The Billionaire's Weapon of Revenge

Chapter 2 – First Morning as Mrs. Clare

The first morning as Mrs. Clare felt more like a morning in prison. Michelle slowly opened her eyes, staring up at the high ceiling of a room that still felt strange to her. The air was cold, not just because of the temperature, but because of the loneliness that filled the space. The bed next to her remained untouched, just like the night before.

Zavier never entered the room, and that alone was enough to make her feel a bit relieved.

Michelle sat up on the bed, adjusting the strap of her nightgown, which was way too luxurious for sleepwear. On the table, the emerald necklace still lay there, gleaming sharply under the light. She hadn’t worn it yet. It felt like a beautiful dog collar—meant more to mark ownership than affection.

A soft knock on the door startled her. A young maid entered after the automatic door opened.

"Mrs. Clare, Mr. Clare requests your presence for breakfast in the dining room in fifteen minutes," she said politely, bowing without daring to make eye contact.

"Can't I refuse his request?" Michelle asked without thinking.

"I will prepare everything you need, Mrs. Clare." Instead of answering, the maid simply continued her task, making Michelle smile bitterly.

Michelle ended up nodding silently. She really didn’t have a choice—and even if she did, she wasn’t sure what the consequences would be.

"Alright. I'll take a quick shower and head down after," Michelle finally said.

The maid nodded. "Very well, Mrs. Clare."

***

The dining room in Zavier’s house looked like a royal hall. A long mahogany table, sparkling crystal chandeliers, and a breakfast spread that looked like it belonged at a royal banquet. But the most striking thing wasn’t the food—it was the man sitting at the end of the table.

Zavier.

Wearing a black shirt and an expensive watch on his wrist, he looked like a man straight out of a business magazine—handsome, cold, and untouchable. He definitely didn’t look like someone whose family had gone bankrupt—in fact, quite the opposite.

And now, his sharp gaze locked onto Michelle the moment she entered the room.

"Sit," he said flatly.

Michelle swallowed hard and sat down in the seat a maid had pulled out for her. She carefully picked up a piece of bread, trying to act normal even though the tension in the room was almost unbearable.

"You’re not wearing the necklace," Zavier said casually while stirring his coffee. His eyes briefly landed on Michelle’s face.

Michelle stopped chewing, her hand instinctively reaching for her bare neck. "I... I’m just not ready to wear it yet."

Zavier stared at her. His look didn’t show anger, but there was something pressing behind that calmness.

"You need to get used to wearing your status, Michelle. The world outside is much wilder than you think," he said quietly, but with meaning.

Michelle gripped her fork tightly. "What do you mean by 'the world outside'? Why does it sound like I should be preparing for something bad?"

Zavier gave a faint smile. "Because that’s exactly what’s going to happen. And... it’s what your family wanted too."

Before Michelle could ask more, a man rushed into the room, looking anxious.

"Mr. Clare," he said. "We received a report from Dante. Someone broke into your villa property in the mountains last night."

Zavier stiffened, his expression changing. "Who?"

"Not clear yet. But from the CCTV footage, the intruder seemed to be looking for something and left without taking anything," the man replied.

Michelle narrowed her eyes. 'Villa? Mountains?' she thought.

Zavier stood up. "Wipe the footage clean. Send it to Dante. And... send someone to Isabella’s house."

Michelle widened her eyes when she heard her stepmother’s name. "What does Isabella have to do with your villa in the mountains?"

Zavier turned to her. "A lot more than you know."

***

That afternoon, Michelle wandered around the house. Her curiosity beat her fear. She explored corridor after corridor, until she accidentally stumbled upon an unlocked study room.

She entered slowly. The room was full of books and documents. Old photographs of what looked like noble families hung on the walls. But what caught Michelle’s attention was a brown folder on a desk in the corner, labeled:

'Anderson – Old Files'

Anderson?

Her mother's maiden name was Katty Anderson.

With a racing heart, Michelle opened the folder. She didn’t know exactly what she was looking for, but something inside her told her she needed to know.

Inside were ownership documents, company deeds... and a letter signed by her late father. The dates were almost twenty years old.

Just as Michelle was about to flip to the next page, the door suddenly slammed open.

Zavier stood at the doorway.

"What are you doing in my study, Michelle?" he asked, his voice low but filled with a quiet threat.

Michelle quickly stood up, hiding the folder behind her back. "I... I was just looking around. I got lost."

Zavier stepped closer slowly. "You couldn’t have just gotten lost into this room. Dante wouldn’t have left the door unlocked."

Michelle bit her lip, then finally said, "Do you know Katty Anderson?"

Zavier’s gaze instantly sharpened, intimidating Michelle.

"Why do you know that name?"

Michelle stared back, refusing to back down. "Because she’s my mother, and I think... you know more about my family than you let on."

Zavier closed his eyes for a moment. "You’re not ready to know everything yet, Michelle."

"Then when will I be ready? After you’ve all taken whatever's left of my life?" Michelle asked, her anger flaring.

Zavier moved closer, very close. His voice was low and sharp. "Listen to me. Whatever you think you know... it’s not enough to save you. This world is cruel, and not everyone who calls themselves your family is on your side, Michelle."

Michelle looked him dead in the eyes. "I’ve known that for a long time."

***

That night, Michelle couldn’t sleep. She sat on her balcony, staring at the dark sky. Thoughts of the mountain villa, her mother's name on Zavier’s documents, and the emerald necklace now hanging around her neck... it all felt like pieces of a massive puzzle Zavier was slowly unlocking.

Suddenly, she saw a shadow moving across the garden below.

Michelle immediately straightened up. The figure was tall, dressed in black, and walked like he knew the area well. He was definitely not part of the household staff.

Quickly, Michelle grabbed her coat and snuck out. She had to find out.

She crept down the emergency stairs, moving carefully through the dark hallway, and quietly opened the back door.

But before she could step out, a hand grabbed her wrist tightly.

"You’re way too curious for someone who doesn’t know who her enemies are. That’s dangerous for you," said a voice she recognized instantly.

Zavier.

Michelle gasped. "You were following me?"

"No. I just knew you wouldn’t be able to help yourself."

They stood there in silence. Then suddenly, a gunshot echoed from the front gate.

Zavier immediately pulled Michelle inside, pressing a hidden button on the wall, revealing a secret passage.

"Get in!" Zavier ordered.

Michelle was frozen in fear and panic. "What’s happening? Why is there shooting? Who—"

Zavier wrapped his arm around her waist, forcing her into the hidden corridor. The door shut automatically behind them.

From inside the passageway, they could hear faint footsteps outside. Michelle trembled.

Zavier pulled a gun from under his jacket. His eyes were dark and cold.

"Welcome to your new world, Michelle," he whispered. "This... is just the beginning."

***