THE BILLIONAIRE'S VENGEFUL WIFE RETURNS
Chapter 179: THE LAST STRAW

Chapter 179: THE LAST STRAW

A/N: this Chapter is dedicated to Monica_Povey. Thanks for the golden ticket.

.

.

Charlotte stepped into the grand hall just as the last of the guests were making their way out. The glittering chandeliers cast a dim golden glow over the now almost empty hall. There were half-empty champagne glasses, scattered rose petals, littered everywhere.

She sighed in frustration. So much for witnessing the grand event. She had spent the entire evening lost in the labyrinthine halls of Halkhall central city hall, listening to the nonsense of that sniveling fool who couldn’t even carry her properly. What was his name again? Leonard? No... Lincoln. Useless man.

But all annoyance faded the moment she spotted Alanis and Harlow standing together, their hands intertwined as they greeted the guest leaving. Anyone looking at them would see them as the perfect couple right now.

For the first time in a long time, Alanis wasn’t wearing that cold, unreadable expression. His eyes softened as he looked at his wife. Even if she hated him, calling him sweetheart before all of these people was enough to make him sleep peacefully tonight.

At least, she had rejected Andrew before everyone for him.

Charlotte’s lips curled into a small smile. Maybe this gala was worth it after all. If things continued this way... maybe, just maybe, her beloved Alex would finally return to her.

Alanis caught sight of her then, his sharp eyes scanning her from head to toe. His brows furrowed in concern. "Where have you been? You look a mess."

Charlotte barely had time to respond before he was already fixing her hair, straightening the pins that had come loose. His touch was careful, a stark contrast to the powerful man the world feared.

"Don’t mind Alanis, Grandma," Harlow chimed in, her voice full of warmth. "You look as beautiful as ever." She leaned in and placed a quick peck on Charlotte’s cheek.

Charlotte huffed, though the corners of her lips twitched in amusement. "I know, dear. And my future great-grandchildren will surely take after me."

"I thought you would have noticed I was missing," Charlotte said to the dou.

"We assumed you left early." Harlow’s brows knitted together as realization set in. "Wait, where were you?"

"Lost." Charlotte waved a dismissive hand. "This ridiculous building is built like a maze. And to make matters worse, I ran into some strange man rambling about being fired. I don’t remember his name, but I do remember he was utterly useless."

Harlow chuckled, shaking her head. "You must be exhausted."

"That, my dear, is an understatement."

With that, the three of them made their way toward the grand doors, stepping out into the crisp night air. The evening had finally come to an end.

Or so she thought.

A hesitant voice called out just as they reached their car. "Harlow."

Charlotte turned her head slightly, recognizing the voice immediately. Claudia.

The girl stood a few feet away, barely lifting her head, her hands clasped together tightly in front of her. She looked nothing like the arrogant, scheming girl from earlier. Instead, she seemed... embarrassed. Small.

Charlotte eyed her, such boldness to stand before them after everything she did tonight. She had practically ruined Harlow’s night today. Charlotte wasn’t even aware of the other things Claudia had done

"I need to talk to you," Claudia said, voice quiet but urgent. "It won’t take long. I promise."

Harlow hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "Alright." She followed Claudia to a corner ready to listen to whatever her step-sister had to say.

"My life has been a mess for the past few days Harlow, I’m sorry for taking all that on you tonight," Claudia said calmly.

"You can drop the act now, I know you’re not sorry. Ruining the gala has been your intention from the start." Harlow said unimpressed.

"Why would I stop, pretending is what you have been doing all night. And believe me when I say ruining your night is the best thing that happened today." Claudia giggled.

"Of course, it’s all you’re good at anyway. I’m glad everyone finally saw you for who you are." Harlow fired with her signature smile that always irked her sister. "Rather than fighting, you should be getting tips from me before entering into my family."

"Hahahah." Claudia laughed out so loud that anyone passing by would hear her laughter but there was no one. She had carried Harlow into an isolated part of the yard.

Tonight has been the worst night for her. From Alanis confessing his love for Harlow, to his fight with Andrew and then another confession again. He even teamed up with Harlow to embarrass her.

She wanted to end it all tonight. Claudia was tired of waiting for a man that doesn’t seem like he would love her. This life is different, and she would end it all rather than see Alanis and Harlow love happily.

"Family!" Claudia sneered staring at her half-sister disdainfully. "You think you’re a part of the Hamilton family? You think Alanis loves you?" She asked.

"You think he would pick you over me?" She mocked.

"It seems like you have forgotten dear sister, Alanis doesn’t love you and never will. The Hamilton family will never accept you no matter how hard you try." She said confidently.

"Is that all you have to say?" Harlow started walking away.

"I saw you and Alanis fight earlier, I know he doesn’t love you and is only pretending because he wants to make me jealous." She said for Harlow to pause and then she turned to meet her sister’s gaze, a smile appearing on her lips.

"Give up Harlow. Aren’t you tired of being so desperate, we both know Alanis doesn’t love you. I bet he hasn’t even done anything with you." Claudia bragged.

Harlow arched a brow, unfazed. "That so?"

"He loves me, Harlow. Alanis and I are more than lovers, he’s made love to me in ways you cannot imagine." She said shamelessly. "How many weeks have you been with him, and yet... he still won’t touch you? You’re nothing but a placeholder, Harlow. A sad little replacement while he pines for me."

Claudia pressed on, "Don’t think because he confessed his feelings before everyone that he loves you. It might seem like he was talking to you, but in actual truth, he was talking to me." Harlow huffed silently at her sister’s words. Never in her life have she seen such level of delusion.

Harlow watched her, unimpressed, before letting out a long, exaggerated yawn. "...Oh no... What ...ever... shall I do with all of this life-changing information, dear sister?" She lazily rubbed her eyes, as if barely staying awake.

The way Claudia’s face twisted in rage was almost comical. Her nostrils flared, her lips curled, and then, before Harlow could blink, Claudia lunged towards her.

A flash of silver. A dagger.

Harlow’s eyes went wide at the metal moving towards her.

Visit freewe𝑏no(v)el.𝘤𝑜𝓂 for the best novel reading experi𝒆nce

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.