Shadows of Destiny: A Tale of Liberation

Chapter 39

Charlotte never expected that Renee, who had always been a pushover, had the guts to fight back.

“You shameless witch!” She cursed furiously. “Why don’t you take a look in the mirror and realize how

wicked and depraved you are? You’re just a gold digger whose family was financially ruined! Nothing.

about you says you’re worthy of my cousin, and yet, you have the nerve to delay the divorce?”

“Do you think there’d be any use of you dragging this out?” Charlotte hissed. “Don’t you see how Bri’s

belly is getting bigger and bigger every day now? Her marriage to Stefan will undoubtedly happen! You

have no right to decide whether or not you’ll get a divorce!”

“I won’t discuss whether or not I have the right to decide that right now,” Renee calmly responded. “But

in any case, what’s certain is that you have no say in it whatsoever.”

“And so what if her belly is getting bigger? As long as your cousin and I haven’t finalized our divorce, I

am still his lawful wife and she is just his mistress, which means that the baby in her belly is not even

Stefan’s legitimate child.”

Renee had evidently touched a sore spot, but Briar could not lose her temper and attack her, so she

could only continue to play the innocent victim.

“Miss

Everheart,” Briar said sorrowfully, “you can attack and mock me however you like, but please don’t

insult my baby!”

“I’m not insulting anyone’s baby,” argued Renee exasperatedly. “I’m merely stating the facts. If a baby

born to a mistress isn’t illegitimate, then what is it? A prince?”

“I…….” Briar was stunned speechless, and all she could think of was to keep up her act as the

innocent victim.

“Stefan and I love each other,” she said tremulously. “And since that is the case, it is the one who is not

loved who should be called the mistress!”

“Don’t waste your time with her, Bri! The only way to deal with shameless people like her is with

violence!” Charlotte snarled, lifting her hand to slap Renee’s face.

However, right before the slap landed, someone grabbed her hand.

“Damn it, who has the nerve to get in my way-”

Charlotte immediately shut her mouth when she recognized who was behind her, and the blood drained

from her face. “Mr… Mr. Osborne.”

Liam was clad in a white suit. He looked as elegant as a prince from a fairy tale, and was so

enchanting that it was difficult to look away from him.

“Did you take the wrong pills today, Miss Milford? Why are you in such a rotten mood?” Although Liam

looked at Charlotte with a faint smile on his face, his sharp gaze clearly warned her how dangerous she

was.

Don’t you know the consequences of stepping out of line when you are in the Osborne family’s

territory?” He asked again.

“What… What consequences?” Charlotte had long harbored unrequited feelings for Liam. At that

moment, she was so embroiled in shame and fear that she did not even dare to meet Liam’s eyes.

“Those who talk nonsense will have their tongues cut off, and those who wrongfully hurt others will

have their hands chopped off!” Liam sald cheerfully.

“Wh-What?!” Charlotte’s face turned deathly pale as soon as she heard those words. Her knees

buckled and she fell straight to the ground.

“Don’t forget that you’re from a good family of high standing, Miss Milford. You should take care to

behave appropriately in public, otherwise you’ll only bring shame to the Milford family.”

As soon as he finished speaking. Liam dropped Charlotte’s hand.

Charlotte, now humiliated and enraged, hastily tried to explain herself, “But you don’t understand, Mr.

Osborne! It was all because of this woman’s filthy mouth! She’s sly and wicked. She knows full well that

my cousin doesn’t want her around anymore, but she still clings to him and won’t let him go! She

clearly. wants to keep draining the Hunt family’s fortune!”

“What’s even more disgusting.” Charlotte continued, “is that she even has the nerve to call the baby in

Briar’s belly, my cousin’s baby, illegitimate! I was only trying to teach this worthless woman a lesson!

What’s wrong with that?”

Liam’s gaze turned colder and colder, until at last he sternly warned her, “Did you think that I was

joking. when I said people who talk nonsense will have their tongues cut off, Miss Milford?”

Charlotte quickly took two steps back, away from Liam. She was so frightened that she dared not even

utter another word. The Osborne family was considered the least powerful of the eight prominent

families in Beach City, but nonetheless, their power and influence were not something to be trifled with.

The Osborne family was renowned for their connections and involvement in the black market, so

Charlotte understood perfectly that Liam’s talk of cutting people’s tongues and hands off was not just a

joke.

“Mr. Osborne,” Briar said, “please don’t be angry. This is all just a misunderstanding. We had no

intention. of disturbing Miss Everheart at all, but when we noticed that she was held up at the entrance

and how she was wearing such casual clothes, we were worried that she might not be invited, so we

came here to help her out!”

“She doesn’t have to be invited by anyone,” responded Liam with a sneer. “My family owns this hotel,

so she’s free to enter anytime she wants, even if she’s wearing her pajamas and slippers. Now, the two

of you, on the other hand… If you still continue to behave in such a shameful manner, then you can

leave immediately!”

“Um…” Briar had initially wanted to take the opportunity to embarrass Renee, but her plan had

backfired. so spectacularly that she could not utter a single word.

“That’s enough,” Renee said softly as she leaned on Liam, indicating that it was time to drop the matter.

Let’s go inside.”

“Okay.” Liam nodded obediently.

They both then entered the venue together.

“This is ridiculous!” Charlotte screeched. “I’m so pissed off!”

After Renee and Liam had disappeared from sight, Charlotte started to stomp her feet in anger,

cursing.” When did that gold digger get acquainted with Liam Osborne? They look like they’re really

close too! I’ve always known that she’s a useless and worthless woman with no skills to speak of

whatsoever. The only thing she’s good at is seducing men! What a loser!”

“Come on,” Charlotte’s boyfriend tried to comfort her. “Don’t be upset, baby. You’ve still got me!” “What

good are you, anyway? Nothing about you even compares to Liam Osborne! You’re worthless!” Despite

her words, Micah did not get angry. Instead, he told her, “I’ve prepared a surprise for you this

evening. I’m sure that later it’ll make you stand out as the most stunning woman of the night!”