Chapter 179: Whitmore–Clifford Scandal

The moment Jennifer saw the photo thrust before her, she knew it was over. She couldn’t comprehend how such an intimate moment had ended up on Phoebe’s phone. But she knew more than anyone else that the photo was real.

Her knees buckled, her heartbeat thundered in her ears, her vision blurred, and her mind fell into a void. Jennifer collapsed, her limbs folding beneath the weight of horror and disbelief.

Seeing this, Jeanne rushed forward. She had already glimpsed some of the photos and heard some of the whispers among guests. She saw phones glowing like fireflies of judgement. Her heart was also pounding, but maternal instinct drove her forward.

Before she could catch Jennifer, her daughter had already slumped to the floor in her flowing white gown, her consciousness slipping away.

"What are you doing, sister?" Jeanne shouted, her voice shrill and breaking. "How could you hit my daughter like that? Your son is no angel either! Did you even look at all the photos?"

Phoebe, breathing heavily, turned towards Jeanne, startled. "Photos?" she echoed, momentarily confused.

She fumbled for her phone and began swiping through the folder. What she saw made her breath catch in her throat. There were dozens of explicit images of James, with various women. Some scenes were undeniably shocking.

Her anger faltered as guilt washed over her. She looked again at Jeanne, who was now cradling her unconscious daughter, her eyes brimming with panic.

William, meanwhile, stood frozen. He had no words or strength to talk. He looked at Jennifer... and that’s when he saw it.

A dark, red stain spreading on the delicate white silk between her thighs.

He blinked several times to confirm. Then his instincts snapped into motion.

"She’s miscarrying."

William, a man hardened by business and betrayal, felt cold clarity descend over him. He’d seen this before... trauma-induced miscarriage. It wasn’t rare. His daughter needed medical attention now.

But he also saw an opportunity out of this. "Jeanne, we need to get her to a hospital. Now," he said urgently, kneeling beside Jennifer. "She’s bleeding."

Without hesitation, he gathered Jennifer into his arms. Her head lolled gently to the side, her body limp and blood soaking into her dress.

"Quickly!" he barked, already running towards the exit.

after him, pale with

car park in moments. William gently placed Jennifer in the backseat. Jeanne slid in beside her, placing her daughter’s

said to the driver, "Go to the

away from the venue, its

inside, Phoebe stood in silence, torn between guilt and reason. She’d slapped Jennifer and the girl had collapsed... and now might have lost the baby. But deep

Perhaps... this is for the best."

listen to me... Jennifer might have had a miscarriage. We don’t know for sure. But this

If there’s any chance to save the baby, we must

trying to process her words

kindly handle the guests? The bride had left for hospital, and

short nod. "Of course. Leave

and led him towards the exit. He followed her, like a man moving

friends. "We’ll need to address the guests. Apologise. Wrap this

group nodded. Together, they moved towards the front, preparing to speak. Behind

***

did not hesitate. The moment they arrived, hospital staff took charge. Jennifer was rushed into the

treatment. Jennifer was stabilised and admitted, but she remained unconscious. The silence of the hospital corridor only deepened the grief clawing through Jeanne’s

sterile white tiles. His expression

figure out who did this to her," Jeanne whispered hoarsely, rubbing her arms like the chill of betrayal had

now. Not yet. We have

Let the noise pass," he said. "If we make a move now, we might play straight into

the Hyatt to check the situation. The hotel manager reassured him that the

his chest easing slightly. But the real storm,

***

Clifford Manor, Phoebe had brought James straight home. She hadn’t even considered going to the hospital... not out of malice, but pure pragmatism. In her mind, there was

her, was a cleansing fire. One

she dismissed his behaviour entirely. "Boys will be boys," she told herself. "No one expects loyalty from a man in his youth... not until he’s settled and ready.

a double standard she carried

James didn’t

the cabinet. He grabbed one half-finished

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