Chapter 9

A week later, Declan took me to the Asher residence to formally ask for my hand in marriage. The Frost family stood at the pinnacle of high society in Dovemont, so Maurice naturally agreed with great delight. Even his attitude toward me changed completely. He clasped my hand in his and repeatedly called me his precious daughter. After a pleasant round of discussions, just as we were about to leave, a shrill voice suddenly pierced the air from behind me. "Juliette! Juliette Asher! You're the sole reason I ended up in such a state! I won't let you get away with this!" I turned around to see Winona, her expression wild, charging toward me in a wheelchair. At the critical moment, Declan pulled me out of the way, and Winona rolled down a slope. She severely damaged her spinal nerves upon impact and was left paralyzed on the spot. Even as she lay motionless on the ground, her eyes remained locked on me, burning with a hatred so intense it seemed she wanted to tear me apart. Maurice