THE BILLIONAIRE'S VENGEFUL WIFE RETURNS

Two legs strode through the opulent halls of a luxurious hotel, purposeful and steady, until they halted before an elevator. In one hand, he held a card, and in the other, a discreet leather bag.

With two clicks, the elevator began its ascent to the topmost floor. Gus adjusted the collar of his meticulously ironed suit, the fabric fitting perfectly over the artificial bulk of his disguise. Underneath the façade of an old, overweight old man was a sharp assistant, now heading toward his master’s bedroom.

Alanis had insisted on the old man’s disguise to hide away from his family, especially his overbearing stepmother and sister. They are both furious about him ruining his marriage with Claudia. He couldn’t understand his mother’s obsession with the Blackwoods. He needed time to deal with the mess he had created.

It was a mess, indeed. Alanis had singlehandedly sabotaged their best chance at growing the business. A strategic marriage to Claudia would have secured the partnerships and resources they desperately needed. But now? Now, they were back to square one.

First, there was Harlow. Now, Claudia. Alanis seemed paralyzed between the two sisters. All Gus wants is for his boss to be able to make a decision and stand by it. The indecision was dragging the business down.

When the elevator doors slid open, Gus stepped into the penthouse. The suite was immaculate, its luxury marred only by the scattered papers and empty coffee cups on the marble table. At the far end, Alanis stood shirtless, engrossed in the stack of files Gus had sent earlier. He’d been holed up here for days, ignoring the incessant calls and texts from his stepmother.

Gus sighed, shaking his head. "Sir, it’s been two weeks now. Your wife hasn’t returned, and your second attempt at marriage was a disaster. We’re running out of time."

Alanis finally looked up, meeting his assistant’s gaze with calm confidence. "Don’t worry, Gus. She’ll come back within the month. Mark my words."

Though his voice seemed more confident, Gus wasn’t convinced. He has said this the other times and his wife never returned, what makes him think she’ll return this time? "And what makes you so sure?"

"Because I’ll make it happen," Alanis replied, his voice steady. He leaned back, folding his arms. "Now, did you find out where she’s staying?"

Gus nodded. "Yes. It’s an old neighborhood, completely off the state map. It’s been abandoned for decades. Even her father wouldn’t know to look there."

Alanis allowed himself a faint smile, "Good. As long as she’s safe, that’s all that matters."

Gus hesitated but said nothing. He’d heard this conviction before, and it always ended the same way, with Alanis chasing what he’d already lost. Still, he hoped, for both their sakes, that this time would be different.

.

THE HOSPITAL,

.

Two elegant women walked into the hospital, turning heads as they moved. One had striking green eyes, the other hazel. Their faces were instantly recognizable. The Blackwood women didn’t need introductions, they were known by everyone.

Lately, their name had been everywhere, tangled in rumors and scandals. Some stories were lies, others held pieces of truth. But through it all, the Blackwoods had stayed silent. For Elisa and Frank Blackwood, the silence was their shield.

"Good morning," the two said as they approached the receptionist. Their voices were calm, but there was tension in the air. They glanced around as if trying to gather their thoughts or steady themselves.

This hospital wasn’t unfamiliar. It was where Frank had arranged for Nathan Eagle, the wealthy older man he now insisted Claudia marry. With Harlow missing, Frank believed this was the only way to keep his secrets safe. One daughter had to pay the price.

Claudia didn’t know how things had backfired to her. It’s like everything they planned for Harlow was now happening to her. She thought she could easily get married to Alanis, but it seems he has already chosen Harlow over her.

Claudia didn’t want to marry Nathan. The idea made her stomach turn. Elisa had once thought it might be fine when it was Harlow’s problem, but she never thought the same I’ll fate would befall her daughter.

Claudia is her blood, Elisa couldn’t bear the thought of her being mocked for marrying a man old enough to be her grandfather.

The scandal surrounding their family was already bad enough. Alanis’s public rejection of Claudia just last week had been humiliating. If she went ahead and married Nathan Eagle, it would destroy what little dignity the family had left. Their reputation would crumble. Elisa could already imagine the whispers and laughter from her so-called friends.

Claudia’s voice broke the silence. "We’re here to see Nathan Eagle," she said firmly, though her voice held a note of strain. The receptionist looked up, her eyes briefly widening in recognition, before pointing them toward his room.

Both women started walking through the halls till they arrived at the door the receptionist had pointed to them. Elisa’s lips were pressed in thin line as she stepped in. She had thought of what to do to free her daughter from whatever it was Frank had planned for her.

For over a week, they’d been searching for Harlow. Not a single trace of her or Alanis had surfaced, despite hiring the best investigators money could buy. Elisa was done waiting. Time was running out. Nathan Eagle, the man Frank wanted Claudia to marry, was recovering quickly, and Elisa knew she had to act before it was too late.

She had devised a plan, not just for Claudia’s sake, but for Frank’s as well. A plan that should have been carried out long ago, one Frank was too weak to execute. Elisa had grown to resent his softness, his inability to make hard decisions when it mattered most. It was that weakness that put their family in this position, to begin with.

Steeling herself, Elisa pushed open the door. A practiced smile spread across her face as she stepped inside, her tone bright and warm. "Mr. Eagle, I’m so happy to see you’re recovering well," she said, her voice dripping with charm.

Nathan’s head snapped toward her, his face twisting in anger. "What are you doing here? Get out!" he bellowed, his gaze darting to the young woman standing beside her. His expression darkened further at the sight of Claudia.

"I don’t want anything to do with your cursed family," he spat, his voice venomous.

He hadn’t forgotten or forgiven the Blackwoods. One of them, that beautiful harpy Harlow, had ruined him, left him impotent and humiliated. He swore on his life he’d kill her if he ever saw her again. He’d expose Frank and all the dirty secrets he knew, dragging their precious name through the mud.