The Ex-Wife They Begged To Keep - Chapter 195: Chapter 195

"Unless you're willing to marry her and bring me something in return," Sterling snapped, "then don't bother. There's nothing left to discuss between us."
With that, he dragged Chloe out of the apartment. It was like he'd already decided how this would end. Chloe didn't even struggle. She just turned and gave Serena a small wave.
"He can't just take her like that." Serena bit her lip as she watched them leave. "I promised Chloe I wouldn't let him take her away like this," she murmured.
'And now look at me, breaking that promise just like that,' she thought.
"It's not your fault," Keith said, pulling her into his arms. He gently rubbed her back, trying to calm her. "I'll try to get a read on Sterling's real intentions. The wedding's not until next month. Maybe there's still time to stop it."
At this point, it was the only plan they had. As much as Sterling disgusted them, he wasn't wrong. Chloe was still his daughter. And even if she didn't want this, there wasn't much she could do to fight it alone.
After digging deeper, Serena learned just how bad the situation really was. The man Sterling had chosen for Chloe was Ashton Kingsley, a notorious playboy with a mountain of scandals behind him.
He was infamous in elite circles for his endless scandals and a long trail of women he bankrolled or kept around for pleasure.
'How could anyone possibly hand their daughter off to someone like Ashton Kingsley?' Serena's mind whispered.
"If Chloe really marries him, her life will be ruined," she said, guilt weighing heavily in her chest. "Everything she's worked for will mean nothing."
She couldn't shake the self-blame. She should've stopped Sterling that day. She should've done more.
"Keith, can you help me find a way to see her?" she asked. "I'm really worried about how she's holding up."
Knowing Chloe, she'd be trying to tough it out alone, pretending everything was fine. Serena refused to let her suffer through it.
"I'll make it happen," Keith said. His tone was calm, but he hadn't stopped thinking about it either.
Eventually, they found the right window of opportunity. Sterling was out on business, leaving Chloe home alone. It was the perfect time.
The Whitmore family's butler, Edgar Langdon, greeted them at the door. "Please, come in. Ms. Whitmore hasn't been eating much lately. It's good of you to visit. Maybe you'll lift her spirits," he said, his voice low with concern.
Edgar had known Chloe since she was a child, and it pained him to see her like this. He couldn't understand why Sterling had made such a reckless decision.
Ashton wasn't husband material. He was a walking disaster.
"Thank you for letting us in," Serena said. She and Keith headed straight upstairs to Chloe's room. "Chloe, it's us! We came to see you!"
The moment she heard Serena's voice, Chloe flung the door open. Seeing both of them standing there, she blinked in disbelief.
"Are you okay? Has he done anything to you?"
'That look in her eyes... there's no way I'm imagining this.' Chloe's throat tightened. She yanked them inside, eyes already starting to burn.
"He hasn't done anything to me. Not really. But he's keeping me locked up like some kind of prisoner."
Chloe had fought it at first but eventually realized resistance only made things worse. Her spirit was still there, but her hope was wearing thin.
"We did some digging into Ashton Kingsley," Serena said gently. "Are you really going to go through with this?"
Chloe didn't respond right away. Her expression said everything. "I'm sorry," Serena said, lowering her voice. "I should've thought this through. I never would've let it happen if I'd known."
"This isn't on you," Chloe said, cutting her off. "You've been more than kind to your former rival."
Serena reached for her hand, about to say something more, when they suddenly heard a commotion downstairs.
"Why are you stopping me? I'm just here to see my fiancée! Or are you hiding someone in her room?" a man's voice shouted.
Serena's face darkened.
Chloe looked like all the life had drained out of her. "It's Ashton. He's been showing up uninvited ever since the engagement was announced."
Ashton stormed up the stairs, dragging one of the staff behind him. He rounded the corner and stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Serena.
For a moment, he was stunned. Then a slow, sleazy grin spread across his face. "Well, hello there. I don't remember seeing you here before... What, does Sterling have another daughter stashed away?"
Edgar rushed over. "This is one of Ms. Whitmore's friends, Mr. Kingsley. I tried to stop you because she already had visitors. Please wait downstairs."
But Ashton's eyes were locked on Serena. He barely heard a word.
He'd flirted with hundreds of women, but none quite like her. There was something soft about her, something luminous.
"No need to rush," he said smoothly. "If you're Chloe's friend, then you're practically family. And I'm a generous guy."
His hand started to reach toward Serena. "With a face like yours... why don't you come with me instead? I'll make it worth your while."
Edgar's heart sank. 'He's saying this here? In front of everyone? This is how he treats his fiancée's friends? What's going to happen once Ms. Whitmore actually marries him?'
Before Ashton could touch her, Keith stepped out of the room. The second he saw Ashton's expression, eyes dripping with entitlement and desire, his face went cold.
Without a word, he grabbed Ashton's wrist and twisted it sharply behind his back.
"Ah! Hey, stop! That hurts!" Ashton yelped in pain, completely caught off guard.
Serena didn't move, and neither did Chloe. None of them felt any sympathy.
Edgar stood to the side, unsure whether to intervene or just pretend he hadn't seen anything. He sighed quietly.
Half an hour later, Sterling returned home from work, walking into the aftermath.
Ashton immediately pointed at his bruised wrist. "Is this how the Whitmore family treats their guests? I came here and got assaulted in your house. And all you've got is silence?"
Sterling glanced at Keith and Serena with visible irritation. "They snuck in. I wasn't aware. I apologize, Mr. Kingsley. That was my mistake. I didn't know you'd be here today."
Seeing Sterling bow and scrape, Ashton's ego inflated. "Fine," he said smugly. "Since you're taking responsibility, I'll let it go. But you'd better keep Chloe on a tighter leash."
With that, he turned and strutted out, clearly pleased with himself.