Public Shame

They had my shoulder underfoot, driving me down so my forehead hit the floor again and again.

Someone twisted my arm and snapped my fingers one by one.

I bit down on my teeth and warned, cold and loud, "Evelyn, the files on that USB are the core technology Adrian needs. Let me go. If you don't, he won't let you get away with this."

Evelyn toyed with the thing in her hand, then sneered. "Core technology?" She paused like she couldn't be bothered. "One minute you're pretending to be his wife, the next you're acting like an employee. Do you believe your own act?"

With that, she put her foot down and crushed the USB. "I want to see how Adrian will not let me get away with it."

At her words, the secretary raised her hand and slapped me dozens of times.

Blood and a metallic tang flooded my throat. My face swelled into something that barely looked human.

Evelyn let a victorious smile spread across her lips. She turned to the crowd and shouted, "This is what happens to women who fake it and try to climb into Mr. Stone's bed. If I catch anyone else trying to seduce Mr. Stone, they'll end up in a worse situation than she's in right now!"

Then, she waved her hand and pointed toward the busy street. "You like men so much? Fine, let every man in the city see your disgrace. Strip her."

I screamed and fought with everything I had. "I'm from the Shea family! The Shea heiress! Who here dares touch me?"

No one listened.

They grabbed my arms and hauled me to the curb.

My back had already been rubbed raw by grit and gravel from the road. A blinding, burning pain washed over me, and I nearly passed out. I fought harder as their hands began to pull at my clothes.

Just then, a familiar voice cut through the chaos from the entrance. "Stop! What's going on here?"

I turned and saw two police units spilling out of their cars, moving fast.

Evelyn didn't flinch. She watched me with the unhurried air of someone who had already won.

"What can a couple of cops do?" she said, contempt plain as day. "Whoever shows up, I wouldn't be scared. Even if I beat you to death right in front of them, they wouldn't dare touch me. Everyone in Ardenton knows how powerful the Stones are."

When she looked at me, her eyes glittered with triumph and menace.

I lifted an eyebrow and felt cold settle into my gaze. If Adrian had the nerve to allow this, I wouldn't hesitate to shame him publicly.

I recognized the lead officer. My uncle had promoted him. I struggled to my feet and said, "Evelyn assaulted me. I don't want money. Lock her up—"

Before I finished, the officer walked right past me and stopped in front of Evelyn. "Mrs. Stone, are you all right?"

For a second, I felt stunned. Before I left the country, I'd even shared meals with them. How could they turn on me and pretend they didn't know me today?

Evelyn's smile widened like she'd tasted victory. "I'm fine. Just a crazy woman causing trouble."

The officer came toward me with a grim face.

I stared at him without expression. "Have you forgotten who my uncle is?"

For a heartbeat, the officer's eyes flickered with unease, but he kept his voice steady. "Disturbing the peace in a public place. We'll take her in and see how stubborn she really is."

It hit me then. While I was abroad developing the technology, the whole social circle in Ardenton had accepted Evelyn as Mrs. Stone.

I let a thin, knowing smile cross my face. "Fine. Then, you'd better be ready to strip off that uniform."

The officer swallowed hard. Panic showed on his face.

The secretary spat at me with venom. "Crazy witch, how dare you threaten the police? Take her away. Mr. Stone ordered it."

The Shattered Illusion

I ignored the secretary. My gaze was cold and steady as I stared at the police officer. "Are you sure you want to—"

Before I could finish, he yanked out a stun baton and slammed it hard into my abdomen. The fear on his face vanished, replaced by arrogance.

"I don't care who you are. In Ardenton, Mr. Stone's word is the law. Let's see how long that attitude lasts once I take you back to the station."

The blow made my insides twist in agony. White-hot pain tore through me, and sweat streamed down my forehead.

I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth, my voice sharp as ice. "You'd better learn your place. Otherwise, neither you nor Adrian will walk away from this."

A sharp crack split the air as Evelyn slapped me across the face. Her eyes gleamed with pride and malice. "Still mouthing off? Get on your knees and beg me. Look into that camera and say you're shameless, that you'll never spout nonsense again. Do that, and I might let you go. Otherwise, when this goes to court, no act will save you."

Her bridesmaids flexed their hands eagerly, itching for a fight.

"Mrs. Stone, you shouldn't have to get your hands dirty. You're six months pregnant," one of them said.

"Let me handle this shameless tramp!" Another sneered.

My eyes widened as I stared at Evelyn's belly. Pregnant. So, Adrian had been with her all along.

And I'd been breaking my back overseas for him, burning myself out for his company. What a fool I'd been. The real joke had always been me.

Evelyn waved a hand, and the lead bridesmaid pulled out an electric kettle from somewhere.

"Let's ruin that pretty face of hers. Maybe then she'll stop seducing other men."

The woman lifted the kettle, ready to pour.

Just then, hurried footsteps echoed from the doorway.

"What's going on out here? Do you have any idea where it is?" Adrian's voice was cold, though laced with weary indulgence.

The moment he spoke, everyone froze. Even the cop who'd hit me straightened up and forced a flattering smile.

Evelyn threw herself into Adrian's arms, tears streaming instantly. "Babe, she went too far! She keeps trying to seduce you. I couldn't stand it anymore."

Adrian wrapped an arm around her and playfully brushed her nose. "You're still as jealous as ever."

That gentle, doting tone sliced through me like a knife.

Adrian glanced my way, frowning slightly. I must have looked pitiful—blood smeared across my face, hair matted to my skin. Clothless, shivering, curled up in humiliation. He didn't even recognize me.

When he started to look closer, Evelyn quickly blocked his view.

"Babe, this shameless woman keeps saying she's your wife!" Then, she pouted and cried harder. "I'm only thinking about your reputation."

Adrian wiped her tears with tender care. "Don't get upset. People like her aren't worth it. You're pregnant, remember? You wanted that painting from the House of Wexley, right? I'll get it for you. Be good."

His words humiliated me. I never imagined that after just three years abroad, Adrian would already have an illegitimate child.

And that painting was the one my grandfather left me before he passed away.

I'd always treasured it more than anything. When the housekeeper accidentally brushed against it once, I cried for three days straight.

Yet Adrian tossed it to his mistress as if it were nothing.

At Evelyn's signal, her bridesmaids lunged at me again, fists and kicks raining down.

I struggled, screaming hoarsely for help, but no one came.

Adrian held Evelyn close, caressing her belly with that tender smile, not sparing me even a glance.

At that moment, something inside me broke completely.

Just as they were about to drag me away, a convoy of luxury cars screeched to a stop outside.

Someone gasped, recognizing the license plates.

"Isn't that the Shea family? The Sheas never show up anywhere uninvited! Mr. Stone must've really outdone himself this time. The Stones' banquet's going to hit international headlines."

Adrian paused, his expression shifting. He instinctively let go of Evelyn and hurried toward the car door.

"I didn't expect you to—"

A slap landed hard, snapping Adrian's head to the side. The entire place fell silent.