Chapter 2
"She's the truly vicious one—the most immoral person here. Everything I've done is to save Peter!"
Ashley portrayed herself as the righteous avenger, full of conviction.
But the crowd still wasn't having it—they openly scorned her actions.
"Are you nuts? Not only are you talking complete rubbish, but you're meddling in someone else's marriage as the other woman..."
Those words clearly hit a sore spot with Ashley.
She snatched up a bowl and hurled it at the speaker, then started ranting.
"What 'other woman'? This is me showing gratitude where it's due!
"Once I found out Peter was my real benefactor, I repaid him with my youthful, attractive body."
There wasn't a hint of embarrassment on Ashley's face—in fact, as she got emotional, her eyes welled up with tears.
"Now I'm pregnant with his child, fulfilling his dream of continuing the Roth family line. Someone as thankful as me shouldn't have to endure these baseless accusations."
Everyone was stunned by Ashley's brazen shamelessness.
Before I could jump in to set the record straight, Ashley noticed Derrick Aguilar, who had been protecting me all along.
Her eyes sparkled, as if she'd stumbled upon a massive bombshell.
"Aha, Elaine! I didn't realize you were using Peter's money not only to polish your reputation but also to keep a toy boy on the payroll."
Derrick scowled, visibly irritated.
"Show some respect, please. I'm Elaine's legitimate boyfriend."
Ashley scoffed.
She jabbed a finger at Derrick, her voice laced with mockery.
"Elaine is just a barren old crone. How could she possibly land a handsome young guy like you?
"Stop denying it—you're clearly her kept man!"
Grinning ear to ear, Ashley pulled out her phone and began furiously photographing me and Derrick.
"If you won't divorce him willingly, I'll blow this adultery scandal wide open. Then you'll be out on the street with nothing—and you'll end up owing Peter compensation too!"
No one took Ashley's claims seriously; instead, they were all treating her like a sideshow.
Looking at my completely ruined birthday party, I felt utterly helpless.
Maybe the pressure from her studies had gotten to Ashley, pushing her over the edge and causing this unhinged behavior.
I didn't engage in a fight with her. Instead, I calmly placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Ashley, calm down and listen to me for a second.
"You're way off the mark. I've always been your actual sponsor—all the money you've received has come directly from me."
Then I exchanged a glance with Derrick, caught between amusement and frustration.
"Because the Peter you're talking about died in an avalanche three years ago. I witnessed it myself..."
Ashley cut me off before I could finish, jumping to her feet and yelling. "Elaine, are you insane? Spreading rumors that your own husband is dead? Have you no conscience?"
She brandished her pregnancy test report high in the air, so agitated she seemed about to hop onto the table.
"We celebrated Valentine's Day together just two months ago—that's when I conceived this baby!
"Whether he's alive or dead—don't you think I'd know better than anyone?"
I was going easy on Ashley—she was essentially a girl I'd watched grow up, and now she was pregnant, so I didn't want to get rough with her unless I had to.
But there she was, turning my birthday party into a total spectacle, carrying on like a lunatic. Even if I could stomach it, Derrick couldn't stand by any longer.
He stayed right in front of me, shielding me tightly, and warned her sharply.
"Leave now, or I'll have you thrown out."
Ashley shifted her gaze to Derrick, a smug grin spreading across her face.
"Elaine, you're parading around with this boy toy so openly. You're done for!
"Tomorrow, I'll make sure the Roth family boots you out on your ass!"
By now, beyond convinced that Ashley had completely lost it, I felt a pang of pity for her.
Whoever's child she was carrying, I figured I had a duty to help her face the facts.
"If you're this insistent, come with me to see Peter yourself. Then you'll realize I'm telling the truth."
Ashley followed along, not missing a beat to boast.
"Wait till we meet my sweet Peter—you'll see how much he adores me!"
I shot her a pitying glance and asked Derrick to sort out the cars.
Before long, two high-end sedans rolled up outside the hotel.
A crowd of guests, hungry for more drama, piled into their own vehicles and tailed us the whole way.
Once we got there, I had the driver tell Ashley to step out.
She whipped off her sunglasses, took one look around, and started stomping her feet in fury.
"Elaine, what are you playing at? Dragging me to a cemetery? Are you trying to curse my baby?"
"Calm down—just come with me."
I tried to reassure her as I guided her forward a few steps, stopping at a headstone.
"Look closely. Whose grave is this?"
Ashley gave the engraving a quick once-over before bursting into laughter, head thrown back.