THE VENGEFUL SON-IN-LAW

CHAPTER 9

So, she did what had to be done. She took the child and left him in the last place anyone would think to look - the Crawford house.

Yes, Monica's son found refuge with the Crawfords, living under the name Eric Crawford. Halle, against her mother's wishes, bravely adopted him. She even disappeared for a while, allowing people to assume she was simply ashamed and hiding a pregnancy.

She chose to endure the judgment and speculation rather than let anyone doubt her role as Eric's true mother. The aristocratic class branded her a disgrace for having a child out of wedlock, forcing her to raise him as a single mother. 

But none of that mattered to her. She knew his true identity and considered it the least she could do to repay every ounce of pain her family had inflicted upon Monica.

The lady slid Monica's journal over to Harvey, and it tore him apart inside. The magnitude of her ordeal was unimaginable, and he couldn't help but frown, clenching his fist tightly as the urge to punch something consumed him.

"Thank you for sharing all of this," he managed to say, his voice filled with a mix of gratitude and sadness. "By this time tomorrow, my team will arrange your travel plans, and everything will be taken care of." With that, he left her alone, giving her the space she needed.

As he stepped outside, his rage boiled over, and he couldn't contain it any longer. He let out a primal scream, the sound echoing through the air as he unleashed his frustration on his car. His fist collided with the mirror, causing it to shatter into countless pieces. Some of the sharp fragments embedded themselves in his knuckles, drawing blood that dripped onto the ground.

The following morning, after a sleepless night, he delved into Monica's journal, devouring every word. Thoughts raced through his mind as he contemplated ways to connect with Eric. Regret washed over him like a tidal wave, as he despised himself for not building a relationship with the boy during his time with the Crawfords.

They certainly didn't make it easy for him, treating him like an outcast. He never quite understood why, but Halle always ensured he was kept at a distance, shielding him from her family's messy affairs.

With a heavy heart, he reached for his phone and dialed her number, contemplating whether to reveal the truth. Halle may have known about Eric being Monica's child, but she remained oblivious to his true paternity. Uncertainty plagued his mind as he debated whether to disclose that he was Price. Harvey dreaded the possibility of him being entangled in the ensuing chaos.

However, he couldn't ignore the pressing need to connect with Eric and share his true identity. The weight of his thoughts left him unsettled, until Lana entered the room.

The sight of her brought immense relief and joy. She was truly a sight for sore eyes. Lana had accepted his job offer, recognizing her own need for Harvey, just as he needed her.

Without wasting any time, he quickly filled her in on what needed to be done. "Lana, it's good to have you back," he said, a smile forming between them.

"I have to get ready for the office. I'm supposed to meet someone there," he explained, their personal lives still a mystery to each other. But curiosity got the best of Lana.

"And who might that be?" she asked, her interest piqued. He seemed surprised, yet cleverly responded, "It's Halle. I have something important to discuss with her."

Lana gave him a troubled look. "Come on! You're still involved with a Crawford? You can't trust them," she warned. He chuckled at her remark, finding it endearing. "How cute to see you worry about me. I understand your concerns, but Halle is different. You might have a change of heart once you get to know her."

"Yeah, I've heard about her. The innocent-looking one, nothing like Serena and Margaret. She's considered the good Crawford, but I'm not buying that facade. She's just as crazy as the rest of them," Lana expressed, her skepticism evident.

Harvey let out a hearty laugh. "It's almost as if you have a personal vendetta against her with the way you sound. But trust me, you'll have a change of heart about her once I'm done speaking with her. I'll reveal what I discover," he promised, playfully lifting Lana's chin and giving her a wink before heading into his bedroom for a bath.

"By the way, feel free to join me," he flirted, leaving Lana with a radiant smile on her face. Determined to remove the Darbys and Crawfords from the board of directors, Lana sprang into action. After everything she had been through, After all she had been through, she was ruthless and would use any means necessary to achieve her goals.

Lana was determined to uncover every dark secret about the directors, using their own secrets to turn them against Margaret. Having experienced the cruelty of the aristocratic class herself, Lana knew that no one at the top of the food chain had clean hands. Harvey was about to learn this the hard way.

Halle arrived at the Price Industry building, the epitome of power in the city. She despised this world she came from, as it symbolized everything that was wrong. A world where power, influence, and wealth took precedence over everything else. They would kill without regard for human life, viewing the lives of the masses as mere collateral damage. It made her sick to her stomach.

Halle could understand why he wanted to meet her there, considering what had transpired between them. She confidently walked in, stepping into the elevator that whisked her up to the top floor. As the CEO of Price Industry, his office was perched at The Heights of the building, boasting a private rooftop with a breathtaking view of the entire city.

Upon entering his office, Halle noticed him lost in thought, seemingly contemplating how to approach the conversation. Little did he know, Halle had her own motives for being there. 

Being a composed individual, she politely offered to make him something to help ease his nerves. He initially suggested calling in his secretary, but Halle insisted on taking care of it herself. Eventually, he relented and guided her to his private kitchen.

In just a few minutes, Halle returned with two cups of tea, extending one to Harvey. However, before he could even take a sip, Lana burst into the office accompanied by two armed men, catching them both off guard.

"Give her that cup now!" Lana commanded, her tone filled with authority. Harvey hesitated, unsure of what was happening. Lana forcefully snatched the cup from his grasp and attempted to coerce Halle into drinking it. The men held Halle down as Lana ruthlessly tried to force the tea down her throat.

Confused and alarmed, Harvey intervened, demanding that the men cease their harsh treatment. "Lana, what is going on? I understand you may not like her, but this is embarrassing. Halle, just drink the tea. It's not that significant, it's no different from the one you offered me."

"Are you planning to speak up, or shall I take it upon myself to inform him?" Lana's voice brimmed with annoyance, her frustration evident.

Unbeknownst to Halle, Lana had discreetly instructed the security team in the video room to activate the CCTV feed in Harvey's office. Typically dormant, Lana couldn't bear the thought of leaving Harvey alone and unmonitored in the presence of a Crawford.

Lana possessed a keen understanding that individuals are not always as they appear. The camera had captured Halle surreptitiously adding something to Harvey's tea, though the exact nature of the substance remained elusive. Driven by an unwavering determination, Lana was resolute in her quest for answers.

Overwhelmed by guilt, Halle crumbled, her tears flowing freely as she offered a tearful apology to Harvey. She confessed, her voice trembling with anguish, "I... I attempted to poison you, Harvey. It was my mother's doing. She left me with no choice."

"I didn't want to, but I can't let Eric suffer. Margaret is capable of anything," Harvey's mind raced, his focus shifting from Halle's poisoning attempt to his concern for Eric.

"For now, Halle, we must prioritize finding Eric. That's the only reason I'm refraining from throttling you," Harvey scoffed, his eyes filled with disdain as he glanced at her. Halle, overcome with shame, wept in remorse for her actions.