Chapter 116\u00a0<\/p>\n
Craig\u00a0<\/p>\n
I had always known Scott would choose the most dangerous timing possible, because he thought he could control me, but I knew this was pressure at its peak. An hour before his wedding, with guests arriving, his attention would be pulled in every direction. I chuckled at his foolishness as I entered the venue. Looking at the decorations, I had to say that it was the most exotic wedding I had witnessed. Or the most exotic ruin.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stood beside Maya, watching everything. This was it. This was when everything I had planned would come together. Scott had no room to maneuver, because his reputation was hanging by a thread and that of his bride was standing on the edge of public humiliation. I had all the leverage, and I intended to squeeze it until I got every dollar I wanted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I approached him calmly at first. In a low voice, I said, \u201cI want my money now, all of it, and in cash. Don\u2019t delay, and I don\u2019t want any excuses.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I watched his face carefully as I spoke. Why was he looking infuriatingly composed?\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to wait a little longer,\u201d he said. \u201cThe money is already on its way.\u201d He added, \u201cI want Bella to see proof that it had been paid, because I need her reassured, and I need her convinced that her life would not be ruined.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The way he said her name, something sharp and bitter twisted in my chest, but I forced it down. Gritting my teeth, I gave a tight nod and told myself that patience was virtue. Still, as more people began to arrive, as the space got filled with laughter and movement, my patience thinned. Every minute that passed without money in my hands felt like a risk.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I went to him again. My tone was tighter this time. \u201cWhere is my payment?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He looked at me as if I were inconveniencing him. \u201cGive him ten more minutes, because Bella will be arriving shortly.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I reminded him, \u201cYou had promised payment an hour before the wedding, and I demand to know why there was a delay now.\u201d I could feel my temper rising. My control slipped just enough to make my fingers twitch at my sides.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYour impatience would not help the situation,\u201d Scott said in an even voice. \u201cI will pay, because I can\u2019t afford to have my reputation destroyed.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
As twenty more minutes passed, my nerves began to fray. I stood up, ready to confront him again, but Maya reached for my arm and stopped me. She whispered, \u201cYou need to calm down. Bella is powerless in this situation, and Scott has already given in. The money will come, and all you have to do is wait.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My jaw clenched as I sat down again and watched the room fill. Then Bella appeared.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She walked in wearing her wedding dress, and the sight of her hit me harder than I expected. She looked beautiful. Jealousy burned through me so fast it made my hands shake. She walked toward Scott like she belonged to him, and when he reached out and pulled her up onto the podium, something inside me snapped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And when Scott nodded at the priest to begin the ceremony, panic surged through me. This was wrong. This was not how it was supposed to go. He was stalling, stretching time, trying to pull me into the point of no return.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stood up abruptly, the movement drawing attention from every corner of the room, and I walked toward them. The murmurs around me told me I had shocked the guests, but I didn\u2019t care.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stopped in front of Scott and seethed, \u201cYou are forgetting something.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He looked at me with a calm expression \u201cI truly have no idea what you\u2019re talking about.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I leaned closer and whispered so only he could hear me. \u201cBefore this wedding goes any further, you had better give me the money you promised. If you don\u2019t pay immediately, I would destroy Bella publicly, and I would do it right here if necessary. This is your last chance, because I will not wait any longer!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scott POV\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Craig stood in front of me, shaking with anger. I kept my face calm, even though my Lycan was raging beneath my skin.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I asked casually, \u201cWhat are you talking about, Craig?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He stared at me as if he couldn\u2019t believe my nerve. \u201cDon\u2019t play games with me,\u201d he snapped. \u201cYou know exactly what I\u2019m talking about. The money. You promised it before the wedding\u00a0<\/p>\n
I tilted my head slightly. \u201cI promised to handle things,\u201d I replied calmly. \u201cYou\u2019re making a scene for no reason.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
That was all it took. Craig exploded. \u201cNow watch me!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He shoved Maya\u2019s hand away when she tried to stop him and turned toward the guests. \u201cEveryone, listen to me,\u201d he shouted. \u201cThis wedding is a lie. Bella cheated on Scott with me. I have proof. She slept with me while she was engaged to him!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A collective gasp rippled through the room.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He pointed at Bella wildly. \u201cShe\u2019s mine. She always was. And I\u2019m here to stop this wedding.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I saw Bella sway where she stood, tears spilling down her cheeks, her body trembling. Something inside me snapped. I crossed the distance between us in two strides, grabbed Craig by the collar, and shoved him hard to the floor. \u201cYou\u2019ve gone too far,\u201d I growled. \u201cYou should have stayed quiet.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Craig laughed bitterly as he scrambled backward, panic and fury mixing in his eyes. \u201cToo late,\u201d he spat. \u201cYou should\u2019ve paid me when you had the chance.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before anyone could react, he pulled out his phone. I saw his thumb tap the screen.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A second later, phones across the hall buzzed. I looked at Troy who nodded with tension bunching in his shoulders. Through mind\u2013link he said that the video was released to the media outlets, business rivals and social platforms.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gasps turned into murmurs as people checked their screens. Craig straightened, breathing hard, and looked at me with a twisted smile. \u201cI warned you,\u201d he said harshly. \u201cNow you\u2019re finished. Your precious bride is ruined.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Bella let out a broken sob, covering her mouth as she stared around the room. Maya stood off to the side, watching with a look that was far too pleased.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Craig spread his arms wide. \u201cGo on,\u201d he sneered at Bella. \u201cLook at what you\u2019ve done. I told you I\u2019d destroy you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
But instead of outrage or shock, something strange happened.\u00a0<\/p>\n
People started laughing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At first it was a few confused chuckles, then more voices joined in. Craig froze, his smile slipping. \u201cWhat the hell is wrong with you people?\u201d he demanded.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He rushed forward and snatched a phone from a man in the front row. As soon as he looked at the screen, he paled.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d he whispered. \u201cThat\u2019s not-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The video playing on the screen didn\u2019t show Bella.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It showed Maya.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Clear as day. Her face. Her body. This video was followed by another video with the timestamp stamping everything in place. And in that video Bella was with me. So while he was having sex with Maya, Bella was sitting in my lap, kissing me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Around us, whispers turned into outright laughter and disbelief. Someone said, \u201cIsn\u2019t that Maya?\u201d Another muttered, \u201cThat\u2019s\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
not the bride.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Maya staggered back, shaking her head. \u201cCraig,\u201d she whispered, panicky. \u201cThat\u2019s not possible.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stepped up behind him slowly. \u201cHow does the unedited version look?\u201d I asked quietly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Craig turned toward me, terror finally flooding his eyes. \u201cH\u2013how lid-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHow did I get the real version?\u201d I finished his sentence.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland\u2019s breathtaking cold.<\/p>\n
When Midnight Winds Carry Secrets Toward Worlds Yet Unknown 116 Chapter 116\u00a0 Craig\u00a0 I had always known Scott would choose […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23081","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-new-world-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23081","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23081"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23081\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23081"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23081"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23081"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}