Ashley didn’t panic in the slightest.
Who was about to take who down was still up in the air…
If that contract wasn’t still with Edwin, tonight would’ve been perfect for her to leave Kingsview Garden and cut ties with that psycho.
“What are you doing?!” A sharp, aged shout burst in from outside.
Eleanor came storming in, leaning on her cane, clearly furious.
She scanned the room, her eyes landing on Amelia.
Her cane slammed to the ground.
“I’d like to see who dares take my granddaughter-in-law away today!”
Ugh, this meddling old hag!
Amelia bit back her anger and tried to explain, “Grandma, it was this little mute who came at me first with poison.
Look—I nearly got killed by those damn bugs!”
She held out her hands and neck, showing the nasty welts and boils from the bite marks.
“Ashley, was it really you?” Eleanor asked quietly, frowning.
Ashley shook her head, looking completely innocent.
Eleanor’s eyes sharpened as she turned to Amelia.
“Ashley said she didn’t do it.
No proof?
Then get out of my sight.”
“You’re just protecting her on purpose!” Amelia gritted her teeth.
“I’m not letting this go.
If you don’t back me up, I’ll go tell Dad.
He’ll fight for me!”
“You insolent child!” Eleanor shook with rage.
Amelia had always been out of control.
She didn’t even care about Grandma now, just raised the knife and lunged at Ashley.
“I’m going to end you, you bitch!”
Eleanor panicked.
“Stop it right now!
Edwin!
Separate them!
Don’t let anything happen to Ashley!”
Edwin didn’t move.
He stood there, eyes narrowing, calmly watching the two women struggle.
On the surface, it looked like Amelia had the upper hand.
After all, she’d trained in self-defense since she was a kid.
But even after wildly slashing more than ten times, she hadn’t even brushed Ashley’s clothes…
That wasn’t just dumb luck.
“Edwin!” Eleanor’s tone turned urgent, finally pushing him to step forward with long strides.
But then something made Edwin pause—his sharp gaze chilling slightly.
Ashley, who had kept her guard up the whole time, suddenly made a dumb move.
Amelia seized the chance and slashed toward her face.
Ashley’s eyes widened like she was scared, lifting her right hand to block.
But her other hand?
It snapped up like lightning, gripping Amelia’s wrist.
Just as the blade tore her shirt, she twisted with brutal precision…
“Ahhh!!!” Amelia let out a sharp scream.
The knife in her hand clattered to the floor as she clutched her arm, her face pale, eyes burning with fury.
“You bitch!
You really broke my hand!”
Ashley held her bleeding arm, face all innocent, gently shaking her head.
She really did look pitiful.
Amelia was in such pain she could barely breathe, screaming like a madwoman: “I’m calling my dad to kill you!
What are you all waiting for?
Call him now!”
Ashley shrank closer to Eleanor, like she was scared out of her wits, but there was a brief flicker of cold sharpness in her eyes.
Perfect.
She had been wanting to see the legendary head of the King family anyway.
Christopher King had been nearby for a business deal.
Less than twenty minutes later, he stormed in with bodyguards and a private doctor in tow.
“Dad!” Amelia rushed to him, sobbing, “That bitch did it!
First she got bugs to bite me, now she broke my hand!
You gotta make her pay!
I want her dead!”
Christopher, who looked much younger than his age with his sharp features and imposing air, instantly snapped, “What are you all standing around for?
Treat Amelia’s injury!”
The doctor rushed forward, trembling as he checked Amelia’s arm.
Then Christopher’s gaze locked on Ashley.
Just one look, and she knew he wasn’t someone to mess with.
His voice was bone-chilling: “Take that woman with us!”
“Christopher!” Eleanor tried to block.
“It’s not what you think—”
“Mom, you’re getting old.
Maybe you should rest instead of getting involved,” he cut her off without even looking her way.
“You—” Eleanor’s face turned white with anger, and she nearly lost her balance.
Several guards closed in on Ashley.
At that moment, a calm, low voice rang out through the room.
“Uncle Christopher, it’s pretty late—don’t you think you owe me a reason for trying to take my wife?”
Edwin strode in, no longer in his sleepwear.
Jet-black shirt and pants, he looked effortlessly sharp, with a hint of danger about him that felt more devilish than divine.
Christopher’s face twisted the moment he saw him.
“She hurt Amelia.
She should pay.” His voice was icy.
“You only married her to balance luck or whatever.
You want a stand-in?
I’ll send ten girls over tomorrow.
Take your pick.
There are plenty of mute, deaf rejects to go around.”
Edwin let out a low chuckle.
“Well, aren’t you generous.”
He walked over to Ashley and casually threw an arm around her shoulders, letting out a barely-there sigh.
“But I happen to be crazy about this little mute…
sorry, I’m not sharing.”