.
He could easily piece together the truth about Oliver’s death; his past trust had prevented him from thinking too deeply.
Ignoring Chris’s remorseful look, I turned and left the venue.
What was meant to be a splendid banquet turned into a farce.
I compiled all the information on the harmful plush toys and filed a lawsuit. The evidence was irrefutable, and Chloe was found guilty and imprisoned.
I became famous overnight.
Everyone knew I was Chris‘ wife.
It was a pity that just one day after I issued the statement, I had divorced Chris.
We met in front of the courthouse.
Having not seen Chris for a few days, he looked much more haggard, with dark circles under his eyes and a scruffy beard.
Before, he was always sharply dressed in a suit, confident, and the center of attention.
His expression was downcast, his tone pleading.
“Ally, do we really have to come to this? It’s all in the past now. We can start over.
“I can arrange another grand wedding for you.”
I looked at Chris and said earnestly, “That was my dream before marriage, not now.
“If you have any conscience left, just sign the divorce papers.”
The mention of conscience brought tears to Chris’s eyes,
“I’m sorry, it’s my fault, I caused Oliver’s death, I owe it to you and our son.”
He had never apologized so sincerely before. It was the first time.
I could never forgive him.
Getting the divorce decree was not easy.
With our shared property involved, Chris hesitated at every step of the process.
I knew what he was thinking. He hoped I might change my mind.
But my heart had already frozen solid, unable to sprout new roots.
I wasn’t in a rush; I kept busy with work while waiting for him to complete all the procedures.
When I finally got the divorce certificate, Chris asked me out for a meal.
I refused.
It was unnecessary.
I was on my way to a remote mountain village.
pro warm
I know there were still many impoverished rural children who didn’t have enough food or warm clothes and who suffered from various diseases without money for treatment.
I donated many books and visited charitable schools.
The wealth Chris shared with me, I’ve used it all for charity, even establishing the “Ollie” Foundation.
The money was used to build playgrounds, buy equipment, provide delicious food, and allow them to see more of the outside world.
I also taught boys about hygiene and educated girls about menstrual health.
Watching the children grow up bit by bit, getting taller and becoming valuable members of society, I often felt the illusion that my Ollie was also still alive.
I thought, with all the good I’ve done in another parallel universe, he was enjoying the world in a better way!