In the chapter titled “She Took 885,” Eddie grapples with the fallout from a troubling phone call regarding Evie and Tempest’s reckless decisions. He feels a sense of urgency to address the situation, particularly because of Rianne’s presence in Yalvoria, which complicates matters further. Eddie’s frustration grows as he reflects on Tempest’s obliviousness to the tensions between Rianne and Ariana, prompting him to take action and head to Yalvoria to manage the unfolding chaos.

Meanwhile, Dan is consumed by anger following a conversation with Marie. He feels wronged and betrayed, believing that she has unjustly punished him by taking away half of Ashen Pact. His rage escalates as he recalls her dismissive attitude and the emotional turmoil he has endured because of her actions. Andy, initially attempting to calm Dan, succumbs to the same drunken fury, echoing Dan’s grievances about Marie’s perceived favoritism towards others.

As the night progresses, Dan’s anger intensifies, particularly when he learns about Dale’s fainting spell, which is a result of the shocking revelation that none of the children are biologically his. Dan’s bitterness towards Marie deepens as he questions why she has not confronted him more aggressively. His jealousy and resentment spiral into madness, leading him to lash out at the idea of her keeping the child she is expecting with Derrick.

Conan, witnessing the escalating chaos, tries to introduce a rational perspective by suggesting that Marie may be waiting until after her pregnancy to confront Derrick. However, this only serves to ignite Dan’s fury further, as he grapples with the implications of Marie’s choices and the realization that she may never rectify the wrongs done to him. Feeling cornered and powerless, Dan’s frustration culminates in an act of desperation as he attempts to contact Marie, only to discover that she has blocked his number, leaving him with a sense of unresolved rage.

885 Dan’s Drunken Meltdown

At least now, Eddie had finally come to his senses.

It would’ve been fine if Abraham hadn’t mentioned Evie–but once her name came up, Eddie’s expression darkened. That morning, Evie had called him, saying that Tempest’s younger sister and some distant cousin had gone to Yalvoria.

Eddie still couldn’t believe how stupid Tempest could be.Doesn’theknowRianneis inYalvoria?

If he did, then why–knowing full well Rianne and Ariana can’t stand cach other–would he stay comfortably in Rivermount while letting Ariana and that Hailey girl go there together?

Abraham said calmly, “Then go handle Galen’s situation. Leave today.”

“Got it.”

Even if Abraham hadn’t said so, Eddie had already planned to go. He’d just come by to give him a heads–up before leaving.

Meanwhile, in Redwood-

After Andy hung up the phone, Dan sat there seething, his anger boiling over until he went completely silent.

“She didn’t hit Derrick, didn’t hit Sebastian–and that was what she called punishment?”

He slammed his glass down. “Punishment? She actually treats Derrick and Sebastian like they’re her own people! That’s not a punishment!”

Punishment was for the people you cared about. For everyone else, it was pure retaliation.

Thinking back to how cold Marie had sounded on the phone, his fury reignited. “She said I’m crazy? She’s the one who’s lost it!”

The more he spoke, the angrier he became.

“She took everything from me—stripped me of half of Ashen Pact—and won’t even give it back! If she didn’t have a grudge, why won’t she return it?“.

Andy, who had tried to calm him down earlier, was now drinking right alongside him.

At first, he’d tried to reason with Dan; now he was nodding along furiously. “Yeah, exactly— total double standard. And she doesn’t even let us talk about it.”

Conan watched the two of them spiral deeper into their drunken rage, rubbing his temples in

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frustration.

Lenny had been calling Dan nonstop, but Dan refused to answer. He didn’t want to hear a single word about Ashen Pact.

Eventually, Lenny called Conan instead.

Conan answered, then approached respectfully. “Sir, Lenny says you need to come back immediately.”

“For what?”

“Mr. Dale fainted.”

Dan froze.Fainted?Dale?

He was already half–drunk, but the words still sank in. “Didn’t we already figure everything out today? What’s he fainting for?”

Conan hesitated.

It was because everything had been figured out that Dale had nearly passed out from rage.

Before, when he didn’t know, he’d believed all three children were his–and he’d lived in blissful ignorance. Life had been good; carefree even.

But now that he knew none of the three were biologically his… it was no wonder he’d collapsed.

“He was probably too angry,” Conan said quietly.

“Angry? Sure, he should be. Let him calm down for a while–he’ll be fine,” Dan muttered.

Conan just stared at him.Calmdown?

If Dale ever heard that, he’d probably faint again on the spot.

“Marie, that damned woman,” Dan growled. “How did she manage to hold back her temper this time?”

Conan went silent.Herewegoagain.

The whole night, Dan had been ranting about Marie–like he wanted to tear her apart.

He was furious; truly, deeply furious.

“Where’s that fire she had when she came at me before?” he demanded. “How’d it just disappear?”

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“Exactly,” Andy chimed in drunkenly. “She should’ve gone all out–beat Derrick to death, and then Sebastian!”

Now Andy was drunk too, talking nonsense.

The two of them went on and on, grumbling about Marie’s so–called favoritism. Dan’s jealousy had long crossed into madness.

In the end, Conan, desperate to end the chaos, spoke up. “Maybe Ms. Maric plans to wait until after she gives birth to deal with Mr. Derrick?”

Dan and Andy froze.

They turned toward Conan in unison. “You think that’s it?” Andy asked.

Conan nodded. “Probably. She’s pregnant–it’s inconvenient for her to fight right now.”

It was meant to be a calming remark.

Instead, it made things worse.

Dan exploded. “She still plans to have that child? That damned woman knows the baby’s Derrick’s, and she still wants to keep it?”

He slammed his fist on the table. “Then what the heck was everything she did tomefor? How’s she going to make that right?”

He was beyond furious now.

Because deep down, he knew–Marie wouldnevermake it right.

She wouldn’t return what she took from Ashen Pact, and she sure as hell wouldn’t apologize.

Fuming, Dan grabbed his phone and dialed Marie again–only to find out she’d blocked his number.

The fire of rage burned so fiercely inside him, it was like there was nowhere left to let it out.

In the aftermath of the tumultuous night, Dan’s anger began to morph into a deeper, more profound sense of loss. As he sat in the dim light of the bar, surrounded by the echo of his own furious thoughts, he realized that his rage was not solely directed at Marie but also at himself. The betrayal he felt was a mirror reflecting his own vulnerabilities, revealing the fragility of the connections he had taken for granted. He was not just fighting against Marie’s decisions but grappling with the reality that his life was unraveling in ways he couldn’t control. The weight of his emotions pressed down on him, a heavy reminder that sometimes, the people we care for the most can become the source of our greatest pain.

As dawn approached, the first light creeping through the windows brought with it a sense of clarity that had eluded him in the haze of alcohol and anger. Dan’s fury began to wane, replaced by a haunting realization: he had lost not just the Ashen Pact but also the trust and camaraderie he once shared with those around him. The road ahead was uncertain, filled with the shadows of unresolved conflicts and unspoken words. Yet, in that moment of quiet reflection, he understood that healing would require more than just a confrontation with Marie; it would demand an honest reckoning with himself and the choices that had led him to this point. The emotional arc that had spiraled into chaos now beckoned him toward a path of introspection, urging him to confront the truth buried beneath his anger and seek a way to reclaim not only what was lost but also his own sense of self.

In the next chapter, readers can expect the tension to escalate as Dan’s fury reaches a boiling point. With Marie having blocked his number, he finds himself trapped in a whirlwind of rage and betrayal, grappling with the realization that he may never reclaim what was lost. As he spirals deeper into his obsession with revenge, the consequences of his actions will begin to ripple through his relationships, particularly with Andy and Conan, who are caught in the crossfire of his emotional turmoil. Will Dan’s drunken bravado lead him to confront Marie directly, or will he resort to more destructive means to express his anger?

Meanwhile, Eddie’s journey to Yalvoria promises to unveil shocking revelations about Tempest’s motivations and the true nature of his relationships with Rianne and Ariana. As he confronts Galen’s situation, the stakes will rise, intertwining his path with Dan’s in unexpected ways. The chapter will delve into the complexities of loyalty, betrayal, and the lengths one will go to protect those they care about. With tensions mounting on both fronts, readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eager to discover how these intertwined fates will unfold in the face of mounting chaos.

Cedella

Cedellais a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.