Chapter 212: He Took Something From Me First

Leitana rushed after Ravial the moment he turned to leave the basement. Her feet slapped against the cold wooden stairs as she caught up to him in the dimly lit corridor. She grabbed his forearm with both hands, stopping him mid-step.

“Mi Ravial, wait!” she pleaded, voice trembling. “You should not have done that. Yes, my father is a bad man… but why stain your hands with his blood? Why go this far?”

Ravial stopped. He turned slowly to face her, towering over her small frame. For a moment he just looked at her, then a low, dark chuckle rumbled from his chest.

“I listened to you, little lamb,” he said, voice smooth and amused, like they were discussing something trivial. “I did not rip him to shreds. That should please you.”

Leitana’s eyes filled with tears. “But look at him… he’s barely alive. Mi didn’t want this. Mi didn’t want you to become… this.”

Before Ravial could reply, Avery stepped out from the basement stairs behind them, her face pale but set with cold resignation.

“No, Leitana,” Avery said sharply. “He deserves it. And more. After everything he did to us… to Leroy… to Mathew… he deserves every single bruise.”

Leitana looked at her sister, sighing deeply, torn between them. “Avery…”

Avery ignored her and turned directly to Ravial, voice steady despite the slight shake in it.

“So what happens to him now?”

Ravial glanced at her, calm and unemotional.

“Charles is already being looked for by the FBI,” he said flatly. “It has been days since I sent them every shady dealing he’s ever been involved in, embezzlement, fraud, money laundering, the murders he ordered. Tomorrow morning he will be arrested. The video confession we made him record will make sure they have everything they need. He will spend the rest of his life in prison… if he survives that long.”

Avery stared at him, processing the words. A strange mix of relief and horror crossed her face.

Leitana stood between them, heart heavy, the weight of her father’s broken state and her husband’s ruthless justice crushing down on her.

Ravial remained completely calm, as if he were discussing the weather.

“Everything he owns has already been signed over,” he continued, voice smooth and matter-of-fact. “All his companies, properties, bank accounts, investments, offshore holdings, everything. It’s now split equally between Alyssa and You. The documents are legal and airtight. He has nothing left. Not a single cent.”

Avery’s face went pale. She staggered back a step, hand flying to her mouth.

“You… you took everything?” she whispered, voice cracking. “His entire empire?”

Ravial tilted his head slightly. “Yes. He signed it all away. Voluntarily, after some… encouragement.”

Leitana felt dizzy. She reached out and grabbed Ravial’s arm for support, her eyes wide with disbelief.

“Mi Ravial… that’s… that’s his whole life,” she breathed. “Everything he built. You really took it all?”

Ravial looked down at her, his expression softening just a fraction when he saw the shock and conflict in her eyes.

“He doesn’t deserve any of it,” he said quietly. “Not after what he did to you. To both of you. Now your mother and sister will never have to worry about money. They can live freely, without him.”

Avery was breathing fast, eyes glistening with unshed tears. She looked torn, part of her wanted to rejoice, another part was horrified at the sheer brutality of it.

“I… I don’t know what to say,” she whispered. “He’s going to be completely destroyed. Penniless. Broken.”

Ravial’s voice stayed cold. “That was the point.”

Leitana’s hand tightened on his arm. She was shaking.

“Mi… mi don’t know how to feel,” she admitted, voice small. “Mi hate what he did… but this… this is too much, mi Ravial. You took everything from him.”

Ravial turned to her fully, cupping her face with both hands, thumbs gently wiping away the tears that had started falling again.

“He took something from me first,” he said softly, but his tone was laced with steel. “He put his hands on you. He hurt you. In front of me. So I took everything from him. That is fair.”

Avery stood there, still processing, her face a battlefield of emotions, relief for her mother, guilt, horror, and a dark satisfaction she didn’t want to admit.

Leitana leaned into Ravial’s touch, torn between love and fear of the man she married.

The Next Day

The television in the living room was on, volume low but clear.

“Breaking news this morning,” the anchor said, her tone grave. “Prominent businessman and politician Charles Hale has been arrested in a dramatic turn of events. Authorities say the 58-year-old CEO of Hale Dynamics was found early this morning on a quiet street in upstate New York, severely beaten and disoriented. Sources tell us he was barely conscious when first responders arrived.”

Footage showed police cars and an ambulance at the scene.

“Federal agents from the FBI took Hale into custody immediately. He faces a staggering list of charges, including multiple counts of embezzlement, wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit murder. Investigators say they have received a large cache of documents and a recorded confession linking him to several high-profile cases. Hale was believed to have gone into hiding after weeks of evading authorities, but his current condition has left many questions unanswered. Officials have not yet commented on who may be responsible for his injuries.”

The anchor continued, “Hale’s wife, Alyssa Hale, and daughter, Avery Hale Ashbourne are expected to be questioned in the coming days as part of the ongoing investigation. This is a developing story. We will bring you more updates as they become available.”

The staff member standing nearby quickly turned off the television.

Avery sat on the couch, staring at the blank screen, still processing everything. She looked… lighter somehow, even with the shock.

“I… I’m free from his clutches,” she whispered, almost to herself.

Leitana sat beside her, quiet for a moment, then gently took her sister’s hand.

“Wanna go see Mama?” she asked softly. “And tell her about it?”

Avery sighed, nodding slowly. “Yeah. Since I have to take Mathew to the hospital anyway, I can see her from there.”

Leitana gave her a small, understanding smile and squeezed her hand.