Game of Love and Deception: The Billionaire's Ex Wife
Chapter 82: Take me to the station

Chapter 82: Take me to the station

Lorenzo clenched his fists, rage boiling inside him like a pot about to overflow, as Christian’s smug face filled the TV screen. That condescending smile made his blood spike.

Every lie felt like a blade, slicing through old wounds, making him regret not ending the bastard years ago.

"Mr. Harrington, are you suggesting Lorenzo Grey was the reason your wife left you three years ago?" Imelda Rose asked. Her voice was calm and measured, her eyes probing Christian’s with calculated curiosity.

Christian’s gaze darkened, his eyes gleaming with malice. "It’s not a suggestion if it’s fact."

Beside Lorenzo, Ashley’s face twisted with anger. "That’s a lie," she snapped, her voice trembling.

She took a step forward, as if ready to lunge at the screen. "He’s twisting everything," she muttered, her voice lower but still furious.

Imelda continued, her voice tinged with faux empathy—the kind that made her guests let their guards down, and reveal more than they intended.

"It was rumored she left because you publicly proposed to your long-time mistress, Kayla Beckett. I suppose there was no truth to that? I mean, everyone had their own version of the story," she said with a light laugh and a dismissive wave.

Christian’s jaw tightened. "I caught my wife cheating on me with my one-time best friend, Lorenzo Grey. You wouldn’t blame me for trying to move on instead of choosing violence."

Imelda leaned in, voice low with sympathy. "This is getting interesting. You and Mr. Grey—once best friends? That’s a shocker, considering how much rivalry exists between you now. You must have been really hurt. I’m so sorry."

Christian leaned back in his chair, the picture of fake composure. "Up until he was jailed for pushing drugs. Even then, I stood by him. But when he got out, he stole my wife. Now he’s poisoning the minds of my clients."

Lorenzo’s gaze narrowed as Christian’s eyes locked onto the camera, as if he knew he’d be watching. Lorenzo slammed the TV off, pressing the remote so hard he thought it might break.

Ashley trembled beside him, her face flushed with fury, arms crossed tightly over her chest. "How dare he! He cheated on me, divorced me for Kayla, kicked me and my baby out—and now he’s blaming me?"

Lorenzo turned to her, concern tightening his features. "Hey, hey, calm down. This is exactly what he wants—to see you broken."

"How can he lie like that?" Her voice cracked with pain. "He’s a monster. He’s doing everything he can to destroy us."

He reached out and wrapped an arm around her. She stiffened, but didn’t pull away immediately.

His heart had never ached so much. Seeing her eyes glisten with hurt made something dark stir in him. He swore Christian would bleed for this. Even though he already was—the bastard just didn’t realize he was done for yet.

"Ashley, I’ll never let him hurt you again," he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

She shook her head and stepped out of his embrace, putting a small distance between them.

Her eyes were a storm of pain and suspicion. "He thinks you’re the reason his investors left. Are you?"

Lorenzo scratched the back of his neck, suddenly feeling like a little boy caught doing something bad.

"I want the truth," she said, her tone sharp, almost like a scolding.

"The video from the auction, his outburst; it was already circulating," he admitted, voice low. "I just... pushed it a little. Made it go more viral."

He didn’t mention the part where he’d sent it directly to Christian’s top investors, offering them a stake at Grey Group if they bailed. That part stayed buried.

Ashley stared at him, disbelief flickering across her face. Lorenzo braced for a scolding—but instead, a wicked smile broke through her anger.

"Serves him right."

He blinked, caught off guard. "You’re not upset?"

"Of course not," she said. "Honestly, I hope everything he owns crumbles, and he ends up a pathetic beggar."

Lorenzo never believed butterflies could take over a grown man’s chest, but in that moment, he was living proof.

"Wishes come true sometimes, sunshine," he said with a smirk.

"I hope this one does."

There was venom in her voice—pain, betrayal, fury—and as much as he wanted to shield her from the bitterness of revenge, she deserved this one. And he was going to help her get it. He wanted Christian on his knees, begging at her feet like the worthless piece of trash he truly was.

But then Ashley looked at him again, and something in her expression shifted.

"What about the comment... about you going to jail for drugs?" she asked quietly. "That was just another one of his lies, right?"

Lorenzo swallowed hard, his smirk vanishing. His throat tightened, shame suddenly wrapping around him like a noose. He looked away, unable to meet her eyes.

"You did?" she asked, disbelief coating her voice.

"Ashley... you know me. I’d never do something like that willingly."

"I knew you," she corrected, coldly.

Her words cut deeper than any of Christian’s lies. Their eyes met, but she looked away first—and he recognized that look. He’d seen it before. The look that labeled him: criminal.

"Thanks for your hospitality," she said, tone clipped, her eyes flicking to the half-eaten meal on the bed. She headed for the door and Lorenzo’s eyes followed her.

"Where are you going?" He asked, jaw slightly clenched.

"I’m leaving your house. And don’t try to stop me again."

He quickly moved to block her path.

"Ashley, I was framed," he whispered, trying to keep his voice steady even as rage simmered beneath him.

She turned slowly, gaze narrowing.

"You expect me to believe that?"

What if he was lying? What if the drugs were the real source of all these wealth? How could she be sure he wasn’t still involved? She’d thought he was different; that with him, things would be honest. Safe.

But she’d been wrong. Again.

Lorenzo’s jaw clenched.

"I see you’d rather believe that miserable ex-husband of yours," he snapped. "No wonder he could use you for so long."

Ashley saw red. She couldn’t believe what she’d just heard.

She lifted her gaze and briefly met Lorenzo’s conflicted one, feeling pins prick her eyes.

"It’s hard to believe I’d ever hear that from you," she whispered, voice trembling. "And you expect me to think you’re still the same person I used to know? You’re not that person. You’re a fucking asshole!"

She stormed past him, heading for the door, her vision blurring. She kept blinking hard, forcing the tears back–she wouldn’t break in front of him. Not again.

Lorenzo cursed under his breath, raking a hand through his hair before rushing after her. Just as she reached for the doorknob, he grabbed her and pulled her into a hug from behind.

Ashley struggled, fists weakly pushing against his strong arms, sobs finally rising from her chest.

"Hey—I’m sorry, I’m really sorry. You didn’t deserve that," he whispered, voice tight with guilt.

"I don’t want to be here," she muttered, her lips quivering.

But he didn’t let go. He hated himself for the way he’d lashed out. Hated how little control he had around her. Turning her to face him, he drew her into an even tighter embrace.

He was still pained by how quickly she believed the worst of him. He hadn’t expected her to be among those who judged without hearing his side. But if someone had to be hurt, he’d rather it be him than her.

"I understand if you still want to leave. I won’t stop you again. Just... stay until you’re calmer," he murmured.

Ashley tensed.

He loosened his grip, expecting her to pull away instantly—but she didn’t. They stood there in silence, his arms loosely around her, his head resting gently on hers. The moment held, quiet but filled with unspoken emotions, until the shrill ring of his phone cut through the air, shattering it.

He pulled it out of his pocket and checked the screen. Carl.

He answered immediately, his expression shifting as the conversation unfolded.

Ashley’s heart pounded. She watched the color drain from his face, his brow furrowing before he ended the call.

"What did he say?" she asked, her voice shaky from crying.

"Roseline’s been arrested," he said grimly. "But she’s denying any knowledge of Vanessa."

Ashley felt dizzy, and a cold sweat broke out on her skin despite the cool air.

"Take me to the station," she said, her voice suddenly firm. "She’ll remember when she sees me."

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