The Divorced Military Queen Awakens (by Sadie Baxter) novel Chapter 455

Chapter 455 Banquet Barbs

Chapter 455 Banquet Barbs.

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Right now, Jade wanted nothing more than to bolt for the exit and craft a new strategy. But Jacqueline’s shrill call froze her in place, pinning her like a spotlight. Of all nights, why did that fool have to notice me tonight?

What infuriated Jade even more was the moment Jacqueline, cheeks flushed with gossip- fueled excitement, repeated every reckless sentence Jade had once blurted out just to sound

clever.

With each syllable, she could almost feel the ground beneath her vanish. Jacqueline was not only pushing her toward a direct clash with Quinn but, by extension, with Julius–the silent storm looming behind Quinn.

“Didn’t you say back then,” Jacqueline drawled, her chin tilted in feather–light mockery, “that a woman who lives for advantage must be picturing herself climbing into the Fane circle to snare a husband from high society? And you mocked her chances, remember? You asked what heir worth his pedigree would marry a divorced nobody with zero accomplishments.”

Beads of cold sweat blossomed across Jade’s forehead. Rage churned in her stomach, hot and sour. You idiot, Jacqueline. Why? Quinn is already with Mr. Whitethorn! She needs no other eligible bachelor.

Jade broke in, voice trembling, “Ms. Bridger… please, don’t listen to Jacqueline’s nonsense!”

“How is it nonsense?” Jacqueline shot back. “Didn’t you swear that if you ever met this divorced woman, you’d teach her what a real society heiress looks like?”

“Enough–shut up, Jacqueline Fane!” Jade exploded, fearing that another sentence might doom the entire Rowley family once the Fanes and Whitethorns joined forces.

“Come on, Jade Rowley, what’s this?” Jacqueline prodded, eyes gleaming. “You’re the Rowley heiress–are you actually afraid of a suddenly–appearing divorcée?”

“Drag me into this one more d*mn time and I swear it’s the last thing you’ll ever do!” Fury detonated. Jade lunged forward and snarled, slapping Jacqueline across the face.

Stung, Jacqueline refused to back down and returned the blow with equal force, the crack echoing like a starter pistol.

The two pampered heiresses, gowns swirling like torn banners, toppled into an unladylike brawl.

Around them, the guests froze—after all, Jade and Jacqueline usually laughed arm in arm,

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Chapter 455 Banquet Barbs

darlings of the same privileged circle.

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Several mutual friends, scattered through the ballroom, hurried over with desperate hands raised, intent on pulling them apart.

Yet in the tangle, an elbow meant to pacify struck the wrong cheek, and suddenly the peacemakers were throwing punches of their own.

Beneath flawless smiles, these sons and daughters of dynasties nursed old grudges; tonight, those fissures split wide.

What began as an accident hardened into deliberate swings, silk–clad arms rising again and again.

Pandemonium billowed like smoke, drowning the chandelier light in shrieks and shattering crystal.

All eyes in the banquet hall turned. The Fane family’s security hurried in, black suits parted by earpiece cords.

But with heirs and heiresses locked in a rolling melee, the guards hesitated; one wrong grab could doom their careers.

Quinn’s brow tightened. This was the Fane family’s recognition banquet–disaster was not on the program.

Before she could move, Julius appeared at her side, voice a low thunder. “Allow me. Your leg’s still healing, and wading in isn’t convenient.”

“No worries–I won’t need my leg, only my hands.” With that, she seized the two nearest combatants, wrenched them apart, and dropped each with one decisive punch.

Before gasps could fully form, Quinn was already among the fray, each step a blur, each strike precise, sending silk–sleeved figures crashing to the parquet.

Within heartbeats, every brawler lay groaning and clutching bruised ribs or jaws, the ballroom echoing with their lament.

Quinn finally leveled her gaze at Jacqueline and Jade. “Do either of you intend to keep fighting?”

“No!” Jade yelped, hands raised in immediate surrender.

She had tasted Quinn’s discipline once before; she wasn’t foolish enough to invite it again, especially with Quinn’s formidable guardian standing behind her.

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Chapter 455 Banquet Barbs

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Jade stole a glance at Julius–the man every Rowley connection had failed to reach was now casually positioned at Quinn’s shoulder, ready to move at the slightest ripple.

“What now, Quinn Bridger, you plan to hit me, too?” Jacqueline hissed. “So what if you’re Uncle Everett’s niece? Never forget–I’m a Fane. The Fane house doesn’t bow to you.”

A dull bang cut her speech short–the sound of Jacqueline’s back colliding with the banquet table after Quinn’s single, unanswerable punch.

A polished leather shoe shot forward and crashed squarely into Jacqueline’s midsection. A heartbeat earlier, she had been all swagger and sneer. Now she toppled hard onto the marble, a guttural cry ripping from her throat.

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