THE BILLIONAIRE'S CRYBABY
Chapter 226: SOLVING PUZZLES

Chapter 226: SOLVING PUZZLES

"Fay?!" The matriarch screamed, and grabbed her cane as she struggled to rise.

Fay stretched out a trembling hand to stop her.

"I’m– I’m fine. Just shocked," she stuttered, trying to calm her thumping heart.

She closed her eyes, and counted in her mind.

When she got to fifty, she felt the knot around her lungs loosen. Finally, she could breathe again.

The matriarch stood up anyway. She walked over to her, and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"This must have come as a shock to you. It did to me too. Regardless, it doesn’t justify or cancel out the harassment your mother had to endure in the hands of my son. Neither does it erase what he tried to do to you. That’s why I’m punishing him in the worst way I could think of. I hope you understand me, Fay."

Fay’s hands left her chest, as she lifted her head behind, to stare at the matriarch.

"Why didn’t you tell me all these before? Why did you make me hate you for no reason? Even Gabrielle doesn’t know about this."

"Because too many people get involved, and they end up getting hurt. I’m tired of seeing people I love get hurt over the actions of some of my children. I want to do the best I can do in setting things straight, before I leave this world."

Fay’s eyes widened, and she felt her heart start to hurt again.

"Are you dying? Like Reign’s father?"

"Reign’s father?" The matriarch asked, disregarding the first part of her question.

"Yes, Ace told me that Reign’s father is dying. It’s the reason he can’t confront her about pinning her pregnancy on him," she explained.

The matriarch took a deep breath. It seemed like everywhere she turned, there was someone trying to play a fast one on the family.

It was even more annoying that Ace was involved in this latest scheme.

He easily believed Fay was trying to swindle him many years ago, but the real devil who had a track record of doing things to hurt him, he was blindsided to.

"What is it? You don’t seem shocked about the news of Reign’s father."

"That’s because it’s a lie, Fay. Kings and I met a week ago. He tried to convince me to push for a marriage between Ace, and Reign. He was willing to cover the bills of the wedding. I asked him why he was in a rush. He said it was because he wanted to go into politics. He needed my family’s name to erase his terrible track record. Does that sound like a dying man?"

"Wow," Fay sighed. Now, she didn’t feel all that bad for only feeling slightly sorry for Reign. Her memory of Reign’s father was not that great either. "She fooled him again. I wonder why, this time around."

"Do you think she found out he knew about her deceit, and tried to cover it up the best way she could?"

"I don’t know, but honestly, it’s none of my business. He needs to settle that with Reign," Fay said, catching herself before she could get sucked too deep in Ace’s problems.

"Don’t say that, Fay. Ace is your man. The father of your child. The love of your life. Sure you’re angry with him now, but I know somewhere deep in your heart, you still adore him."

The matriarch massaged her shoulders gently as she spoke to her.

Fay found out she didn’t have the energy to counter anything, right after the matriarch spoke.

It wasn’t because the things she said were true, she tried to convince herself.

She just didn’t have the strength to keep talking in the face of the truth she had discovered.

"I think it’s time to pay my aunt a visit," she said, changing the topic.

"Good, because I was also thinking of doing the same thing. And we’re in luck, I have her new address here with me."

The matriarch paused her hand motion on Fay’s shoulder, and returned to her table.

She opened a drawer, and pulled out a piece of paper from it.

"Grant has been most helpful in locating her. Celine scared him so bad, he decided enough is enough."

"Yeah, he came to me too. Told me some terrible things about your daughter. You do know I’m going to come for her right?" she asked, accepting the note from the matriarch.

"You’d be well within your rights to do so. I’ve washed my hands off everything that has to do with Celine. Let the people she has hurt seek their revenge. She deserves whatever she gets."

Fay made a mental note of what the matriarch just said, as her eyes glanced through the paper.

"All that money paid to lie on me, yet here’s where she lives now? I know this neighborhood. It’s pretty rough," Fay observed out loud.

"Yeah, she has always been reckless with money. In addition to her recklessness, karma got her back, really good."

"I don’t believe in karma," Fay said, shaking her head. "We’re karma. Every individual with a grievance. That’s why when I pay her a visit, she’s going to know what true wrath feels like," Fay said venomously, as her eyes darkened from her thirst for revenge.

"Do what you have to do, Fay. I’m solidly behind you."

A knock sounded on the door, and it opened shortly after.

Gabrielle walked into the room, a tray in her hand.

"You two have been in here for quite a while. I thought to bring you some refreshments."

"With how much time you spend in the kitchen, it baffles me how we still have cooks." The matriarch shook her head, and returned to her seat.

Gabrielle giggled heartily. She loved her family dearly, and cooking for them was her biggest way of showing it.

She set the table, and turned excitedly to Fay.

"I know you’re still mad at me, but please eat. I wouldn’t forgive myself if I sent you back home on an empty stomach."

"Who says I’m hungry?" Fay rolled her eyes.

Gabrielle’s face fell. She thought Fay could at least ease up on her, but well, this was the consequence of her actions.

The matriarch half smiled as she watched Fay dig into the snacks, whilst Gabrielle hung her head sadly, feeling rejected.

If she’d only straighten her gaze, she’d discover Fay was just messing with her.

"This tastes even better than I remember. Take some," she said, pushing the plate to the matriarch.

"It’s because I used—" Gabrielle paused mid sentence, and lifted her head. "You’re— you’re actually eating!" She pointed out happily.

Fay chuckled, unable to hold it in anymore.

"Does this mean you’ve forgiven me?" Gabrielle asked.

"Okay, I never said that. This cookie is good though, I’ll give you that," she said, and followed it with a smile.

"Oh I don’t care, as long as you’re eating!" Gabrielle screamed, and bent to hug her tightly.

The matriarch smiled proudly as she stared at her favorite daughter in law, and granddaughter in-law.

She couldn’t wait until they were one big family again.

Fay’s phone rang in the middle of their hug, and Gabrielle moved away to give her space to answer.

She briefly spoke to her personal assistant, before ending the call.

"I have to go," she said, rising to her feet.

"But the press?" Gabrielle asked worriedly.

"They should have been dismissed already," the matriarch said.

"At least wait for me to have this bagged for you. You could give some to Dream," Gabrielle insisted.

"She’s right, Fay. Seth says Dream has a sweet tooth like her great grandmother. Damn I feel so old going by that title!" She cursed.

Fay genuinely chuckled. She couldn’t deny she had missed the old woman’s random remarks.

"So can I bag them?" Gabrielle asked.

"Sure, thanks."

"Alright!" Gabrielle hopped ecstatically. "I have some in the kitchen. I’d just leave these for the matriarch," she said, turning towards the door.

She opened the door, and Ace was just about to knock.

"Mum? Why are you here?" He asked.

"None of your business, son." She shoved him aside, and continued on her way.

"Why was mum here? Are you three planning something I know nothing about?" he closed the door, and ventured into the room.

"Yeah, I was just about to leave," Fay said.

"Good, because I’m coming with you," he replied.

She scoffed, giving him a disgusted once over.

"I think you’ve absolutely lost your mind. You’re not coming anywhere with me."

"You said you were going to have my car returned. I just called the house, and Marilyn made no mention of my car being returned. I’m going with you, so I can drive my car home."

Fay opened her mouth to argue, but shut it when she realized she was at fault for not having his car returned.

"Do whatever you please!" She walked to the matriarch, and placed a kiss on her cheeks. "Thank you," she whispered to her.

Straightening up, she walked past Ace, towards the door.

"See you later, grandma!" Ace said, turning around.

"You better do, because we have something important to discuss!" She screamed after him.

Ace caught up with Fay, and stepped beside her.

"So you and I are riding in the same car, huh? Remember what happened last time?"

She came to an abrupt stop, and turned to face him.

"Get this clearly, that was a one time thing. It’s never going to happen—"

Before she could finish her words, he silenced her with a kiss.