THE BILLIONAIRE'S VENGEFUL WIFE RETURNS-Chapter 304: FAREWELL

This Chapter is dedicated to Vickiii15 and eyuke. Thanks for the golden ticket.

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After breakfast, the room was quiet until Lia finally broke the silence. Her voice was soft, but clear.

"I’ve thought it through all night," she said, her fingers nervously twisting in her lap. "And I’ve finally decided to leave Halkhalls for a while."

Everyone at the table turned to look at her. They had all been treating her kindly, pretending nothing had happened. But Lia knew better. Just because they were smiling didn’t mean her shame wasn’t still all over the internet. Her naked pictures were everywhere. That kind of thing didn’t just disappear.

"Will you be okay, Lia?" Charlotte asked gently, concern written all over her face. She was worried. Just yesterday, Lia had tried to take her own life. Leaving the safety of family right now didn’t seem like the best idea.

"You don’t need to worry, Grandma," Lia replied, managing a small smile. "I just need time away from all of this. To breathe. To heal."

Everything that had happened had taught her a big lesson. She didn’t want drama anymore. All she wanted now was a simple life, a peaceful one.

"That sounds like a good idea," Alanis said supportively. "Do you have somewhere in mind?"

Lia nodded. She had already found a place. A quiet countryside far from Halkhalls. A place where no one knew her name. No one knew her past or shame.

"Yes, I do," she said softly. "I was able to buy a cozy little apartment using the money I saved up... back when Mike was blackmailing me." Her voice trembled, the pain still fresh in her words.

It hadn’t even been a full day since the photos leaked. The news spread like wildfire. It felt like the whole world had seen her shame.

"That’s good," Alanis said gently. "I’ve already asked Evans to take down the pictures and videos from the internet. His company filed for copyright. That means no one can legally post or share them anymore."

"Thank you, big brother," Lia said. "But... that won’t change much. Everyone has already seen them."

"Not everyone in the world," Alanis said, trying to comfort her. "And with copyright in place, fewer people will see it now. That’s something."

"Try to be happy, Lia. You deserve happiness," he added. Lia nodded slowly in return.

She turned to Charlotte, tears threatening to fill her eyes. "Grandma, I’m sorry. I’ve been a terrible granddaughter over the years. I know I’ve stressed you out so much, and I’m really sorry for everything."

Charlotte took her hand gently. "It’s alright, dear. What matters is that you’re changing now. You’ve learned your lesson. I believe from here on, things will only get better for you."

Lia smiled, the first real smile she had shown all morning.

Then she looked at Alanis again. "Brother Alanis," she said, "I’m sorry for all the disrespect and stubbornness I’ve shown you. You’ve always been there for me, and I never treated you the way I should have. Thank you for never giving up on me."

Alanis smiled warmly. "I hold no grudge against you, Lia. I just want you to live happily."

Finally, Lia’s eyes met Harlow’s.

"Harlow," she said, swallowing hard. Up until yesterday, she had seen Harlow as nothing but a problem, a witch, even. But Harlow had proven her wrong. She had saved her life. Talked her out of doing something irreversible.

"I want to say, in front of everyone, that I’m truly sorry for everything I’ve done to you. I’ve been foolish. I see that now. You’re a good person, Harlow. I should’ve known that all along. I should’ve never stood with Claudia against you."

Lia paused and smiled faintly. "I’m really glad Brother Alanis chose you. You’re the best woman for him. I hope that one day we can be friends."

Harlow looked at her calmly. "Stay safe out there, Lia. And don’t get into any more trouble."

"I won’t," Lia said with a light laugh. "In the meantime, take good care of Grandma and Brother Alanis." She gave her a playful wink. She knew earning Harlow’s forgiveness wouldn’t be easy, but she was willing to wait. She had caused enough pain. It was time to change.

Charlotte suddenly spoke up. "Well, don’t you think this is a good time to give Lia her inheritance, Harlow?"

It had always been the plan to keep the inheritance until the grandchildren were mature enough to handle it. And now, Charlotte saw real change in Lia.

But Lia shook her head.

"No, Grandma. Keep it until I come back. I want to work hard first. I want to see the world for myself. If I have too much money now, I’m afraid I might go back to being the old me."

Charlotte looked surprised. "How will you survive, Lia?"

"Don’t worry," Lia said, smiling with quiet confidence. "I’ve got good qualifications. I can get a job somewhere. Besides, I still have some savings that will last me a little while."

She leaned in closer and added, "And if I ever need help, I’ll let you know. I promise."

Charlotte sighed but nodded. "Alright. Just don’t forget to call every day. I’ll visit your mother later this week, tell her about your decision to work. I hope she accepts it."

Everyone knew Garth never allowed her children to work. She believed they didn’t need to, and that mindset had damaged them.

George, her son, was a complete failure. All he did was visit brothels and plot against Alanis. And Lia, beautiful but lost, spent her time chasing after men who could take care of her and being Claudia’s side kick.

Charlotte had tried many times to push them toward working in the family company, but Garth refused every time.

Lia’s smile faded at the mention of her mother. Did she know what had happened? Did she know about the leaked photos? Lia knew she had to face her and George before she left. She needed to say goodbye.

"There’s no need for that, Grandma. I’ll visit her myself," Lia said quietly.