Chapter 23 Josephine released Clarise , though her tone remained sharp . " Do you really have to be so harsh? Alright , Rue made a mistake , but are you saying your son didn't do anything wrong ? " Clarise sneered . " Of course he's not innocent either . That's why they're a perfect match , aren't they ? " " Either they get married quietly , or they don't get to be together at all ," she added firmly , refusing to back down . Ruby's eyes flashed . Even if they wanted her to marry , who said she was willing to marry Gabriel ? 1/7 Chapter 23 + 5 Points But before she could say a word , Josephine gritted her teeth and gave in . " Fine . No wedding ceremony , then ! " Clarise let out a cold laugh . " Well , you've already gotten what you came for . Now leave . I don't want to see your whole family anywhere near me any longer . " Alexander had never been humiliated like this before . He gave a cold snort and left with Ruby . After they were gone , Gabriel finally spoke up , his voice quiet . " Mom , this wasn't Rue's fault . Don't blame her like that . She doesn't deserve it ." Clarise scoffed . " Only an idiot like you would still believe her . Do you really think she's 2/7 Chapter 23 + 5 Points dying to marry you ? " I already had people look into her life in France . All those powerful men she was involved with - most of them were already married . " And this ? She's had her hymen restored more times than you've been to the hospital in your entire life ! " I've been smart my whole life - how did I end up raising such a fool ? " You like her so much ? Fine , then , Be my guest . You're no saint either . You two deserve each other - locked in , for good ." With that , she turned and left the hospital room . Gabriel lay there frozen , his mind buzzing . 3/7 Chapter 23 + 5 Points He opened the thick envelope . Every photo inside shattered his assumptions . Ruby had always seemed so sweet and innocent around him - like a delicate flower . Sure , she'd be a little bolder when things got intimate , but he thought it was all for him . He thought she'd learned it to please him . Now he knew better . She wasn't inexperienced she was a seasoned player . Gabriel clenched the photos in his fist , his eyes burning with rage . " Ruby … How dare you lie to me ! I gave up Vivi for someone like you ?! I won't let you off so easily ! " Meanwhile , Violet had been busy preparing 4/7 Chapter 23 +5 Points for her wedding these past few days . Xavier was planning a wedding of the century for her , sparing no expense - about 150 million dollars . At first , Violet wanted to decline . It felt too big , too extravagant . But even Cressida sided with him . " Most women only get married once in their lives ," she said . " It shouldn't be something they have to settle for . Besides , Xavier's loved you for so many years . If you don't let him make this special , oh , dear , he'll be heartbroken ." In the end , Violet agreed . Since she had already severed ties with the Martins , there would be no one to walk her 5/7 Chapter 23 + 5 Points down the aisle . The thought weighed on her for days . On the day she went to try on wedding dresses with Beige , she received a call from her mother - pleading for help . Violet hadn't intended to get involved with the Martins again . But no matter how hard she tried , she couldn't bring herself to turn her back completely - not on the woman who gave her life . " Beige , I need to go back to my parents ' place . Let's pause the dress fitting for today . " Beige grabbed her hand . " Vivi , after everything they've done to you , you don't owe them anything . Even if they're in trouble , it's not your responsibility to fix it ." 6/7 Chapter 23 + 5 Points Violet gave a wry smile . " She gave birth to me . Just this once - I'll repay her for that ." Beige frowned . " Then I'm going with you . | don't feel safe letting you go alone ." " Okay ! " They quickly changed out of their gowns and had the bodyguards accompany them to the Martins ' place . 7/7