While He Waited in Aspen, I Married His Rival Chapter 05

While He Waited in Aspen, I Married His Rival Chapter 05

My mind exploded. Every sound in the room faded away, leaving only the cold gleam of that platinum necklace.

“Where did you get that necklace?”

My voice shook with a rage so intense I nearly lunged at her. Before I could take a step, a powerful arm shoved me back.

“Ava, are you insane?” Liam stood between us, his eyes boring into me as if I were a madwoman.

Chloe’s face went pale. She shrank behind Liam, clutching his sleeve.

“Ava, I know I upset you… but there are so many investors here… I apologize. Can we please talk about this later?”

Her frail, innocent act immediately drew a fresh round of whispers and disapproving looks, all aimed at me.

Liam’s face was a dark mask, his voice dripping with disgust.

“Look at Chloe’s class, then look at yourself. Is this how you embarrass me in front of my business partners? My father was right. You’re nothing but a savage.”

Fury burned through me. I pointed a trembling finger at the necklace.

“I’m insane? She’s wearing my family’s century-old brand around her neck, and I don’t have the right to ask where she got it?”

“Liam, you know what that brand means to the Monroe family.”

It wasn’t a logo. It was my great-grandfather’s name. It was the proof of our roots in Montana, the pride etched into the bones of every generation.

At my question, Liam’s eyes flickered. He was guilty, I could see it, but to protect his ridiculous pride, he held his ground.

“You’re mistaken. It’s a creative derivative, a commercial logo. Ava, stop making a big deal out of nothing.”

“Making a big deal out of nothing?” I stared at him, my heart turning to ice. “That is my family’s symbol, not some cheap trinket to be bought, sold, and hung around your lover’s neck.”

“Enough. This is an important business dinner. Stop embarrassing yourself and go home,” he growled, waving me away as if shooing an animal.

Tears slid down my face. No matter how much he and his family had belittled me, I had never cried. But in that moment, my heart broke over my own stupid naivete.

When he saw my tears, a brief flicker of panic crossed his eyes. He started to reach for me.

But Chloe beat him to it, bursting into dramatic sobs.

“Ava, don’t be angry with Liam… It was me. I just thought the logo design was so pretty, that it represented luxury and success. I liked it so much that Liam had a jeweler custom-make this one-of-a-kind necklace for me…”

A one-of-a-kind necklace.

The honor forged from my family’s blood and sweat had become her “pretty” little trinket, Liam’s cheap gift to please his lover.

I sucked in a sharp breath. The last thread of my reason snapped.

*Slap!*

The crisp sound of my hand striking Chloe’s face echoed through the suddenly silent hall.

“Give it back,” I hissed.

Red fingerprints bloomed on her cheek. She covered her face, staring at me in disbelief.

Liam exploded. Like a cornered animal, he shoved me away with the back of his hand.

I stumbled back, my spine slamming into the cold wall. Pain shot through me.

“You shrew! You hit her over a stupid necklace?” He pointed a finger in my face. “A backward country girl like you doesn’t deserve to be here. Apologize to Chloe. Now. Or the acquisition is off.”

Everyone watched, their eyes filled with contempt and morbid curiosity.

Everyone but Liam, who was already bent over, checking Chloe’s cheek with a distressed frown.

In that moment, a single, sharp regret pierced through me.

I regretted falling in love with this man. I regretted ever believing that love could bridge the chasm between our worlds. For this ridiculous love, I had silently permitted his “modernization” of Blackstone Valley, tolerated his family’s contempt, and nearly surrendered my own family’s dignity.

I looked one last time at that glaring necklace, clenched my fists, and without another glance at anyone, I turned and walked away.

I saw Liam watch my back, a flicker of hesitation on his face. But he immediately turned back to murmur comforts to the sobbing Chloe.

A black Ford F-150 was parked at the intersection outside the club, a silent, loyal beast waiting in the dark. I opened the passenger door and climbed in. Ethan didn’t ask a single question. He just took in the resolve in my eyes and the tear tracks on my face. When his gaze swept over the club’s revolving door, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

Without a word, he started the engine and drove me to the private airfield.

The plane climbed steadily into the clouds, leaving the city’s bright lights and hollow celebrations far behind.

My phone buzzed three times. Messages from Liam.

“I don’t understand why you always have to embarrass me in front of investors. What does that accomplish?”

“Chloe is generous. She’s already forgiven you. We’ll let this go. The wedding is in Aspen. Stop throwing childish tantrums.”

“It’s just a necklace made from some stupid, altered brand. Is it really that important? When we get to Aspen, I’ll buy you ten new ones. Will that make you happy?”

I read each message calmly, then tapped the screen and dragged his contact into my blacklist.

Then I sent a brief email to my attorney.

Five minutes later, Mr. Davies forwarded a formal legal document to Liam’s company and the entire board of its parent company, Henderson Group.

The title read:

Notice Regarding the Termination of Miss Ava Monroe’s Engagement to Mr. Liam Henderson and the Immediate Withdrawal of All Cooperation Authorizations Concerning Blackstone Valley Ranch.