From Ashes of Scandals to His Embrace novel Chapter 540

Earl and Cathleen stood at the entrance, welcoming guests as Laurinda and her group approached. Both of them wore guarded, uneasy expressions—so different from the open warmth they'd once shown.

After a brief hesitation, Earl took Cathleen’s hand and stepped forward, greeting Seraphina first. “Seraphina.”

Seraphina offered them a gift with a radiant smile. “Congratulations to the both of you.”

They accepted the gift, managing polite smiles in return. “Thank you, Seraphina.”

“You’re very welcome. Your wedding dress and suit are all set. Stop by for a fitting when you have time, in case any alterations are needed.”

“We will—the day after tomorrow, probably,” Earl replied. “And we’ll need your help contacting someone for wedding photos, if that’s alright.”

“Leave it to me, I’ll get it all arranged,” Seraphina assured them. Her smile was genuine, and for a moment she almost believed it herself. If not for everything Nelly had done, Seraphina would have offered them her blessing wholeheartedly.

After speaking with Seraphina, Earl turned his attention to Adolphus. “Adolphus.”

Adolphus nodded his congratulations and presented them with a gift of his own. Earl and Cathleen accepted it with murmured thanks, their eyes quickly shifting to Laurinda.

Laurinda smiled warmly at the couple, handing a carefully wrapped gift to Cathleen. Her tone was light, almost teasing. “Congratulations—may love always keep you together.”

“Thank you, Laurinda.” Cathleen did her best to return the kindness, but she wasn’t as composed. She knew all too well what this engagement meant: after today, she and Laurinda would never be friends again.

Mason, with Len and his wife, quickly handed off their own gifts before hurrying after Adolphus’s group.

Earl remained rooted at the entrance, gazing after them with a somber look. This wasn’t how he’d wanted his engagement to go. But under his mother’s relentless pressure, he’d had no choice but to give in. He knew—today’s compromise was just the beginning of his ruin.

Cathleen squeezed his hand, her voice soft and reassuring. “You still have me. I’ll be by your side through it all.”

Earl turned and looked at her, pain flickering in his eyes. “You shouldn’t have agreed to this,” he murmured helplessly.

“Being with you is my own choice,” Cathleen replied quietly. “It might not have happened in the most honorable way, but the ending is all that matters. Your mother isn’t completely wrong—I couldn’t just stand by and watch you get pushed down over and over. Maybe, just maybe, we’ll both get what we truly want in the end.”