Married On Paper To The Billionaire
Chapter 51: Hell Hath No Fury

"The tests show that she was sexually assaulted," said Felicia, the head of the medical team on the cruise ship. "We also took samples of the attacker's bodily fluid deposited in her body." There was a collective gasp from all the women comprising Emilia, Lillian, Elsie and Lara. The men were all stone-faced except Samuel who was glaring at Chloe where she sat with her head down. "I'm not denying that I had sex with her, but all I'm saying is that it was consensual, not rape," he insisted.

"What about the bruising and her torn clothes?" Felicia countered him.

"Haven't you ever had rough sex before?" He fired back.

"Stop lying!" Chloe yelled at him. "You raped me. You were coming on to me and I told you I wasn't interested, and then you grabbed me by the waist and threw me on the roulette table." "Shut up, liar!" He snarled at her.

"You shut up!" Lara snapped at him. "We will press charges against you for this. Don't think that you will get away with assaulting my daughter even if you're part of the Beaumont family." "I'm not a Beaumont," he retorted distastefully.

"You're right," said Kane. "and that's exactly why we will be supporting Lara, Chloe and the entire Taylor family in making sure that justice is served if they do press charges against you." "That's ridiculous!" Samuel thundered. He turned to face Lillian. "Aren't you going to say anything?"

"I already did, Samuel. I said our marriage is over," she replied coldly.

"Oh, no you don't," he said angrily. "Not after I've stood by you through that ugly scandal involving you and your multiple female lovers. Now, it's your turn to stand by me during my trying time." Lillian snorted. "Is that a threat?"

"Call it whatever you want but I have paid my dues to you and your family. Now, it's your turn to pay yours to me!"

"Stop talking, Samuel. You sound stupid," said Kane. "I'll go and inform the captain to turn this ship around. This holiday is officially over. We're going back home."

****

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about it before. I told her to end the affair as soon as I found out. I didn't think there was any need to tell you about it anymore since it was already over. Or so I thought."

"I understand, Emilia. The whole situation must have put you in a difficult position," said Kane. "I probably would have done the same thing if I was in that situation too."

"I feel so sorry for Chloe. Samuel took advantage of her and completely manipulated her. He should have known better."

"I agree, and that's why I'm throwing my weight behind Chloe if she decides to go ahead with the lawsuit when we get home. Samuel needs to be taught a lesson."

"But... haven't you wondered how this is going to affect your family's reputation if the situation becomes public knowledge?"

Kane chuckled. "Our reputation is already in tatters. What's one more scandal to the mountain of disgrace that we're already living under?"

Emilia smiled sadly. "Mother was so shocked, she was practically speechless."

"And that's saying a lot. No pun intended," Kane joked.

"Do you think Lillian would truly go ahead with the divorce?"

"Why won't she? Isn't it better for her to be alone that to remain married to a rapist?"

"Well, it's a bit hypocritical to file for a divorce now when he'd endured her infidelity for years, don't you think?"

"She didn't rape any of her lovers, did she?"

"Yes, you have a point there..."

"Anyway, I'm tired of talking about other people. Let's talk about us. Are we good?"

She shrugged but said nothing.

"Come on, Emilia..."

"I mean, Serena? Really?"

He sighed. "Won't you ever forgive me?"

"I have. I'm just struggling to get over the disappointment. Anyway, I'm no saint either. We're both guilty as sin."

"You're right. Does that mean I'm off the hook?"

"You weren't on any hook to begin with. You're the iconic Kane Beaumont, aren't you?"

He chuckled. "You make me sound like a villain in a bad movie."

Emilia laughed.

"Truce?" He said softly.

"Truce," she replied.

He leaned towards her for a kiss and was pleased when she didn't push him away but instead, welcomed him. They both felt an intense relief as their lips met. They felt at home. "You should spend the night here with me," Kane murmured.

"My cabin is fancier than yours," she replied, teasing him.

"I can make it fancy."

She laughed but didn't leave. They made love in his master suite cabin on the cruise ship as they sailed back to the port. It was the only bright spot on the trip for them. They reached the Greek port by the following morning. The mood on the ship was glum as they disembarked and filed into the waiting vehicles to take them to the airport. Samuel refused to join the others and hailed a taxi instead.

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"Is he going to fly on a separate jet too?" Emilia joked with Kane.

"I'd be glad if he did."

"I suspect he's not going to go down without a fight."

"I know. Once we get back home, I'll meet with my attorneys to discuss how best to protect Lillian and the family should Samuel decide to pull any stunt."

"He's too petty to go down quietly."

"Then we will give him a circus to remember."

****

As soon as they arrived at the mansion, Emilia's phone rang and to her dismay, it was Matt calling her. She sneaked to the kitchen to answer the call so the rest of the household won't overhear her conversation with him. "You need to stop calling me," she said as soon as she answered the call. "Kane and I have reconciled and I'd like to keep it that way."

"I see... where does that leave me?" He asked stiffly.

"I'm sure you know the answer to that question."

"So, you're just going to discard me as if I don't matter?"

"Don't get like that, Matt. We've been through this already."

"I see you and your husband have that bad habit in common - using and dumping people. I should probably write a book too and tell my side of the story."

"What story? You're making it sound as if you were with me against your will. You of all people know that's not what happened."

"It's a matter of perspective, Emilia. I reserve the right to interpret our relationship anyhow I see fit." "Is that a threat?"

"No. That's something I should do but I cherish what we had too much to make it public knowledge."

She quietly let out a sigh of relief. She couldn't deal with another scandal just yet.

"But Serena isn't taking the high road like me. I'm sure you and your Beaumont cult are already deliberating on how to silence her for good this time."

"What do you mean by 'this time?' What are you talking about?"

Matt chuckled. "What? Don't rich folks watch TV? She's been granting interviews everywhere and threatening to write a tell-all book about her experience with your husband inside that hideous mansion filled with sordid secrets." Emilia gasped. "What!"

"You sound shocked. Didn't you know?"

As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.com is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away! "Thanks for informing me about this, Matt. Please, don't call me anymore," she said curtly and ended the call.

She went in search of Kane and found him in the dining room, speaking in hushed tones with his mother. "I'm sorry to interrupt you two, but there's something you need to know, Kane."

He was instantly alert. "What is it?"

Emilia glanced at Elsie nervously and back to him.

"If it's about that ruckus Serena is creating everywhere, we already know," Elsie said dryly.

"Who told you?"

"My P. A notified me about it as soon as we got home," Kane answered.

"Well, why didn't you tell me?"

"Because your phone rang and you suddenly disappeared. Who told you?"

She looked away and said, "A friend."

"I thought you always said you don't have friends?"

"I don't. The person is more of an acquaintance than a friend. Anyway, what are we going to do about this Serena issue?"

"I suspect she's just looking for attention," said Elsie dismissively.

"I can't believe she's even allowed to grant interviews in a mental hospital," said Emilia. "Shouldn't that be against the rules of the institution?"

"I don't understand why she wouldn't just leave us alone," Elsie complained. "I blame Lillian for this. She was the one that brought that devil into this house."

"Let's not play the blame game now, Mother. Lillian has apologized many times and right now is not even a good time to drag her about her mistakes. She's still trying to get over the Samuel issue." "You mean the Samuel and Chloe issue?" Elsie asked with a sidelong look at Emilia.

"Mother, don't look at my wife like that. She had nothing to do with it," said Kane.

"Oh, you two are back on the same team again? Good to know," she drawled.

"Let's deal with these issues one at a time, starting with Serena and her new brand of madness."

Emilia chuckled. "That wasn't a pun, was it?"

"No," said Kane with a smile. "But on a serious note, we need to put a lid on that book she wants to write. It's going to be filled with lies but the public will believe everything."

"So, what are you suggesting?"

"We will extend an olive branch to her or beat her at her own game."