Chasing The Vengeful Villainous Heiress-Chapter 161: Was this the only option?

About an hour back,

Mariam had gone to talk to Chris and Stephanie after they apprehended her in front of the hospital.

She wasn’t okay seeing Stephanie, not after everything but Stephanie was looking rather. Apologetic.

"So, what do you want to talk about?" She asked, staring at the two who refused to open their mouths after about ten minutes had passed with them staring at her. "I don’t believe the words are written on your faces."

"Mine aren’t, but this precious niece of mine is." Chris said and Mariam frowned. What was that supposed to mean? "So, I’ll go first."

He adjusted on his chair and then cleared his throat,

"I need your help, Miss Mariam." He said.

"In what, exactly?" She asked.

"To convince your sister-in-law, my dear niece, to come back with me." As soon as Mariam heard this, her eyebrows furrowed greatly and she said,

"That’s not happening." She attempted to get up, ready to leave them with all their funny ideas when Chris added,

"It’s not safe for her here and you know it. Just as your brother was endangered, she and her unborn child will continue to face those threats." He explained. "But I can help her, shield her from the forces that want her dead, and in return-"

"You want her to go with you. Of course." She pursed her lips, frustrated. "I know exactly what kind of situation sis is in and I know that you, Romaine, know clearly the individuals or group behind it." She glared at him. "And how am I sure you aren’t one of them, using the excuse of wanting to protect her to set a trap? And once she’s in it, you’ll lock it." She snapped her fingers. "I’m not dumb. I was there when you made that proposal, and I found out that you people were the ones responsible for rendering Sis an orphan. People like you," she eyed Stephanie and then turned her gaze back to Chris. "...only know how to be selfish."

The place went silent and then Chris broke the silence.

"I have to admit, Romaine holds three things, three traits, to be precise." He raised his hand in a fist and let out his index finger as he counted, "Pride." He let out his middle finger. "Selfish." He let out the last finger, his ring finger, and said, "Stubborn."

He dropped his hand and stared seriously at Mariam.

"Miss Mariam, because of these three things, we tend to do crazy things and make decisions that we come to regret later. And because of that last trait, because they never give up on a quest without getting the results they want, your sister-in-law, as well as your brother will continue to be in danger."

"Then just take them out." Mariam said.

The only thing that came to mind after listening to him was that Chris Romaine was strong and powerful enough to subdue those forces in the family that were a threat to his niece.

"It’s not that simple." Chris said. "I can’t interfere if she is not directly under me, and if I do that, then I will have a long list of people ready to bring me down from my position with just the right reason."

Mariam went silent. So, was that the only option? Separating them both? But... That would mean Valerie would be alone and she would have no ties to Stewart anymore.

She clenched her fists. She could not accept that. No, never. There had to be another way.

"I know what you’re worried about." Chris said, and Mariam raised her head. "But I thought it through." He looked aside. "It’s unfair to have my niece break up with her husband so I’ll take them both."

"What?!"

"I’ll take my niece as well as her husband with her. He’s in a coma right now, but it’s still possible to transfer him, and I’ll make sure to provide him with the best doctors to make sure he makes it without any problems." He explained and felt his phone beep. He took it out and stared at his screen. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"Wait, you... You can’t just do that." Mariam said. "I mean, my brother is the heir to Stewart. He has to become the family head as well as the chairman."

"He’s not going to be any head or chairman if he’s dead, is he?" Chris asked, shutting her up right away. "I’ve said my piece, Miss Mariam." He said and got up. "I believe you know what’s best for the situation so if I do not succeed in persuading my niece, please help me convince her. I’ll leave you two to talk. If you’ll excuse me, I have to see to this right away." He shook his phone, referring to what he got as a message.

Mariam was silent, contemplating everything. She was scared. Scared of losing a precious family member. Scared of losing her brother.

Was this the only option?

She didn’t know it but she had grown way closer to Valerie than she ever imagined she would. She held her close to her heart the same way she kept her brother to her heart.

She was like a true sister to her.

Wait, no. She had to discuss this with Valerie. She wasn’t sure what to think anymore.

"Um," Stephanie finally spoke up and Mariam looked up at her.

There was this apologetic look that she had never seen before. It made her seem... Pathetic.

"What do you want, Stephanie? I’m busy." Mariam asked coldly and to her surprise, Stephanie apologized.

"I’m sorry."

"What?"

"I said I’m sorry." She squinted her eyes. She had never apologized to anyone before so it made her feel anxious and chaotic inside.

"What kind of act are you trying to pull, Stephanie?" Mariam asked, staring at her coldly. She didn’t believe Stephanie could have a change of heart so fast and so easily.

Just as she played her for so many years while they were in school, she was trying to do it again and Mariam wasn’t about to fall for it.

"I’m apologizing, okay?" Stephanie suddenly roared, her face flushing in embarrassment. "I... I thought it through." She said as she reduced the volume of her voice. "I was haughty, thinking I could carry my weight around and get what I wanted without losing anything. I bit on more than I can chew and ended up choking on it."

She lowered her head sadly.

"My pride made me stupid and blind. I... I never wanted to make you feel that way. I just... wanted to keep you to myself without having to lose anything and only gain. It was wrong of me. It was wrong of me to play with your feelings like that, and once I had realized it, once I came to understand that that wasn’t the way to treat a person who truly holds affection for you, it was too late." She raised her head. "You were already gone. You wouldn’t answer my calls or my texts. I... I feel so bad for what I did. It’s just because I... I was greedy and selfish. Please, I... I’m sorry."