From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent (Anthea ) novel Chapter 286

The cops arrived swiftly at the scene, and Malcolm was taken away in handcuffs.

Ten days later, Gina and Malcolm's divorce trial commenced.

Because of Malcolm's domestic abuse and infidelity, the court ruled in Gina's favor, leaving Malcolm with nothing but the shirt on his back.

This sent Malcolm into a panic. He fell to his knees before Gina, tears streaming down his face, promising to cut ties with Cindy and to treat Gina and their daughter Lizzie with the respect they deserved from now on.

But Gina was no longer the woman she used to be. "Malcolm, there's no going back for us. I wish you and Cindy the best," she said with a finality that chilled his bones.

Misfortune had stripped him of everything. Could Malcolm truly have a future with Cindy?

At that thought, a spark of hope ignited within him.

Yes, he still had Cindy! With Cindy by his side, he believed he could rise from the ashes, no matter what.

Malcolm stood up, defiance in his eyes. "Gina, remember this moment. Don't come to regret it."

A wry smile crossed Gina's face. "Don't worry, I will never regret this," she said, and with that, she walked away from Malcolm.

Malcolm returned to Cindy's place, where she had prepared a lavish candlelight dinner to celebrate what she thought was his smooth divorce.

Surveying the spread Cindy had laid out, Malcolm felt a surge of happiness. He was convinced that Cindy truly loved him, that she'd stick by him no matter what.

However, the moment Cindy heard about Malcolm's total loss in court, her affectionate facade dropped like a mask. "Wait, Malcolm, you must be joking!" she stammered. "Your family fortune is huge, and you were at the helm. How could you be left with nothing?"

Malcolm sighed deeply. "It's true. Gina fooled me. Now I don't even have the chance to appeal. Cindy, I've got nothing left but you."

"Where's the court order? Let me see it!" demanded Cindy.

For years, Malcolm had never suspected that Cindy was with him just for the money.

Cindy, stunned by the slap, screamed, "How dare you hit me! You're nothing but a pauper now! You think you could have me? Shameless!"

Malcolm, driven beyond the brink, pinned Cindy to the ground, hitting her with anything he could grab, "You conniving wretch, you've ruined me! I'll kill you for this!"

Cindy struggled and screamed for help, but Malcolm was relentless.

Soon, Cindy lay still.

Malcolm sat down, his expression numb with shock, before the reality of what he'd done set in. Looking at Cindy's battered body, he muttered with a twisted smile, "You deserved this."

As Malcolm hastily gathered his things to flee into the night, the door was kicked open by the police.