Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

| glanced down at her with a cold smile. “Serves you right.”

Before Rachel could stand, Scarlett pounced on her, pinning her to the floor.

“Worthless!” Scarlett shrieked, tearing at Rachel's hair and ripping her dress. Her hand cracked across Rachel's

face. “I always knew Laurel was better than you! That's why I let her take your place as Blake's savior!”

My interest peaked. So Rachel had been behind Laurel's deception all along.

“But that bitch Audrey ruined everything!” Scarlett continued, landing another slap.

Rachel tried shielding herself as Scarlett unleashed years of disappointment.

“When you woke up, you promised you'd be better than Laurel!” Scarlett grabbed Rachel's hair. “What did you

accomplish? Nothing! You couldn't keep your man! You screwed up the kidnapping!”

She shook Rachel hard. “You swore everything would go smoothly! You said after the wedding, you'd run Parker

Group!”

Each word Scarlett spoke added to the evidence | was collecting.

“If Laurel hadn't died in jail, you think I'd have given you this chance?” Scarlett dug her fingers into Rachel's

chin. “I gave away that ruby necklace to secure your position! Now Blake's divorcing you, the necklace is

destroyed, and | have nothing!”

Her voice reached a piercing pitch. “You're just like your father completely worthless!”

At the mention of her father, Rachel's demeanor changed. Defiance flashed in her eyes as she pushed back

against her mother.

‘What did you say?” Rachel caught Scarlett’s wrist mid-strike. ‘Leave my father out of this.”

Scarlett tried pulling away, but Rachel held firm.

Callwhatever you want, but don’t talk about my father,” Rachel's voice hardened. “You think | don’t know

how he died? What you and Jonathan did?”

Scarlett went pale.

Chapter 433

“You and Jonathan Rachel started, but was cut off by a vicious slap from Jonathan Rose, who appeared beside

them.

Blood immediately trickled from Rachel's nose and mouth. She spat, and | noticed a tooth among the blood

staining her white dress.

‘Shut up! Jonathan snarled, his refined facade cracking.

Scarlett screamed at the sight of her bloodied daughter.

I'd seen enough. “Too loud,” | said quietly.

I nodded to Michael and Jett, who moved forward to escort Scarlett away while Jonathan followed, straightening

his suit as if nothing happened.

Rachel, dazed and bleeding, struggled to her feet and took a step toward the exit.

“Going somewhere?” | asked.

She turned slowly, pain evident in her movements.

“We're not done,” | continued, enjoying the fear in her eyes.

Rachel dabbed blood with her veil. “The divorce?” she asked shakily. “Can't that wait until after | get to Mayo

Clinic? | won't take long, | promise.”

“Ten minutes max,” | replied coldly.

She relaxed slightly.

“No need to rush to the hospital,” | added. “Prison hospitals provide excellent care.”

The color drained from Rachel's face. “Blake, please - | was desperate...”

| smiled without warmth. “Were you?”

| turned to Michael. “Clear the stage. Just Miss Hayes stays.”

Michael moved efficiently. “Ladies and gentlemen, please proceed backstage. Mr. Parker needs a moment with

his... bride.”

Rebecca immediately protested. “Why should we leave? Elizabeth broke my necklace! That ruby was worth

millions!”

Michael stepped between them. ‘Mrs. Parker, we don’t know who actually broke it. If security footage shows you

broke it yourself...

“What are you saying?’ Rebecca's mouth fell open.

“Only you, Mrs. Rose, and Mr. Rose knew about that necklace,” Michael adjusted his glasses. “If they claim you

stole and broke it, you might have to pay its full value.

After a moment, Rebecca reluctantly took Thalia’s arm and left.

Soon, only Rachel and | remained on stage. Michael handeda microphone.

‘Everyone, sorry about the Parker family today,” | addressed the crowd. ‘Regarding my background, I've

only recently learned the truth myself.”

| shifted, making eye contact with several guests. “But I'm sure you're wondering why | faked my death before

my wedding.”

Rachel trembled beside me.

“It had nothing to do with fearing marriage,” | continued. “My twith Audrey, despite how it ended, taught me

alot.”

Chapter 433

My chest tightened saying her name. “Those years showedwhat a remarkable woman can be, and how badly

I'd misjudged her.”

Rachel stiffened.

“That marriage didn’t makefear commitment. It taughtto take marriage seriously.”

| gestured toward Rachel. “When | decided to marry Miss Hayes, | was genuinely committed. Unfortunately, she

had other plans.”

Michael dimmed the lights and activated the screen. Images appeared showing Emma’s kidnapping, followed by

the Parker Group garage scene.

‘| faked my death because | discovered Miss Hayes and her mother ordered my murder.”

Gasps filled the room as evidence flashed across the screen text messages, bank transfers, witness statements.

“While | was supposedly dead, Miss Hayes called an emergency board meeting,” | continued as documents

appeared. “She tried to take control of Parker Group and divide my personal fortune.”

The final slide showed Rachel's agreement with Rebecca and Thalia, giving them substantial percentages for

their support.

Rachel sank to the floor, her bloody dress pooling around her. “Did you have to be so cruel?” she whispered. “I

was Audrey's best friend.”

Her voice cracked. ‘If she knew how you've treated me, she'd be heartbroken.”

| looked past Rachel to someone in the audience. “She can tell you that herself.”

Rachel frowned. “What?”

“You'll find out,” | replied.

Two police officers stepped onto the stage with handcuffs.

“Miss Hayes, you're under arrest for conspiracy to murder and attempted embezzlement.”

Rachel’s shoulders slumped as they cuffed her. She gaveone last look.

“Laurel was right,” she said quietly. “You really are heartless.”

| smiled slightly. “Only toward you and your sister.”

| closed my eyes, suddenly exhausted. | didn’t watch as they led Rachel away, her white wedding dress dragging

behind her, stained with blood.

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