THE BILLIONAIRE'S VENGEFUL WIFE RETURNS-Chapter 236: PUNISHMENT

This Chapter is dedicated to AvidReader63. Super grateful. Thanks for the golden ticket.

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Harlow woke to the familiar sight of flowers scattered around her room. They were everywhere, on the nightstand, the windowsill, even the floor. Alanis, again. She should have told him one jar was enough, but curiosity kept her silent. She wanted to see how long he’d keep it up. Would it last forever?

She scoffed at herself. ’How much more foolish can you be?’ She should be thinking of getting her revenge on him, not spending an eternity with him.

With a sigh, she pushed off the covers, slipping her feet into her slippers. Just as she made her way toward the bathroom, a knock sounded at the door.

"Come in," she called, already guessing it was one of the maids.

The doorknob turned, and a young girl stepped inside, bowing respectfully.

"Good morning, Miss Harlow."

Harlow eyed her with suspicion. "What is it?"

"Grandma Hamilton requests your presence at her villa immediately. She said to treat it as urgent."

Harlow’s brows lifted slightly. "Is there a problem?"

The maid hesitated before speaking. "Madam Garth, Miss Lia, and Miss Claudia reported you to Grandma about not letting them into the party last night."

Harlow tilted her head, watching the girl closely. So they had the audacity to run to Charlotte? How predictable. But they would have at least waited until she was fully awake.

She smirked. "You may leave. I’ll be there shortly."

The maid nodded quickly, relieved to escape without punishment of taking too much, and scurried away.

Harlow took her time in the bathroom, her mind already working. When she emerged, she dressed in something simple. Alanis’s pajama pants hung loose on her waist, his oversized shirt swallowing her frame. She liked the comfort of them.

Tying her hair into a high ponytail, she stepped out, ready.

The moment Harlow entered Charlotte’s villa, all eyes fell on her. Some glared with thinly veiled hostility, while others tried to mask their resentment. But amidst them, one pair of eyes held nothing but warmth for her, Alanis Hamilton.

Seeing his little villain in his clothes only made him fall in love with her more. He never thought his wife could look this good in his clothes.

She met his gaze before walking over to Charlotte, pressing a kiss to the older woman’s cheek. "Good morning, Grandma."

Then, without hesitation, she took a seat beside Alanis.

"How was your night?" he whispered, his breath warm against her skin.

"Fine. Yours?"

He smiled. "It’s surprising that my beautiful villain now cares about me."

Harlow rolled her eyes. "Enjoy it while you can."

"Oh, I will." He chuckled, the sound deep and rich. Then, his eyes lingered more on his clothes as he complimented. "You look hot in that outfit." Harlow felt her cheek turning warm at his words.

She was in a freaking oversized top and pants, how the hell does she look hot.

Their brief exchange felt like a world of its own, pulling them into a bubble no one else could enter. But most people in the room didn’t look at all pleased with their actions.

Claudia clenched her fists in her lap, nails digging into the fabric of her dress. She has never felt this jealous before. She should be in Harlow’s place, beside Alanis, earning his attention. But no matter how much she tried, he barely spared her a glance. When had things changed? Why had he stopped looking at her the way he used to in the past?

The silence was finally broken by Charlotte’s voice. "Harlow, dear, Garth has come to me with a complaint."

Harlow smiled sweetly. "What did my sweet mother say this time?"

Across the room, Garth straightened, ready to play her part. She had run to Charlotte knowing the woman no longer held favorites. Without past biases clouding her judgment, she believed Charlotte would finally see Harlow for what she truly was.

"Mother, this isn’t just a simple complaint," Garth began. "Harlow humiliated me last night in front of our guests, even though the party was my idea."

Harlow barely suppressed a scoff. How pathetic. A grown woman, one with two adult children and a grandchild on the way, acting like a wounded child.

"Surely you must have done something to deserve it," Harlow said smoothly, unbothered.

"No matter what my mother did, you had no right to kick her out of her own party." freeweɓnovel.cѳm

This time, it was George who spoke, his voice thick with barely restrained anger. He still hadn’t gotten over Alanis’s dismissive response when he’d tried to report Harlow to him. He didn’t understand why his brother was protecting this woman, but he had already decided, he would make Harlow pay for disrespecting their mother.

Harlow arched a brow, unimpressed. "Her party?" she repeated. "Is that what she told you?"

George frowned, but before he could respond, Claudia interjected, eager to shift the conversation.

"That’s enough, Harlow. You humiliated us. You need to apologize."

"Did you forget the part where you all tried to sabotage the party and put the blame on me?" Harlow asked.

The room went still.

Lia’s face paled. Garth’s fingers twitched. Claudia’s lips parted slightly in shock before she quickly schooled her expression.

The three women glared at Harlow, but she could see the flicker of panic in their eyes. They were all calm because they knew they could easily deny her allegations without proof. Harlow had no proof they did it so why should they admit it when they can lie their way out of it?

"You’re shameless, Harlow," Claudia sneered. "We arrived just like the other guests and saw the venue already ruined. Accusing us without evidence is a grave mistake."

"That’s right." Lia lifted her chin. "You’re digging your own grave, Harlow."

Claudia nodded. "Even if you did manage to save the party last minute, the damage was already done. You brought shame upon our family."

Harlow let out a low, amused laugh. "Shame?"

Garth suddenly sniffled, her voice trembling with artificial sorrow. "All I wanted was for our family to have a good time. To celebrate Mother’s life after the accident. Is that such a terrible thing?"

She dabbed at nonexistent tears. "So how dare Harlow lock me away from an event I organized?"