Mia Kane’s mind went blank.

She never imagined Vivian Lynch would actually say it out loud.

"Vivian?"

Chase Lockwood was also stunned. He had never intended for this to get out; it would damage Mia Kane’s reputation, and it wouldn’t look good for him either, since Mia had been his girlfriend at the time.

Vivian Lynch glanced back at him, giving him a reassuring look that said she knew what she was doing.

Chase Lockwood clenched his fists but said nothing more.

"Everyone, I know we shouldn’t air our dirty laundry in public, but... this concerns my and Chase’s honor. We have no choice. To survive, Mia Kane gave herself to her kidnappers. There were so many men on that boat... who knows how many of them violated her."

"I ask you, how could someone with such a tainted past marry Chase? It was only after Chase broke up with her that I had a chance. I know I’ve committed unforgivable sins, but Chase is innocent."

"Mia Kane, we understand. When a person wants to live, they’ll do anything. We were always thinking of you, helping you hide this secret. Even when you married Adrian Preston, we didn’t say a word. But now, you’re taking advantage of our kindness, biting the hand that fed you, and trying to force my hand."

"Mia Kane, you are truly vicious."

Vivian Lynch stared directly at Mia Kane.

Her face was so pale it was almost translucent.

Her body trembled uncontrollably.

Her ears were ringing, and for a moment, she went deaf.

Everyone around her was staring, pointing, and whispering.

Mia Kane forced herself to pull it together. This was even more serious than what had happened at the nursing home.

Everyone here was from high society, from distinguished families!

She wanted to slap Vivian Lynch, but her feet felt like they were filled with lead. Her hands trembled so badly she couldn’t muster the strength.

The fact that she hadn’t collapsed to the floor, that she was still standing ramrod straight, had already taken a tremendous amount of courage.

Just then, Adrian Preston stepped forward, grabbed Vivian Lynch by the throat, and lifted her off the ground with one hand in a display of shocking strength.

"COUGH, COUGH... Help... Chase, save me..."

Chase Lockwood immediately moved forward, but his movements were hampered by his wheelchair.

"What are you doing?! Let Vivian go!"

"Chase Lockwood, you know better than anyone why Mia Kane was defiled. And now you’re letting this dog bark nonsense. In that case, I’ll make sure this dog can never speak again."

"A dog’s barking is so unpleasant to hear."

"It hurts... Help me..."

Vivian Lynch struggled relentlessly.

"Guards!"

Chase Lockwood panicked and shouted for his bodyguards, but Adrian Preston was too fast. With a hard squeeze—

CRACK—

Vivian Lynch’s hyoid bone was snapped. The sound of it breaking sent a chill down everyone’s spine.

Vivian Lynch immediately fainted from the pain. Chase Lockwood caught her, checking for breath, terrified she was dead.

But thankfully, it was just the bone in her throat. Her life wasn’t in danger, but it would affect her vocal cords and her ability to speak.

"Someone, get her to a hospital, now!"

A perfectly fine wedding had devolved into a complete mess, with one scandal after another being exposed.

Mia Kane finally snapped out of her shock. Watching Chase Lockwood leave with his people, she called out.

"Chase Lockwood."

Her voice, though clear, trembled like that of a helpless animal.

Chase Lockwood’s heart clenched. He stopped his wheelchair but didn’t turn to look at her.

He didn’t dare.

He didn’t dare look at the disappointment and pain in Mia Kane’s eyes.

"Since Vivian Lynch has already said this much, there’s no point in me hiding it anymore. Everyone was going to find out sooner or later, so I might as well not hide it. I’ll pick a day, hold a press conference, and reveal every single detail of what happened that day!"

"Why I ended up in the kidnappers’ hands, why I was tormented... I waited for you to rescue me, but you never came, because you were celebrating Vivian Lynch’s birthday! Since you’ve both decided to stop acting like human beings, I can throw all caution to the wind, too."

"Mia Kane, making this public won’t do you any good. Don’t forget your status. You’re Mrs. Preston."

"If you want to go to Hell, you should see if he’s willing to go with you."

Without looking back, Chase Lockwood tossed out those words and left.

Mia Kane stood frozen, her gaze fixed on Adrian with difficulty.

"As of today, Mr. Preston and I are officially divorced. We will file the paperwork tomorrow. From now on, my personal actions have nothing to do with Mr. Preston."

She let out a heavy breath and shouted it for all to hear.

Chase Lockwood, who had just reached the doorway, heard her words, and his heart lurched.

’She’s so afraid of dragging Adrian Preston down... she actually... proposed a divorce.’

’Does she really care about him that much?’

Chase Lockwood’s heart tightened painfully, and he couldn’t resist looking back.

Under the lights, her frail, thin figure stood ramrod straight. Tears glistened in her eyes, but her gaze was unyielding and resilient.

Chase Lockwood hardened his heart, looked away, and left, telling his assistant to stay and keep an eye on things.

’So much has happened today. My wedding is a complete joke.’

He looked down at the unconscious woman in his arms, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

’What Vivian Lynch did... was truly disappointing.’

’Even if she did it for my sake, it’s disgusting.’

...

When Adrian Preston heard her words, his pupils contracted sharply. He seized her by the wrist, his grip so tight it felt as if he would snap the bone.

"What did you say?"

Mia Kane tried to pull her hand back, but his grip was too strong; she couldn’t break free.

She thought Adrian Preston hadn’t heard her clearly.

"I want a divorce! My personal actions have nothing to do with you from now on! Also, the only reason Mr. Preston and I got married was that his grandfather likes me. The old master forced him into it, and I used some unsavory methods myself. Mr. Preston was coerced from start to finish!"

She embellished the story, doing everything she could to absolve Adrian Preston of any connection to her.

’If people found out that Adrian knew I was ’unclean’ and still insisted on marrying me, who knows what kind of rumors he would have to face.’

’I’m already stuck in the mud with no way out. It’s better for me to take all the risks so that Adrian can remain untarnished. It’s the best option for both of us.’

"I, Adrian Preston, will not get a divorce."

"Adrian, what are you talking about?"

Mia Kane grew anxious.

Ignoring the strange looks from the crowd, Adrian Preston scooped her up into his arms and carried her away.

"Let me go! Let go..."

Mia Kane struggled, but the difference in their strength was too great. She was forcibly carried to the car.

"Adrian, what are you doing? How could you, in front of all those people..."

Before she could finish, Adrian cupped the back of her head, pulled her close, and kissed her deeply.

The kiss was wild and messy, yet exceptionally tender.

The kiss left Mia Kane dazed and breathless.

After a long moment, Adrian finally released her lips, but he didn’t pull away. He pressed his forehead against hers, his breathing heavy.

"Adrian..."

she called out softly.

He didn’t respond, and she couldn’t tell what he was thinking.

Mustering her courage, she continued.

"Let’s get a divorce. I can’t drag you down with me. Vivian Lynch has already dragged me through the mud, and I can’t hide it anymore. Instead of letting her tell the story and having more people hear it from her, it’s better if I admit it myself and clarify the whole situation. I’m going to suffer, but that scumbag and that bitch—neither of them will get off easy!"