When her tears had no effect, Sable's expression twisted into a snarl.
She grabbed her phone.
"If I can't have it, neither can Elara! Let's see if you still think of her as your precious treasure when her reputation is in tatters!"

Soon, the video of my assault began to appear online.
But within five minutes, every trace of it was scrubbed from the internet, vanishing without a ripple.
At the same time, security footage of Sable's actions in the ballroom was anonymously sent to my father.
A few minutes later, Kaelen stormed back in with several large bodyguards.
He kicked Sable squarely in the stomach.
"You bitch! You dared to install a camera in the operating room? You tried to spread that video? Wasn't it enough that you destroyed her?!"

Sable, knowing all was lost, dropped the act.
"So what?"
she spat.
"How dare you blame me? I had the idea, but you two were the ones who eagerly carried it out. And don't pretend you're so angry on Elara's behalf. You're just terrified the video getting out would tarnish the precious Ashford name."

"Besides, Elara's already seen it,"
she cackled.
"And I told her you recorded it specially for me, just to make me happy. She will never, ever forgive you. Your precious heiress doesn't want you anymore! Hahahaha!"
Kaelen's face turned purple with rage.
He slapped her again and again until her face was a bloody mess.
"Sable, to think I threw away my own sister for a disgusting piece of trash like you. You're just as vile as your mistress mother."
"Elara suffered because of you. Now, you're going to experience every bit of her pain, a hundred times over!"
Sable's eyes widened in terror as she realized what he meant.
She scrambled to escape, but the bodyguards seized her, dragging her away as she screamed.
Sable got what she deserved.
But she was right about one thing.
They were acting to protect the family's reputation, not me.
My father, the ultimate egoist, would never forgive her for attempting to air their dirty laundry.
I knew, of course, who was responsible for making the videos disappear.
I turned to the man beside me.
"Caspian. Thank you."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"It was nothing. Those men are already in a very dark hole, and the Ashford empire has crumbled. A fate far worse than prison awaits your father and brother."
"Now that that's settled,"he said, his voice softening,
"my future wife, shall we go home? We can't delay your treatment any longer."