Bound By A Broken Night novel Chapter 170

Chapter 170

+15 Bonus

“Everyone in Bay City is talking about Cassidy Greene’s illicit affair with CEO Pierce,” Maricris sneered bitterly.

The movement tugged painfully at the bandages wrapped around both of her cheeks, forcing her to wince. Even speaking hurt, but the humiliation burned far worse than the wounds.

“And though many of them don’t dare show it openly,” she continued through clenched teeth, “that woman has become the favorite gossip of the entire city.”

Across from her, Vincent Rouy sat heavily on the sofa in his office, his shoulders slumped with exhaustion. He dragged a hand down his face before pressing both palms against his temples.

“But gossip isn’t the real problem. I don’t give a damn to that vixen,” he muttered darkly.

“We need to talk to Ashton. Immediately.” He let out a frustrated breath and leaned back, staring blankly at the ceiling.

“Our company won’t survive a month if this continues. Investors are already pulling their funds. Contracts are being quietly withdrawn. No one in Bay City wants to collaborate with us anymore.” His voice grew hoarse with frustration.

“At this rate, the Rouy Enterprise will be bankrupt within a few months.” The words hung heavily in the

room.

Vincent suddenly dropped his hands and turned sharply toward his daughter.

“How could you provoke your cousin like this, Maricris?” he snapped, his jaw tightening.

“You already know how arrogant and vindictive the Pierces are!”

Maricris stiffened in outrage.

“This is Cassidy Greene’s fault, Dad!” she shot back defensively, her eyes turning glassy with unshed tears as the pain from her injured face throbbed relentlessly.

“That woman seduced Ashton and turned him against us!”

Her fingers trembled as she carefully touched the bandages on her cheek, fury flashing in her eyes.

“She even ruined my face,” she added bitterly.

The humiliation of that moment in the lobby replayed endlessly in her mind–Cassie’s nails digging into her skin, the crowd watching, Ashton standing beside that woman like she belonged to him.

Her nails dug into the armrest of the chair.

“If I ever get the chance…” she hissed, her voice trembling with venom, “I will tear her face apart.”

Vincent closed his eyes briefly, clearly overwhelmed. Then he turned toward his wife.

Chapter 170

+15 Bonus

“You have to talk to your nephew, Rina,” he said, his voice heavy with urgency. “He might still listen to you.”

Rina Rouy let out a cold, humorless laugh.

“You think I haven’t tried already?”

She leaned back in her chair, her expression twisted with resentment.

“I even called Madame Carina personally.” Her eyes darkened.

“But that witch didn’t even bother speaking to me.” Rina clicked her tongue in disgust.

“The arrogance of the Pierces has truly reached the heavens.”

Vincent’s shoulders sagged further.

“And the Shens aren’t doing any better,” he murmured grimly.

“Their investors are abandoning them too. No one in Bay City would dare go against Ashton Pierce.”

He buried his face in his palms again, his voice muffled with despair.

“We’re finished.” Just overnight, everything had collapsed.

All crumbling simply because Ashton Pierce had publicly severed ties with them. Even their family connection hadn’t saved them.

Despite the fact that Rina was the half–sister of Ashton’s mother, the Pierce family had not hesitated to crush them completely.

The silence in the room grew suffocating.

Finally, Rina spoke again.

“We can’t just sit here and wait for our end,” she muttered darkly.

Her words made Vincent slowly lift his head.

“Dictated by those arrogant Pierces.”

He studied his wife carefully, sensing the calculating look in her eyes.

“Then what do you suggest we do?” Vincent asked intently, studying his wife’s expression.

“Have you thought of a way?”

Rina slowly turned to meet her husband’s expectant gaze. For a moment she remained silent, her fingers tapping lightly against the armrest of her chair as if weighing possibilities.

“I might be able to speak with Atasha,” she said at last, her tone contemplative.

Vincent frowned slightly

“Ashton’s mother?” he asked, leaning forward.

Rina gave a small nod

“if anyone can make him reconsider… it would be her. Perhaps she could persuade her son to spare us Her voice carried a thin thread of hope, though even she seemed unsure of it.

Vincent raised a brow, his sharp eyes carefully gauging her.

“And do you actually know how to contact her?”

The question lingered heavily in the air. Rina hesitated. Then she let out a long, weary sigh. That alone was answer enough.

Vincent leaned back slowly, the little hope he had clung to slipping through his fingers.

“We are so doomed,” he muttered, dragging a hand down his face.

The weight of their situation pressed down on the room like a suffocating fog.

The Rouy Group had spent decades painstakingly building its reputation, forging alliances, and securing its place among the powerful families of Bay City. Yet with a single command from Ashton Pierce, everything had begun to collapse.

Investors were withdrawing. Longtime partners were quietly distancing themselves, unwilling to risk being dragged down with them. One by one, doors that had once opened easily for the Rouy family were now firmly shut. All because they had offended him.

Silence settled over the room.

Each of them sank into their own thoughts–Vincent staring blankly at the floor, Rina’s brows furrowed in deep calculation, while Maricris sat stiffly in her chair, gingerly touching the bandages on her face, resentment burning fiercely behind her eyes.

A knock suddenly broke the tense quiet. The door creaked open and a maid stepped inside, bowing slightly.

“Sir Vincent,” she announced respectfully, “President Edward Shen and Mr. Red Knowles are asking for an audience.”

The three Rouys immediately looked at each other. No one spoke.

“I was already expecting President Edward Shen to come see me one of these days,” Vincent muttered thoughtfully, rubbing his chin as he tried to piece things together.

“We needed to discuss what steps we could possibly take to escape this predicament created by CEO Ashton Pierce.” He paused, his brows knitting together.

“But Red Knowles ?”

+15 Bonus

The name carried a different weight.

Vincent leaned back slowly, genuine perplexity settling across his face.

“What is that man doing here?”

Rina frowned deeply, her fingers tightening against the armrest.

“Yes,” she said, her brows furrowed in suspicion. “What business does Red Knowles have with us?”

Vincent exhaled slowly, his gaze turning toward the door.

“Whatever reason they came for,” he said, his tone growing more earnest, “I just hope they’re bringing a solution.” His eyes darkened with weary determination.

He straightened in his seat, quickly adjusting his jacket to regain some semblance of composure. Beside him, Rina lifted her chin and smoothed her skirt, while Maricris forced herself to sit properly despite the throbbing pain on her face.

“Let them in,” Vincent ordered.

The maid bowed again before stepping out.

As the door closed behind her, the tension in the room thickened once more–this time with anticipation.

****tbc****