"The System said if I don't receive sister's blessing, I'll bleed from every orifice until I'm dead..."
Orson's face drained of color.
His hand shot out and clamped around my wrist—so hard the bones ground together.
"Renata! Have you lost all humanity? You'd rather watch her die?"
"I'm ordering you—get on that stage! Smile! Bless us!"
"Otherwise, get out of the Gilbert family—and get out of my company!"
Pain shot through my wrist where his fingers dug in.
I stared at the man before me, his face twisted into something monstrous.
Ten years of love. Ten years of devotion. In this moment, it all crumbled to ash.
[Stripping progress: 99%]
The countdown in my mind ticked down to its final minute.
Suddenly, I stopped struggling. I looked at him and let the brightest smile I'd worn in days spread across my face.
"Alright."
"Since you want my blessing so badly, I'll give it to you."
I wrenched my hand free and smoothed down my clothes.
"Let's go. The auspicious hour has arrived."
Orson froze, clearly not expecting me to agree so easily.
But he didn't dwell on it. He assumed I'd simply caved. With a cold snort, he took Willow's arm and walked out.
The grand hall blazed with light, flowers cascading from every surface.
Orson led Willow down the red carpet, basking in the crowd's applause and envious gazes.
I stood below the stage, watching.
[Stripping progress: 100%]
[Stripping complete. Orson Gilbert's "Richest Man" halo has been nullified.]
[Karmic backlash initiated.]
Just as Orson raised the microphone, ready to declare his "great love" for Willow to the world—
His phone erupted in a frenzy of vibrations.
