The Wrong Girl and the Wronged Girl (Stella and Ethan) novel Chapter 865

865 Nothing Left to Save

In the past, Dale would have turned his back on every other child in the world just to shield Artemis from harm. She was his priority, his everything.

But now—just like that—everything had erupted into chaos.

Victor chuckled softly, a low, almost bitter sound. “Men, huh,” he muttered.

He had once pampered Artemis as if she were untouchable, and for two clear reasons: first, because she was the woman he loved deeply, and second, because she had given him three children.

“But she was his first love!” Tessa interjected quickly, her voice tinged with urgency.

Victor’s smirk grew wider. “Isn’t it funny? The ones who are gone always seem more perfect, don’t they?”

Tessa froze, caught off guard by his words.

Wait—was he really suggesting that the living could never measure up to those who had passed? That memories would always outshine reality?

The more she thought about it, the more she realized he might be right.

Even if Artemis had been Dale’s first love, if she had betrayed him over their children, then none of that past would hold any weight. She would lose everything she had.

What had started as idle gossip somehow shifted without either of them noticing, and before long, Tessa found herself pressed against Victor. His arms wrapped around her, strong and unyielding.

His touch was anything but gentle.

By the time she registered what was happening, the tension between them was already electric, thick enough to burn.

“Hey!” she gasped, trying to pull away.

“Relax,” Victor whispered close to her ear, his voice low and teasing.

“I—I’m still recovering from my cold,” she stammered, feeling her cheeks flush.

“I know,” he murmured with a hint of amusement. “Don’t worry.”

Don’t worry? she thought, struggling not to squirm under his gaze. You’re the last person I feel safe with right now.

Victor didn’t need to do anything more—Ashen Pact was already crumbling from within.

For years, Artemis and Manny had maintained their influence, all thanks to Dale’s favoritism. But now, with Dale’s sudden decision to conduct DNA tests on all of Artemis’s children, the fragile balance inside the Ashen Pact had snapped, spiraling into unpredictable chaos.

And then Dan made his move.

He arrived with a full medical team—his own people. A dozen doctors and nurses, dressed in crisp white coats, filed into Black Mountain, carrying sterile kits and an unspoken determination.

The moment Artemis and Manny spotted them, their hearts sank.

Dan glanced over at Dale. “Should we bring Tessa in too?”

Dale’s eyes burned with a fierce anger.

Dan’s smirk grew even wider. “Might as well settle everything all at once, right?”

Dale said nothing.

Settle everything all at once.

Artemis let out a sharp, bitter laugh. “Settle everything, huh? That’s one way to put it.”

Dan merely shrugged and rolled up his sleeve. “Start with me.”

Artemis and Manny both froze, their breaths coming shallow as panic took hold.

For Artemis, that single command shattered something deep inside her. Dale’s coldness, his absolute lack of hesitation—it destroyed every flicker of hope she had left. The sting of disappointment cut deeper than any anger ever could.

Manny’s fury erupted.

He yanked out a gun, aiming it straight at the approaching guards. “Anyone who steps closer, I’ll shoot!”

“Grab him!” Dale barked.

The instant Manny resisted, whatever trust Dale still had in him was obliterated.

“Dad!” Manny shouted, rage boiling over.

Their eyes locked—and in Dale’s gaze, there was no warmth left. No trace of the affection or fatherly pride that had once existed.

It was all gone.

Artemis stood frozen, her heart aching so fiercely it felt like she couldn’t breathe.

All those years she had spent building this family, protecting it, holding it together—was it all going to fall apart like this? Could everything she had fought for really be destroyed in just one night?

“Dale…” she whispered, her voice barely steady.

But he didn’t hear her.

Now, there was only one thought consuming him: the test had to be done.

Under his command, the guards overpowered Manny, forcing him to the ground.