Chapter 14 - The Humiliation Madison Planned
Madison’s first strategy had not been to declare Avery dead.
She had intended to invite her under controlled conditions.
The messages described a seating plan placing Avery behind service staff.
Madison wanted her military uniform prohibited.
She planned to introduce Avery as an estranged sister who had lied about combat achievements.
A paid witness would claim Avery stole the Harbor Seven story.
Then Julian’s family would see Madison as the honest sister exposing a fraud.
But the plan was too risky.
Avery’s records could be verified.
So Madison chose the simpler story.
A dead officer could not defend herself.
Still, when Avery appeared unexpectedly, Madison tried to return to the original strategy.
She called Avery unstable.
She struck her in public.
She shoved her into the champagne tower.
She expected security to drag Avery away before anyone examined her scar or ribbons.
Instead, every action placed Avery directly beneath the King’s gaze.
Madison had created the exact moment that exposed her.
Avery’s cut palm had been bandaged by the estate physician.
She now stood beside King Edmund, still in her champagne-soaked uniform.
“You could have had your own life,” Avery told her sister. “Why did you need mine?”
Madison’s face crumpled.
“Because doors opened when people heard your name.”
“You never asked me to open one for you.”
“I didn’t want your help.”
“You wanted my sacrifice without having to acknowledge me.”
Madison began to cry.
Not softly.
Not with remorse.
With rage.
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“You always got to be the brave one.”
👉 Avery’s answer finally revealed why she had tolerated Madison’s cruelty for so many years.
