THE BILLIONAIRE'S VENGEFUL WIFE RETURNS
Chapter 175: STOLEN SPOTLIGHT

Chapter 175: STOLEN SPOTLIGHT

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

.

.

Meanwhile, Alanis led his wife to another part of the building, where a small group of attendants was already waiting. A stunning array of new dresses lined the room, their rich fabrics shimmering under the light. The moment Harlow stepped inside, her breath caught in her throat.

She turned to Alanis, wide-eyed. "What is all this?" Harlow asked. When did he prepare all of these? How did he know she would be attacked by her sister tonight? So many questions bubbled in her head and she turned to look at the man standing beside her.

Alanis didn’t stare at her, without missing a beat, he said to the people gathered there, "Hurry up and prepare her. I’ll be waiting outside." His voice was firm, decisive. He had waited for this moment, he knew exactly how far Claudia would go.

Because when it came to Claudia, nothing was impossible. Alanis knew her too well, both in this life and the one before it. Every petty accusation she threw at Harlow in the past was nothing more than a projection of her own guilt. Every cruel scheme, every venomous lie... Claudia had planned them all. And he had been blind enough to believe her.

He would never forgive Claudia for manipulating him, for destroying his family.

But more than that, he could never forgive himself.

Once, he had stood by her side, harming the very woman who should have been his only priority. He had been a fool, and the weight of that realization had nearly crushed him. But not anymore.

Time passed, and when Harlow finally emerged, Alanis felt his pulse quicken.

She was breathtaking.

The red dress clung to her body, tracing every delicate curve, accentuating her elegance. It was a masterpiece, more stunning than the first. And yet, as his gaze traveled over the exposed parts of her skin, something inside him tightened.

Jealousy...

He hated the thought of another person laying eyes on what was his.

His jaw clenched as he stepped closer. "Why didn’t you pick something else?"

Harlow frowned, crossing her arms. "What’s wrong with this?"

Everything, Alanis wanted to say. Because no one had the right to admire his wife’s beauty except him. He rather raised his hands in surrender and then stared at her with admiration in his eyes.

"Your crown?" He asked and Harlow let out a frustrating sigh. She brought it out of her new purse handing it to him. With a smile, Alanis did the honor of wearing her the ring.

"I don’t know why all of you are insulting my daughter," Elisa said sharply, her cold gaze sweeping across the women who had just spoken against Claudia. "She said she had no idea."

If they thought she would stand by and let them ridicule her daughter, they were sorely mistaken.

The women in the room fell silent. Elisa Blackwood wasn’t just anyone, she was the wife of the most powerful man in the country. A single word from her could destroy them. A mere cough could send their lives into ruin.

"Besides," Elisa continued her voice with authority, "Harlow is not angry at her sister. Claudia has already apologized. What right do you have to lay your accusing fingers on my daughter?"

The guests in the room stared at each other.

"I’m ashamed of your actions, Bridgette and Abigail. I expected more from you," Garth chimed in. She had enjoyed Claudia’s little play earlier. Ruining Harlow’s dress was the best revenge, now they would see how Harlow would have a peaceful party.

The only person missing from this conversation was Grandma Hamilton, who had run after Alanis and Harlow when they left. But in the vast building, she seemed to have lost her way.

"Why are you defending her Garth? She just ruined your daughter-in-law’s party, if not for anything you should be mad at her." Abigail said.

Garth turned to her with a slow, deliberate smile. "What are you talking about?" With effortless grace, she crossed the room toward Claudia, taking the young woman’s hands softly in hers. "Claudia is my daughter-in-law too, after all."

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

"She’s the reason for this ball in the first place," Garth added, her tone cryptic.

The room was instantly abuzz with confusion. Just moments ago, Charlotte had publicly declared Harlow as Alanis’s wife. So what exactly was Garth implying?

"Elaborate, please," a man from the gathering finally demanded.

Claudia, sensing the shift in attention, straightened her posture. Confidence surged through her as she lifted her chin slightly. She gestured discreetly to the waiting cameramen and news broadcasters stationed in the hall. It was time. They readied their cameras, prepared to capture the moment she had promised herself would come.

She had vowed to steal Harlow’s spotlight tonight. And she would.

"You are all invited," Garth announced proudly, her voice carrying across the room, "to the wedding of my son, George, and Claudia Blackwood. Invitations will be sent out later this week."

A triumphant smile stretched across Claudia’s face as a delighted murmur rippled through the crowd. She had done it. She had shifted the attention back onto herself, reclaiming the night in a way that left no room for Harlow’s return.

"Let’s toast to that!" Elisa declared smoothly. "I don’t think Harlow will be returning to complete the celebration with us, after all."

The waiters moved through the crowd, offering crystal glasses of champagne to the guests. One by one, hands lifted, glasses raised in the air, poised to toast.

But then, the doors swung open.

All heads turned.

Harlow and Alanis stepped back into the room.

A stunned silence fell over the hall.

Harlow’s red dress shimmered beneath the chandeliers, the tiny crystal embellishments catching the light like a thousand tiny stars. Her presence alone commanded attention, her beauty undeniable, her elegance effortlessly overshadowing the moment Claudia had tried to steal.

Men gaped, their mouths slightly open as they took her in.

"Toasting without us?" Alanis asked, his voice smooth yet sharp as his piercing gaze swept the room.

Women’s eyes widened in shock. No one had expected them to return. According to Elisa, they were not supposed to return.

"I... I’m so sorry, son," Garth stammered, her forced smile betraying the irritation simmering beneath her composed exterior. "We thought you wouldn’t be back."

Her eyes flickered to Harlow, barely able to mask her growing frustration.

"Harlow." Her voice was carefully controlled. "You seem... alright now."

Harlow met her gaze with a calm, knowing smile. "I do."

"What are we toasting to?" she asked, her gaze shifting between Elisa, Garth, and Claudia. She knew they were up to something, she just couldn’t quite put her finger on it yet.

Claudia wasted no time.

"My wedding, Harlow," she said, her voice saccharine sweet. "Mother just announced that I’m going to be married to George."

Harlow was silent for a moment. Then, unexpectedly, she smiled.

"Then hurry up," she said smoothly, picking her glass from one of the waiters passing by. "Let’s toast to that. I’m so happy for you, sister." Harlow’s words shocked everyone in the room.

Follow current novels on freewe(b)novel.c(o)m