My Arrogant Cousin Mocked My Husband, Then Her Wealthy Spouse Bowed to Him
Previously: When Victoria tried to humiliate me at an upscale wedding by boasting about her wealthy husband, she had no idea who my ordinary husband actually was.
The Price of Vanity
The silence that fell over the garden was deafening. The surrounding guests, who had been whispering politely moments before, now turned their full attention to our tense circle. Victoria’s face twisted in confusion and anger as she glared at her bowing husband.
"Charles, what on earth are you doing?" she hissed, grabbing his arm. "Stand up! Why are you bowing to this... this nobody? He is Sarah's husband!"
"Shut your mouth, Victoria!" Charles whispered frantically, his voice cracking with desperation. He looked up at Arthur, his eyes pleading. "Sir, please forgive my wife. She didn't know. She has no idea who you are."
Arthur looked down at Charles, his expression unreadable but incredibly powerful. "Is that so, Charles? It seems your wife has a very strong opinion about my financial standing. And about yours."
"Charles, explain this right now!" Victoria demanded, her voice rising to a screech. "You are the CEO of the city's largest investment firm!"
"I am the CEO of a subsidiary, you fool!" Charles snapped, completely losing his composure. "Arthur owns the entire parent conglomerate. He purchased the firm last month. He is my boss. He practically owns our house, our cars, and my entire career!"
Victoria staggered back, her hand dropping from her diamond necklace as if it had suddenly burned her. The realization hit her like a physical blow. The quiet, unassuming man she had just insulted held their entire future in his hands.
But Arthur wasn't finished. He stepped forward, his eyes locking onto the sparkling diamonds resting on Victoria's collarbone.
"Speaking of finances, Charles," Arthur said, his voice cool and sharp. "I was reviewing the quarterly audits this morning. I noticed an unauthorized withdrawal of two hundred thousand dollars from the corporate reserve account last week. Exactly the valuation of that necklace your wife is wearing."
Charles fell to his knees on the manicured grass, his hands shaking. "Sir, please! It was a temporary loan... I was going to return it before the end of the month!"
”I was going to return it before the end of the month!"