THE BILLIONAIRE'S VENGEFUL WIFE RETURNS

"Boss, three days have passed," Gus said as he stepped into Alanis’s office. His tone was neutral, but his eyes betrayed curiosity.

Alanis’s jaw tightened. Even after three days, the image of Harlow with that man haunted him, fueling a fury he couldn’t suppress. She was playing a dangerous game, one she couldn’t possibly win.

"She’ll be back within seven days," Alanis said confidently, leaning back in his chair. He could see it in her eyes, the way she tried to hide her feelings behind that icy façade. No matter how much she swore she wasn’t the same Harlow, she still loved him. This was just her way of provoking him, testing his patience.

Gus chuckled. He fears his boss will never hold unto any woman, until he learns how to treat a woman properly.

"When’s the meeting with the investors?" Alanis asked, shifting the conversation. His focus sharpened, he had no intention of relying on the Blackwoods. Having lived this life before, he was determined to rebuild from scratch. It wouldn’t be easy, but the business was already showing promising growth.

"It’s scheduled for this afternoon," Gus replied.

Alanis nodded, his mind already strategizing. Failure wasn’t an option.

---

Meanwhile, at the mall, Harlow waited in the car as her chauffeur maneuvered into a parking spot. Stepping out, she froze momentarily as her eyes caught a familiar vehicle, her old car. Her chest tightened. Since her father disowned her, everything he had given her, from her car to her credit cards, had been taken back. Frank Blackwood had meant it when he said she’d been cut off.

Her lips curled in a bitter smile as she walked past the car. Only one person could be driving it now. Claudia. The girl who seemed to take pleasure in stealing everything Harlow once had.

She had promised her before and was just following her promise. freewёbnoνel.com

"Harlow!" a voice called from behind. Turning, Harlow saw Layla hurrying toward her, dressed in black leather pants and a crisp shirt that exuded effortless elegance. Her knee-high boots clicked sharply against the pavement.

"We’re just here to shop, not to hold a fashion show," Harlow teased, managing a smile despite her mood.

Layla smirked. "Please, I’m not the one dressed like a boss lady straight out of a boardroom meeting."

Harlow laughed softly. For the first time that day, she felt a sliver of relief. "I needed this. Today’s been... a lot."

Layla’s eyes narrowed. "What happened?"

Harlow hesitated but then sighed. "I’ve been cut off. No allowance, no mansion. Everything’s gone."

Layla’s jaw dropped. "Don’t tell me the wicked witch is behind this!"

Harlow’s silence was all the confirmation Layla needed. "Let’s get inside," she said firmly. "You’re telling me everything. No details left out."

---

The mall was as grand as ever, the largest in Hawkhalls. Its sprawling layout catered to the elite, offering everything one could desire. Harlow had visited countless times, sometimes with personal shoppers, other times to clear her head. Today, it felt different.

As they strolled through the decorative section, Layla listened intently to Harlow’s recounting of the past few days. Her expression shifted from shock to outrage.

"She manipulated your father that badly?" Layla asked incredulously.

Harlow nodded, her shoulders sagging.

She’s no longer upset with her father, neither does she regret doing what she did, she should have hacked into their system long time ago. It would cost Frank millions to repair it back, and yet again, she’s the only one that can repair it.

She’s the infamous miss H the whole town knows about yet don’t know. She’s the one that has been working and helping her father’s company in secret.

The same person that has helped Alanis’s conquer so many companies in her past life.

She’s far from being the dummy everyone knows thinks she is. She’s literally the smartest business person in the world.

Like she told him, he would be the one to find her.

---

After finishing their shopping, Harlow and Layla made their way to the cashier. Harlow had bought a mix of items to make her new space feel more like home. As they waited in line, a familiar voice cut through the air like a knife.

"Well, well, well. Look who we have here."

Harlow turned to see Claudia striding toward them, flanked by her entourage of maids. Claudia’s smug expression radiated arrogance, her designer dress chosen to emphasize her status. She had always reveled in acting like royalty, even as the illegitimate daughter.

"This looks expensive," Claudia said, her tone dripping with mock concern. "Are you sure you can afford all this, dear sister?"

Harlow’s gaze remained steady, her expression as unreadable as ever. "Why would I buy something I cannot afford, dear sister?" she asked with a calm smile, tilting her head slightly. Her emerald eyes flicked to the items Claudia held in her hands.

"And that dress," Harlow continued smoothly, her voice holding an edge of mock curiosity. "Is that what you’re wearing to visit our in-laws?"

Layla, standing by her side, couldn’t hold back a scoff.

Claudia’s nose wrinkled in confusion. "What’s wrong with the dress? If you must know, it’s the most expensive one in this store," she said defensively, holding her head high.

Harlow’s lips twitched into a faint smile, but it was Layla who delivered the blow. "Don’t get us wrong, Claudia. The dress *is* beautiful... You’re just too ugly for it."

Claudia’s face twisted in anger, her composure slipping for a moment before she recovered. "At least I have the money to purchase anything I want," she shot back. "I was *looking forward* to helping you, sister, but since you don’t want my help..." She trailed off, her gaze hardening as she moved behind Harlow and Layla.

Layla leaned closer to Harlow and muttered under her breath, "She’s brewing something. Watch your back."

Harlow didn’t respond, her focus on Claudia, who was clearly waiting for her moment.

When it was Harlow’s turn at the cashier, Claudia struck.

"Oh, poor thing," Claudia said in an exaggerated tone of pity as she stepped forward. "Please don’t take *that* card from her." She gestured dramatically toward Harlow’s card. "You’ll only embarrass her when it gets declined. Here, let me help you."

Claudia handed her own card to the cashier with a smug smile.

Harlow’s expression didn’t falter. She calmly took her card back and placed it firmly into the cashier’s hand. "I didn’t ask for your help, Claudia," she said coldly.

"But Harlow," Claudia said, her voice laced with faux sweetness, "we both know you’ve been kicked out of the mansion. You have no money. Stop being so rude and accept this as a gift from me." She leaned in closer, lowering her voice. "Unless you’d rather starve for the next few weeks?"

Harlow chuckled softly, her smile returning. "You’ve always been predictable, Claudia," she said, her tone light but sharp enough to cut. "This might be fun for you, but let me assure you, I don’t need your help. You should save that card for your in-laws. I’m sure they’ll appreciate your *generosity* much more than I will."

The cashier swiped Harlow’s card, and to Claudia’s dismay, the transaction went through without a hitch.

The color drained from Claudia’s face, but Harlow ignored her, calmly collecting her bags. She turned to Layla and nodded toward the exit. "Shall we?"

As they walked away, Claudia stood frozen, her maids exchanging uneasy glances behind her. The tables had turned, and Harlow didn’t even have to raise her voice to win.

Layla grinned as they exited the mall. "Now that’s how you handle a spoiled brat."

Harlow’s smile didn’t waver. "This is just the beginning. Claudia and her mother have no idea what’s coming."