Part 2The Ghost Husband Returns

Harvey wasn't held for long.

He was alive, after all. Proving his identity was just a matter of time.

But I underestimated his thick skin.

The next morning, I was woken up by wailing in the hallway.

I opened the door. Harvey had brought his nightmare of a mother.

His mom sat on my doormat, slapping her thighs and crying.

"No justice! My daughter-in-law stole the family fortune and tried to kill her husband! My son suffered for three years, and now he can't even enter his own home!"

"Everyone look! This toxic woman got rich and turned heartless!"

It was rush hour. Neighbors gathered around.

Harvey stood there, looking disheveled and pitiful.

Lola, with her belly, handed out candy to the neighbors.

"Auntie, have some candy. I'm Harvey's partner. Even though Sister doesn't accept me, I hope for your blessings."

"Sister isn't bad, just... too greedy."

The neighbors started whispering.

"That's too much. Not letting her husband in?"

"I heard the buyout was huge. She probably wants it all."

"The mistress is wrong, but she's pregnant. Can't be too harsh."

I stood at the door, laughing in anger.

Moral kidnapping?

I, Nicole, have never been afraid of a shrew.

I went back inside and brought out the megaphone I charged last night.

Max volume. Play.

"Harvey! Male! 32! Three years ago, abandoned wife and child due to massive gambling debts! Debt list: $50k to John, $80k to Mike, $300k to loan sharks..."

"Harvey's Mom! While her son ran away, faked illness to scam daughter-in-law out of $50k for medical bills, actually used it for Mahjong!"

The megaphone looped my "Indictment" loudly.

It drowned out the old lady's crying.

The neighbors froze.

"Gambling debts?"

"Faked illness for Mahjong?"

"Came back for the money with a pregnant mistress?"

Seeing the tide turn, Harvey's mom jumped up and rushed at me.

"You little slut! I'll tear your mouth!"

She clawed at my face.

I dodged.

She slipped and face-planted on the floor.

"Ouch! Assault! Daughter-in-law beating her mother-in-law!"

She rolled on the ground.

Harvey rushed up to push me.

"Nicole! You dare touch my mom!"

Just as his hand reached my shoulder...

A strong hand clamped onto his wrist like a vice.

"Touch her and see what happens."

A low, cold voice.

Pierce stood there in his uniform, tall and imposing.

He just came from the station. He held a file.

His massive Land Rover was parked downstairs, a sharp contrast to Harvey's poverty.

Harvey grimaced in pain, eyes red with jealousy.

"Is this the gigolo? Did you incite Nicole to kill me?"

Pierce sneered and applied pressure.

Harvey screamed and dropped to his knees.

"Kill you? Legally, you're dead. Also, according to the latest city ordinance, this is a demolition zone. No loitering."

"You are a squatter. Leave, or I'll have security throw you out like trash."

Pierce let go.