THE BILLIONAIRE'S VENGEFUL WIFE RETURNS-Chapter 185: TAKE ME INSTEAD

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

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Elisa’s smile was bitter, her fingers curling into fists at her sides. Shame burned through her like fire, hot and unbearable. It had been years since someone had humiliated her this way since anyone had dared to challenge her authority. And the fact that it was Alanis, this nothing boy standing before her, made it even worse.

For a moment, Elisa was silent thinking of the next way forward. She should have known not to trust her husband.

Frank was beyond useless. She had tolerated his stupidity long enough, but now? It was time to cut her losses. Maybe it was time to remove him entirely. It’s not like he’s adding anything to her life.

She could sell off the company and manage his money. It’ll be enough to last her for five generations to come, but first, she has to make him sign the deal. It’s the reason she’s been putting up with his attitude for a long.

Even if she had successfully eliminated Harlow from the family and mansion, she was still Frank’s successor with Claudia having only little of the inheritance. According to Frank, everything he owned belonged to Harlow’s mother and it was rightfully hers.

It’s the reason Elisa had killed him in her former life and joined their lawyer to change the will. She was impatient with everything and had to kill him earlier.

Elisa stared at Harlow, the presence of the girl made her even more furious. Even if Frank had just humiliated her, these people weren’t aware of it, so she still had the upper hand. She wasn’t going to leave here without satisfaction.

"I don’t find that punishment satisfying, nothing will be enough for the death of my grandchild," Elisa said suddenly, her voice eerily calm. "But as long as we can, draw blood from her, as long as we can beat her the same way she beat my daughter, I’ll be satisfied."

Harlow arched a brow, unimpressed. Though she felt a little shaken, she had prepared her mind for it. She would never show weakness before these people again.

Never.

Alanis didn’t even react.

George, however, was more than ready to take the bait. He turned sharply to Alanis, years of resentment flashing in his eyes. He has never loved his brother like he pretended to. Since Alanis wasn’t on their side anymore, there was no need to pretend.

"What, you won’t let me touch your wife?" George asked his brother with a smile. He couldn’t wait to inflict his days of wrath on this woman.

Alanis met his glare with chilling indifference. "Of course not." He muttered. He would never let anyone lay their fingers on what is his. It may have happened before, but not anymore, not in this life. They would have to kill him first to get to Harlow.

George scoffed, shaking his head. "You’re unbelievable. First, you went against Mother because of this woman, and now you’re protecting her? What happened to our family rules?"

Alanis tilted his head slightly, his gaze cool and unreadable. "The rules state that every family member, no matter how bastardized, is to be treated fairly." Alanis started. "Even if your child was clearly going to be a bastard like you it was still a part of the family and will be treated fairly." He explained.

His words hit like a slap, earning him glares from all corners of the yard. Garth didn’t look happy with his words but it was true. She had played her cards into the hands of Alanis’s father and ended up being his wife because she had a son for him. Not because he loved her too much.

Harlow stood still, watching it all unfold. She hadn’t known Claudia was pregnant, and if she had, well, she probably would have still defended herself, but perhaps with a little more restraint. But something about this situation didn’t add up.

Claudia was a liar. A master manipulator. Who was to say she had even been pregnant in the first place? What if she did not even have a miscarriage and this is another ploy to punish her?

George sneered. "So what? You think quoting rules is going to change anything? She needs to pay for what she did. She needs to learn her place."

Alanis, unbothered, slipped his hands into his pockets. "The rules also state that someone else can take the punishment in place of the offender if they aren’t in the right state to do so." His voice was calm, deliberate.

"What are you trying to say?" Elisa was the one to ask this time with a frown. What sort of rule was that? How can there be a volunteer for the offender? The Hamiltons have the worst rules ever.

"That I am willing to take responsibility for my villain’s action." He explained and Elisa frowned even harder. Her face contouring to something ugly. Charlotte on the other hand smiled softly, she knew Alanis would not let his wife suffer this time. He truly is changed.

She had never been more proud of her grandson.

"You don’t have to, I’ll take the punishment instead," Harlow said calmly.

"You would do no such thing, my villain," Alanis said calmly. "Let me handle this one." He gave her no more room for argument.

George’s face darkened. "That’s not acceptable!" He whirled toward Charlotte. "Grandma, you can’t allow this! Harlow isn’t sick! She can take her punishment!"

"How the hell will she learn if you keep covering for her Alanis?" He turned to Alanis.

Charlotte was silent for a long moment, her sharp eyes watching Alanis closely.

"If Alanis says he’s taking the punishment," she said finally, "then let him."

George screamed. "What?!"

"How dare you make such decisions Charlotte, is this the reason you asked me not to handle it my way?" Elisa asked unable to contain her rage anymore. She’s never hated anyone now as much as she hated Charlotte Hamilton.

Charlotte lifted a hand, silencing them. "A husband knows when his wife is capable of enduring something and when she isn’t."

Alanis smirked.

Harlow glanced at him, something unreadable flickering in her eyes as he rubbed his hands at the top of her head scattering her hair and Harlow slapped his hands off. They were talking about something serious and this man thinks now is the right time to play with her.

Garth, however, was furious. "You’re only saying this because you want to protect this imbecile! But I’m telling you, mother, you will pay for this."

Her voice shook with rage, with frustration, with the deep-seated hatred that had been festering in her for years.

But Alanis merely adjusted his sleeves, unconcerned.

"If you’re going to be taking the punishment for your wife, the strokes will be fifty from me and it is tonight." George turned to Alanis who shrugged.