THE BILLIONAIRE'S VENGEFUL WIFE RETURNS-Chapter 195: A HUGE CRIME

A/N: This Chapter is dedicated to Avidreader_73. Thanks for the golden ticket.

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"We can’t let that happen, George. It’ll be over for us!" Claudia whispered harshly, gripping his hands tightly.

George yanked his hands away, stepping back. "You’re the only one in trouble if the truth gets out. I only did what you told me, nothing more."

Claudia’s eyes darkened with fury. "How can you say that? You’re supposed to stand with me, no matter what!"

George scoffed, "And what do I get for it? We could have just made things difficult for Harlow in small ways, but no, you always go too far!" His gaze flicked around the hallway, catching sight of the silent maids who dared not betray them. If they do, it’ll be the end of them.

Claudia’s face twisted in frustration. "You’re no real man, George. A man who won’t defend his pregnant wife is nothing but a coward."

His jaw clenched. That one sentence hit something deep inside him, something he didn’t understand.

His voice dropped to a low growl. "I have always protected you, Claudia. And you know it." He took a step forward. "Now, let’s get to Harlow before she shows my brother that damned file."

Without another word, he turned and strode toward the stairs. Claudia followed closely behind.

---

When Harlow and Charlotte entered Alanis’s room, they found him still lying in bed. This time, his wound was wrapped in thick layers of bandages, and servants moved in and out, scrubbing away the last traces of blood.

Charlotte walked to her grandson’s side, her voice gentle. "How are you feeling now?"

Alanis’s deep, tired voice broke the air. "Where’s Harlow?" Charlotte smiled, for the first time ever, her grandson didn’t care about her but the woman he was married to. If only he had been this selfless in the past. His little card would have stopped a lot from happening.

"She’s right here." She said smiling for Harlow to come and she did.

With that, she quietly left the room, giving them space.

Harlow hesitated for a moment before walking to his bedside. She crouched down, resting her hands on her thighs as she studied him. They were left alone in the stillness of the room. "How do you feel?" Her voice was soft, distant.

For the first time, she didn’t feel anger when she looked at him. She didn’t feel anything at all. No hate, no warmth, not even bitterness. Just... emptiness.

"Thank you," she said at last. She would have been the one in this condition if Alanis didn’t stand for her.

Alanis met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "I would do it a thousand times over if I had to. That’s how much I love you."

Her heart stilled for a second, then raced.

His dark eyes roamed her face as if memorizing every detail. But then, something changed. His expression hardened.

His voice dropped to an icy whisper. "Who touched you?"

Harlow blinked. "What?"

Alanis’s fingers reached for her face, tilting her chin. His jaw tightened. "This mark... someone dared to touch you?" His voice was dangerously calm.

She pulled back, shaking her head. "It’s nothing." She had forgotten George had slapped her earlier, if she knew she would have hidden her face from his eyes.

His eyes darkened even more at her response. He didn’t understand why she was trying to cover up for those deceitful people. "That doesn’t look like nothing, Harlow." Her name rolled off his tongue like sin.

She should be feeling this way, she should never have these thoughts about him. Not in this time or when he’s in this condition but she couldn’t help it. She couldn’t control her body’s reaction every single time.

It’s like her body has a mind of its own. It never listens to her, neither does her heart. They betray her every God danmed time.

She sighed. "I had an argument with Claudia, and George hit me. Are you satisfied now?" She didn’t see the point in hiding it anymore. Since he wanted the truth she would give him that. It’s not like he would do anything. Right now, Alanis was too weak to even move.

Alanis didn’t react, not in anger, not in pain. Just an eerie, unsettling stillness.

"Okay." He said.

Okay...?

Okay...?

Harlow frowned, unsure what he was thinking. Did he actually care? Or did he just want to know? She shook off the thought.

Before she could leave, he spoke again.

"Did Gus arrive?"

She hesitated. She didn’t want him worrying about anything in his condition. "He did. And he brought a file."

Alanis’s lips curled into a knowing smile. "Can I see it?"

Harlow crossed her arms. "Not when you’re like this. You’ll have it when you’re better. Until then, I’ll keep it safe."

"A caring wife, you get better at this every day. And here I thought you were bad at being a wife." She frowned at his words. Even if he was going through pain he still found a way to tease her.

"I’m just being nice because you took my punishment," Harlow said flatly eying him as she stood.

"I’ll have the maids prepare dinner for you." With that, she left the room.

But as she approached the staircase, she froze, her eyes widening in shock.

---

Charlotte was about to descend the stairs when Ava rushed toward her.

"Grandma, George, and Claudia are here. They want to see Miss Harlow."

Charlotte’s face hardened. "No need to bother Harlow. I’ll handle them myself."

Ava nodded and hurried away. Charlotte took a steadying breath, preparing herself. But before she could take another step, George and Claudia appeared at the top of the stairs.

"There’s nothing to talk about," Charlotte said firmly. "Harlow is not in the mood for visitors."

Claudia let out a slow, mocking chuckle. "What is this old fool saying, George?"

George smirked. "No idea."

"You have gotten what you want haven’t you, not leave before I call the security on you," Charlotte said.

Claudia stepped forward, her eyes glinting with malice. "Grandma, we’re not here for you. We’re here for Harlow. Step aside before I make you move."

Charlotte narrowed her eyes. "Such a shame. You’re not even married into this family yet, but you act like you belong here." She gave Claudia a pointed look. "I can stop your marriage to George anytime I want. And when I do, Halkhalls will see you for what you really are, a disgraced woman."

Claudia’s nostrils flared, her hands balling into fists. She knew Charlotte wasn’t wrong. Society already whispered about her, questioning her upbringing. A woman getting pregnant before marriage was frowned upon, people would see her as a loosed girl.

"You have no right to interfere in our marriage!" she snapped.

George stepped in, his voice urgent. "We don’t have time for this! Move aside or deal with the consequences!"

Charlotte stood her ground. "I will not..."

But before she could finish, Claudia lost her patience. With a sharp shove, she pushed the older woman aside.

Time seemed to slow as Charlotte’s body lurched backward. Her foot slipped, her arms flailed, and then, with a sickening thud, she tumbled down the stairs.

A sharp gasp filled the air as her body landed at the bottom, unmoving.

George and Claudia stood frozen in horror, their faces pale as they stared at Charlotte’s motionless form.

At that exact moment, Harlow stepped out of Alanis’s room, and her blood ran cold at the sight before her.

"Grandma?"

Silence hung in the air, thick with shock.