The Verdict on My Husband the Judge: GUILTY novel Chapter 56

shrieked: “Isabella, how dare you show your face here! Are you begging Nathaniel’s forgiveness?”

She waved at nearby security guards: “Get this fired trash out of here! She doesn’t belong!”

At that moment, my father approached surrounded by reporters and executives.

Celeste instinctively forced a fawn. The signing ceremony with Stellar Corporation was held in the company’s main conference room, with media cameras trained on the stage.

I meticulously reviewed every detail of the process and contact terms, ensuring nothing could go wrong.

This would be my final project at Blackthorne Industries–it had to end flawlessly.

Nathaniel arrived with Celeste by his side.

She was dressed to the nines today in designer haute couture practically broadcasting her role as lady of the manor.

The ceremony proceeded smoothly until the final segment, when the contract needed to be projected on the large screen for signing.

Celeste eagerly volunteered to handle the presentation.

The next second, a series of obscene photographs flashed across the screen!

The woman in the images bore my exact face, naked and entwined with various men in compromising positions.

The conference room fell into stunned silence, then erupted in shocked murmurs.

Celeste gasped with feigned panic: “I pressed the wrong button by accident–Miss Ashford, I’m so sorry!”

“I had no idea your laptop contained so many… private photos!”

Her apology was actually an accusation, confirming in everyone’s minds that these were indeed my photographs!

The final blow came with a forged medical report.

The document clearly displayed my name, with a diagnosis of an embarrassing sexually transmitted disease!

Celeste drew a sharp breath: “Miss Ashford, I’d heard rumor about your chaotic personal life, but I never imagined they were true. You’re not going to infect our entire business circle, are you?”

She’d used the most despicable tactics to destroy my reputation!

20:07

The Verdict on My Husband the Judge: GUILTY

45.8%

Chapter 4

I was drowning in overwhelming humiliation.

Nathaniel’s face went ashen as he ordered staff to shut off the projection.

But the whispers and contemptuous stares in the room cut into me like knives.

“Who knew Miss Ashford was so… adventurous in private. Nice body though.”

“No wonder she climbed the ladder so fast–special skills indeed.”

“She’s completely embarrassed Mr. Blackthorne and the company. Definitely slept her way to the top.”

The signing ceremony ended abruptly. I straightened my spine and walked back to my office through the chorus of judgment.

My personal belongings were few–mostly files and work notebooks.

I calmly packed them into a box. There was nothing left here worth mourning.

My office door burst open.

Celeste strutted in with her chin raised triumphantly:

“Already packing to get out? How does total disgrace feel?”

Her fingers traced the trophy on my desk–a crystal award Nathaniel and I had won together when we’d pulled the company back from bankruptcy.

The Industry Rising Entrepreneur Award.

He’d insisted on engraving my name alongside his, saying I deserved half the credit.

Celeste picked up the crystal trophy with a malicious smile:

“Still keeping this worthless trinket? Don’t tell me you think this will make Nathaniel nostalgic enough to take you

back.”

She raised it as if to smash it on the floor!

My pupils contracted. I instinctively stepped forward to stop her:

“Put that down! Nathaniel and I are just colleagues-”

She swung the trophy directly at my forehead instead.

Searing pain exploded across my temple as warm blood instantly blurred my vision.

20:07

The Verdict on My Husband the Judge: GUILTY

46.1%

Chapter 4

When Nathaniel rushed in at the sound, Celeste was collapsed on the floor, sobbing:

“Nathaniel honey, Isabella blamed me for her humiliation and went crazy trying to hurt me!”

Nathaniel seemed blind to my gaping wound and the blood streaming down my face, reproaching me instead:

“Isabella, what are you trying to accomplish now! Haven’t you caused enough of a spectacle today? Report to janitorial services tomorrow morning–you need to learn your lesson.”

“The company doesn’t lack talent. Don’t assume we can’t function without you!”

I felt too numb for even disappointment, responding with blank composure:

“Don’t trouble yourself, Mr. Blackthorne. I resign. I wish you and Miss Clearwater a lifetime of happiness.”

With that, I gathered my packed box and walked away from the place where I’d fought for five years, never looking

back.

The biggest difference between Nathaniel and me?

I would never let ephemeral emotions sabotage my career.

The next day was the press conference where Blackthorne Industries would announce their major partnership with Luminous Enterprises.

I arrived wearing a sharply tailored business suit, gauze still covering my temple wound.

When Celeste spotted me, she shrieked: “Isabella! How DARE you show your face here! Are you here to BEG Nathaniel for forgiveness?”

She waved frantically at the nearby security guards: “Get this FIRED BITCH out of here! She doesn’t DESERVE to be in this building!”

Just then, my father approached, surrounded by reporters and senior executives.

Celeste instinctively plastered on a fawning smile: “Chairman Ashford…”

Before she could finish, her face froze in shock as my father miled and extended his hand toward me.

“Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce my daughter sabella Ashford. She will be officially assuming the position of CEO of Luminous Enterprises.”

♡ (0)

(0)

20:07

The Verdict on My Husband the Judeo: GUILTY

46.4%