Chapter 20 She Has Settled

The pain cut through Louisa like a blade, sharp enough to steal her breath. She wrenched her hand free from Elijah's grasp and walked straight up to Thaddeus, slapping him hard across the face. She stared at him, trembling, her gaze unsteady. "Thaddeus, you're shameless." Thaddeus looked at the hand that had struck him, his blood smeared on her palm. He knew exactly how despicable he was being, but he had no other choice. It was the only way to stop her from marrying Elijah. As long as Thaddeus stopped the wedding, he could still find a way to get back together with her. Elijah had been calm until that moment, but now his dark eyes gleamed with cold, lethal intensity. It was as if a silent storm swept through the hall. Everyone present held their breath. He was the heir of the Holten family, a man so untouchable that even trouble avoided him. Yet today, he had been humiliated in front of everyone. It was something none of them had ever seen before. Just as everyone assumed Thad