A Wedding Night Gone Terribly Wrong novel Chapter 223

His words hit like a bomb.

"You've got to be kidding me!"

Iris, Beatrice, Lyndon, and Miles shouted in unison.

Winifred, who had just lain down, sighed and slowly opened her heavy eyes. She looked up at the IV drip, and her gaze inevitably met everyone else's.

They were all staring at her.

It was clear they had locked onto her the moment she walked in. Now, meeting her eyes, their long-held resentments boiled over.

Beatrice sneered. "Mr. Lockwood, let me enlighten you. Winifred is a divorced homewrecker and a murderer! She set venomous snakes loose and killed Rochelle Lockwood! She ruins everyone she touches!"

Lyndon chimed in. "She was raised by the Seaport City Lockwoods. They gave her everything, and she repaid them by killing her mother-in-law and faking her own death to keep stringing them along. The woman is completely deranged!"

Iris stood close to her parents. While they ranted, she was calculating.

Compared to her parents' superficial outrage, Iris's darkened expression showed she was thinking deeper about Leland's actions.

Locking eyes with Winifred, Iris hissed, "Leland, someone of your status shouldn't be associating with such trash."

Miles nodded eagerly. "Exactly! Mr. Lockwood, you've lived in Kingsbridge for so long, you don't know how things work here. She might look innocent, but she's a toxic, evil woman who has hurt countless people!"

Everyone was united in their furious crusade against her.

Winifred watched silently as they aggressively showcased her supposed sins to Leland. She didn't want to say a single word.

These people had hated her for a long time. The root of it was simple: their world revolved around Iris. Whatever Iris did dictated their behavior. Because Iris hated her, they all hated her.

She had tried explaining and fighting back before. It never changed anything.

On the other hand, she was curious to see how Leland would react to this. If he let their venom sway him—if he chose to believe them and doubt her—then whatever feelings were budding between them would die right here.

Holden's gaze cut straight through the room, landing directly on Winifred.

They stared at each other. Looking at his face was like watching a horrific movie replay. Everything she had endured three years ago came rushing back with vivid clarity.

The things Holden had said and done echoed in her mind.

*What are you doing, Winifred?*

*You always wanted to marry me, and I gave you that. Why would you hurt them?*

*I won't ever forgive you, Winifred!*

*Let's get a divorce. Go as far away as possible. I need to take responsibility for Iris...*

Three years ago, when the whole world turned against her and accused her of unforgivable crimes, Holden had abandoned her, choosing his mother and Iris without hesitation.