Chapter 20: 100 Million from the Bride's Family

Everyone vilified and abused her behind her back, but no one dared admit their jealousy. After all, marrying into immense wealth was highly enviable. Kelvin, however, willingly spent $100 million to marry a notorious "bad girl." Everyone thought he was insane and secretly mocked the couple. After the Lawrence family received the Foley family's money, the wedding that followed was bleak and shabby.

On their wedding day, Kelvin wore only a simple white shirt, not even a suit, as he led her into the Foley villa. After a perfunctory toast before their elders, he threw his wedding ring at Cheyenne and left. On their wedding night, Kelvin flew abroad with his childhood sweetheart, Abbie Berry, seeking medical treatment, leaving Cheyenne to become the laughingstock of Akloit.

Chapter 21: So What If We Divorce?

Benson knew nothing of this. Whenever he asked about her well-being, Cheyenne replied, "I'm doing pretty well." He'd heard rumors, but she always dismissed them as media hype, insisting Kelvin treated her well. The truth was, she'd been divorced and left with nothing. Was this her definition of "pretty well"? His beloved Cheyenne, whom he cherished, had suffered greatly within the Foley family. How dare Kelvin treat her so!

Danielle's every word felt like a knife twisting in Benson's heart. He'd never felt so helpless, hating himself for his blindness to Cheyenne's distress.

The onlookers gasped. "$100 million!"

Cheyenne merely curled her lip, showing no anger at Danielle's words. A faint smile remained on her delicate face.

"So what if I'm divorced? Even divorced, I'm still free to live my life as Cheyenne," she said, taking Benson's arm to leave.

But Danielle wouldn't let her go so easily. She deliberately tripped them. "Cheyenne, you're shameless! I've never heard anyone justify infidelity so casually."

Benson, blind, didn't see the obstacle and stumbled, nearly falling. Cheyenne caught him just in time.

"Are you okay, Benson?"

"I'm fine," he replied, two beads of sweat on his forehead, feeling guilty for his clumsiness. He gripped his ebony cane until his knuckles whitened.

"Ha-ha, is this your adulterer? He's so useless, a big man who can't even walk properly!"

Danielle's gleeful reaction to her success was short-lived. Cheyenne, enraged, lunged at her. Standing on tiptoe, she raised her hand and slapped Danielle hard across the face, her palm reddening from the force. Though shorter, Cheyenne exuded an intimidating dignity.

"If you dare call him useless again, I'll break your teeth and make you swallow them one by one!"

Her voice was soft and sweet, but the threat sent shivers down everyone's spines. No one doubted her resolve; she was a lioness protecting her cub.

The unexpected slap stunned Danielle. Eyes wide, she touched her swollen, reddening cheek.

"Hiss… It really hurts." She could imagine how disfigured she looked. And it's all because of that bitch, Cheyenne! she thought. Three years ago, Cheyenne was merely sharp-tongued; now, she was domineering and condescending. Danielle, a privileged young lady, had never faced such public humiliation. Enraged, she glared at Cheyenne, her lips curling. "You dare hit me? You were the Foley family's mistress; I wouldn't dare touch you then! Now, what are you? You dare hit me!"

She lunged, aiming a slap. Her freshly manicured nails, bright red with tiny diamonds, gleamed. A cruel smile crossed her face as she envisioned ruining Cheyenne's beauty.

"Cheyenne, be careful."

Benson, with keen hearing, heard the wind whistling past his ears. He instinctively shielded Cheyenne.

"Benson!"

Several deep, bleeding scratches marred his hand, a trail from his middle finger to his palm. Cheyenne held his injured hand, tears welling in her eyes. Benson's hands were priceless!

"It's not my fault! How was I supposed to know that blind man would suddenly jump out?" she stammered, pulling away guiltily.

Cheyenne's killing intent was palpable; her eyes were chillingly cold. She grabbed Danielle's wrist. "Do you know the gravity of your mistake? His hand is beyond your ability to injure!"

Danielle scoffed. "He chose to stand in front of you. What's it to me?"

"If I cut off your hands, they wouldn't compare to a single finger of Benson's!"

(Note: The final sentence fragment "for you! W :f Ishan off hath your hands they wouldn’t compare to a single finger of Benson’s!” is unintelligible and has been omitted.)