From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent ( Anthea )
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.

Malcolm handed her the document.

Cindy had thought it was a test, but after reading the court's verdict, her heart sank.

Malcolm had indeed been left penniless.

"So, you're telling me you're now a broke loser?" Cindy's eyes bore into him.

She had been attracted to Malcolm for his wealth, and now that he was destitute, she saw no reason to keep up the charade.

"Cindy?" Malcolm looked at her in disbelief, thinking he was hallucinating. "Cindy, you're joking, right?"

Cindy was blunt. "I'm not joking. Do you really think you deserved me? If you had any self-respect, you'd pack your bags and leave."

Malcolm's face turned red with rage, and he slapped Cindy hard across the face. "You deceitful woman! I lost everything because of you, and you dare to deceive me!"

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.