# Chapter 497: The Art of Exposing a Snake
Hello everyone, it's me again! How are you all doing? Today I will continue to walk with you and review Chapter 497 of "The Untouchable Ex Wife" — a chapter filled with cunning schemes, sharp wit, and a satisfying dose of karma served ice-cold. If you thought Shirley's acting skills were award-worthy, wait until you see how Leia turns the tables with a performance of her own. So sit back, settle in, and let's dive into this deliciously dramatic confrontation!
---
Leia could hardly contain her disbelief. She had to give credit where credit was due — Shirley truly was a master of playing the victim. All it took was a gentle lowering of her head, a few practiced blinks, and suddenly she transformed into the picture of wounded innocence. It was a skill that Leia could never quite replicate, mostly because she had far too much pride to even try. But that didn't mean she was going to let Shirley get away with her little performance.
"Oh, your legs are numb? How sad! But that doesn't mean I can't beat you up," Leia scoffed, planting her hands firmly on her waist. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she stepped toward Shirley, radiating the unmistakable energy of someone who was about to deliver a much-needed lesson.
Shirley's carefully crafted mask of vulnerability began to crack. "Don't... Don't come near me! My legs are numb. Xavier... save me!" she whimpered, remaining glued to the floor as Leia advanced. The problem was, she couldn't very well admit that she had been faking the whole time — that would ruin the delicate game she was playing. So she did the only thing she could think of: she cried out for her knight in shining armor to rescue her.
But Leia had other plans.
Suddenly, Leia's eyes went wide. She pointed dramatically behind Shirley and let out a blood-curdling scream. "Ah! It's a rat!"
The effect was instantaneous. "Ah! Where is it?" Shirley shrieked, leaping off the ground as if she had springs attached to her shoes. In a blur of panicked movement, she dove behind Xavier, clutching at his arm while her heart pounded against her ribs. Rats were one of her greatest fears — she would rather face a horde of critics than a single rodent.
But when she dared to peek out from behind Xavier's protective frame, there was nothing there. The corridor was completely empty. Not a single whisker, tail, or tiny scurrying creature was to be found.
Leia stood there with her arms crossed, a triumphant smirk playing on her lips. "Aren't your legs numb? How did you jump so high? Well, it's certainly no surprise that you're the number one actress. You're so good at acting!" She was practically radiating satisfaction, and honestly, she deserved a standing ovation for that little performance herself.
Shirley's face flushed crimson with a mixture of embarrassment and fury. She stomped her feet furiously. "How dare you, Leia! You tricked me!" Her voice came out as a high-pitched shriek, but despite her anger, there was absolutely nothing she could do to retaliate. She had been caught red-handed.
But Leia wasn't finished yet. She pointed at Shirley's feet with mock concern. "Calm down. Aren't your legs numb? You might break them if you keep stomping your feet like that." The saccharine sweetness in her voice was so thick you could cut it with a knife.
You see, Leia was far from naive when it came to such games. Having devoured melodramatic romance novels since the sixth grade, she had become somewhat of an expert in identifying classic schemes and tricks. Shirley's pathetic act was textbook material — the kind of manipulation that heroines in those novels pulled off when they wanted to win the male lead's sympathy. And since Shirley had been bold enough to pull that stunt right in front of Leia, she had given Leia the perfect excuse to expose her and teach her a valuable lesson.
Of course, Leia knew that Xavier was no fool either. He had likely seen through Shirley's little trick from the very beginning. Yet the fact that he didn't call her out on it, and instead happily played his part in her drama, spoke volumes. It told Leia everything she needed to know about how deeply Xavier cared for Shirley — or perhaps, how willingly he turned a blind eye when it came to the woman he loved.
Shirley felt utterly humiliated. What was supposed to be her moment of triumph had been transformed into a public embarrassment thanks to Leia's sharp eyes and even sharper tongue. Her well-thought-out plan had crumbled to dust, and worse, Xavier had stopped playing his part the moment Leia intervened. She gritted her teeth so hard she thought they might crack, her delicate features twisting into an ugly expression of barely contained rage.
"I... my legs were numb, but they're okay now after you scared me," she stammered, desperately trying to salvage some shred of dignity. "Is there a problem?"
Leia tilted her head, clearly enjoying every second of Shirley's discomfort. "No, it's fine as long as you're happy. After all, you'll always have a loyal audience; he'll support you even if your acting is bad." She delivered the final blow with a sneer, shooting a cold glance in Xavier's direction.
The underlying meaning was unmistakable. Leia was telling Shirley that the only reason she could get away with such transparent schemes was because Xavier chose to support her unconditionally. Without him, Shirley would be just another girl caught in an embarrassing lie.
But here's the thing — as Leia stood there, watching the couple and basking in her small victory, a strange pang of emotion stirred in her chest. It wasn't quite jealousy. Or perhaps it was. Because when she really thought about it, there was something almost enviable about Shirley's situation.
Shirley came from a background of hardship. She had no family, no relatives to lean on. She had started making a living at a young age, fighting tooth and nail against the world's cruelty. She had suffered more than most people could imagine. But despite all those obstacles, her luck had eventually turned. She had found Xavier — a man who would always support her, who would always stand by her side no matter what.
Xavier would help her without hesitation. He would believe in her without doubt. He would unconditionally shield her from the storm, even knowing she wasn't perfect, even when she lied and schemed. Perhaps especially then.
And in that moment, Leia realized that finding someone who would accept you completely — flaws, lies, and all — was a special kind of happiness that not everyone was fortunate enough to experience.
Shirley looked at Leia with venom in her eyes, but she knew she had lost this battle. There was no witty comeback she could offer, no clever retort that would restore her dignity. All she could do was accept her defeat with what little grace she could muster.
The air in the corridor was thick with unresolved tension. Leia had won this round, but the war between these two women was far from over. And somewhere in the background, Xavier stood as a silent witness, his loyalties torn between the woman he protected and the woman he might have once loved.
---
## Reader's Impressions & Star Rating
What a deliciously satisfying scene! Watching Leia dismantle Shirley's act with such precision and wit was absolutely delightful. The way she used Shirley's own fear of rats against her was pure genius — the kind of move that makes you want to cheer out loud. But what truly stood out in this chapter was the subtle emotional complexity layered beneath the humor. Leia's moment of reflection about Shirley's good fortune in finding Xavier added a bittersweet touch that elevated the entire scene from mere comedy to genuine character depth. Leia isn't just a bully picking on a helpless victim — she's a sharp, observant woman who recognizes manipulation when she sees it and refuses to let it slide. And Shirley? Well, she got exactly what she deserved. The writing showcases a perfect balance of wit, tension, and emotional insight.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 4.7 / 5 Stars
## Next Chapter Prediction
With Shirley thoroughly embarrassed and her scheme exposed, the next chapter is bound to bring even more fireworks. Shirley won't simply let this humiliation slide — a vengeful woman with her resources could escalate things dramatically. Will she try to turn Xavier even more firmly against Leia by playing the victim once again, perhaps this time with fresh tears and a more elaborate story? Meanwhile, Renee remains on the sidelines, and we can't forget that her presence alone could shift the dynamics at any moment. The hospital is likely to become a battlefield of bitter rivalries and hidden agendas. Watch out — because when love triangles and old flames collide, the next chapter may reveal a twist that no one saw coming!
To listen free the next reviews chatpers, please access website novelsaudio.com and search keyword: The Untouchable Ex Wife or click the link in the description of this video or if you want to listen or read full the The Untouchable Ex Wife please access website novelsaudio.com