THE BILLIONAIRE'S VENGEFUL WIFE RETURNS-Chapter 211: FAMILY DINNER

This Chapter is dedicated to Mich34. Hi Mich, thanks for the golden ticket.

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In the Blackwood’s dining room, three people were already seated at the table awaiting the one person that had yet to arrive. They had all been waiting for a while now and Claudia, seeming impatient was already digging into the food.

"Be patient Claudia, your sister is yet to arrive," Frank said to the girl who hadn’t said a word since her return. It’s obvious she’s upset with him and doesn’t want to talk to him or even acknowledge his existence.

"So what?" She asked. "Who the hell is Harlow?" Claudia asked impatiently. She was tired of hearing that name. If only they knew how badly she despised her. Harlow isn’t even her sister, she’s not related to her in any way.

"She’s your sister and a member of this family," Frank said.

"Frank," Elisa called. "Claudia is also as important in this family as Harlow. She’s your daughter too." She said.

"I never said she wasn’t. She is my daughter and..."

"And you what?" Claudia chimed in. "And you let Harlow and Alanis humiliate me however they wanted." She added. "You never stood up for me even if you knew I was being bullied."

"Harlow did nothing to you, Claudia. It was all your doing."

"Frank!" Elisa called out her nose flaring with anger. She clutched her fingers together tightly that her fingers dug further into her palm. Every day Frank gives her a reason to kill him and this time she wouldn’t hesitate to do it.

All she needed was a scapegoat. A fool who will be willing to do it without thinking.

Frank had no right to blame Claudia for whatever had happened. It was all Harlow’s fault and hers alone.

"What, I can’t even scold my child anymore? It is time you hold your daughter accountable for her actions Elisa." Frank said with a raised voice, then let out a harsh sigh.

Over the weeks, he had seen Elisa and Claudia’s true colors. While he was ill, both women treated him like garbage. It’s a shame he was only now seeing everything they had done to Harlow. All his last daughter was doing was standing up for herself, yet he couldn’t believe her

Frank felt so ashamed of being a part of Elisa’s game. She has successfully divided his family. He had no idea why he was only finding out now.

He hasn’t even thanked Harlow for saving his life. If she hadn’t told him to stop the early morning teas, he wouldn’t have known they were poisoned. Someone in his mansion was poisoning him, someone he had yet to catch.

"Harlow and Alanis connived and beat me up yet you said it’s my fault because I wanted justice." Claudia cried out. How could it be her fault if she was the one injured? She had no idea Frank already knew the truth about everything.

Everything had happened in the central city. There were cameras everywhere, he had asked for it. That footage alone is the reason he had believed everything Harlow had been saying till this very moment. He couldn’t believe Claudia would go as far as hurting her sister.

"What do you want Frank?" Elisa said this time. "While Harlow abandoned this family business for that of her husband’s family, Claudia and I have been the ones to stand by you. Is this how you’ll treat us?" She tried to play the victim again.

"I haven’t said or done anything," Frank said. "All I asked was for a family dinner with my entire family."

"But..."

"That’s enough!" He said firmly almost smacking the table. "I don’t want to hear any more complaints about what had happened before." He declared.

He wasn’t here to discuss the things of the past. There’s a reason it’s in the past. At the same time, Harlow walked through the door, her heels clicking against the marble floor as she moved elegantly in the oversized dress.

Harlow found her way to her seat without a word to anyone.

"You’re late Harlow." Elisa began ready to take out her anger on her stepdaughter. After all, she’s the reason Frank has insulted before the maids this morning.

When Harlow said nothing to her she continued. "I know you didn’t have a mother to put you through the right training but you had me, yet so uncouth." She blabbed.

Harlow only rolled her eyes. She was here because Alanis forced her to it, else, she would never have attended this dinner in the first place.

She hated exchanging words with Elisa, but cussing her out a little was something she enjoyed doing. She loved seeing her stepmother eat her own words.

"I presume that was the same training to have to my dear sister." Harlow started to see Elisa’s frown deepen. "How well behaved. Such a beautiful liar and troublemaker." She smiled.

"You..."

"That’s enough Elisa. You’re too old to be exchanging words with your stepdaughter." Everyone at the table was stunned with Frank siding his second daughter, including the maids who stood there silently. It’s almost as if they never existed.

"That doesn’t mean I would sit here and let Harlow insult my mother," Claudia said.

"I said enough!" Frank cut her off with a stern warning. He didn’t want another of their fight again, all he asks is for a peaceful dinner and to share the bad news he had in hand with them.

"You’re in the wrong this time Harlow. We have been waiting for your arrival." Frank said but Harlow said nothing to him.

She couldn’t begin to explain the reason she had arrived late was because Alanis wanted to pick an outfit and then decided to also come with her. Of course, they have no idea he was seated in the lounge like he’s the owner of the mansion. Alanis is hell-bent on destroying her life completely.

"I’m sorry for delaying," Harlow said calmly.

"It’s nothing, let’s eat before the food gets cold shall we?" Frank smiled and both Claudia and Elisa rolled their eyes. They could not believe Frank’s change of attitude so quickly.

Harlow stared at the variety of dishes on the table and contemplated whether or not to eat anything. The last time she was here they had poisoned her meal with her allergies, who knows if this time it would be real poison? Especially since Claudia and Elisa seem to hold grudge against her.

After dinner, Frank dropped his spoon back on the table and used his napkin to clean his lips. He was happy his family could eat like this if only they all loved each other like he wished.

"You said you had an announcement to make." Claudia reminded him as she cleaned her lips. Elisa did the same, she didn’t have the appetite to eat in the first place.

"Yes, yes," Frank said. He seemed hesitant as he stared at the family, but he knew if he said nothing, sooner or later they would know and it would be bad if they found out from media outlets. The deed was already done, Frank had already sold the company and needed to prepare his family for the inevitable.

People would talk and speculate things about them. He wanted them to know he wasn’t as powerful as he used to be. He had made bad decisions in the past that have cost him a great loss.

"What is it father, we all have things we need to do," Claudia said impatiently.

"We can’t sit all day listening to nothing. You’re wasting our time." Elisa added.

Frank exhaled, preparing himself. "I called this dinner to tell you something I did a few days ago." He paused. "And I want you to know, I don’t regret it. In a few days, there will be news circulating about..."

"Your infidelity?" Claudia cut in, her voice laced with venom.

Frank’s brow furrowed. "What?"

Claudia turned to her mother. "I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier, Mother, but I know what Father has been planning. He’s looking for another woman to give him a son because he sees us as useless."

Harlow smirked. She already knew Claudia and Elisa had killed Frank, but now she finally understood why.

"What the hell is going on here?" Frank’s voice boomed, his patience snapping.

"My dear sister is accusing you of infidelity, Father," Harlow said sweetly, thoroughly enjoying the chaos.

"I would never cheat on your mother," Frank said, his tone suddenly drained of anger. He didn’t have the energy for this nonsense. Claudia was fond of misunderstanding situations and assuming nonsense.

Why would he cheat on Elisa now? And even if he wanted a son, he would discuss it with Elisa first before doing anything.

"Even if you did," Harlow mused, taking a slow sip of her wine, "Claudia, of all people, has no right to be angry about it. Isn’t that how they got you?"

The room went deadly silent.