Her Silent Revenge novel Chapter 3

I couldn't help but chuckle silently.

Later, Ryan graduated with his doctorate.

Tomorrow was the big day when Ryan would be coming home.

Philip had planned a welcome dinner well in advance, booking us a table at the finest restaurant in town.

The night before the dinner, Philip opened a drawer and pointed to a thick envelope inside. "Salem, your efforts over the years won't go unnoticed. Tomorrow, we're going to surprise you."

"We?" I thought. Could it finally be time for that woman to show up?

I smirked. "Oh, is that so? I have a surprise for you all too, and I bet it'll be even bigger than yours."

Philip didn't quite catch my drift.

When he asked, I replied, "No rush. Revealing it now would ruin the fun."

The game was reaching its final round, and it was time to unveil the secret.

The next afternoon.

The welcome dinner kicked off.

Everyone had gathered.

The guests included quite a few notable figures, including two reporters who had interviewed Philip before.

Philip stepped up to the mic, confidence radiating from his smile.

"Today is a double celebration for the Hanson family. Thank you all for being here. I have prepared a special gift for each of you."

At the mention of gifts, the atmosphere suddenly buzzed with excitement.

Everyone was curious.

Someone shouted, "Mr. Hanson, we know you've raised an abandoned child who is now graduating, which is fantastic news. But what's the other celebration?"

A chorus of agreement followed.

"Yeah, what's the second bit of good news?"

"Could it be that Mr. Hanson got recognized as an outstanding young entrepreneur?"

"Maybe his company is about to go public, right?"

"Everyone, please settle down." Philip urged, becoming more animated. "The second piece of good news is that Ryan's biological mother has been found."

"Even though I raised Ryan as my own for all these years, blood is thicker than water. I've been on the hunt for his biological mother. I'm sure she's been looking for him too. No mother would abandon her child willingly. Something must've happened back then."

"Perhaps it was fate. Just yesterday, the agency I hired had the breakthrough we were hoping for—Ryan's mom has been located, and mother and son will finally be reunited."

Applause and cheers erupted from the audience.

Everyone admired Philip.

"Someone as good as Mr. Hanson deserves happiness."

Philip left the stage and approached me.

He pulled out the thick envelope and handed it to me. "There's a million inside. It's all I have right now, but it's yours."

"This is your surprise for me?" I asked.

"Yes, I won't let you go unrewarded," he answered.

I gently pushed the envelope back towards him. "I don't need it."

"You're not against the divorce, are you?" Philip's voice grew urgent. "With Ryan's mother found, I have to do this for the sake of the child. I trust you won't stand in the way since you care about him too."

"Don't worry. I won't," I whispered.

"Then Salem, what do you really want?" he asked.

I smiled silently.

It was time for the truth to come out.

I scanned the room.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have a video recording. Would anyone be interested in watching it?"