My Fiancé Sided With His Mischievous Childhood Friend, Until My Mother‑In‑Law Burst In Chapter 08

My Fiancé Sided With His Mischievous Childhood Friend, Until My Mother‑In‑Law Burst In Chapter 08

When my father saw me, the glass in his hand slipped to the floor.

He didn’t ask about the wedding or what the Ashfords planned to do. He only reached out with.

trembling fingers and touched my cheek.

“Lily, does it hurt?”

That one question brought back every ounce of pain I had swallowed all night.

My father wiped his tears and turned to Victoria.

“Thank you for protecting my girl.”

Victoria’s expression tightened. “You don’t need to thank me. The Ashfords failed to protect her.

We owe her more than an apology.”

My father shook his head. “This isn’t on the Ashfords. Some people are just cruel.”

Victoria was silent for several seconds, then nodded.

“I promise you, that person won’t escape the consequences.”

By the next morning, news of the canceled wedding had spread across social media.

Chloe’s friends still tried to spin the story. One burner account posted:

[Bride has pre-wedding meltdown, destroys hotel suite, and calls off ceremony.]

[Harmless bridesmaid prank sends wealthy mother-in-law into violent rampage.]

[Rich families really can get away with anything.]

Less than half an hour later, Ethan issued a statement through his verified account.

There were no euphemisms and no attempt to protect the Hayes family.

He stated the facts clearly:

After Lily Carter took prescribed medication and fell asleep, Chloe Hayes used electric clippers to shave her hair, applied an irritating product that injured her scalp, filmed her without consent, and organized several people to watch and mock her.

Hotel wedding coordinator Diana Moore attempted to discourage a police report and minimize the

assault.

The incident had been reported. Lily’s injuries had been documented, and the evidence had been

preserved. The Ashford family intended to pursue every available legal remedy.

Attached were a redacted copy of my medical report, photographs of the severed hair, and the

police case number.

Public opinion reversed instantly.

[That’s a prank? That’s assault.]

[Shaving someone’s head while she’s unconscious is vicious.]

[Her husband defended his childhood friend at first? She should never take him back.]

[Good for the mother-in-law, but let the courts finish it.]

Chloe’s burner account was uncovered soon afterward.

She had posted plenty of veiled attacks against me before the wedding.

[Some women are so good at pretending to be sweet. Of course Ethan falls for it.]

[So what if it’s her wedding? I’ve had my place beside Ethan since childhood. She can’t take it.]

[I have a surprise for her tomorrow.]

Every post became another piece of evidence.

The Hayes family immediately went into damage-control mode..

Mr. Hayes arrived at my house with an attorney, but Victoria stopped him at the door.

She wore a black suit with her hair pinned into a neat chignon and barely any makeup. She looked

nothing like the woman who had stormed into the hotel in a robe the night before.

Mr. Hayes struggled to contain his anger. “Mrs. Ashford, Chloe behaved foolishly. We’re prepared

to compensate Lily.”

Victoria opened a folder.

“First, she is twenty-four, not a child. Second, you can offer compensation, but you can’t buy your daughter out of a criminal investigation. Third, Lily is not considering a private settlement.”

Mr. Hayes’s expression darkened. “Do you really have to destroy her? If Chloe ends up with a criminal record, what happens to her future?”

Victoria raised her eyes. “Did she think about Lily’s future before she attacked her?”

He had no answer.

Mrs. Hayes refused to give up. “Hair grows back! Does your family have to ruin my daughter’s life

over this?”

Victoria closed the folder.

“When your daughter destroyed someone else’s dignity, you said hair would grow back. Now that she has to face consequences, you’re worried her life will be ruined. Mrs. Hayes, is the double standard hereditary in your family?”

Mrs. Hayes’s face turned livid.

Victoria looked at her assistant. “Show them out.”

After the Hayeses were escorted away, I came down the stairs.

“Victoria.”

Her gaze softened at once.

I went to her and wrapped my arms around her.

“Thank you.”

After a long moment, she patted my back awkwardly.

“Don’t.”

“We’re family. Family doesn’t need thanks.”