Chapter 155: Revenge

Chapter 155: Revenge
Third person

The day outside was very bright and clear as still waters but Matt sat inside a bar, nursing a bottle of beer. It seemed like everything was falling apart for him.

When he saved Ashley that night, it was out of curiosity. He'd been curious about what was so special about her. She'd been given everything while he was tossed aside in an orphanage. Then he realized it, her spark, and he fell in love with her.

For the past year, it almost seemed like he had just one job—make her fall deeply in love with him first, before revealing that they're related. It would seem he did a pretty bad job.

He lifted the bottle to his lips and took a large gulp.

“Three shots, please,” he called out to the bartender. He needed something stronger.

The bartender came over, his hair dyed a bright shade of red. Then he filled three glasses with the clear liquid. “Girl problems?”

“Fuck off,” Matt snapped. He picked up the first glass, downed its contents in one go, and winced. He did the same for the second, then the third.

His head plopped down on the table. Goodness, he was such a loser. And right now, he'd lost on both ends. 

They weren't dating, and they weren't even friends either. Matt's chest tightened, and he clutched it.

But he couldn't lose… He wouldn't… This would be like an arranged marriage. Most arranged marriages don't start with love, and it'll be the same in their case.

He'll think of theirs as an arranged marriage. He was positive that she'd learn to love him along the line because he'd be the perfect husband.

Matt lifted his head drowsily from the table. “Another shot,” he slurred.

The waiter poured him another glass silently. He downed it immediately and wiped his mouth with the back of his palm.

A thought crossed his mind, and his lips curled into a smile. He knew the perfect way to get Valerie. He laughed loudly, attracting attention, but he didn't care. He was going to get his woman.

They'd be happy together... Him and his Ashley. She'd definitely learn to be happy too.



"They picked you up from the gutters,” Martha seethed. “Yet you repaid the kindness of those who took you in with betrayal and murder."

Valerie watched, stunned, as Grandma Martha's gaze seemed to strip Mrs. Harrison bare. Unlike her usual casual attire at the knitting club, Martha wore a tailored coat, her small designer bag hanging on her shoulder. A hint of makeup accentuated her features, and her hair was styled with elegance.

"How dare you!" Grandma continued, her voice filled with rage, "How dare you try to harm the very person who is the last remnant of the family that showed you kindness?! How dare you lay your smelly hand on my granddaughter?!”

She yanked Kate's hair harder, a few strands pulling out of her scalp. Kate winced, a tear slipping from her eyes. 

“I'm sorry,” she begged Martha desperately. The pain radiating on her head was too severe.

“Let her be, You're hurting her,” Mr. Harrison commanded, but his voice lacked conviction. 

Even Valerie stood, her lips parted, her tears dried as she watched the scene. She has never seen grandma like this.

Martha ignored Peter completely, as if no one had just spoken. She sucked her teeth and paused to take a breath. "The next time you put your hands on my granddaughter, I'll have you arrested!” She warned. “I'll make you spend at least a week there before you're granted bail. Are we clear!?"

Mrs. Harrison could only nod vigorously. Anything to make the woman let go of her hair.

Finally, Martha let go of her hair after a few moments. “Get out now!” She barked.

Mrs. Harrison didn't move an inch. She was staring at the old woman, her eyes blazing with fury. 

Mr. Harrison wasn't the type of person to be easily intimidated, but with all that they had on their table, he didn't want to add staying in jail to it. He knew the scary old woman wasn't bluffing. He tapped on his wife's shoulder, his voice low. "Let's go."

And as much as Mrs. Harrison felt the urge to yank on Martha’s hair in return, she knew that it was a stupid thought. Her eyes flashed with anger, but she turned, her shoulders stiff, and followed Mr. Harrison out of the office.

After they left, Grandma went over to wrap her arms around Valerie. “It's okay my child.”

Valerie relaxed in her arms, and pressed her body tighter against Grandma. “I'm sorry, I wanted to tell you, I—”

“I'm sorry,” Martha cut in sadly. “I should have recognized you. I should have recognized my granddaughter.”

“No, no.” Val waved her hand. It wasn't Martha’s fault. “There's no way you'd have known.”

Growing up, Valerie knew that Martha was her paternal grandma. Though she'd wondered why Grandma didn't get along with her son, whom she'd believed to be Mr. Harrison. Both Mr. Harrison and Martha spoke about the other sparingly to Valerie, even though they were supposedly mother and son.

It didn't make any sense to Valerie back then. But when she found out the truth about her parentage, it all became clear. Martha was her real father's mother, and not Mr. Harrison’s mother.

After Mr. Denver’s confession about the death of Ashley's parents, the case had been reopened.

“Oh, dear. It wasn't until the meeting last night that I found out. I heard some of the women at the club talking about it,” Martha lamented, her voice thick with emotions.

Valerie's eyes watered again. She sniffed and wiped a stray tear off her cheek. “I should have come to you and told you myself but a lot of things were going on with me.”

“It's okay my dear.” Martha cupped the young lady's face. “Though, I was a bit angry, but seeing you like this has made me forget all about it.”

She caressed Valerie's cheeks and Val leaned into her. “I love you my baby, I'm glad that I have you back,” Martha sniffed, trying to keep her emotions in check. 

“I love you too mama,” Valerie replied, brushing Martha's arm. 

Martha, who was standing beside Valerie’s chair with her chin resting on her granddaughter’s head, squeezed her eyes shut and allowed her tears to flow.

They both remained silently in place until Martha spoke up again. “Don’t ever let anyone intimidate you like that,” she advised in a firm tone. “Never let anyone step on you.”

Valerie nodded, tears slipping from her eyes. 

“You're my granddaughter,” Martha continued. “And…” She got up and did a 360 spin for Valerie. “Can't you see how I am even at my age? I'm old and fierce. And nobody would dare talk to me anyhow.”

“Yes, Grandma,” Valerie laughed, her eyes crinkling at the corner.



“Mr. Smith was arrested and there are rumors going around that he tried to kill you two years ago on your yacht. Can you tell us anything about it?”

Valerie held up her hands, silencing the crowd. "It’s true, but it wasn't just him. His wife, Karen, and the Harrisons were involved. They thought they'd gotten away with it, but I've been working tirelessly to bring them to justice."

The room was abuzz with shock and excitement, the reporters clamoring for more information.

“Do you have any evidence to support your claims?”

Valerie's eyes locked onto the camera, her voice steady. "I have evidence, and I'm willing to cooperate with the authorities to bring my fam–” she paused and then corrected herself. “The Harrisons and the Smiths to justice."

Karen sucked her teeth and closed the tab where she'd just watched Valerie spitting rubbish.

She opened her Instagram. As she scrolled through the app, she came across posts from different blogs, all their headlines seemingly talking about the same thing. 

“Businessman Adam has been arrested for murder, money laundering, assault, amongst other crimes.”

“Heiress, Ashley, says family tried to kill her.”

“Story about Ashley, who conquered death.” 

Really? Karen scoffed loudly at the absurdity of the headline.

She hastily threw her belongings into a bag, her mind still racing with the news of Adam's arrest. She knew she was next, and she had to get out - fast. Especially since she knew her pussy of a husband would rat her out at the slightest chance he got.

She grabbed a few black canvas bags, some white T-shirts, caps, and essentials she knew she'd need on the run. She stuffed a bunch of toiletries into a separate bag, zipped it up, and headed out.

Karen pulled out her phone and started making calls, her voice low and urgent. "Is everything ready?”

The person on the other end confirmed the arrangement, and Karen's anxiety eased slightly.

“Okay good.”

She was going to leave this place without looking back, but before then she'd make sure that she kills Valerie first.

Her mother had called earlier, telling her about her ordeal with Valerie and Martha. It broke Karen's heart to hear how much they'd humiliated Kate. How dare they?! 

Karen had sworn to her mother that she'd make Valerie pay and told Mrs. Harrison about her plan to kill Val herself. Kate was very pleased and urged her on, while reminding her that she needed to be careful.

She wasn't just doing it for herself at this point, she was doing it for her whole family and she couldn't fail. She needed to get her revenge.