The Ex-Wife They Begged To Keep - Chapter 198: Chapter 198

"Let's go inside," Serena said, brushing past the doorman. Time was of the essence, and she had more important matters to attend to than dealing with petty disrespect.
As Serena and Lana strode past, the doorman wiped his forehead in relief. He thought, 'Lucky for me. They aren't the vindictive type. Otherwise, I would've lost my job over this.'
Lana, still fuming, muttered, "I can't stand these shallow idiots. Just because a woman is beautiful, they assume she can't be successful?" Having spent years overseas, she was used to people valuing both her beauty and her intellect, not writing her off as just another pretty face.
Serena's voice was calm but firm. "Some people are just stuck in their biases. But the more women like us prove them wrong, the harder it'll be for them to ignore us." She shrugged. "No point wasting time on them. We've already won by being here."
Lana exhaled, shaking her head in admiration. "I love how you think. Thanks for stopping me. I almost forgot about Chloe's situation."
Her gaze swept across the venue, and her frown deepened. "For a union between two wealthy families, this wedding setup is embarrassingly low."
The wedding was being held at a five-star hotel, not even a private booking. To most, it would seem lavish. But for the Kingsley family, it was downright petty.
The lack of extravagance spoke volumes. It was a clear message to everyone that they were only doing this for business.
If Chloe truly married Ashton, the suffering she had to endure would be unimaginable. That was why this rebellion wasn't just brave. It was necessary.
"Let's sit. Everything's arranged. There shouldn't be any surprises," Serena said, her preparations leaving little room for error.
"Alright." Lana nodded.
Chloe hadn't arrived yet, and Serena didn't spot Sterling in the crowd either. A flicker of unease crept in.
"Relax," Lana reassured, sensing her tension. "We've done all we can. It'll work out."
Serena pressed her lips together and sat down.
"Ms. Gray, you're here. Is Keith not coming?" Sterling's voice cut through the chatter as he approached, eyebrows raised at Serena.
"Keith is tied up with work. My friend is here in his place," Serena replied flatly.
Sterling, familiar with Serena's indifference to him, offered a polite smile. "Excuse me. Other guests require my attention. Feel free to enjoy yourselves."
Serena nodded calmly, though her palms were damp. She thought, 'Chloe has been so careful, only replying late at night or dawn. Sterling can't possibly suspect anything.'
The wedding proceeded normally until Chloe's entrance. Just as the wedding march began playing, the music abruptly cut off, replaced by a video flashing across the large screen.
Gasps erupted from the guests. "What is this?"
"Damn. Ashton is such a player! Poor bride."
The video showcased Ashton's promiscuous history, collected meticulously by Serena over months. Seeing the shock on everyone's faces, she knew the effort had been worth it.
Ashton, who had been smirking smugly moments earlier, turned pale. His gentlemanly facade shattered as he snarled at the crowd, "Who did this? Who's trying to ruin me?"
His furious outburst only confirmed the video was real. Serena had expected Ashton, arrogant and incompetent, to fall into the trap of explanation, but she hadn't anticipated him being this stupid.
Sympathetic glances immediately shifted toward Chloe.
Expressionless, Chloe removed her veil and tossed it aside. "Since Ashton already has so many women, it seems he doesn't need me."
As the victim, she didn't look heartbroken. But the guests assumed she was simply masking her devastation.
Only Sterling sensed something amiss. His gaze snapped at Serena. He wondered, 'Did she orchestrate this?'
"This video is AI-generated. Someone is trying to frame my son!" Ashton's mother shouted, reacting faster than anyone else. She knew that if the guests believed the video was real, not only would the wedding collapse, but the Kingsley Group's reputation could also be ruined.
The guests weren't buying it. "But Ashton just admitted it was him."
"Poor bride. I'd never marry a man like that. She should call the wedding off."
The women in attendance, far more discerning than expected, immediately rallied behind Chloe in sympathy.
Sterling, ever the opportunist, saw the writing on the wall. With Ashton's reputation in tatters and the Kingsley Group's stock likely to plummet, Chloe's marriage would no longer serve any purpose.
"I never imagined you people could be like this." Sterling feigned heartbreak. "I can't allow my daughter to marry Ashton. Consider this wedding null and void."
The Kingsley family couldn't help but frown at his words. Agreeing to cancel the wedding would publicly confirm Ashton's scandals. But refusing? That would only drag the humiliation out further.