Chapter 34: Make Her Regret

Assistant Luke was startled by Andy’s decisive resolve, but he didn’t question it. He went to work immediately.

Andy’s car rolled away from the Alexander mansion.

He didn’t know Alicia was watching from her window. After he left, she tied her hair with a ribbon. Fresh from washing up and dressed in casual clothes, she crossed to her briefcase and quickly assembled the compact computer inside.

She powered it on and began tapping across the screen. Her eyes narrowed. “How is this possible?” she murmured.

Her parents’ company, which had gone public a few years ago, had vanished from the stock market. She dug into the news, scanning article after article. With every line, her gaze grew colder. She clenched her fists, anger knotting in her chest. “I’ll make you both experience something worse than hell for doing this to my family,” she vowed.

She shut down the device, disassembled it, and slotted each part back into the briefcase. Then she picked up her phone, placed a call, and, when it connected, said evenly, “I sent a message to your inbox.”

She hung up and went to sleep.

The next morning, the mother-and-daughter pair kept unusually quiet at breakfast. Even Alicia was surprised by their behavior.

Alexander, however, was preoccupied. His brow stayed furrowed, thoughts chewing through his appetite until he barely touched his food.

“I’ll be heading out,” Alicia announced, rising from the table.

She left and met Andy, already waiting to drive her. He took her to her usual bus stop and pulled over. She got out and walked toward her company.

Before she reached the gate, a convoy of cars swept up to the curb. Eden stepped out, a bouquet in hand.

“Catherine,” he called, striding toward her.

Alicia turned, one eyebrow lifting. She was surprised that her stepsister’s boyfriend was the first to approach her. She regarded him calmly. “Yes?”

“I believe you remember me,” Eden said as he closed the distance. “I’m your sister’s good friend.”

Alicia wasn’t surprised by his denial of his relationship with Winnie. “I’m busy,” she said evenly. “Why are you here?”

Undeterred, Eden smiled. “I was hoping you’d go out with me—just to get to know each—”

“I’m busy,” Alicia cut in, cold as glass.

She walked away. Eden watched her retreating figure, lips curling. Interest sharpened his eyes. “She’s so beautiful,” he murmured, smiling.

He turned back to his car. Down the street, Ethan had seen everything. His fists tightened; he couldn’t decide whether to go up to the company and face Alicia. He wavered, rooted to the spot.

His phone rang. When he saw the caller ID, his face drained. He answered, voice unsteady. “Hello.”

“Ethan, where the hell are you? Where are you?” Emily snapped through the speaker.

He flicked his gaze around and lied, “I stepped out for some fresh air.”

“You stepped out for fresh air?” she echoed, letting out a furious laugh. “You left the company without telling me. We are cooked, Ethan, and you went for fresh air? Are you serious?”

He tried to soothe her. “Don’t be angry. I’ll be ther—”

“I’m giving you a few minutes,” she cut in, voice like ice. “Be here and fix the mess you made.”

The harsh beeps told him she’d hung up. Ethan looked back at the company gate, reluctant to leave. But in the end, he turned, slid into his car, and drove off.

Alicia had barely stepped into her office when the phone rang. She answered, and a low voice spilled through the line: “Your brother and sister are dead. Your mother’s pulling double shifts to care for your bedridden grandmother. They’re being watched—by several parties. One of them is your ex-husband and his wife. The rest…I can’t say.”

Alicia’s grip tightened until the plastic creaked. Her face went cold, anger burning hot and feral behind her eyes. “Handle the situation over there,” she said, then ended the call.

She turned to the window. Ethan had been standing there not long ago. “You didn’t even spare my family,” she whispered, fury threading every word. “Emily. Ethan. I’ll make you both beg for death—and it won’t come.”

When the day ended, she went home. Winnie and Beatrice were waiting in the sitting room, mother and daughter rigid with indignation.

Winnie’s glare snapped to Alicia. “Mom, here comes the boyfriend snatcher.”

Alicia lifted a brow. Beatrice looked her over and asked, cool and direct, “What were you doing with Winnie’s boyfriend today?”

“Which one?” Alicia replied evenly.

Winnie’s breath caught. She was seeing both Wilfred and Eden.

Beatrice’s tone softened, but her words were edged. “You’re engaged to Andy. You shouldn’t be entertaining other men—especially your sister’s boyfriend, Eden.”

“I don’t have time for lowly men,” Alicia said, already turning away.

Mother and daughter stared, momentarily stunned.

“I don’t believe her,” Winnie hissed. “She says that and still goes after Eden. She’s just like her mother. Do something, Mom—I won’t let her take him from me.”

Beatrice’s eyes narrowed. “Then it’s time,” she said, voice like flint. “We make her regret coming back.”