THE BILLIONAIRE'S VENGEFUL WIFE RETURNS-Chapter 42: YOU’VE CAUGHT MY EYES

Richie had been too excited to meet his boss after her divorce. They decided to give her a few days of rest and after that, drag her back to work. They were glad she was finally free from the endless torment of Alanis Hamilton, but what none of them had anticipated was the intimidating presence of Alanis Hamilton himself, standing in the Blackwood mansion as though he belonged there.

From the moment Richie laid eyes on him, an uneasy tension settled in his chest. Alanis wasn’t just the powerful figure the media portrayed. In-person, he radiated a cold, dangerous energy that sent a silent warning to anyone who dared cross him. His commanding aura and chiseled frame made Richie acutely aware of the stark contrast between them.

The Alanis before him wasn’t the composed businessman the tabloids loved to dissect, he was something else entirely.

The man all dressed in black attire who had just attended to his wife argued with the old woman before him. He had two huge problems in his life, the first was his grandmother and the next, his daring wife. But surprisingly, both of the problems got along so well.

Richie watched as Alanis spoke to his grandmother, his tone surprisingly measured, though the edge of frustration was impossible to miss. The old woman, however, seemed unimpressed, standing her ground with a stubbornness that made Richie smirk inwardly. Even Alanis Hamilton, with all his power and influence, couldn’t sway her.

Still trying to process the scene, Richie’s attention snapped to the figure stepping out of the mansion. His eyes lit up as he saw Harlow, his boss, the woman he’d long admired for her strength and brilliance. Without hesitation, he rushed forward, lifting her into his arms like a knight greeting his queen.

Harlow smiled at the royal treatment. When she’s with her crew, they always make her feel so special and it’s pleasing to see. She forgets her problems and always smiles at them.

"Welcome back Boss." He said leading her to where the rest of the crew waited for her.

If only the world knew the truth about her, the brilliance hidden behind the turmoil she’d endured. To him, she was more than just a boss, she was a treasure, one that deserved to be cherished and celebrated.

But Richie’s enthusiasm had drawn more than just Harlow’s attention. Next to their car, Alanis’s focus shifted sharply, his piercing gaze locking onto the scene before him. His dark eyes narrowed as he watched another man touch what he still considered his.

The sight of Harlow in Richie’s arms, smiling and unguarded, ignited something primal in Alanis. Jealousy surged through him, sharp and acidic, twisting his chest into a knot he couldn’t ignore. It wasn’t just Richie’s presence that infuriated him, it was Harlow’s reaction. The warmth, the ease, the laughter she shared so freely with someone else.

His jaw clenched, the air around him seeming to grow heavier as his temper simmered beneath the surface. The bitterness of regret and possessiveness mingled, creating a storm of emotions he struggled to suppress.

She wouldn’t even spare him a glance, yet here she was, letting another man hold her so intimately. Alanis’s pride and restraint frayed at the edges, the threads barely holding as the bitter taste of jealousy filled his mouth.

Alanis’s attention left his grandmother’s stubbornness entirely. All he could focus on now was the man holding Harlow too close, smiling too easily, acting as though she was his.

She’s not his...

She can never be his...

He won’t allow it...

The bitter taste of jealousy coated his tongue, and his voice, low and cold, broke the silence. "Put her down."

Richie turned, startled by the icy command of the dark man who looked like he could kill anyone at the moment. His easy smile faltered as he met Alanis’s stormy gaze. "What?" Richie asked, confused. He had no idea what was happening, he had thought this man and his boss had divorced.

What was he acting like he was still her husband? He stared at the other people standing there, all staring at him with pity.

"You heard me," Alanis said, his words deliberate, each one dripping with restrained fury. "Put. Her. Down."

Richie hesitated, glancing at Harlow, who looked at Alanis with surprise and frustration. To avoid trouble, Richie slowly set her back on her feet, stepping back with his hands raised in surrender. "I’m sorry if I offended you, Mr Hamilton." He said

Alanis ignored Richie entirely, his sharp gaze locking onto Harlow, who now stood between them like a shield. Her green eyes glared up at him, unyielding and defiant.

"What is your problem?" Alanis grabbed her wrist and dragged her away before she could say more to him. He didn’t stop walking till he was sure they were alone. Surrounded by nothing but beautiful flowers.

A certain someone who now stepped into the car smiled as she saw them leave. She was suddenly no longer stubborn and wanted to leave now, even if her grandson had been begging her for hours about leaving with him.

"What was that for?" Harlow couldn’t contain her fury. He hated her yet could not stand her with another man.

"I should be asking you the same." Alanis spat, the word like poison on his tongue. "Is that what this is? Laughing in another man’s arms while you refuse to even look at me?"

Harlow frowned at his words, her frustration bubbling to the edges. "What I do is none of your concern, Mr. Hamilton, I am no longer your wife," she said firmly.

"Says who?" He took a step closer, towering over her. Harlow knew better this time than to run, she would never let what had happened before happen again. She would never let her heart feel any type of way for this man.

You think I’m jealous?" Alanis said, his voice deceptively calm, though his fists remained clenched at his sides. "You think I care about your little games?"

"This is not a game, Mr. Hamilton," Harlow said, her voice steady but sharp. "I’m no longer the girl who used to run after you. It’s high time you accepted that."

A small, knowing smile played on Alanis’s lips. He stepped closer, his movements deliberate, until his face was mere inches from hers. He tilted his head, his breath warm against her ear.

His scent, a maddening blend of spice and sweetness, hit her like a wave. Harlow clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she fought the rising turmoil within her. Her heart betrayed her, beating wildly against her ribs. She hated the way her body responded to him, as though it had a mind of its own.

This man should be her enemy. He was her enemy. After everything he’d done, after all the pain he’d caused her, why did her heart still ache for him? Why did it refuse to let go?

"Are you sure?" Alanis’s voice was low, measured, each word sinking into her like a slow-burning ember.

"Mr. Hamilton—"

"Because," he interrupted, his dark eyes locking onto hers, "what is mine cannot belong to someone else."

The air grew heavier between them as his gaze softened, a dangerous blend of intensity and something else... something she didn’t want to name.

"I wasn’t joking," he murmured, his voice dipping into something almost tender, "when I said you’ve caught my eye."