From Mob Princess to Mugshot Photographer novel Chapter 96

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**Chapter 10**

Rhett’s grip on Ashley was firm, his fingers curling around her arm as she struggled to break free. The disappointment etched into his features was unmistakable, a deep furrow forming between his brows. “Why, Ashley? If you were in need of money, you could have come to me. I offered you so many chances to be honest, yet here we are. You chose to deceive me. Why would you do that?”

“Let go of me, Rhett! Just let me go!” Her voice was a mix of desperation and anger, each word laced with urgency.

“Ashley, you owe me an explanation today, or you’re not leaving this place!” His tone was unwavering, filled with an intensity that demanded answers.

As they wrestled with each other, the atmosphere thickened. The woman who had orchestrated this confrontation had already summoned her followers, surrounding them like wolves closing in on prey. Escape was an illusion, a fleeting thought that vanished as Ashley realized her predicament.

With a surge of desperation, she unleashed her fury. “Enough! Rhett Butler, do you think you’re some kind of judge? You want me to explain myself to you? What gives you the right to demand anything from me? If you’re looking for someone to blame, look in the mirror! You adopted me only to toss me back to the orphanage!”

“Do you have any idea how hard my life was after that? I had nothing! I had to scrape and claw my way to make a living.” Her voice trembled, the bitterness spilling forth like a dam breaking.

“What good did studying do for me? Yes, I dropped out ages ago. I’ve been lying to you about my education all these years just to keep your money flowing! Rhett Butler, you absolute fool!”

The slap echoed in the tense air, a sound that seemed to reverberate through the room. Rhett, unable to contain his fury any longer, struck her with a force that left Ashley momentarily stunned. Tears welled up in her eyes, a mixture of pain and betrayal that twisted her expression into one of anguish.

Yet, she quickly wiped her tears away, a fierce determination replacing her sorrow. She began to remove her coat, exposing her already provocative outfit even further.

“Stop! Ashley, what on earth are you doing?” Rhett’s voice was a mixture of shock and concern, his grip tightening as he attempted to halt her reckless actions.

“I’ve spent so much of your money, aren’t you going to blame me? If so, then I’ll repay you with my body!” Her desperation was palpable, her eyes glinting with a cruel resolve.

“No need, no need!” Rhett protested, his voice rising in alarm.

Ashley sneered, a dark light flickering in her eyes. “Oh, Rhett, you’ve been pining for that other woman for years. Of course, you wouldn’t want me. But let me tell you something—she’s living her best life now, while you’re just a washed-up nobody!”

A laugh escaped her lips, sharp and mocking. “Hahaha, the woman you’ve been dreaming about for so long is right here in this very venue! She might even be watching us from the shadows! And look at you, barely able to protect yourself. Do you truly think you deserve her? You don’t…”

Rhett’s fury reached a boiling point. With every ounce of strength he had, he struck her again, his hand shaking with rage as he watched her face swell from the impact. His heart turned cold as he uttered, “Shut up. You have no right to speak about her.”