Chapter 354
Paulo Guise’s name echoed through the grand hall.
He stepped inside, expecting news of an inheritance-Norman Guise had said it was about the family estate.
But instead of lawyers or documents, an old woman lunged at him from the shadows, her eyes burning with desperation.
“Paulo! How could you do this to me?” she screamed, voice ragged with pain.
Paulo squinted at her, confused and irritated.
“Who the hell are you?” he spat, shoving her roughly aside.
She hit the floor hard, sobbing uncontrollably.
Her voice cracked with anguish, “I once had everything-a thriving career, a loving family p>
“But you came along. You lied, promised me the world, made me your private secretary, treated me like a queen. I left my husband and kids for you, Paulo p>
She scrambled to her feet and rushed him again.
“Sorry, but I’ve never known a woman as repulsive as you,” Paulo sneered with disgust, slamming his palm into her face and knocking her to the ground again.
“You swore I was your moon, your stars-promised we’d marry p>
“But one day before our wedding, you had your thugs kidnap me! They sold me off to traffickers. Do you understand what they did to me? Selling me as sex slave and drugs every day just to numb the pain. You took everything from me you bastard p>
Paulo stared, eyes wide in shock. Recognition hit him like a punch. “Belinda p>
She was once stunning-college model, corporate icon, the pride of the Guise business empire. Out of thousands of workers, Paulo had handpicked her to be his personal secretary, his favorite.
Now, she was gaunt and hollow, aged beyond recognition by years of drugs and abuse. Slowly, she rose from the floor, eyes burning with fury and tears.
“You still remember my name?” she choked out.
“Then answer me one thing. Just tell me why. Why did you do this to me? What did I ever do wrong to you p>
Paulo chuckled bitterly, stepping forward. “You really want to know why p>
“Yes!” Belinda screamed, voice trembling.
“Did you hate me that much? Was it revenge? Tell me why you were so cruel!” Paulo smirked, raising his hand to strike again. “Because I grew bored of you.” Belinda collapsed to her knees, blood trickling from her lip, shaking violently. “That’s it? You ruined my life just because you got bored p>
“What else did you expect?” Paulo sneered, his voice dripping with scorn. “You were like an old toy-good at first, but disposable. You replace it with something newer, younger. It’s simple. Didn’t they teach you anything at that fancy university of yours p>
“Yes. I understand now.” Belinda nodded slowly, eyes darkening with sudden clarity.
She pulled a handgun from beneath her coat, trembling as she aimed at Paulo and fired.
The shot missed, striking his thigh. Paulo crashed to the floor, roaring in agony. “Belinda! What the hell are you doing? Stop p>
Belinda laughed bitterly, stepping closer, gun wavering.
“Isn’t it obvious, Paulo? I’m going to kill you p>
“Guard! Please help me!” Paulo roared, panic ripping through his voice.
But the guard pretended not to hear.
Belinda raised her handgun again, hands trembling.
“Stop it, Belinda! I’m Paulo Guise, damn it! Kill me, and your family will suffer worse than you ever did! I’ll sell your mother and sisters too, you worthless bitch!” Belinda fired again, her aim shaky, the bullet slamming into Paulo’s stomach.
He howled, clutching at the wound. “Stop, please p>
Belinda wiped away tears, voice cold and fierce. “When those men locked me up, forced themselves on me night after night, I screamed for them to stop. But they never did p>
She fired again, this time hitting Paulo’s ribs. His breathing turned ragged, eyes wide with terror.
“Belinda, please,” Paulo begged, gasping.
“Call an ambulance. You’re a kind woman, gentle, forgiving. Please p>
Belinda knelt beside him, pressing the barrel against his forehead.
Her voice was a chilling whisper. “I believed your lies. Gave up everything-my husband who truly loved me, my child who needed me for a monster like you. I finally see how stupid I was p>
Paulo’s face paled, eyes pleading desperately. “Belinda, don’t-please p>
She smiled sadly, tears streaming down her face. “Don’t worry, Paulo. Remember how you always promised me we’d die together p>
Paulo’s eyes widened in horrified realization. His final plea was weak and fading. “Please, Belinda p>
Belinda’s finger tightened on the trigger, ready to end Paulo’s life.
But suddenly, a strong hand grabbed the gun, jerking it upward as the bullet exploded harmlessly into the ceiling.
She spun around, startled, eyes wide as she recognized the man who’d intervened.
“Carl?” Her voice trembled, heart racing.
“Linda, you promised me through happiness, sickness, until death parts us,” his
voice was gentle, yet unwavering.
“Does that promise still mean anything p>
“Carl?” Belinda blinked, stunned.
The man she once truly loved-the one she abandoned for riches and luxury- now stood before her.
The wealthy man had only wanted her for pleasure, and once that faded, he tossed her aside like garbage.
“Our children still need their mother,” Carl said softly, eyes full of quiet pain. “Will you come home p>
Belinda’s voice cracked with guilt, “How can you forgive me after everything I’ve done to you p>
Carl dropped to one knee, gently taking her hands.
“Belinda, I love you. I’ve always forgiven you. The real question is, can you forgive yourself and come back home p>
“I’m broken, Carl,” she sobbed, shaking her head. “I’m ugly, ruined, dirty. I’m not good enough for you anymore p>
“Belinda,” Carl whispered tenderly,
pouring every ounce of his love into his words. “You’re still the woman I
love the mother of our coman I
Nothing could ever change that p>
“Enough of this nonsense! It’s disgusting!” barked an impatient guard nearby.
“If you two lovebirds are done, move aside. We’ve got more of these Guise bastards to kill, and time’s running out p>
Belinda and Carl exchanged shocked glances as their tender moment was abruptly shattered.
“Help me,” Paulo groaned weakly from the floor.
“Pathetic. You couldn’t even finish off this pig,” the guard spat, raising his gun and silencing Paulo’s pleas with a clean shot to the head.
“Now move. We need this hall cleared for the next target. Keep playing your little drama outside p>
Carl gently guided Belinda toward the door.
As they passed Alex, he whispered
“You have a man who still loves you,
even after knowing everything. Just
say yes. Forgive yourself. He’s
rare-hold on to him p>
Belinda glanced back at Alex, his words striking deep into her heart. She finally
realized the truth in them.
Outside, beneath the open sky, she turned to Carl, determination clear in her voice. “If you’ll still have me, Carl, I promise to be the woman you and
our children deserve p>
Tears filled Carl’s eyes as he embraced her tightly.
“Belinda, my love for you never faded-not once. No matter how old, how broken,
or how scarred you feel, you’re still my Linda. That will never change p>
Belinda held onto Carl tightly, tears streaming down her face.
She understood now that her selfish desires had brought her nothing but misery,
yet love had always guided her back home.
Suddenly, two young voices broke the moment. “Mommy! Mommy p>
Her children rushed forward, hugging her fiercely. Belinda knelt, feeling the pure,
unconditional love of her family.
“I’m home,” she whispered through joyful tears.
Back inside the hall, the Guise family continued to face their fate.
At last, Gilbert was summoned.
“Father, why have you called me here?” Gilbert asked arrogantly as he stepped
into the room.
His smugness evaporated as he saw nearly a hundred angry faces staring back
at him.
“What’s going on here?” Gilbert demanded nervously.
“That’s him!” shouted an elderly man. “That’s the monster who seduced and killed
my daughter p>
“Yeah, it is him p>
Others joined in, roaring accusations, brandishing kitchen knives and fists in fury.
“Stop!” Alex’s commanding voice silenced the mob. “There’s a hundred of you and only one Gilbert Guise. Here’s what we’ll do p>
Alex smiled darkly, eyes glittering with cold justice. “Everyone gets a piece of him. That way, each of you can have your justice p>