THE BILLIONAIRE'S VENGEFUL WIFE RETURNS-Chapter 203: THE BEST REWARD

A/N: This Chapter is dedicated to. Bdubz_G. Wow. Thanks for the golden ticket.

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"T... There are no rules that say she has to take her own punishment!" Garth stammered, her voice shaking.

Alanis only smiled.

Not the kind of smile he used to give Charlotte. Not the charming, teasing one Harlow had once adored.

No.

This smile was deadly.

Cold...

Predatory...

"So what?" he asked, his tone eerily calm. "You think I’d just stand here and let you all fool yourselves if Grandma had died?" His voice dropped lower, a cold whisper that sent shivers through everyone.

They all knew the truth.

If anything had happened to Charlotte, none of them would be standing here right now. Because that old woman meant everything to Alanis. Just as Harlow meant the world to him. He would do anything for both women.

And unlike them, Alanis does not forgive.

There were no official rules about what happened when someone hurt the head of the family. Because the next head got to decide. And by default it was him.

His gaze landed on Claudia, his eyes void of any warmth.

"She’ll be locked up in juvie for a week, where she’ll undergo a series of punishments for her actions."

Elisa’s eyes widened in horror. "Claudia is pregnant, Alanis! She might lose her child!" she shrieked.

"So?" Alanis’s voice was pure ice. No hesitation. No remorse. Nothing...

"My grandmother’s life is worth more than the bastard she’s carrying."

Claudia gasped, her face going pale. She had thought this man loved her, or was he punishing her because she’s carrying George’s child?

But Alanis seemed colder this time. How long will he keep playing these games with her? She was tired already. Claudia had no idea what she had done to deserve this hate from him.

"How can you say that about your brothers child Alanis." Garth turned to him. She didn’t like his words. Calling George’s unborn child a bastard didn’t seat right with her even if that is clearly what the child is.

Alanis turned to his guard.

"Get two of your men to whip him. A hundred strokes. Don’t stop even if he passes out."

The guard bowed slightly before hurrying inside to gather the men.

Then, Alanis’s dark gaze flicked to the others.

"Take her away."

Two guards stepped forward, grabbing Claudia by the arms.

She panicked instantly, her nails digging into her mother’s sleeves as she fought against them.

"No! Mother, please! Don’t let them take me!" she screamed, her voice shrill with desperation.

Her kicks and thrashes were useless against the guards’ strength.

"Harlow! I’m sorry! I’ll do anything please, don’t let them take me away!"

Her voice cracked as she sobbed, her body shaking violently. But there was no pity in Harlow’s eyes.

No sympathy.

Just the quiet satisfaction of justice finally being served. Harlow stood still, watching as the guards dragged Claudia away, her screams growing fainter with every step. Elisa ran after her daughter as she struggled with the men taking her away.

She tried searching for her cell phone to make a few calls but it was no where to be found. Elisa felt so frustrated, never in her life has she looked so powerless.

Harlow’s gaze then shifted to George, who was now being chained to the same tree trunk where Alanis had once suffered. The best punishment.

The guards wasted no time, selecting their weapons, a belt in one hand, a whip in the other.

They were going to make sure George felt everything today. Just like their master had ordered, they would flog without seizing.

"Are you happy now, Harlow?" Garth stormed up to her, her face twisted with anger. "This is what you’ve always wanted, isn’t it?" Harlow stared at the woman speaking and then smiled. Of course this is what she always wanted, this was her revenge to them for killing her in the past.

"I never asked your children to be stupid." She responded.

Garth’s breath hitched at the sheer mockery in her voice. Yesterday, they had all been so loud. Barking, yelling and insulting her. She had warned them, she told them things wouldn’t be good if they lied.

And today?

It was her turn to laugh.

A sharp cry pierced the air almost immediately distracting both women.

"AHHHHHHHH!"

George’s scream cut through the yard like a blade.

Only two strokes had landed, yet he was already wiggling like a fish pulled from water.

"You must be exhausted," Alanis murmured beside her, his deep voice smooth as silk. "Let’s get you relaxed."

She turned to him, and the moment their eyes met, his expression softened.

That smile...

The real one. The one that actually reached his eyes.

"You haven’t slept all night," she said, brushing a hand against his arm. "Let’s go inside."

Alanis didn’t hesitate.

He bent down, scooping her into his arms like she weighed nothing.

Harlow rested her head against his chest listening to his ragged heartbeat. For a moment, she just wanted to get lost in his arms, but she couldn’t. She would never forget the reason she had agreed to this marriage in the first place.

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As evening settled over the Villa, Ava returned, bringing Charlotte Hamilton with her.

Alanis had made sure the old woman was well-protected. Guards stood at her doorstep, handpicked maids attending to her every need. No one was allowed to visit, except for him and Harlow.

Everyone in the estate whispered about Charlotte’s survival. No one had expected her to wake up so soon. It seems as if the old woman turns out to be so lucky. The stars were really on her side last night.

But not everyone was pleased with her return.

Garth and Elisa couldn’t care less. They had bigger problems to tackle.

Claudia had been dragged to Juvie, and George, beaten mercilessly and was yet to regain consciousness.

They had lost everything. They lost to Harlow and Alanis. As both women stared at George in the room, a hesitant voice broke through the silence.

"Madam?" Jane, called softly. She knew this was not the right time but she had to inform her madam. The information she had with her could be useful for the future. It could change everything that has happened and turn the tides to their favour.

Garth barely spared her a glance before waving her off. "Now is not the time, Jane."

"But, Madam, it’s important..."

Jane hesitated. It was really urgent. "Grandma Charlotte is back." She rapped.

Garth’s expression soured instantly.

That old fool. She was the reason everything had fallen apart. If Charlotte had just died, none of this would be happening.

Claudia wouldn’t be rotting in a cell. George wouldn’t be lying motionless, covered in blood. Garth could only imagine the torture Claudia was facing right now.

And yet, here Jane was, talking about Charlotte as if her return meant anything to them.

"Whatever news you have about that woman is useless to me," Garth snapped. freёnovelkiss.com

"But Madam..."

"Enough!" Elisa cut in, her patience gone. "Don’t make me regret keeping you around, Jane."

Jane flinched, bowing her head. "I... I’m sorry, Madam Elisa."

With that, she turned and walked away.

They were right, she had gone overboard this time, they would find out about the news one way or another but they needed to act fast before Harlow does.