Word got out that Joel had beaten her so badly she was coughing up blood. She landed in the hospital too.
Thomas‘ assistant had also uncovered the truth. When Haley and Joel started dating, he never revealed his real identity. He simply told her he worked at Novalux Group.
As Thomas‘ driver, Joel often traveled between our home and the Novalux CEO’s office. That, combined with Haley’s vanity, led her to believe that Joel was the CEO.
Given Thomas‘ low profile and the fact that he avoided media exposure, Haley never realized the truth. And so, the farce continued.
…
That evening, Haley, who was battered and bruised, dragged her entourage to my hospital room. I wondered if Joel had said something to her.
She cried and rushed over to grab my hand. “Emma, I’m so sorry. Look at this mess! Why didn’t you just explain your identity sooner? This whole misunderstanding could’ve been avoided, and we wouldn’t have hurt you!
“If you had told us about your connection to Mr. Siegel earlier, we’d have gotten along like sisters! None of this would’ve happened. We’re all part of the Siegel family, aren’t we?”
To make matters worse, she shamelessly winked at Thomas, trying to chalk everything up to a simple misunderstanding.
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Chapter 6
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+25 BONUS
I let out a cold laugh. Looking down at her, I asked, “Haley, don’t you think your words sound absurd? From the moment I walked in, I told you the villa was mine and made my identity clear. You’re the one who refused to believe it.
“And you bring your crew over here to brush it off as a misunderstanding. Do you think I’m an idiot? Or are you the idiot here?”
My voice rose on that last sentence, startling everyone in the room.
One of her lackeys, who was visibly shaken, suddenly dropped to her knees and stammered, “I’m sorry, Emma! I didn’t mean to hit you! It–it was Haley who made us do it! She’s hated you since high school and always said you were tasteless and shameless. We did what she told us to!”
“Yes, yes!” another chimed in, panicking. “When she heard you were coming to the wedding, she told us not to let you off easily. She even planned to have some workers at the wedding sexually assault you afterward. Thank goodness-”
The woman trailed off as she nervously glanced at Thomas. Thomas‘ face was stormy, his expression was terrifyingly cold.
Haley lunged at the girl and slapped her hard. “You wretched liar! How dare you accuse me! I–I’ll—”
Thomas had had enough. Before she could lay another hand on her lackey, he called for his assistant in an icy tone.
“Take every one of them away. Whatever injuries my wife suffered yesterday, make sure they get a taste of it.”
“Yes, sir.”
The assistant didn’t hesitate. He dragged every one of them out, ignoring their screams and pleas for mercy.
Thomas then summoned our lawyer.
“Retrieve all security footage from the villa. Anyone who laid so much as a finger on my wife–every single one of them–will get sent to prison.”
“Understood.”
As the lawyer turned to leave, I stopped him.
“Wait,” I said. “Don’t forget to list down the damages. I don’t care how they’ll financially fare after this, but they’re paying for everything they owe me.”
