The Verdict on My Husband the Judge: GUILTY novel Chapter 57

The color drained from Celeste’s face as she stared at me in disbelief.

“Impossible! How could you be Chairman Ashford’s daughter? You’re nothing but worthless trash that Nathaniel

fired!”

“I know what this is–you hired actors to deceive everyone! You really are a scheming bitch!”

Nathaniel’s expression turned ashen as he roughly shook off Celeste’s arm from his.

Unlike the brainless Celeste, he had been sharp and astute before meeting her.

The Chairman of Ashford Industries personally announcing an heir–there was no way it could be fake.

But Celeste seemed trapped in her own delusions, unable to accept my transformed status.

She pointed at my face, her voice shrill:

“You’re just a secretary who slept her way to the top! Those photos of you with other men are everywhere–how dare you put on this act?”

“You’re just jealous of me, trying to use these despicable methods to steal Nathaniel away!”

Her voice became piercing with hysteria, drawing suppressed gasps from the surrounding crowd.

“No wonder Miss Ashford was so capable–turns out the Ashford heiress was gaining experience.”

“Mr. Blackthorne really misjudged this time. For his little mistress, he’s offended a financial powerhouse.”

I watched Celeste’s performance coldly, my voice cutting:

“Miss Clearwater, delusions are a mental illness. You need treatment.”

The words hit her like a slap, silencing her in humiliation.

I didn’t spare her another glance, turning instead to address the media below:

“Given Blackthorne Industries‘ chaotic management and the severe reputational damage inflicted on me personally by their associated personnel,”

“I hereby announce on behalf of Ashford Industries that all previously agreed cooperation intentions with Blackthorne Industries are immediately and permanently canceled!”

Nathaniel’s body swayed violently, staring at me in disbelie

20:07

The Verdict on My Husband the Judge: GUILTY

46.7%

Chapter 5

This decision would cripple Blackthorne Industries. He couldn’t believe I would be so ruthless.

He looked at me pleadingly: “Isabella, I wronged you before

“For the sake of our years fighting side by side, please give Blackthorne another chance.”

He thought favoring Celeste was just a minor mistake.

Once we cleared the air, I would forgive him as I always had

That face I had once found reliable now showed only desperation and calculation.

I cut him off, my voice calm:

“Mr. Blackthorne, we were merely employer and employee. What camaraderie could there be?”

“Blackthorne isn’t a small company either. Even if cooperation fails, there’s no need to cling desperately and become a laughingstock.”

Hearing my words, our five years of familiarity made him immediately understand my meaning.

His mouth opened and closed, but no words came.

After a long pause, he asked hesitantly: “Isabella… will you ever come back?”

My words severed all his remaining hopes:

“Of course not. Previously, I thought even after inheriting the group, we could form a powerful alliance.”

“But now it appears you no longer qualify to partner with me.”

Nathaniel seemed drained of all strength, staggering back a step as his eyes dimmed completely.

Celeste finally snapped back to reality, glaring at me viciously:

“Nathaniel honey, don’t beg her! Even without Ashford Industries‘ cooperation, we’re not afraid!”

Nathaniel looked at her with disgust, pushing her away before striding toward the exit.

His retreating figure lacked its former grace, appearing particularly pathetic.

But this was the path he had chosen.

We weren’t lovers, but we had been intimate business partners.

He had broken that balance, allowing his kept canary to humiliate and suppress me.

20:07

The Verdict on My Husband the Judge: GUILTY

46.9%

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

A few days later, while I was in a video conference at home, received an urgent call from Nathaniel.

His voice was pained and weak:

“Isabella, my asthma is acting up… I can’t find my medication…”

Ever since his emergency room scare, I had always carried his medication.

Though I wanted nothing more to do with him, this was a matter of life and death.

I reluctantly ended the meeting, grabbing my keys and the medication before rushing out.

The password to Nathaniel’s place hadn’t changed. He was curled on the sofa, struggling to breathe.

I administered his medication and lit calming incense.

After considerable effort, his condition finally stabilized.

I was preparing to leave when I came face to face with Celeste returning home.

She glared at me furiously: “Isabella, what are you doing here! And why are you in your pajamas?”

“Where’s Nathaniel? What did you do to him? I knew you had ulterior motives hiding your identity to work as his

secretary!”

I had left in such haste that I hadn’t even changed clothes.

Now I couldn’t be bothered with her, but she grabbed my arm as I tried to pass.

“You scheming bitch! You really are up to no good, running Here to seduce Nathaniel while I’m away!”

I forcefully shook off her grip, my expression cold:

“Miss Clearwater, show some respect. Nathaniel begged me to come save him. Would you prefer he had died?”

Her beautiful features twisted with rage as she glared at me

“Stop spouting nonsense! Nathaniel is perfectly healthy. Dressing like that in a man’s home–you’re shameless!”

I completely lost patience, unwilling to waste more words, and headed straight for the door.

Celeste, enraged by my dismissal, grabbed a fruit knife from the coffee table and lunged at me!

20:07

The Verdict on My Husband the Judge: GUILTY

47.5%

Chapter 6

“You’re not leaving! Today I’ll slash that face of yours–let’s see how you seduce Nathaniel then!”

I hadn’t expected her to resort to violence, backing away while trying to reason:

“Put the knife down. Assault with a weapon is a crime.”

But she advanced with complete madness:

“Nathaniel will protect me! He could never bear to see me arrested!”

“Are you scared now? Kneel and beg me, slap yourself a hundred times, and I’ll spare you!”

The next second, she was kicked hard to the ground, the knife knocked from her grasp.

“Celeste, have you lost your mind?!”

Nathaniel had been awakened by our commotion, arriving just in time to witness the terrifying scene.

Celeste rubbed her wrist pitifully, climbing up from the floor:

“Nathaniel honey, she was bullying me! I only grabbed it because I was scared…”

Watching her masterful face–changing performance, I was genuinely impressed.

Nathaniel didn’t look at her, instead rushing to me with concern:

“Isabella, are you alright? Did she hurt you?”

Seeing me shake my head, he turned to Celeste with disappointment:

“Look at yourself! Full of lies, even attempting assault–that’s criminal behavior! Do you understand?”

“When you were working part–time at that café, your eyes were clear and bright. I sponsored your education hoping you’d become someone who could stand beside me.”

“But since we’ve been together, you’ve become increasingly spoiled and arrogant. Without my donations to your school, you wouldn’t even have graduated!”

“Celeste, how did you become like this?”

Celeste stood stunned by his outburst, blinking as she said:

“Nathaniel honey, you’re yelling at me because of her! You don’t even believe me…”

Nathaniel, having regained his rationality after extracting himself from emotion, no longer fell for her act.

He cut her off sharply: “Enough. I’m not blind.”

The Verdict on My Husband the Judge: GUILTY

47.8%

Chapter 6

“The flowers you brought triggered my asthma attack. Isabella came because I desperately called for help. Apologize to her immediately.”

Celeste shrieked hysterically: “I won’t! I did nothing wrong! Isabella is just a slut, a whore!”

Nathaniel closed his eyes, and when he reopened them, his voice was resolute:

“Clearly we’re not compatible. Leave. Don’t come back.”

“I’ll have HR send you a termination contract.”

♡ (0)

(0)

20:08