His Ex Wife Is A Billionaire

The room was abuzz with disbelief! Everyone who had graced this evening’s party knew it was organized for the esteemed Mr. Bartley and Ms. Abernathy, the belle of the hour.

They were all, in essence, the supporting cast to this glamorous affair.

Yet, in a bold move that had everyone’s jaws hitting the floor, Aaron had swooped in and stolen the spotlight, whisking away Mr. Alston Bartley’s betrothed! And Ms. Marilla Abernathy had made her choice without a second’s hesitation, favoring Aaron over the two suitors vying for her attention.

Indeed, Aaron was a catch by anyard: wealth, lineage, looks. However, the engagement between the

Abernathy family and the Bartley family was practically set in stone. Wasn’t this a slap in the face of the Bartley family in front of the entire high society?

Beneath the opulent chandelier’s glow, Aaron’s gaze was fixed on Marilla’s eyes, which were as clear and bright as the stars above.

Others glided with grace around them, but they stood awkwardly still, their limbs stiff as if they were wooden posts. This had to stop before the entire Ashbourne family became the night’s laughing stock.

“Um, Aaron, weren’t we supposed to dance?” Marilla blinked up at him, her voice a soft whisper.

Captain Ashbourne was sweating bullets, his Adam’s apple bobbing nervously, “I can’t dance.” Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

He was all fiery passion, his affection deep, acting on impulse to prevent the Bartley boy from touching the one he cherished.

But Aaron had forgotten one crucial fact: when it came to solving cases, he was top–notch. Dancing, however, not so much.

Marilla paused, and then broke into a gentle smile, “That’s Okay. I’ll teach you.”

“Just go through the motions?”

“No, we’re going to do this properly.” She suddenly looked every inch the stern teacher, “I don’t want you to be embarrassed, Aaron.”

He brushed off the concern with a casual smile, “I’m not in the business or political worlds, remember? Outside this room, I might never cross paths with these people again. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”

But Marilla looked down, her eyes glistening, “I know you stepped in to help me out. I know that. I’ve already become a burden to you, and I don’t want to cause you any more trouble.”

“If every day you bring me ‘trouble‘, I’d wake up laughing from my dreams,” Aaron blurted out his inner thought, his gaze intense with unspoken emotion.

Marilla’s breath hitched, her tender lips pressing slightly, “Aaron, let’s dance. You need put your right hand on my shoulder blade.”

“Okay,” He complied, his hand finding the soft, delicate curve of her shoulder, his mind going blank as his heart raced. Then Marilla placed her left hand on his sturdy right arm.

Like a switch flipped, Aaron suddenly got it. He took her hand confidently, the calluses on his thumb brushing against her soft fingers.

Marilla looked surprised, “Aaron, I thought you couldn’t dance.”

“I’ve never danced before, but I’ve seen it,” with that, Aaron moved, spinning Marilla with an unexpected agility. They weren’t the best dancers, often out of sync with the music, and Aaron nearly stepped on Marilla’s feet a few times. Yet, their genuine, heartfelt interaction drew astonished looks from everyone in the room.

A handsome couple they made, and who cared how well they danced?

Frederic watched his daughter and Aaron dance together, his eyes bulging in shock, his grip tightening around his glass to the point of nearly shattering it!

“Mr. Frederic Abernathy!”

Alston could no longer contain his fury, his face flushed with rage as he stormed over, on the brink of an outburst, “Ms. Abernathy is my fiancée, and we’re to be formally engaged next month! How can she dance with another man in full view of everyone? What does she take me for?!”

Frederic frowned disapprovingly, his tone icy, “Don’t speak out of turn. It was Mr. Ashbourne who dragged my daughter onto the dance floor; how can you blame her?

Shouldn’t you be blaming yourself for dawdling, for not being by Marilla’s side at the start of the ball, and giving someone else the opportunity?”

“What are you talking about? I was the first to approach her!” Alston was shaking with anger and anxiety, “It’s your daughter who took Mr. Ashbourne’s hand right in front of me! If you didn’t see it, are you saying I’m blind?!”

His voice raised slightly, drawing glances from the nearby guests. Thankfully, the music was loud enough to drown out Mr. Bartley’s barking.

Frederic’s face instantly turned icy, his gaze as sharp as talons, seizing Alston’s eyes. In that moment, Alston realized just how formidable the chairman of the Abernathy Group was, and how suffocating his presence

could be.

If Thaddeus was enough to strike fear into people’s hearts, what was his father but a force to be reckoned with? Alston stood petrified, unsure what to do next, when Mr. Bartley hurried over.

“Alston! Mr. Frederic Abernathy is our honored guest, and your elder! How can you speak to your elder in such a manner?!”

“Dad!” Alston, catching his father’s urgent signals, suddenly realized something.

Since the two families had aligned, his father had privately started calling Frederic by name. But now he was being prompted to address Frederic as “elder“, almost as if drawing a line.

“Mr. Bartley, your son truly broadened my horizon tonight.” Frederic’s icy stare swept over Alston’s pale face as he rose slowly, “I’ve never seen a prospective son–in–law dare to speak to his future father–in– law in such a manner before. One of these days, I really should thank Aaron for giving me the chance to witness this scene.” “Frederic, Mr. Frederic Abernathy! It’s all misunderstanding; Alston didn’t mean that.” before Mr. Bartley could finish, Frederic had walked away, not giving any quarter.

“You wait for me!” Mr. Bartley glared at Alston and chased after Frederic regardless of the guests‘ gaze, leaving Alston standing there, his features twisted in rage.

The party had wound down, and guests were trickling out. Marilla found herself strolling towards the Abernathy family’s sleek limousine under the protective wing of Dennis.

In his soothing voice, Dennis reassured her, “Ms. Abernathy, Mr. Abernathy had an urgent matter to attend to at Windermere Estate. I’ll escort you back.”

Marilla’s delicate brows furrowed with worry, “Do you think Dad’s upset because I danced with Aaron?”

Dennis, having observed the whole affair, comforted her, “Not at all; please don’t overthink it.”

“Ms. Abernathy.”

Her walk was interrupted when Suri and Aaron approached. Marilla greeted them with polite warmth, “Hello,

Mrs. Ashbourne!”

Suri took Marilla’s hand in hers with affection beaming from her face, “My dear, you’re such a lovely child. The more I see you, the more enchanted I am.”

11 18

Dennis, sharp as a tack, could tell Suri wasn’t merely being polite. Her fondness for Marilla was genuine, unlike the mayor’s wife whose kindness was all for show. She couldn’t hide the disdain in her eyes, and if it weren’t for the Abernathy Group’s wealth, she wouldn’t spare Ms. Abernathy a second glance.

“I’m flattered, Mrs. Ashbourne,” Marilla’s cheeks blushed.

Aaron stood silently behind his mother, his gaze heavy and intense, he couldn’t seem to look away from

Marilla.

With a warm smile, Suri slipped off a jade bracelet from her wrist and, without a word, placed it on Marilla’s

arm.

“I came in such a hurry; didn’t bring a proper gift. Please don’t look down on this little token, Ms. Abernathy.”

Even Dennis was taken aback by the gesture, let alone Marilla. The bracelet was a priceless piece of imperial jade, casually given to Marilla by Suri.

“Please, Suri, this is too much. I can’t accept it,” Marilla protested, trying to remove the bracelet, but Suri stopped her.

“Now, dear, it’s bad manners to refuse a gift from your elders. Besides, in the Ashbourne family, a gift once given is never taken back. If you don’t accept this, it’s as if you’re rejecting me.”

“Then thank you very much,” Marilla’s embarrassment caused her cheeks to bloom even redder.

Suri chuckled at how carefully Marilla cradled her wrist which the bracelet was on. She suddenly understood why her son was so taken with this girl. For her simplicity, her sincerity, her charm.

As they parted, Aaron, unable to contain himself any longer, uttered with his hoarse voice, “Marilla.”

She met his gaze quietly, her eyes sparkling.

“I didn’t come tonight just to get you out of an awkward situation.” He confessed, his heart racing and his words tumbling out quickly, “I came because I missed you, because I wanted to see you.”

Before a stunned Marilla could respond, Aaron darted into the car, which sped away from the scene.

Dennis chuckled, a rare break from his usual serious demeanor.

“Dennis, what’s wrong?” Asked Marilla, bewildered.

Dennis managed to compose himself, “That Mr. Ashbourne, he’s quite something.”

On the ride back, Aaron sat in the dimly lit back of the car, his cheeks still flushed with the heat of his .

confession.

“Son, you’ve got good taste.” Suri said with a soft sigh, patting his shoulder, “It’s just a shame Jareth got there before you.”

“Jareth has loved Marilla for a long time, and he’s made sacrifices for her that I can’t compare to,” Aaron murmured, his brows furrowed tight.

“But haven’t they broken up? Isn’t this the right time for you to pursue Ms. Abernathy without it being seen as taking advantage?” Suri was conflicted, but her heart ached for her son’s unrequited love, “Son, you’ve always lived for others. Just this once, be selfish for yourself. Go after what you want, okay?”

Aaron didn’t know how to respond/He quietly pulled out his phone and messaged Evadne

[Evadne, I don’t think I just fancy Marilla.]

He took a deep breath and sent another message.

[Do you believe it’s possible that I love her?]

[I believe you.]

Evadne’s reply came immediately.

11.19

[When I followed Thaddeus, pursuing the unreachable light of my life, I felt each day that I loved him a little more than the last. Aaron, Marilla has the freedom to choose. But you also have the right to pursue the one you love. Don’t live with regrets.]