Chapter 11
Apr 24, 2025
Scandals
“Did you see that?” whispered someone in the crowd.
“She’s gorgeous! Isn’t she Emerald?”
Ashley heard the low hum of voices swirling around her as she brushed herself off, her face burning with embarrassment.
She refused to meet anyone’s gaze. Instead, she turned sharply, ignoring the flashing cameras, and strode toward the exit.
“Ashley, wait!” Demitri called out, weaving through the murmuring crowd to catch up with her.
Ashley didn’t stop. She kept her eyes straight ahead, jaw tight, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.
“Emerald,” Demitri tried again, his voice softer but insistent. “Can we just—please, stop for a second?”
Ashley spun around suddenly, her eyes blazing. “Emerald, huh? Now I’m Emerald to you and no longer Ashley, right? Isn’t that why you have been budging me?”
“What?!” He exclaimed loudly. “Of course not.”
“Then What for, Demitri? So you can humiliate me some more in front of everyone? No, thanks. I’ve had enough of your theatrics for a lifetime.”
Before she could turn back, Demitri grabbed her wrist gently but firmly, forcing her to face him. “Listen to me, please,” he said. “I need to explain—”
“Explain what?” she snapped, jerking her hand away. “Explain how you couldn’t keep your personal life under control? How your actions keep pulling me into your mess? I don’t care, Demitri. Whatever you’re about to say, I don’t care!”
He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, Ashley. I never meant for things to get this bad.”
“Sorry?” she scoffed, crossing her arms. “That’s what this is about? You’re sorry because you’re scared someone’s going to figure out that your ex-wife, the woman you treated like shit, is actually Emerald Donaldson, right? It’s your reputation you’re worried about, isn’t it?”
“No!” Demitri protested, stepping closer. “It’s not just my reputation—”
“Oh, save it!” she interrupted, her voice sharp as a whip. “I’ve heard enough excuses from you to last me a lifetime. Just admit it, Demitri. You don’t care about me—you never did.”
Before Demitri could respond, a mocking voice sliced through the tension.
“Well, this is awkward,” Elena drawled, her heels clicking as she approached. Her smirk was as sharp as the glint in her eyes. “Quite the show you two are putting on for the cameras. The exes, reunited under scandalous circumstances. How romantic.”
Ashley raised an eyebrow, her expression cool and unimpressed. “What do you want, Elena?”
“Oh, just here to deliver some truth bombs,” Elena said with a shrug, turning her attention to Demitri. “You know, I’ve been thinking about how the world would react if they found out your ex-wife wasn’t just anyone but the Emerald Donaldson. Imagine the headlines. ‘Business Tycoon’s Ex Is Secret Heiress!’ I bet your stock value would plummet overnight.”
Ashley smirked and crossed her arms, leaning slightly toward Elena. “Go ahead, darling. Tell them. Let’s see who comes out worse—me or your baby boy over here.” She nodded toward Demitri with a mockingly sweet smile.
Elena’s smirk faltered. “You think this won’t affect you? Your family’s reputation—”
Ashley cut her off with a laugh, cold and sharp. “Reputation? Please. My family thrives on scandals. You think this is newsworthy? Be my guest. But Demitri…” She turned her gaze to him, her eyes narrowing. “He’s the one with everything to lose.”
“Ashley, I…,” Demitri started, stepping forward.
“Oh, shut up, Demitri,” she snapped, turning away. “I’m done here.”
As she began to walk away, Elena’s voice rang out, louder and sharper. “Wait! If exposing your identity doesn’t work, maybe I’ll tell them something else.”
Ashley stopped mid-step but didn’t turn around. “You’re becoming boring, Elena,” she said over her shoulder.
“Oh, I doubt you’ll find this boring,” Elena said, her voice dripping with venom. “I’ll tell them you’re barren.”
The words hit like a thunderclap. Ashley froze, her entire body stiffening. Slowly, she turned around, her eyes narrowing as they flicked between Elena and Demitri. “Excuse me?”
Elena smirked triumphantly. “Oh, didn’t he tell you? Poor Demitri here just couldn’t keep that little detail to himself. How pathetic.”
Demitri’s face darkened with a mix of guilt and anger. “Elena, stop. You’ve gone too far.”
“Have I?” Elena asked, raising an eyebrow. “Or am I just saying what no one else will?”
Ashley studied them both for a moment, then, to everyone’s shock, she threw her head back and laughed. It was a sharp, almost maniacal sound that echoed through the empty hallway.
“What’s so funny?” Elena demanded, her smirk slipping.
With a mischievous glint in her eye, she glanced back over her shoulder, winked at them both, and said, “Good luck, you two. You’re going to need it.”
Then, with her head held high, Ashley walked away, leaving Demitri and Elena staring after her in stunned silence.