Chapter 5
Xavier’s face turned paper–white. He staggered backward, his eyes filled with disbelief.
He stared fixedly at Dominic’s and my interlocked hands.
“Aria, you…”
Just then, his phone began vibrating frantically.
Natalia’s tearful voice came through the speaker: “Cousin, come downstairs quickly! Something terrible has happened!”
Xavier shot me one last look–a mixture of shock, anger, and bitter regret.
He turned and rushed downstairs. The moment he pushed open the doors to the lower ballroom, he froze as if struck by lightning.
On the giant screen played a video of him and Natalia tangled in bed, the footage so clear that even
the mole on his collarbone was visible.
“This… this is impossible!” Xavier trembled violently. “What’s going on? I just had too much to drink that night… how did this video even exist?”
Natalia rushed over, tears streaming down her face. “Cousin, you were drunk that night. I couldn’t push you away no matter how hard I tried.”
She deliberately exposed the red marks on her neck. “It was my first time…”
Before she finished, reporters swarmed in, camera flashes exploding around them.
Natalia seized the opportunity to burrow into Xavier’s arms, her voice just loud enough for all reporters to hear: “Cousin, you have to take responsibility for me.”
Xavier’s knees nearly buckled beneath him. He shoved Natalia away and rushed to shut off the video, then frantically ran back upstairs to the wedding ceremony.
But it was too late.
The ceremony had concluded, and Dominic and I were making our rounds, toasting the guests.
13:20
Dump the Toxic Ex Marry the Hot Fake. Dead Hunk
Chapter 5
Security blocked Xavier when he tried to approach. “Sir, please don’t disturb the newlyweds.”
His phone kept vibrating with news alerts:
[The Sullivan Company Manager’s Drunken Assault: Forces Himself on Cousin!]
[Xavier Rhodes Sex Scandal Exposed!]
“Aria!” he called across the crowd, his voice filled with desperation. “Let me explain!”
My father strode over and delivered a resounding slap across Xavier’s face.
“Xavier, I’ve misjudged you completely!” Disappointment saturated my father’s voice. “Starting today, you’re demoted to administration. As for this mess…”
He looked at the sobbing Natalia with disgust. “Get your marriage license tomorrow!”
Xavier’s face drained of all color, while Natalia clung tightly to his arm. “Cousin, everyone knows about us now. You can’t abandon me!”
Dominic wrapped his arm protectively around my waist, whispering in my ear, “Getting tired, babe? Let me massage your shoulders.”
Watching Xavier’s complete humiliation, I leaned gently against Dominic’s shoulder.
18:30
