Chapter 3 A smell crowd of residents from the Diplomatic Enclave had gathered by the entrance, whispering and pointing at me. "Mr. Sullivan, this woman forced her way in, insisting she's your wife!" "Yeah, she's completely unhinged! She even pushed Miss Monroe-so scary!" A flash of panic crossed Richard's eyes, and he instinctively looked away. I pushed myself up from the ground, my stare locked on him. "Richard... where is my daughter?" A bead of cold sweat traced his temple. Isabella, ever perceptive, instantly seized on his hesitation. She clutched her face and let out a sharp cry. "Richard! My face! It hurts! That madwoman attacked me! She tried to kick me! If you hadn't come back...she might have killed me!" As she spoke, she discreetly pinched her own arm, then rolled up her sleeve to reveal a red mark. Her son joined in, wailing dramatically. "Dad, I'm so scared! That crazy woman is going to kill Mom! I don't want to be a kid without a mom!" Richard hesitated for a moment. But the sight of his beloved woman and son in tears solidified his resolve in an instant. He turned on me, his eyes blazing with contempt. He turned toward me, his gaze filled with venom. "Catherine! Apologize to Isabella right now! I know you feel hard done by, but that does not give you the right to lay a hand on anyone!" I almost laughed out of disbelief. Could a man really be this shameless? "Are your blind? Or has your conscience completely vanished? You take her word for everything?" "Richard, need I mind you? We are not divorced. I am your legal wife! Shall I fetch our marriage certificate to show everyone here?" The moment the words left my mouth, Richard's face went pale, and he snapped at me. "What absolute rubbish are you spewing?! Isabella is my only wife!" "Catherine, I know life has been difficult for you alone, and I've shown you kindness, but that is no excuse for you to develop inappropriate attachments, barge into my home, and create a public disturbance!" "I've met countless women like you, willing to do anything to climb the social ladder! Get out. Now!" Climb the social ladder? I could hardly believe my ears. He was talking about me? Chapter 3 2.56% S If it weren't for me, he wouldn't even be sitting in the Ambassador's chair! I still remembered the first time he was sent abroad. He was so excited at the airport that he spun me around, held me close, and whispered over and over. "Catherine, you're my lucky star! Marrying you is the greatest blessing of my life! I swear to heaven, I will never betray you!" The memory of that vow echoed bitterly in my mind. The man before me was now a stranger. Rage surged uncontrollably. I lunged forward, intending to tear that hypocritical face apart. "Richard! You bastard!" But he was a man who trained regularly, and I had just endured a long, exhausting chase. The power imbalance was brutal-I was pushed to the ground again. The back of my head struck the marble floor with a sickening crack. The world tilted and swam. Bang! Bang! Bang! Suddenly, the basement door thudded as if hit from the inside. A faint voice called out from within. "Mom... is that you... please help me... I'm so hungry..." My heart plummeted. Emily. It was Emily! The neighbors erupted in chatter, whispers ricocheting off the walls. "What in the world? Is someone locked in the basement?" "Sounds like a little girl... but Mr. Sullivan only has a son, right?" "Now that you mention it...I think I remember a little girl with him once...a pretty thing...but that was ages ago." Richard and Isabella turned deathly pale. Under the weight of the crowd's suspicious and accusing stares, they were forced to unlock the basement door. The moment the door creaked open, a pitifully thin and trembling figure staggered out and collapsed into my arms. Chapter 3 2.56%