Chapter 5 Alex narrowed his eyes, holding me steady with one arm while the other lashed out. His palm struck Madeline's face with a sharp slap. "You vicious woman. So it was you who framed Anna and sent her to the mines." Christopher instantly stepped in front of Madeline. "What the hell are you doing? Who said you could hit her? The marriage is off!" Richard Harrington didn't even hesitate before slapping Christopher across the face. "What nonsense are you spouting?" Sweat poured from his forehead as he bowed low, his voice trembling with desperation. "Master Alexander, my son's gone foolish... On such a joyous day, how could this wedding just be called off? Alex's voice dropped to ice. "So you're the father who abandoned Anna?" Richard Harrington's face flickered dark, but he swallowed his rage. "Anna is my daughter. I've been meaning to welcome her back home." His eyes cut a warning glare toward me, ordering me to stay silent. But I tugged at Alex's sleeve, my voice trembling. "Alex, they beat me. They tried to drag me back to the dump. I was so scared." I spread my hands. My fingers were raw and bleeding. "Look." Alex's chest tightened. He gently blew on my wounds. "You should never have suffered this. Not in my family." His hand smoothed over my hair. "Don't worry. I'll make this right for you." He turned, his expression glacial, and barked to his men, "Tear this wedding apart. And take back every single gift the Westbrooks sent. Cancel the wedding." His three commands cracked through the ballroom like thunder. Gasps and whispers rose at once. "That beggar girl... she's really the Oil Tycoon's daughter?" "Idiot! Don't call her that. She's Alex Westbrook's sister. With one word she could bury us all." "This is the end for the Harringtons. They thought they were marrying into power, but they just insulted the real heir of the Westbrooks." Madeline clung to Alex, tears streaming. "Alex, you can't do this to me. I'm your fiancée!" Chapter 5 19.23% He flung her hand off with disgust. "The Westbrooks would never marry a woman like you." At his signal, bodyguards strode forward. One grabbed Madeline's wrist, trying to pry the diamond ring from her finger. But Madeline clenched her fingers tightly, refusing to let go. The bodyguard, rough and forceful, grabbed her hand, pulling it with brute strength. Her hand was scraped raw, blood oozing from the wounds, but she still wouldn't release the ring. Christopher's eyes filled with tears. "Madeline, give it up. Let them take it. I'll buy you a better one." The guard twisted harder until the ring finally slipped free, smeared with blood. Richard barely spared her a glance, his voice laced with disappointment. Madeline's mask shattered. She spun on Christopher, spitting her fury. "I couldn't care less about what you bought! Who do you think you are?" In her panic, she blurted out the truth she'd been holding inside. Christopher went rigid, his expression collapsing. "Madeline... what did you say?" "Chris, no, what I mean is... I like Alex. Only the ring he gave me means anything to me." Victoria Hayes broke free from the bodyguard's hold and rushed forward, her heart aching as she looked at Madeline's hand. "Baby girl, let me see your hand. Does it hurt?" Madeline's eyes shifted uneasily, as she tried to distance herself from her. Seeing Madeline's hands covered in blood, Victoria Hayes lunged at me, screaming, "You filthy bitch, dare to hurt Madeline? I'll make you pay!" But this time, she didn't get her way. Alex, who cherished me, stood right by my side. He stepped forward, blocking her path, as Victoria frantically pounded her fists against his chest. It wasn't until the bodyguards forcibly pulled her away that she stopped. Christopher's gaze toward Madeline was filled with conflicting emotions. "Madeline, have you and your biological mother already reunited? Why have you never mentioned this before?" Madeline instinctively denied it. "No, that's impossible. I have nothing to do with her." For a fleeting moment, disappointment flashed in Victoria's eyes, but she didn't say a word. One look between them told the truth-they had reunited long ago, hiding it from everyone. Chapter 5 19.23% I took the necklace and bloodstained ring from the guard, carefully slipping the necklace into my pocket. Then, holding the diamond ring, I stepped forward, looking down at Madeline with a cold smile. "Do you want it?" I dangled the ring before her. "If you do, I can give it to you... in the name of the Westbrook family's precious daughter." Chapter 5 19.23%