Mystery Bride's Revenge

Ashley's desperate attempt to turn the tide by faking her self-destruction had utterly backfired, her plan shattered by her enemies. She seethed with hatred for Mike and Jack. All she had agreed to was starting as friends, never mentioning anything about a romantic relationship, yet they dared to claim they were her boyfriends. Worse, they accused her of being fickle and shameless at a press conference.

Now, Ashley's carefully laid plans were in disarray. There was no time to explain herself, and in the past few days, every scandal had been pinned on her. The fury of the Harvey family was far from subsiding. Feeling deep in trouble, she wondered what she could do now.

In the past, Ashley could have feigned innocence and tears, tugging at the heartstrings of her brothers, which would have softened Quinton and Sara's punishments. However, now, with Selina in the picture and her plot against Selina exposed, Ashley was unsure she could wriggle her way out. Feigning illness seemed like the only option left. She had to continue her act, biding time while she devised a way to escape this mess.

Just then, the door to her hospital ward creaked open. Ashley maintained her facade of a fragile, pale figure as if she had just returned from the brink of death. Quinton strode in, followed by the Harvey brothers, who all wore cold, unreadable expressions as they looked at Ashley lying on the bed. Each footstep felt like a heavy weight pressing on Ashley's heart.

"The doctor said you've regained consciousness," Quinton said calmly, his gaze steady on Ashley. His voice was flat, devoid of the usual tenderness. The more composed he appeared, the more Ashley felt the looming danger, like the calm before a storm. She had no idea whether Frederick and the others had already informed Quinton and Sara of her actions against Selina.

Ashley pretended not to hear him, staring blankly at the palms of her hands. "If you're still unwell, I've instructed the doctor to keep you here for a year or so, to rest and recover," Quinton added.

A year or so? Are you kidding me? By that time, I would have gone crazy, not to mention saving my reputation and making a career!' Ashley thought. "Dad... I'm sorry, I was wrong... I really was..."

Tears streamed down Ashley's face as she choked out the words, her voice hoarse. She tumbled off the bed and knelt before Quinton. "I shouldn't have disobeyed Joseph and met with Mike and Jack. I was just so desperate for a better role, to achieve something on my own. I didn't want to just be the Harvey family's daughter. I wanted to prove myself, to make everyone see me differently, like how they see Selina! I lost my mind for a moment... I'm sorry, Dad... I never meant to bring such shame to the family."

"Selina? Do you think you still have the right to call her that? Such a sweet term, even I was fooled. You used to call her that, always standing by her side, making everyone think you believed in her even when she was misunderstood. I was moved by your apparent loyalty, thinking Selina didn't deserve it." Quinton's gaze darkened as he looked at Ashley. "But in the end, it was all your doing! You were just a wolf in sheep's clothing, pretending to be the perfect sister while pushing Selina into the abyss. You were the one who drove her out of the Harvey family!"

Ashley shook her head vehemently, her voice desperate and raw. "Dad, no... I didn't... I swear I didn't frame Selina, I swear! There must be some misunderstanding!"Belongs © to NôvelDrama.Org.

"Then find the evidence to prove your innocence. Words alone won't convince us now. How can we believe you after everything? Ashley, you've completely shattered the trust I had in you. When I first heard that Selina had been framed, my instinct was to suspect you. No one else stood to gain as much as you did. But I chose to trust you, to believe in the innocent daughter standing before me. How did you repay me?" Quinton fumed.

"Dad... I'm sorry, but I didn't do it... I didn't..." This was the one thing Ashley could not afford to admit. She knew how much Quinton still disliked Selina. As long as she denied it, his lingering resentment toward Selina might be enough to tip his trust back in her favor. However, to her dismay, Quinton looked at her with deep disappointment. "You still haven't learned your lesson." With that, he turned and began to

leave.

"Dad?" Ashley was stunned. No one expected Quinton to walk away so abruptly.

"If Ashley shows no sign of remorse, then let her stay here for as long as it takes," Quinton said.

'What?' Ashley exclaimed inwardly. She froze and was stunned by his coldness. He was going to abandon her in the hospital, leaving her fate to chance. Ashley couldn't believe Quinton trusted Selina's evidence so easily when he despised her so much. There might be a possibility that Selina had bribed the maid to falsely accuse her.

"Okay." The Harvey brothers each harbored their thoughts in silence. Manuel's eyes flashed with sorrow. He believed Ashley deserved punishment but never expected Quinton to give up on her so completely. To lock her away in the hospital like this was pitiful. Who knew when, or if, she would ever be released?

"Daddy... I know no words can change what's happened. But if I'm truly innocent, if this is all a misunderstanding, I'll end up like Selina, misunderstood and cast out. Can you bear to do that to me?" Ashley asked.

'Selina... Quinton thought and stopped in his tracks. His thoughts were in turmoil, torn between anger and doubt. The others waited in silence. watching him wrestle with his decision while ignoring Ashley's sobbing behind them.

"You're not allowed to return to the Harvey residence, Quinton finally said. "After a thorough examination, you'll be sent to a quiet condominium

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to recover. You are not to contact Sara under any circumstances! If I find out you've tried to see her or asked her to bring you back, I will not forgive you, Ashley!"

With that, Quinton stormed out, the others following closely behind. Ashley was left alone, weeping on her bed, her tears unable to draw even a backward glance from her brothers. Only Manuel, unable to fully harden his heart, paused at the door. He quietly returned and slipped a handkerchief into her hand.

Ashley looked at him through her tear-filled eyes, and unable to hold back, she threw herself into his arms, clinging to him desperately. "Manuel... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry... I know I didn't listen to Joseph, and I brought shame to the Harvey family and Harvey Group, but I never did anything with Mike or Jack. They misunderstood me! And I never harmed Selina! I swear I didn't!"