Share

Chapter 3 Red Marker

last update Last Updated: 2025-07-31 11:22:40

Click.

The sound was almost imperceptible, but deadly in meaning.

From the rooftop across the street, the lens of a long-range camera snapped one more photo. The target: a private penthouse balcony where two silhouettes stood close—too close.

One male.

One female.

The man unmistakably Gabriel Buenavista.

The woman? Unknown—yet soon to become the most searched name in the country.

The email was sent seconds later.

Subject: Buenavista s Ghost Wife.

The next morning…

“CHINA. WAKE UP.”

She shot up, breathless. Gabriel’s voice echoed through her condo. Panic surged through her veins. "Anong—?"

But he was already pulling back the curtains, pacing fast, phone pressed to his ear.

“They leaked it,” he said darkly. “Someone saw us last night. Balcony. It’s on two gossip sites already. The photo is blurred but... you're in it.”

China’s throat dried. “Do they know it's me?”

“Not yet. But they will.”

She grabbed her phone, fingers trembling. True enough, a headline blinked at her:

“Who is the Mystery Woman Behind Gabriel Buenavista?”

Subheadline: Power CEO caught in intimate photo with unknown female in his condo. Rumors of a secret affair spark firestorm among investors and social circles.

She couldn’t breathe.

“They think I’m... a mistress?” Her voice cracked.

“You’re my wife,” Gabriel growled. “They just don’t know it yet.”

An hour later, at Buenavista Corp Headquarters...

The office was buzzing like a disturbed hive. Journalists swarmed outside the building gates. Employees murmured as China stepped out of the car, flanked by Gabriel’s private guards. Some stared. Some snickered. Some pitied her.

It was only a matter of time before someone connected the dots.

And when they did, hell would break loose.

Gabriel summoned an emergency board meeting.

Everyone sat around the U-shaped table—executives, legal counsel, public relations, even a few foreign stakeholders via video call.

Gabriel entered, tall and composed, with a scowl that could cut steel.

But China wasn’t beside him.

He had asked her to wait in the private lounge. “Let me handle this,” he said. “This is my war.”

She wanted to scream. It’s our war.

Inside the boardroom, a storm brewed.

“You brought scandal into the company,” hissed Mr. Hao, a senior partner. “We’ve worked decades building Buenavista’s image. And now you’re sneaking around with some unknown—”

Gabriel’s voice sliced through the room. “Watch your words.”

“Then answer us clearly,” said another. “Who is the woman?”

Silence.

“Are the rumors true?” asked one of the foreign board members. “Is she your mistress?”

Gabriel slowly stood, his jaw clenched.

“She’s not a mistress.”

“Then what is she?”

Silence again.

He looked at the window. Then at the flashing phones under the table. They were recording this.

And for the first time in years, Gabriel Buenavista—the man known for ruthlessness, control, and absolute power—hesitated.

Meanwhile, in the lounge…

China sat, watching the live feed from the security monitors.

Her heart dropped.

He wasn’t denying her.

But he wasn’t defending her either.

Later that day...

China stared blankly out the penthouse window. She had shut off her phone. She couldn't read one more comment. She couldn’t handle one more message with a screenshot.

— Is this you, Chin?

— Girl, spill! Are you the boss's mistress?

— You played us all.

— Gold digger vibes.

Even her old classmates were DMing her out of nowhere. Some congratulating. Most mocking.

Then came a message from an unknown number.

“Tell me what Gabriel paid you. I can double it to walk away.”

Her fingers tightened around the phone.

Who the hell was that?

Gabriel arrived late that night.

He didn’t speak at first. Just removed his coat and sat on the edge of her bed like the weight of the world was sitting on his back.

“Tell me the truth,” China said quietly. “Did you hesitate because I’m not good enough to be defended?”

He didn’t move. “I hesitated… because saying the truth out loud puts a target on your back.”

“There’s already a target.”

“I know,” he whispered. “And I’m going to erase it.”

“How?”

“I don’t know yet.”

That was what scared her the most.

The following morning, Gabriel s PR team went into overdrive. He released an official statement:

> “The woman in the photo is a close and trusted associate. All rumors beyond that are malicious and false.”

China’s blood turned to ice.

“Trusted associate,” she whispered, reading it again.

Not wife.

Not even partner.

Just... an associate.

That night, she didn’t wait for him to come home.

She packed a single suitcase and left.

Three days passed.

No calls.

No messages.

No flowers.

Until one morning, a car stopped in front of the small unit she had rented temporarily. She expected a delivery, maybe a guard.

But it was Gabriel.

He stood at the gate like a man who hadn’t slept. His eyes sunken. Shirt wrinkled. Something in his hand.

“Let me in,” he said.

“I’d rather not,” she replied through the screen.

He held up the object. A photo.

Her heart stopped.

It was their wedding photo.

A blurry candid taken by the boat captain who officiated. She remembered that night. The wind. The kiss. The raw honesty.

Gabriel pressed the photo to the gate.

“They’re going to find this eventually,” he said. “And when they do... I’ll have no choice but to tell the world.”

“Then why wait?”

“Because once I tell them... your life ends, China.”

She didn’t understand.

“Do you know who owns the media that posted the photo of us?”

She shook her head.

“My father’s second wife.”

China froze.

“She owns Chiu-News Group, under an alias. She’s been hunting for weakness in my empire for years. And now, she’s using you.”

“And you think keeping me a secret will stop her?”

“I think exposing you too early will destroy you before I can protect you.”

China stared at him. Then quietly asked, “Do you regret marrying me?”

He looked at her with eyes that almost broke.

“No,” he said. “I regret not doing it sooner.”

Napabunting hininga siya.Baliw talaga ang puso niya at di niya matitiis ang topak na to.

She let him in.

And that night, they made love again—not out of lust, but from raw desperation. Two souls clinging to each other while the world sharpened its knives.

The next day...

A letter arrived at Gabriel s office.

No sender. No seal. Just a plain envelope.

Inside?

A photo of China walking home from the grocery.

A red marker circled her face.

And one line typed in block letters:

“PUT HER BACK WHERE SHE BELONGS. OR WE WILL.”

Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App

Latest chapter

  • Secret Vow of the Ruthless Billionaire   Chapter 6 Wasn't Working Alone

    Kinakabahan man si China ay nilakasan niya ang kanyang loob.Buo ang kanyang loob na ito na ang panahon upang harapin niya ang masamang pangyayari na tila bangungot sa kanyang nakaraan.Hawak niya sa kanyang puso ang mataimtim na panalangin sa Diyos na sana magwagi ang katotohanan at pagbauaran ni Brice Dela Vega ang kawalang hiyaan niya."All rise."Tumayo ang lahat habang pumasok ang huwes sa maliit ngunit mahigpit na siniguradong courtroom sa loob ng Makati Hall of Justice. Nakatutok ang mga mata ng media, legal teams, at private security sa gitna ng mga bangko kung saan nakaupo sina Gabriel at China.Mahigpit ang pagkakahawak ni Gabriel sa kamay ni Callista. Ang higpit nito ay sapat upang iparamdam niya at ipaalala kay China na sa labang ito ay magkasama sila. Ramdam niya ang panginginig nito, ang lamig ng kanyang palad, at ang kalmadong pinilit niyang panatilihin sa harap ng publiko.“Walang kahit anong mangyayari ngayon ang makakasira sa’yo,” bulong ni Gabriel.“Hindi mo ‘ko kaya

  • Secret Vow of the Ruthless Billionaire   Chapter 5 I See You

    Three Days. Tatlong araw na lang ang ibinigay ng kalaban bago masira ang mundo ni Gabriel.Sa ilalim ng matinding seguridad ng kanyang penthouse, nakaupo siya sa isang leather couch habang titig na titig sa lumang larawan na natanggap niya kagabi.Si China… at ang lalaking iyon.May lungkot sa mga mata ng dalaga. May galit. May takot.At ang lalaking kausap niya—may pamilyar na tapik sa balikat ni Gabriel. Matagal na itong patay, ngunit ang implikasyon ng litrato ay buhay na buhay.“Ano ‘to, China?” bulong niya habang nilalaro ang singsing sa kanyang daliri.Samantala, nasa silid ni China...Hindi mapakali sa di maunawaang dahilan.Hindi siya makatulog. Kanina pa siya balisa, yakap-yakap ang sarili habang nakatanaw sa city lights mula sa floor-to-ceiling window ng penthouse.Napaka-ganda ng tanawin. Pero hindi iyon sapat para itago ang kaba sa kanyang dibdib."They found me again," bulong niya. "Hindi pa rin ako ligtas."Tumunog ang pinto at iniluwa niyon si Gabriel."Can we talk?" tano

  • Secret Vow of the Ruthless Billionaire   Chapter 4 Step down

    2:28 a.m.The silence of the night was shattered by the shrill sound of a phone ringing.Gabriel bolted upright, instantly alert.He never got calls at this hour—unless someone was dying or a secret was exploding."Hello?"“Sir, we have a situation,” the voice on the other end said. It was Jared, his most trusted bodyguard.Gabriel s body tensed. “China?”“She’s safe... but someone tried to break into her apartment.”Nakuyom niya ang kanyam kamao. Halos mamuti ito at mawalan ng dugo.His blood ran cold. Tila sasabog siya sa galit.Earlier that night…China was half-asleep, curled under a light blanket on the couch of her temporary unit. She had chosen this small, quiet building far from the business district to avoid attention. The curtains were drawn. The lights dim.She was trying to go unnoticed.But someone noticed anyway.A click.A small creak.The knob of her front door turned—once, twice—slow, deliberate, testing.She held her breath. Heart racing. Dumagundong ang kaba sa kanya

  • Secret Vow of the Ruthless Billionaire   Chapter 3 Red Marker

    Click.The sound was almost imperceptible, but deadly in meaning.From the rooftop across the street, the lens of a long-range camera snapped one more photo. The target: a private penthouse balcony where two silhouettes stood close—too close.One male.One female.The man unmistakably Gabriel Buenavista.The woman? Unknown—yet soon to become the most searched name in the country.The email was sent seconds later.Subject: Buenavista s Ghost Wife.The next morning…“CHINA. WAKE UP.”She shot up, breathless. Gabriel’s voice echoed through her condo. Panic surged through her veins. "Anong—?"But he was already pulling back the curtains, pacing fast, phone pressed to his ear.“They leaked it,” he said darkly. “Someone saw us last night. Balcony. It’s on two gossip sites already. The photo is blurred but... you're in it.”China’s throat dried. “Do they know it's me?”“Not yet. But they will.”She grabbed her phone, fingers trembling. True enough, a headline blinked at her:“Who is the Myst

  • Secret Vow of the Ruthless Billionaire   Chapter 2 Territorial

    Three days later…"Ma'am China, may dumating pong legal envelope mula sa Buenavista Group." Bungad ng guard nila pagpasok niya ng lobby.Her breath caught as the guard handed her a sleek black envelope with a gold-pressed V logo.She already knew what it was.The marriage certificate.Notarized. Registered. Legal.China Asuncion was, by all rights, the wife of Gabriel Buenavista.But no one could know."You’re insane," bulong niya sa sarili habang pinagmamasdan ang document na parang susi ng isang selda.Hindi pa rin siya makapaniwala sa pinasok niya.One moment, they were two broken people in a stolen night. The next, he was offering her a secret life—hidden behind boardrooms, glass walls, and power plays.A wife without a ring.A queen without a crown.A heart that didn’t know if it was owned or simply… claimed.Flashback: The Night of the WeddingThe ocean breeze was cold, but his hand was warm as he laced his fingers through hers on the deck of the yacht.“No cameras. No media. No

  • Secret Vow of the Ruthless Billionaire   Chapter 1

    “You're late.”Three words..Maikli. Walang sigaw. Walang emosyon. Pero sapat para magnerbyos at mapalunok si China habang nakatayo sa harap ng glass office ng pinaka-makapangyarihang lalaking nakilala niya sa buong buhay niya. Si Gabriel Buenavista.Noong una niyang marinig ang pangalan nito sa HR orientation, akala niya masyado lang exaggerated ang mga chika. Ruthless. Walang puso. Sinisisante ang employee over a wrong coffee. But now, standing in front of him, napagtanto niya—they didn’t exaggerate enough.“Five minutes late,” dagdag pa ni Gabriel habang hindi man lang siya tiningnan. Busy pa rin ito sa pagpirma ng mga dokumentong parang ang bawat letra ay may kabayaran ng isang milyong dolyar. Tila binubusisi at walang puwang sa pagkakamaling may makaligtaang detalye.“I’m sorry, sir,” mahinang sagot ni China, trying to steady her voice kahit na ang lakas ng kaba niya sa dibdib.“Don’t be sorry. Be invisible.” At doon lang siya tumingin—diretso sa mga mata niya. Malamig. Matalim.

More Chapters
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status