73. The Merchant's victory

At the grand gatherings held in the merchant’s estate, Emily was nothing more than a lavishly dressed ornament, paraded before wealthy guests like a rare possession. Her once-pristine gowns, now meticulously tailored to fit her as his prize, shimmered under the chandeliers. Her beauty, though still striking, was now a tool for his pride and power. The merchant revelled in the eyes that lingered on Emily, his chest puffed with satisfaction. He had won, after all—his revenge complete. She was no longer the spirited daughter of a noble family; she was his.