All Chapters of Ridiculed into Wealth: Chapter 111
- Chapter 120
136 chapters
Chapter 50: The Stand
The courthouse was colder than Charlotte expected. Its marble pillars loomed like silent judges, watching her every step. She clutched her folder tighter to her chest, her pulse quickening as she walked toward the double doors that led into the trial chamber.This wasn’t a preliminary hearing anymore. This was testimony. This was her voice against the lies.Asher squeezed her hand before they entered, his warmth anchoring her trembling body. “You walk in there, and you remember who you are,” he murmured. “You’re not the accused. You’re Charlotte Hawthorne. And they’ll feel that before you even open your mouth.She managed a small nod, her throat too tight to answer.Inside, the room buzzed with tension. Valen wasn’t physically present—he rarely dirtied his hands with appearances—but his lawyers sat smug and composed, their sleek suits and sharp smiles calculated to intimidate. On the opposite side, Daniel Vega adjusted his glasses, his notes spread before him in neat stacks. His prese
Chapter 51: Cracks in the Wall
The air in the courtroom felt different the following morning. Less oppressive, less stacked against her. Charlotte sensed it the moment she entered. There was still tension, still the eyes of a hundred people waiting to tear apart her every word—but the tide had shifted, even if subtly.Perhaps it was the way the jury leaned forward now instead of slouching back. Perhaps it was the whispers in the gallery—no longer cruel curiosity, but cautious speculation. Or perhaps it was just her own perception, sharpened by surviving the stand yesterday.Whatever it was, Charlotte walked taller as she took her seat beside Asher and Daniel.“Today we go on offense,” Daniel murmured, sliding her a brief smile.She nodded, her hands folded tightly in her lap.The judge entered, gavel striking wood. “Court is now in session. Mr. Vega, you may proceed.”Daniel rose smoothly, his voice calm but carrying authority. “Your Honor, we would like to call our first witness: Marcus Levington, senior IT analys
Chapter 52: The Counterblow
Charlotte awoke to the shrill buzz of her phone. At first, she thought it was the alarm, but when she reached for it, she saw the time—it was only 5:42 a.m.—and the name flashing across the screen: Daniel Vega.“Asher,” she whispered, shaking her husband lightly. “It’s Daniel.”Asher stirred instantly, alertness flooding his features. “Answer.”She did, pressing the phone to her ear. “Daniel?”His voice came fast, urgent. “Don’t open the news. Don’t look online. Just—listen to me first.”Her stomach dropped. “What happened?”“They struck back. Hard. Elias’ team leaked personal photos—private images from your devices. Intimate ones. They’re plastered all over tabloids and business outlets already.”Charlotte’s grip on the phone went slack, her body stiffening. Heat rose in her cheeks, not from shame but from the sheer, gut-wrenching violation. “No,” she whispered.Asher took the phone, his jaw already tight as steel. “How?”“They hacked her cloud,” Daniel said grimly. “I’ll prove it in
Chapter 53: Retaliation
The city felt different that morning. Charlotte could sense it, though she hadn’t left the Hawthorne estate yet. Word of her public statement had spread like wildfire. The tabloids, the social media feeds, the business circles—they were alive with debate, speculation, admiration, and, of course, ridicule. But amid the noise, she detected something else: support. Genuine, growing support.Asher came into the room just as Charlotte finished scrolling through her feeds. His expression was unreadable.“They’re talking about you,” she said softly. “Some praise, some attack—but people are paying attention.”Asher leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms. “Not just paying attention. They’re picking sides. And most are siding with the woman who refused to be humiliated.”Charlotte let out a small, exhausted laugh. “I never asked for this. I didn’t want a fight this big.”He approached her, resting a hand on her shoulder. “You never ask for these things. But they seem to find you anyway
Chapter 54: The Direct Strike
The night was quiet, deceptively calm. Charlotte sat in the study, her laptop open, reviewing the latest evidence and press reports. Outside, the city lights flickered against the darkness, a silent witness to the storm brewing beneath the surface.Asher entered quietly, his steps heavy with tension. “Charlotte,” he said softly, closing the door behind him, “we have a problem. Not media, not court… something else.”Charlotte looked up from her screen, her brows knitting. “What is it?”Asher handed her a file. Inside were photographs: a car parked near their estate, an unfamiliar man casing the grounds, another standing across the street with a long lens camera aimed directly at their home.“They’re scouting again,” he said, voice low, controlled. “But this time, it’s personal. I don’t think it’s just intimidation. I think Valen wants a direct strike.”Charlotte’s pulse spiked. “Direct…?”“Yes. Not a smear campaign. Not a lawsuit. Something that could endanger us.”She swallowed hard,
Chapter 55: Exposing the Web
The morning air in the city was crisp, a sharp contrast to the storm that had been raging in Charlotte’s life for weeks. She stood at the floor-to-ceiling windows of her office, gazing down at the streets below. Even amidst the bustle of traffic and the murmur of distant conversations, she could feel the pulse of the city, the quiet hum of anticipation. Today was pivotal. Today, she would turn the tide.Asher entered silently, his presence a steadying force. “You ready for this?” he asked, though the real question lingered unspoken: Can the world handle the truth you’re about to unleash?Charlotte turned to him, a determined gleam in her eyes. “We’ve prepared for this. Every document, every witness, every piece of evidence—it’s all here. He thinks he can intimidate and manipulate, but he’s underestimated the depth of the truth. And now, we show it.”Asher nodded. “Then let’s make it count. For the foundation, for your reputation, for justice.”By mid-morning, the team convened in the
Chapter 56: The High Stakes Retaliation
Charlotte awoke to the muted glow of dawn filtering through the curtains. The city outside hummed quietly, oblivious to the storm that had been quietly building around her life. Even with the victories of the past weeks—the court victories, the public vindication, the weakening of Elias Valen’s influence—she knew this was far from over.Asher entered quietly, his presence steady and unwavering, a constant in the chaos of her life. “Morning,” he said softly, placing a coffee mug in front of her. “Sleep well?”Charlotte shook her head slightly, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. “Restless. I know he’s planning something. Valen never accepts defeat. He’ll strike again.”Asher sat beside her, a hand sliding over hers. “Then we meet it head-on. Every step, every move, we anticipate. That’s how we survive—and how we win.”Charlotte nodded, taking a sip of the coffee. “We’ve survived leaks, intimidation, and physical intrusions. What’s left? How far will he go?”Asher’s eyes dark
Chapter 57: The Counterstrike
The city’s skyline was awash in the golden glow of late afternoon, but Charlotte felt none of the calm the sunlight usually brought. She stood at her office window, phone in hand, scrolling through the latest reports from Daniel and the security team. Every piece of data pointed to one inescapable truth: Valen was growing reckless, dangerous, and desperate.Asher appeared behind her, silent as always, the weight of his presence both comforting and commanding. “What do you see?” he asked.Charlotte exhaled slowly. “He’s making mistakes. Impulses. Threats that leave traces. Patterns we can exploit. Every move he makes is a reaction, not a plan.”Asher leaned against the desk. “Then we take advantage. Hit back on every front.”Charlotte nodded. “Exactly. But carefully. Strategically. We can’t underestimate him, even in desperation.”By early evening, they convened in the war room. Screens displayed a matrix of Valen’s recent actions: intercepted emails, financial transactions, and social
Chapter 58: The Final Gambit
Charlotte sat in the dim glow of her office, reviewing every detail, every report, and every trace of Elias Valen’s desperation. His attacks had grown bolder, reckless, and now they teetered on the edge of the personal. Every intercepted communication, every financial irregularity, every social media manipulation only confirmed one thing: he was cornered, and cornered predators were the most dangerous.Asher entered silently, carrying two cups of coffee. “You look exhausted,” he said gently, setting one down beside her.Charlotte allowed herself a small smile, grateful for the moment of normalcy. “I’m focused, not exhausted. Every move he makes, every misstep… it’s all in front of us. But he’s unpredictable now. That unpredictability is dangerous.”Asher’s gaze hardened. “Then we anticipate it. We don’t react; we control it. He won’t catch you off guard.”Charlotte took a sip of coffee, her mind sharp. “That’s the plan. But this time… it feels different. He’s desperate. He won’t just
Chapter 59: The Climactic Confrontation
The city was tense, as if holding its breath. Every media outlet, every social network, every whispered conversation carried the weight of anticipation. Elias Valen’s desperation had become public knowledge, his operatives exposed, his influence crumbling. And at the center of it all stood Charlotte Hawthorne, unshakable, poised, and ready to deliver the final blow.Charlotte stood in her office, reviewing the last of the intelligence reports. The final legal documents were drafted, press releases ready, and security protocols strengthened to their maximum. Every step of the plan had been rehearsed, every possible contingency considered.Asher appeared silently, handing her a cup of coffee. “Ready?” he asked, eyes sharp, steady.Charlotte met his gaze, her calm a mask over the storm of adrenaline coursing through her veins. “As ready as I’ll ever be. He’s desperate, reckless, and cornered. Every move he makes now plays into our hands.”Asher nodded. “Then we make this decisive. No hes