Chapter 4 - The Bride’s Bargain
Coraline locked the townhouse door.
Mave stood near the fireplace, one hand inside her coat and the other gripping her purse.
Evelyn’s confidence faltered.
“Coraline, leave this to me.”
“No,” Coraline replied. “You’ve already failed once.”
Mave stared at her.
“You knew Garrett had a daughter.”
Coraline walked closer.
“I knew there was a possibility.”
“You helped his mother hide us.”
“I protected the life Garrett was supposed to have.”
Coraline’s tone remained calm, but jealousy sharpened every word.
She admitted that she had met Garrett years earlier at family events. He barely remembered her because he had always been focused on Mave.
When Mave became pregnant, the Ashfords saw an opportunity.
Garrett’s marriage to Coraline would unite two powerful real estate empires. Warren Ashford offered Evelyn access to financing that could save a failing Hail development.
In return, Mave had to disappear.
The clinic report had been altered.
Garrett’s calls had been blocked.
The London photographs had been staged during a business dinner.
Coraline had personally approved the investigator who fed Garrett false addresses.
Mave fought to keep her voice steady.
“Why tell me this?”
“Because nobody will believe you.”
Coraline nodded toward Mave’s pocket.
“That recording proves only that Evelyn was angry. It does not prove paternity, fraud, or coercion.”
Mave pulled out the phone.
“It proves enough to stop the wedding.”
Coraline laughed.
“No. Garrett will see a desperate ex-girlfriend arriving with a child and a conveniently edited recording.”
Then Coraline offered her a check.
Five million dollars.
“Leave the country tonight.”
Mave tore it in half.
Coraline’s smile vanished.
“You have no idea what my father does to people who threaten his family.”
Mave stepped toward the door.
“I know what your family did to mine.”
Before she left, Coraline called after her.
“If you appear at that wedding, I’ll destroy you in front of everyone Garrett respects.”
Mave looked over her shoulder.
“Then make sure they’re all watching.”
She walked out with the recording still on her phone.
What Coraline didn’t know was that Mave had already sent a copy to Daniel.
But Daniel never received it.
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Twenty minutes after Mave left the townhouse, his car was struck by a black SUV.
👉 With Daniel hospitalized and the backup recording missing, Mave would have to face the Hails alone.
