The Billionaire's Weapon of Revenge

Chapter 4 – Showdown at the House

The main living room at Clare’s house looked different today. The usually quiet, high ceilings now echoed with the sounds of maids busily preparing for a feast. Crystal vases were filled with fresh white roses, the dining table was extended twice its usual size, and the tempting smell of food filled the entire house.

Michelle stood on the upstairs balcony, watching the preparations with a frown. She had never seen Zavier host anything this big since their wedding day. And knowing he wasn’t the type who enjoyed socializing, this feast felt more like a brutal warning.

Zavier appeared behind her, wearing a dark formal suit.

"Morning," Michelle greeted briefly, still looking down.

"You look uneasy," Zavier commented, stepping closer to stand beside her.

"Not uneasy," Michelle sighed softly. "More like... wondering what’s going to happen after this gathering."

Zavier stayed silent for a moment. "I invited them here... because I want them to see who's standing beside me now. And to show them that you're in the hands of the right person."

Michelle immediately frowned, her eyes widening a little. "You mean... Isabella?" she guessed, turning to look at him.

"Isabella. Olivia. Even Jeremi Laurent—your ex-fiancé," Zavier replied calmly. "Everyone who hurt you."

Michelle’s eyes widened. "Why are you doing this?"

Zavier smiled faintly. "Because there's no better way to show your enemies you’ve risen... than standing tall in front of them while smiling."

***

At exactly one o'clock, the guests they had been waiting for arrived.

Michelle, now wearing a dark blue satin gown that flowed softly around her body, looked elegant with her hair simply styled. The emerald necklace Zavier had given her now hung around her neck, gleaming proudly, as if marking who she belonged to now.

As footsteps echoed from the front hallway, Michelle’s heart raced faster. Memories of her past life with her stepmother and stepsister flashed through her mind, making her clench both fists tightly.

Michelle fought to keep her expression calm. She lifted her chin—and there they were.

Isabella.

The woman stood at the doorway, dressed in an ivory-white suit like some kind of noblewoman. Her face remained proud, though faint traces of fear appeared at the corners of her eyes. Behind her, Olivia stood with a fake smile, and Jeremi... the man who was once supposed to be her husband, now stared at Michelle, a mix of awe and regret in his eyes.

"Welcome to our home," Zavier said, formal and cold.

Michelle added in an even calmer voice, "Thank you for coming, even though you probably didn’t expect to receive our invitation so soon."

Isabella narrowed her eyes. "Isn’t this just a family lunch? From your tone, Michelle... it sounds like there’s another reason behind this."

Michelle gave a small smile. "Let’s head to the dining table. Our chef has prepared the best dishes."

***

The lunch was tense for most of the guests.

Michelle sat at the far end of the table, directly across from Isabella, while Zavier sat at the center. He casually sliced his steak and swapped his plate with Michelle’s without a word.

"Thank you," Michelle whispered softly.

Zavier gave a faint, brief smile. "Finish your food... darling."

Michelle’s eyes widened for a split second at the unexpected term, but quickly replaced her shock with a natural smile when she noticed Isabella, Olivia, and Jeremi watching them closely.

"Of course, darling," she replied, trying to sound as natural as possible.

Isabella smirked. "The matchmaking I arranged for you doesn’t seem so bad after all, does it?" she asked Michelle.

Michelle smiled as she nodded. "Yes. Turns out Zavier is far more perfect than I ever thought."

"Are you happy being married to him?" Jeremi asked suddenly.

Michelle nodded while putting a piece of meat into her mouth. "Yes."

"Of course she's happy. Even if her husband’s family went bankrupt, at least Zavier’s face is still something she can be proud of," Olivia added sarcastically.

But Michelle simply smiled, not giving them the reaction they wanted.

After lunch, Zavier stood up.

"Now we come to the real reason for today’s gathering," he said, his voice filling the room.

Michelle turned to him, giving a small nod. She stood, then took a brown folder from a maid who had been prepared earlier.

"This," Michelle said, opening the folder, "is a copy of the ownership documents of Anderson Group. The original will from my grandfather, followed by the transfer documents from my mother to my father, and... finally, the papers that show the company should have been inherited by me after my father’s death."

Isabella turned pale.

"And this," Michelle continued, showing the next document, "is a copy of the fake documents you submitted to court after his death. With forged signatures, Mrs. Isabella."

"This is slander!" Isabella shouted. "You have no proof those aren’t your father's signatures!"

Zavier calmly handed over another paper. "You're right. That's why we hired an independent forensic expert from overseas. And the result... the signature is indeed fake."

Isabella stood, trembling. "This is a setup!"

Michelle stepped closer, looking her stepmother straight in the eye. "Setup? No, Mrs. Isabella. This is justice. For years you tricked me, stole my inheritance, used me like a servant for your family. Now it’s time for me to take back everything that’s rightfully mine."

"Maybe all this happened because your poor husband pushed you into it? Michelle, wake up! He’s only doing this to get rich from you!" Isabella cried desperately.

"Rich?" Zavier murmured quietly. "The shares you stole aren’t even five percent of my personal wealth."

Isabella snorted. "Still acting like a billionaire even after bankruptcy," she sneered at Zavier, who only smiled coolly.

"Marrying you was the biggest mistake we ever made, letting a poor man like you into the Alexander family! Is this how you repay our kindness, Zavier?"

Zavier simply nodded. "This is just the beginning, Mrs. Isabella. And you’re already this scared? Imagine when we show you the real ace we’ve been holding."

Olivia stood too, her face pale. "Michelle... we just... we just wanted to keep the company running..."

"By erasing me from the family history?" Michelle’s voice shook slightly with emotion. "Did you think I’d just stay silent after learning the truth?"

Jeremi stepped forward, trying to approach Michelle. "Michelle, I... I didn’t know about any of this. If I had known—"

Zavier stepped in immediately, his stride sharp. "One more step toward her... and I’ll personally throw you out, Jeremi."

The tension in the room thickened. Jeremi glared at Zavier, but one sharp look from him made Jeremi back away.

Zavier then spoke, "Starting today, all the shares you illegally seized will be returned to the rightful owner—Michelle. We’ve already arranged lawyers to handle everything. And... you’re all banned from entering Anderson Group’s offices without permission."

Isabella collapsed into her seat, her face ashen. Olivia couldn’t even find words.

Michelle closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, there was only calmness left.

"You can all leave now," she said quietly.

***

After everyone left, Michelle sat in the lounge.

Her body was tired, but her spirit felt lighter than ever before.

Zavier entered and handed her a cup of warm tea.

"You were incredible today," he said.

Michelle gave a small smile. "I was just taking back what’s mine, like you said."

Zavier sat beside her. "And now... what will you do next?"

Michelle turned to him. "Rebuild everything. Not just the company... but myself too."

Zavier looked at her with deep respect. "I'll help you."

Michelle gazed at him, then said softly, "I know. And... thank you."

They stared at each other for a long moment before Zavier suddenly said, "There’s one more thing you need to know."

Michelle frowned. "What is it?"

Zavier took a deep breath. "There’s someone very powerful... someone who once had a secret contract with your family and the Bryces. That person... will soon show up."

Michelle stiffened. "Who?"

"His name... is Vallen Dirge."

***

A black car carrying Isabella, Olivia, and Jeremi sped away from Zavier Clare’s estate.

Inside, the atmosphere was tense and heavy. Olivia sat in silence, while Jeremi stared blankly out the window.

But Isabella...

The woman gripped the edge of her seat tightly, her eyes sharp and burning with rage.

"I won’t let it end like this," she muttered under her breath.

Olivia glanced at her. "Mom... it’s over. They have proof. We can’t win."

Isabella slowly turned her head, a cold smile on her lips. "You're right. We can't win... the old way."

Olivia frowned, confused. "What do you mean?"

Isabella pulled out her phone. She opened an encrypted message app, staring at a contact name simply labeled 'V'.

"I still have one last card to play," she said quietly. "Someone even Zavier doesn’t want to face."

She quickly typed a message.

[V]

You: It's time we talk. I have something you want. And I want Michelle Alexandria destroyed.

A moment later, the screen lit up.

A reply appeared:

V: I’m waiting. As usual, use the back entrance.

Isabella stared at the screen, her eyes filled with hatred and revenge.

"You think you’ve won, Michelle?" she whispered. "The real game... has just begun."

***