THE VENGEFUL SON-IN-LAW

CHAPTER 11

It was a Saturday morning, and Harvey awoke with his mind consumed by thoughts of the decision he had made. Prompting Halle to bring Eric to him had been a calculated move on his part. After all, she owed him for saving his life and for the near-death experience she had put him through.

In an attempt to clear his head, Harvey decided to go for a jog. Barely three minutes into his run, he found himself colliding with someone in the park. His gaze locked with the stranger's, and he couldn't help but notice that she seemed out of place in the city.

"I apologize, sir. I promise to replace whatever I've damaged," she said, her voice filled with sincerity. Harvey's eyes lingered on her, his mind momentarily distracted by her presence. He hadn't even realized that his gadget had been broken in the collision.

However, he quickly dismissed her offer to replace it and instead took the opportunity to introduce himself. But what shocked him was when she mentioned his last name, after he had only shared his first name.

When she noticed the strange effect she had on him, she flashed a cheesy smile and pointed out his popularity in the city. Without uttering a word, she boldly took hold of his phone and swiftly punched in a number. "At least let me make it up to you somehow," she said, her words hanging in the air as she smiled mischievously and jogged away.

Harvey stood there, mesmerized by her presence. There was something about her that struck a chord deep within him. He hadn't even managed to catch her name, he mused. However, his daydreaming came to an abrupt halt when an unknown number flashed on his phone screen. Harvey's mind was resolute, and no call was going to sway his decision.

The call was from Madam Valerie. Upon his return to the city, Harvey made it his utmost priority to ensure she received the proper care and attention she deserved.

She reached out to him, he was concerned about the  rumors of his involvement in sinister activities, attributing his power and wealth to these evil deeds. A few months later, after Patrick's share was transferred to Harvey, the news of Patrick's death became a sensational headline. Margaret and Serena fueled the rumors, insinuating Harvey's connection to the tragedy.

Jessica and Lana were handling the situation, and although Harvey couldn't help but consider the possibility of the elite members being responsible, he refrained from passing judgment. He got into his car and made his way to Halle's apartment to retrieve Eric.

Upon arrival, he discovered Halle packing her belongings as if preparing to leave. It piqued his curiosity, but he knew better than to inquire further. Choosing to turn a blind eye to her actions, he simply requested to see Eric.

Halle's response left him shaken. She shook her head and politely declined Harvey's request.

"Harvey, Eric and I...we're leaving. I don't want him to get dragged into any of this. We need to get away," she hinted. Harvey let out a chuckle.

"You can say your goodbyes, but our flight leaves in two hours," Halle said. Harvey stared at her with a fiery anger in his eyes. "You must be out of your mind, Halle. I don't care about you. You can leave if you wish, but there is no way in hell you are taking Eric with you," his voice dripping with authority, leaving a cold, stern expression on Halle's face.

She pondered the situation. He had the audacity to tell her to abandon her own son because  he had helped save him this once. Where was he when she was working her butt off to keep his true identity hidden from Margaret? All the sacrifices she had made and the tough choices she had to face to ensure Eric's safety.

"Harvey, I am his mother, and he is coming with me, and that's final. You have no say in this," she declared with unwavering conviction.

"It's not even up for arguments. I am the only family he has left. So what is your problem?" she retorted, her voice dripping with defiance.

"Need I remind you that you are not his mother?" Harvey countered, his tone laced with disdain.

She couldn't fathom his sudden obsession with Eric. "Don't you fucking say that to me! If it wasn't for me, no one knows what would have become of him. I've made countless sacrifices for him, and who do you think you are to question my authority? Just because you fucked Monica, you think you know what's best for my son? Get out of my way!" Her voice grew stronger, fueled by determination and protectiveness.

"Halle, mark my words, you are not leaving with Eric. You can bet on that," he threatened, his voice tinged with a menacing undertone.

"Why, Harvey! Why?" she screamed, her voice filled with anguish and tears threatening to spill. "Is this your punishment? you want to take my son away from me?" Her voice quivered with emotion.

"He needs to be close to me, Halle. Get over yourself. This has nothing to do with you," He refuted, she bellowed, tears streaming down her face as she unleashed her frustration, landing several punches on him.

Having reached his breaking point, he firmly grasped her wrist, locking eyes with her. "Because... because he's my brother, Halle. Eric is family, my only blood tie, and I should be close to him," he confessed, his voice resolute and unwavering.

"You liar! How low can you sink? You would say anything right now just to stop this," Halle scoffed, her gaze fixed on him in disbelief, stunned by the depths he was willing to go.

Harvey stepped out of the car and gracefully made his way towards the entrance. With a determined stride, he retrieved a small object from the depths of his safe he had in his car.

 As he returned, his eyes locked with Halle's, a mix of intensity and vulnerability in his gaze. Handing her the item, that confirmed his suspicions about Eric.

Halle stood there, her heart pounding in her chest, tears welling up in her eyes as she read through Monica's journal. 

Each word etched into her soul, Monica's journal had revealed the shocking truth about her son being a Price. Halle stood there, tears streaming down her face, as her eyes scanned every word. 

Giving  her deep-seated hatred for her own family, Eric had become her only connection to a sense of a family.

 She looked at Harvey, searching for the right words to express her thoughts. "This changes nothing, Harvey’’ she uttered. 

‘’ He is a Price, that's all the more reason why he needs to leave this twisted city. The moment they discover his true identity, they won't hesitate to come after him," she declared, her voice filled with determination.

"You've just declared war, Harvey. And if they discover your weakness in Eric, he'll be thrust into the fiery furnace. Deep down, you know I'm right," Halle said, her voice filled with conviction.

"I can protect him, but only if he stays within my sight," Harvey countered, his determination unwavering.

"Don't deceive yourself, Harvey. Taking him away is the only choice, the best thing for him," Halle insisted, her words tinged with sadness.

But Harvey remained stubborn, unwilling to part ways with Eric. Halle looked at him, a chuckle escaping her lips. "It's a shame it has come to this," she remarked.

" Hence you have proven you can't be reasoned with Harvey, I am his Legal guardian and right now my decision is all that counts.  Now, leave my house," she declared, striding towards the door and opening it.

"If you have a problem with me being his legal guardian, then take it up in court. Oh wait, you can't, can you?" Halle stood strong, undefeated in her resolve.

Harvey could hardly fathom the moment when Halle stood before him, issuing a chilling threat. It was a scene he never thought he would witness, as she plotted to abscond with the only remaining fragment of his family. Departing without uttering a single word, his final gaze conveyed a potent mix of intrigue and deep-seated resentment.

Halle, on the other hand, recognized that she had pushed Harvey to his breaking point. The weight of his emotions pressed against him, there was no telling what he would do next.