# Chapter 495: The Mask of the Damsel
Hello everyone, it’s me again! How are you all doing? Thank you for joining me on this emotional rollercoaster ride. Today, we’re stepping right into the aftermath of a storm—a storm of fury, revenge, manipulation, and painful revelation. So, sit back, get comfortable, and let’s dive together into Chapter 495 of *The Untouchable Ex Wife*.
The air in the room was thick with tension, crackling like a storm waiting to break. And at the center of it all stood Leia Osborne—a woman whose pride had been dragged through the mud, whose skin still stung with the bruises of humiliation, and whose heart was boiling with a rage so fierce it nearly consumed her. Her eyes were fixed on Shirley, the so-called best actress, whose innocent face concealed a viper’s cunning. Every memory of being kicked, shoved, stripped, and shaved by that crazed mob burned hotter inside Leia with each passing second. And the source of all that suffering? The woman now standing before her, trembling like a fragile rose petal.
“How dare you!” Leia’s voice cut through the air like a blade, sharp and raw with fury. The memory of every blow she had endured flashed before her eyes, and before she even realized what she was doing, her hand swung forward in a brutal arc. The sharp crack of the slap echoed through the room.
Shirley let out a shrill scream, her body crumpling dramatically to the floor like a fallen marionette. She raised a trembling hand to her now-reddening cheek, tears immediately welling up in her wide, watery eyes. She looked up at Leia, the very picture of wounded innocence, her lips quivering just enough to tug at the heartstrings of anyone watching.
“Ms. Osborne, I’m sorry,” Shirley whimpered, her voice small and pitiful. “I know that I’ve made you suffer. If slapping me helps ease your anger, just slap me. Take revenge on me for all that you’ve suffered through!” Her words dripped with false humility, carefully crafted to cast herself as the victim, and Leia as the cruel aggressor.
But Leia was no fool. Years of navigating treacherous waters had sharpened her instincts. She saw through the performance in an instant. What a show, she thought bitterly.
“Hmph, at least you’re not stupid. Well, I won’t say no then.” Leia’s lips curled into a cold sneer as she rolled up her sleeves with deliberate, menacing intention. She pointed a finger at Shirley, her voice cold and unwavering. “Your fans kicked me, shaved off almost all my hair, and nearly stripped me bare. But don’t worry... You’re going to suffer more. It won’t end today.”
If Shirley was frightened, she certainly wasn’t showing it in a way that invited mercy. Instead, she doubled down on her performance. Her voice broke beautifully as she sobbed, “Ms. Osborne, I didn’t do it on purpose, but I know that you’ve suffered because of me. I won’t resist even if you want to hit or scold me, shave my hair, tear off my clothes, or even spit at me. I won’t take revenge on you either...”
She closed her eyes, letting the tears roll freely down her cheeks, her entire body radiating a martyr’s acceptance of fate. She whispered, “I’m ready.”
Leia’s eyes narrowed. This woman really was a masterpiece of manipulation. Every word was designed to provoke, to make Leia look like the monster, and to set the stage for a noble rescue. Leia was fully aware that she was playing right into Shirley’s hands—playing the role of the arrogant female villainess. But she didn’t care. Because, in truth, she wanted to see exactly how Xavier would react. And he had never disappointed when it came to predictable outcomes.
“You said it...” Leia murmured, raising her hand once more, ready to bring it down on Shirley’s already-bruised cheek. But before her palm could connect, a powerful grip caught her wrist—iron-strong and unyielding.
“That’s enough!”
Leia turned slowly, unsurprised, and met the icy gaze of Xavier Stuart. A cold, knowing smile touched her lips. Of course. She had watched enough melodramatic idol dramas to know this scene by heart. Shirley, in her delicate weeping state, must have spotted Xavier approaching from behind Leia long before Leia ever heard a footstep. The timing of her “I’m ready” speech was far too perfect. She had orchestrated this entire moment to drag Xavier in as her white knight.
And predictably, Xavier had taken the bait.
“What’s the matter, Mr. Stuart?” Leia’s voice dripped with mockery as she tilted her head. “This is between me and the best actress. Why are you trying to meddle in it?”
Xavier’s expression was dark, far colder than the casual and indifferent man Leia had known. His jaw was set, his eyes hard as stone. “What happened tonight was already bad, so let’s not make it worse. Calm down.”
Those words, meant to soothe, only twisted the knife deeper into Leia’s chest. She stared at him, at the man standing protectively between her and the woman who had destroyed her reputation. He looked like a complete stranger—unyielding, distant, aligned against her. In that moment, Leia felt a strange sense of emptiness wash over her. Like she had never really known him at all. Every battle she had fought, every tear she had swallowed—none of it mattered. In his eyes, she was the villain, and Shirley was the innocent victim.
The cruel irony burned. Yet Leia stood tall, refusing to let the sting show. She had learned long ago to shield her heart, and tonight—more than ever—she reminded herself that trusting someone was the greatest risk of all.
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**Reader’s Impressions & Star Rating:**
What a chapter! The tension absolutely dripped from every line. I have to say, seeing Shirley’s manipulative nature on full display makes my blood boil, and yet I can’t help but admire Leia’s sharp awareness. She could see the trap clearly and still walked right into it to expose Xavier’s true colors. That final moment—where Leia felt like she was looking at a stranger—hit hard. It’s heartbreaking, infuriating, and deeply satisfying all at once because it shows her strength. Watching her stand strong in the face of that icy betrayal just makes me root for her even harder.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Rating: 4.7 / 5 Stars
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**Next Chapter Prediction:**
Leia will no longer waste even a shred of emotion on Xavier Stuart. With her heart hardened and her eyes fully open, she’ll likely start some kind of retaliation that leaves both Xavier and Shirley shocked. But knowing Shirley, she won’t stop here—she’ll try to paint Leia as the aggressor even more aggressively, perhaps leaking this very scene to the public. The question is: will Leia walk into another trap, or is she already three steps ahead? I predict an explosive confrontation, secrets revealed, and a small victory that shocks everyone—especially Xavier.
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