How He Feels

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• Beneath The Billionaire’s Mask: Chasing The Nanny   143

  Brayden’s black luxury sedan pulled up to the grand venue, its polished exterior reflecting the flashing lights of the eager press. The second the car slowed to a stop, reporters surged forward, cameras clicking frantically, their voices overlapping in a chaotic frenzy.“Mr. Giovanni! Over here!”“Mr. Giovanni, is it true that your decision to collaborate with Ms. Lorenzo’s agency was influenced by personal reasons?”“Mr. Giovanni, why did you choose her firm over the others? Did it have anything to do with her working for you in the past?”Brayden exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening. He should have expected this. The media never missed a chance to stir up speculation, especially when it involved a high-profile business deal. His security team was already out of the vehicle, forming a barrier between him and the aggressive reporters.“Step back,” one of his bodyguards ordered, his deep voice firm. “Give Mr. Giovanni some space.”The press, though re

• Beneath The Billionaire’s Mask: Chasing The Nanny   142

  Brayden stirred awake, feeling an unusual sense of lightness in his body. The dull, burning pain that had tormented him for days had subsided, leaving behind only a faint ache that barely registered. Blinking a few times, he let his vision adjust to the dim morning light filtering through the curtains.For the first time in what felt like forever, he didn’t feel like his body was betraying him.He exhaled deeply, shifting slightly in bed to test his strength. His muscles, though still a little stiff, moved more fluidly. He wasn’t gasping in pain or struggling to lift his arm. The poison’s effects had clearly weakened. Whatever that strange black powder was, it had worked.Brayden ran a hand through his hair before pushing himself upright. He swung his legs off the bed, his feet meeting the cold floor. He hesitated, bracing himself for a wave of pain that never came. Encouraged, he slowly stood up. No sharp pangs, no overwhelming dizziness—just a faint

• Beneath The Billionaire’s Mask: Chasing The Nanny   141

  Brayden slowly stirred awake, his body still aching but feeling lighter than before. His fingers twitched as he ran a hand over his torso, feeling the bandages wrapped securely around him.The pain had dulled significantly, and he could breathe without the burning sensation that had haunted him for weeks.For a moment, he stared at the ceiling, allowing himself a rare second of peace. The events from earlier flickered through his mind—the old man, the black powder, the unbearable pain, and Ryder stuffing a cloth into his mouth.His lips twitched into a small, tired smirk.With a deep exhale, he turned his head to the side and saw Ryder, fast asleep in a chair beside the bed. His head was tilted slightly, his arms crossed over his chest, his breathing even and steady.Brayden sat up slowly, careful not to make any sudden movements that would wake him. As he did, his eyes lingered on Ryder’s sleeping form, and an old memory came rushing back—They had

• Beneath The Billionaire’s Mask: Chasing The Nanny   140

  The older man studied Brayden for a long moment, his sharp eyes moving over him with curiosity. He had seen many things in his lifetime—wounds, poisons, betrayals—but something about this situation made him pause.“I own an herbal medicine company,” he said suddenly, his voice calm but firm. “I’ve dealt with poisons before. If I take a look at your wound, I might be able to help you detoxify it.”Brayden tensed slightly, his fingers gripping the sheets beneath him. He wasn’t the type to easily trust, and having a stranger examine his injury felt… vulnerable.Ryder noticed the hesitation and gave him a pointed look. “You’re already lying half-dead in his bed,” he said dryly. “Might as well let him help.”Brayden sighed, his reluctance evident. Still, he unbuttoned his shirt slowly, wincing as the fabric brushed against his skin. As he peeled it open, the deep, angry wound on his side was revealed. The skin around it was still inflamed, and the wound its

• Beneath The Billionaire’s Mask: Chasing The Nanny   139

  The room was eerily silent for a moment, everyone frozen in place as Brayden’s body slumped forward. Then, chaos erupted.The older man’s eyes widened in shock as he pushed back his chair abruptly, rising to his feet. “What the hell—” His voice was sharp, cutting through the stunned silence.Ryder reacted first. “Brayden!” He rushed to his side, gripping his shoulders as his unconscious body sagged against the chair. His breathing was shallow, his skin unnaturally pale. “Damn it!” Ryder muttered under his breath, pressing two fingers against Brayden’s neck, searching for a pulse. It was weak but still there.The older man turned sharply to his guards. “Get him to a room. Now!” His deep voice held no room for hesitation.Two of the guards stepped forward immediately, carefully lifting Brayden from his chair. Ryder moved to support him as well, his face tense with worry. Together, they carried Brayden out of the private dining room and into an adjoining suite

• Beneath The Billionaire’s Mask: Chasing The Nanny   138

  The atmosphere in the restaurant shifted the moment Ryder stepped through the doors, followed closely by a middle-aged man. Brayden recognized power when he saw it, and this man exuded it effortlessly. He wasn’t loud or overbearing. He didn’t need to be. His presence alone was enough to command the room.The moment he stepped inside, a hushed silence fell over the lively restaurant. Conversations ceased, laughter died down, and one by one, people lowered their heads slightly as if paying silent respect. The waiters and staff straightened, their movements more careful, as if afraid to make a mistake in front of him. Even those who were simply dining seemed to sense the shift in energy.Brayden’s sharp gaze took in the man’s appearance. His salt-and-pepper hair was neatly styled, and his tailored black suit fit him perfectly, radiating class and authority. He carried himself with the ease of someone who had spent decades building his empire, someone who nev