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Chapter 21
Deep beneath the foundations of Thornwall Castle, far away from the halls and the cheering crowds of the upper courtyards, lay the shadow chambers.This underground vault was built hundreds of years ago, during the bloodiest civil wars of Aldermere. Its thick stone walls soaked up sound, and the air always carried the cold smell of damp earth and old iron. In the middle of the vault stood a round table carved from dark stone. Four tall-backed chairs were placed around it, but only three of them had someone sitting in them.At the head of the table sat Chancellor Pascal Jacob. He looked like a wise grandfather, but under that look, his mind was as sharp and cruel as a razor blade. His fingers tapped a slow beat on the stone table.To his left sat Lady Isabella Thornwick, her posture stiff, her eyes reflecting the cold fire of the torchlight. To his right sat General Yannick Howard, a towering military veteran with a broad chest covered in medals and a face carved from granite.Above t
Chapter 20
Tristan stood up slowly from his chair. The red wine dripping from his jacket only added to the dark, chilling aura radiating from his frame. His cold eyes fixed on Pamela, which made her shiver.“A hand raised against my wife is a hand that forgets its manners,” Tristan said in a deep voice.With a single flick of his wrist, Tristan swung his arm.Slap!The sound of the strike echoed off the crystal chandeliers like a pistol shot. The force of the slap spun Pamela around on her heels, sending her staggering sideways across the floor.She tripped over the edge of a decorative floral display, lost her balance entirely, and crashed backwards into the central dessert table.Silver stands crashed onto the floor. Tall wedding cakes, chocolate mousse, fruit tarts, and glass bowls burst out in a messy mountain of cream, cake, and colored frosting. Pamela landed flat on her back in the middle of the ruined desserts. She was covered from head to toe in white buttercream, squashed strawberrie
Chapter 19
The private dining room was bathed in the golden glow of crystal chandeliers. Long tables draped in white silk were laden with silver chafing dishes, imported caviar, and towering tiers of frosted celebration cakes. It was Gordon Ellis’s night.Even though the thirty-day trust period was not over yet, Gordon acted as if he had already won the right to rule. He stood near the entrance holding a glass of champagne. He shook hands and accepted empty praise from friendly board members, relatives, and business partners on his side.“To the future stability of Ellis Group,” Gordon announced to the room, raising his glass high. “A stability built on clear vision, proper alliances, and the removal of emotional sentimentality.”Scattered applause rippled through the room. Near the corner table, sitting quietly amidst the celebration of their impending corporate overthrow, were Chloe and Tristan.Chloe sat with her hands folded in her lap. Her face was pale, tight with defiance. Across from he
Chapter 18
Chloe swallowed the lump of emotion in her throat, nodded firmly, and walked past her jeering cousins toward the private filing counter.Behind the Counter sat a tired clerk wearing half-moon spectacles. He looked up lazily as the couple approached, sliding a standard marriage registration form across the counter.“IDs, please,” the clerk muttered, stifling a yawn. “And the processing fee.”Chloe gave him her driver’s license and her work ID card. Tristan put a new hundred-dollar bill on the counter with his ID papers. These papers had been checked and approved through secure government offices years ago, so his private life stayed hidden.The clerk scanned the papers, typed a few things into his computer, and turned the signature pad toward them.“Alright, Miss Ellis. Sign on the primary line, and verify your legal name,” the clerk instructed routinely.Chloe picked up the stylus. She took a deep breath, looking down at the screen where her future, her company, and her father’s legac
Chapter 17
The news did not stay within the quiet boundaries of the back porch for long. When Vivian Ellis returned from her charity boutique outing and found Chloe and Tristan sitting together in the kitchen discussing legal schedules, the tranquillity of Stonebridge Hollow shattered instantly.Vivian dropped her leather handbag on the kitchen island with a loud thud. Her eyes went wide, and her face turned blotchy red. She looked quickly back and forth between her daughter and the man in the faded jacket."Have you completely lost your mind, Chloe?" Vivian shrieked. "Marry him? Marry this penniless driver? This parasite who has been sleeping in our drafty guest room for six months?"Chloe stood up from her chair, her posture firm. She looked at her mother with a steady gaze that left no room for argument. "It is a legal necessity, Mother. Uncle Gordon and Desmond Grant are trying to force me into a corporate trap with Henry Jacob. The thirty-day trust clause requires a legal marriage. Tristan
Chapter 16
"Tristan never accepted a single dollar from Douglas," Duke said firmly. "I was there when they signed the guest-room agreement. Tristan refused a living stipend, refused a salary, and refused any claim to the Ellis estate. He asked for only two things: a roof over his head, and permission to stand behind you whenever you leave the house."Chloe looked up, her eyes wide with shock. "Nothing? He took nothing?""Not a cent," Duke confirmed softly. "He told your father that a debt of honour cannot be settled with silver."Duke leaned forward, his expression turning serious."Now, Miss Chloe, you face a choice. Gordon’s thirty-day clock is ticking. If you marry Henry Jacob, you hand Ellis Group to the Chancellor on a silver platter. If you refuse to marry anyone, Gordon becomes Regent in thirty days and sells your waterfront land to Desmond Grant. But if you sign a legal marriage certificate with Tristan."Duke paused, letting the weight of the realisation settle over the quiet office.Du
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