Chapter 3

3

Archer was more ruthless than I imagined. He froze my bank accounts and cut off my credit cards immediately.

With no access to the Kingsley fortune, I had to move into the company's cramped employee dorms.

The next morning, I went to the office like nothing had happened. I was briefing my secretary when she gave me a look of pure pity.

Before I could ask what was wrong, my phone exploded with calls. It was Archer, and he sounded livid.

"Quinn! The wedding is starting in an hour! Is your work more important than your own life?"

"Are you really going to humiliate me and the Kingsley name by not showing up?"

Listening to his baseless accusations, I felt nothing but a dull disappointment.

He didn't care about my feelings. He only cared about the family's reputation.

The wedding I had fought so hard for was a joke now. There was no point in going through with it.

"Archer, let me say this one last time. I'm divorcing you. Cancel the ceremony."

"If you insist on going through with this, whatever happens to your reputation is on you."

"Quinn Kingsley! Enough!" Archer snarled.

"Don't forget that today is the day we announce you as the official CEO. That's what you want, isn't it?"

"If you don't show up, you're fired. You'll be out on the street with nothing."

He thought he could still control me with the title. He thought the CEO position was my greatest ambition.

It might have been once. But not anymore.

I ignored his threats and started typing my formal resignation letter.

Suddenly, the office door burst open. A group of men in black suits marched in.

Archer's lead bodyguard stepped forward, his face like stone.

"Miss Kingsley, Archer has ordered us to bring you to the venue. Please don't make this difficult."

I looked at the hulking men behind him and sighed. I realized I wasn't getting out of this without a confrontation.

Fine. I'd go. It was better to end this in person anyway.

I gave my secretary a few last-minute instructions and followed the guards out.

By the time we reached the luxury hotel, the "romantic" ceremony had already begun.

The ballroom was decorated exactly how I had planned it―elegant, artistic, and expensive.

Now, it felt like a mockery. Large screens were looping photos of Archer and Sienna, not the bride and groom.

It was as if the wedding had been rebranded for them while I was on my way.

On the stage, Sienna―who was supposed to be the photographer―was dressed in a sleek white suit.

She was kissing Archer while the guests cheered and clapped.

Grandpa Kingsley sat in the front row with a dark, thunderous expression. Everyone else looked delighted.

Under the bright spotlights, Archer saw me. He didn't look guilty. He looked triumphant.

My heart twinged, but the pain was fading. It was becoming a numb ache.

The guards dragged me to a dressing room and forced me into my wedding gown.

The inner circle of guests was already eating, but the real show was outside.

The hotel lobby was packed with reporters waiting for the big announcement. They didn't know the drama happening inside.

Once I was dressed, the guards marched me toward the press area.

Archer and Sienna were already there, standing at the podium, soaking up the praise.

"Mr. Kingsley, is this lovely woman your bride?" a reporter asked, gesturing to Sienna.

"We've heard rumors about a mysterious, powerful female CEO. Is she the one?"

The press started gushing about what a beautiful couple they were.

Archer didn't correct them. He just looked at me with a warning in his eyes.

He was telling me to behave. If I played my part, I'd get my title. I'd get the Kingsley seal of approval.

I let out a soft, mocking laugh. It was time for the puppet to cut her strings.

As the bodyguards pushed me onto the stage, the crowd gasped in confusion.

Archer leaned in close, his voice a low hiss in my ear.

"I knew you'd show up. You're too scared of losing your precious CEO chair, aren't you?"

He didn't even try to explain why he had been kissing another woman seconds ago.

He just reached out and grabbed my hand, interlacing our fingers for the cameras.

"Everyone, let me introduce my true bride," he announced smoothly. "The CEO of Kingsley Enterprises, Quinn Kingsley."

I took the microphone from his hand. The room went silent.

"Hello everyone. I'm Quinn," I started, my voice steady.

"I was supposed to be the bride today. But I've decided to divorce Archer Kingsley."

The cameras started flashing like crazy. I didn't stop.

"I'm also here to announce my immediate resignation as CEO of this company."

"From this moment on, I have no affiliation with the Kingsleys or Archer. We are done."

%%%