Stolen By My Billionaire Brother-In-Law-Chapter 33: Wounded Past

"Anna," Aldona smiled at Rivana, but her smile disappeared as Azrael stepped in front of her. He had no interest in involving his wife in any of their foul plays, not when her time was already ticking like a bomb.

Aldona scowled at her grandson. Considering Viktor’s sins, it was understandable he was wary of both of them.

Ezekiel didn’t care to get up and show the elderly woman some respect. She didn’t deserve any and gestured for her to take a seat on the couch across from his. Turning to George, he ordered, "Bring them chrysanthemum tea, George."

Callum and Rivana frowned at his unusual order, but Aldona’s expression darkened, a flicker of guilt crossing her face. This deranged fox was mocking her about her bloodied past, and the memories resurfaced, making it hard to maintain her composure.

Silence followed in the hall. Azrael impatiently checked his watch, waiting for them to leave so he could enjoy his date with Rivana. For God’s sake, this idiot Viktor always came at the wrong times, and Azrael considered just killing him quickly.

George brought the tea as per his elder master’s order. Viktor shook his head, and when he moved over to Aldona, the elderly woman gulped, her eyes fixed on the tea in the cup.

"We didn’t poison it, Mrs. Hugon," Ezekiel said, his tone full of anger and mockery. When Aldona clenched her jaw and glared at him, he smiled, "You should try it out. I specifically got them for you so you can drink every day and relive those beautiful memories."

Even Azrael didn’t understand his uncle’s behavior. Yes, he hated his grandmother, but why? And what was even weirder was that Ezekiel had always tried to stop him from attacking the Hugons and claiming that seat, as if he was trying to protect a secret.

Aldona took the cup and forced out a smile. Her hands trembled as she took the cup, and even Viktor found it weird. Was she scared of Ezekiel? This was a very rare moment, as his grandmother had never appeared this conflicted and worried.

"What brings you here?" Ezekiel questioned as Aldona sipped the drink. It was amusing how this seemingly formidable woman was trembling at a mere sip of the tea. A tea that had become a tool to kill Susannah.

Aldona placed the cup down and turned to Rivana. "We are here to talk with Anna. He made some terrible mistakes and owes her a sincere apology." She started, making Azrael grit his teeth. Viktor didn’t seem even a bit apologetic, scowling as his grandmother dragged him here. If not for her threat to put a real bullet in his head like she had done last night, embarrassing the entire Hugon family, he would never have been here.

Aldona continued, "True, he shouldn’t have cheated on you. That too a night before your wedding, but you know him all too well, Anna. He is young and acts recklessly, but still cares for you."

Azrael gritted his teeth, and just before he could speak, Ezekiel laughed out loud, his tone cynical.

"Yeah," Ezekiel murmured, nodding in agreement. Looking at Viktor, he continued, "He seemed to really love her so much that he sent his dogs to chase her car and kidnap her."

His words not only surprised Aldona but even Rivana’s eyes widened at the revelation. She had asked Callum about the details of her attackers, but he said they were still searching for them. She glanced at Azrael beside her, and his expression suggested that he knew about it too.

"I was planning to tell you today," he murmured, meeting her gaze. He wanted no room for misunderstandings between them.

"What?" Aldona’s loud voice cut their conversation. Turning to Viktor, she glared, "Did you do that, Viktor?"

"I..." Viktor hesitated, but when Aldona grabbed his hand tightly, almost ready to twist it, he confessed, "Ye-yes."

"You idiot!" Aldona stood up from her seat, raising her cane to hit him.

Viktor stumbled back and babbled, "But I wasn’t the one who burnt her car. I swear I had no intention of killing her, Grandma. I... I..." Glancing at Rivana, he added, "I just told them to scare her by kidnapping her safely."

"Safely?" Callum scorned in disbelief. "He seriously has some screws loose in his head," he groaned, and everyone in the room couldn’t agree more.

Azrael looked at Rivana, and her furious expression relieved him. He wouldn’t like it if she got sad and cried over this dumbass’s betrayal. He didn’t deserve any of it.

Ezekiel rose from his seat and commented, "You should continue your drama back at your house, Mrs. Hugon. Please don’t ruin our lovely morning further."

Aldona turned around and glared at him. Grabbing Viktor’s hand, she dragged him out of the house. Here she had come to mend things between them, but he seemed to have already dug a deeper grave for himself.

Ezekiel turned around to the couple and smiled. "You must be hungry. Have breakfast first and then leave for your date."

Azrael nodded, but when Rivana didn’t respond, her gaze fixed on the ground, the elder man walked closer to her. Patting her head, he murmured, "I know you are angry and hurt right now. In fact, the last few days have been really hard for you, dear."

Rivana looked up at his words. When their eyes met, she couldn’t stop herself from tearing up.

Caressing her head, Ezekiel continued, "Betrayals break us beyond repair. But just don’t forget he isn’t worth any of your time or thoughts. You deserve better..." Turning to his nephew, he assured her, "And trust me, you will find one very soon."

Rivana nodded, fighting back her tears. This was very new and comforting in a strange way.

Ezekiel clapped his hands and declared, "Let’s have breakfast! I can already smell something nice from the kitchen."

Rivana nodded and walked with Ezekiel while the two men followed them. George sighed in relief now that everything was back to normal and quickly went to arrange for breakfast.

They all sat at the round dining table, and the maids quickly served them.

"Here, have this. It’s good for your health." Ezekiel placed a dish of steaming porridge on Rivana’s plate. He kept nagging about how weak she looked and needed to eat more to gain strength.

Rivana nodded, enjoying the breakfast with him. Is this how it felt to have a fatherly figure? It was happening all too fast, but she was glad it did.

Once breakfast was over, Rivana and Azrael walked out to the garage. Azrael picked a sleek, black limited-edition Aston Martin Vantage. Rivana hopped into the shotgun seat.

"Where are we going?" She couldn’t help but ask, excitement brimming within her.

Azrael smirked in response. He leaned closer, making Rivana move back, her head pressing against the seat. Her heart raced as their eyes met, the mischievous glint in his making her hold her breath.

Azrael pulled the seatbelt and fastened it for her. Settling back, he replied with a smirk, "A place you used to hate a lot."

Rivana sighed inwardly, clutching the seatbelt. He could have just asked her to wear it! She screamed in her head, but his words bothered her even more. The place she hated a lot? Biting her lower lip, she tried to recall it before her eyes widened in surprise. No way! He couldn’t really have that place in mind.

Azrael glanced at her, a smile lighting up at her troubled expression. Starting the engine, he drove out of the mansion.

In the garden, a grey-haired man cleaning the fountain glanced at the passing car. Once it was out of the gates, he took out his keypad phone and texted a number.

[They just left the mansion. You should move to the next step of the plan.]