Chapter 3: Ashes of the Elite Dream
A week after the scandalous wedding drama, the grand banquet hall had been thoroughly cleaned, leaving no trace of the chocolate cake or the chaos of that night. However, Julianne’s life had completely crumbled into ashes.
A video capturing the redhead bride’s unhinged assault on the estate owner had been leaked online. Even without subtitles or narration, Julianne's raw ferocity and her humiliating downfall became the ultimate laughingstock of the public. Her family's fashion business suffered immediate devastation as partners terminated contracts, eager to distance themselves from such a severe PR nightmare. Her father fell ill from stress, and her mother could no longer show her face in public.
Julianne sat in a cramped, rented room on the outskirts of the city. Her vibrant red hair, once pinned up proudly, now hung loose and disheveled. She stared at her phone, which vibrated continuously with debt collection notices and mocking texts from the "high society friends" who used to flatter her. Her greed and jealousy had cost her everything.
Meanwhile, in a high-rise executive office of Christian's family conglomerate, Victoria sat sipping warm tea, looking out over the city skyline. Christian walked in and placed a signed folder on her desk.
"Julianne has signed the NDA and the reputation damage waiver. She has forfeited all marital claims," Christian said, his face regaining the calm composure of a true businessman.
Victoria smiled, taking a slow sip. She held no resentment over the chocolate cake; in fact, she felt her sudden flight from London to attend her brother's wedding was entirely worth it.
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"It was a bargain, little brother," Victoria said softly. "One chocolate cake in exchange for seeing a person's true nature, saving you from a lifetime of misery and protecting our family's peace. That was the most valuable cake I have ever received."
Christian nodded. He looked out the window, silently grateful for his sister's timely intervention that saved him from a tragic marriage built on a facade. As for Julianne, she was left to spend the rest of her life paying the price for a single moment of arrogant wrath that successfully buried her own golden dream.
