Mr. Villain's Lovely Wife

Chapter 610

Susanna's breath caught in her throat. "Star, what did you just say? My mom, she...?"

"You heard me right. She used to run Black Gate," Stella replied, her voice calm and direct, not mincing words.

On the other end of the line, Susanna's breathing grew even tighter, sharp and uneven.

Even though Stella had spelled it out so clearly, Susanna still couldn't wrap her mind around it.

She took a shaky breath. "How could that be? There's just no way. My mom's just an ordinary businesswoman-you know that. She couldn't even make her bakery take off, let alone... this."

Her voice picked up speed, tinged with panic.

To her, her mother was the kind of person who never had a lot of money, but always managed to get by. In Portis City, her mom's small catering business was barely a blip on anyone's radar.

And even if she had some minor reputation, it wasn't for her business sense-it was more for her knack for making friends and always being at the center of every neighborhood barbecue or PTA event.

But to say that this woman, of all people, used to be the one running Black Gate?

Who could believe that?

Susanna had started to get suspicious lately, but now that she was hearing it for real, her chest felt tight with fear.

Or maybe it wasn't suspicion so much as dread. Real, bone-deep dread.

Because if her mom was tangled up with Black Gate, then any hope of a quiet, normal life was gone.

That was what Susanna feared most.

Before Stella could say anything, Susanna jumped in again. “Star, you must be mistaken, right? There has to be ome mistake."

There had to be. She knew her mom better than anyone-no way did she have that kind of power.

Stella could tell Susanna wasn't buying it, and her voice was getting sharper by the second. Stella tried to keep things gentle. "Do you want me to double-check for you?"

"Yes, please, just check again. Right away."

Stella hesitated. "Honestly..."

Honestly, confirmation was almost beside the point. Coincidences like this didn't just happen.

"There's nothing 'honestly' about it, Star. Just confirm it-please, I need you to confirm it."

Susanna's voice trembled.

herself to accept what she was hearing.

fear in Susanna's voice-who wouldn't be scared, finding out their mom was mixed up with something as dangerous as

Stella could hang up, her phone buzzed in her hand. She glanced down at the

message from one of her people. Attached was a photo-an

a picture, Stella had been pretty sure it was

with

need to check anymore," Stella said softly, a

cling to denial, the

Susanna's breath

you a clearer picture. Take a look for

forwarded the photo, and since they were on the phone, Susanna saw the notification pop up right away. She opened it, and with

went chalk

mother. No doubt

end, Stella heard Susanna's breathing quicken, and tried to soothe her. "Try not to panic, okay? She's not in as much danger as you

said, someone who could lead Black Gate

Lacey really was who they thought she

less.

tight her knuckles whitened. "I've heard stories about Black Gate... the kind of things they've done. People are

mom-her own mother-had been

hours as Susanna spiraled, worrying about what this all meant. Stella stayed on the line, doing

Chapter 206

locked, yet he said nothing, but the vein on his temple had begun

hands on the desk. "So, before you waste the court's time and

Holt opened his mouth, but Maria cut

contest it, I will personally make sure every past transaction

at the second file he brought. He didn't touch

at the paper in her

voice remained steady. "You wanted a legal

"Grandfather, this-"

was not made aware of that document," Gregory said, just as the car started moving. After seeing that document, they were left with no choice

about what woman?" Frederik asked. His grandfather actually helped Amalia get

through the downtown traffic. "The deal was simple. We get her out. She files for control. In exchange, she gets to crawl out of that cell and play

Frederik didn't reply.

the seat. "I underestimated Maria Alcaraz. I thought she was just one of Rossi's many

processing. "Do you want me

lawyer. Tell him to advise her. If the court's off the table,

an

leverage," Gregory said. "She'll do whatever it

a short nod. "Alright. I'll take care of

onto the bridge. For

out the window, then spoke again. “I still haven't

respond at first. His eyes followed the skyline in silence. Then, his jaw clenched.

tightened. "It was clean. Too clean. No digital footprint, no traceable tail, and nothing in the logistics report. The driver's records were wiped just two

"Then we missed something."

1/4

val, 17 AP

98%

Chapter 206

it," Frederik muttered. "It wasn't us. But whoever did it had a reason. And

slightly, but he didn't speak. His silence

days reviewing every possible connection, every possible motive. Still, nothing led to

But he hadn't wanted her dead. Whoever moved first

he was willing to admit. He didn't

they were halfway across

said finally, "you watch everyone." Frederik nodded slightly, eyes still on the road ahead. "Even our own?" Gregory didn't answer.

to the private lot behind the Vasili building. Frederik followed his grandfather inside, both men quiet as they entered

doors closed,

They're asking questions too. They want to know if zy will