Semua Bab Betrayed by One, Loved by the Billionaire : Bab 41 - Bab 50

The conference room felt too big, too quiet. The hum of the air conditioner buzzed faintly in the corners, a low, steady sound that did nothing to ease the tension building up in my stomach. I sat at the long mahogany table, a notepad open in front of me, the pen in my hand still unused. My reflection in the glass wall across from me looked very composed, with a tidy bun on my head, a pressed navy blouse, and a straight posture, yet inside, my thoughts wouldn’t stop running around.He was late. Of course, it was something he would pull off.I glanced at the door for what felt like the tenth time before finally hearing the faint echo of footsteps. The door opened up, and Alex walked in like he owned the world, coffee cup in one hand, a file under his arm. His tie was perfectly straight, his grey hair slicked back with that effortless confidence that somehow irritated me more than it impressed me.“Chloe, you look like you’re about to attend a funeral,” he said with a dry tone as he

I pushed the door open, trying to look calm like I wasn’t hating what was going on here today. The fluorescent lights gave the conference room a washed out low that made it feel like I had walked into an old movie.Alex still seated there, jacket hanging on the back of his chair now, sleeves rolled neatly to his elbows. He didn’t look up, just scrolled through something on his iPad.“Took you long enough,” he said, his voice smooth but cold. “Did you at least get me something to eat from the cafeteria?”I blinked, setting my notepad down beside him. “No one said I was supposed to do that.”He glanced up at me for just a second, those cold eyes piercing into me as always. Lord knows I hated that. “It’s just basic courtesy, Chloe.”I bit the inside of my cheek, forcing a polite smile. “Noted, Sir. I’ll make sure to bring you a coffee next time I step out.”His mouth twitched with joy. He seemed to be enjoying this new that was respectful so I wouldn’t lose my job. “Thank you. I like hav

“Welcome to my home,” Alex said as he pushed open the heavy glass doors that sealed his mansion off from the rest of the world. He spoke like someone who hadn’t just watched one of his employees attack another.The faint scent of cedar and citrus filled the air, mixing with the cool air from the air conditioning that brushed past my face. My hands tightened around the strap of the bag I packed, as the events from a few minutes ago continued playing in my head.“Alex, I..”He didn’t look at me as he spoke. “Ugh. Come in, Chloe.”The living room was bathed in soft lighting, with the wooden floor so clean that it felt like someone could fall asleep on it. Two staff members appeared almost instantly, bowing slightly when they saw Alex.“Prepare a room for her,” he said curtly. “East wing.”The staff nodded and reached for my bag.I stepped back instinctively. “That’s not necessary. I can handle it. It’s...”Alex’s voice cut through my protest. “You were nearly attacked tonight, Ch

A blast of music shattered the silence in my new room, causing me to sit upright in bed within seconds with my heart pounding, pillow half over my head. A heavy beat thudded through the walls like there was a marching band attacking the compound.“What the hell is that?” I managed to voice out with a rough voice.Before I could fully open my eyes, Alex’s voice came through the speaker system, sounding loud and active for how early it was in the morning.“Rise and shine, Stone. Your breakfast will be ready in fifteen minutes. If you’re not down by then, I’ll assume you’ve died in your sleep and send the chef to drag you out.”I groaned, dragging the blanket over my face. “You’re insane!” I muttered into the pillow but the music only got louder the more I complained. “Unbelievable,” I grumbled, fumbling to find the speaker’s off switch but there was a knock at the door that stopped me completely.I looked around, hair sticking out in every direction. “If that’s you, I swear...” T

“Alex… so you won’t be attending the meeting?”My voice sounded like a child in need of her father’s help, even to my own ears. I stood near his desk with my folder pressed to my chest, trying to hide the twist of anxiety forming inside of me.Alex didn’t bother looking up at first. He just fastened his cufflinks with that annoying, cold look he was born with. “No.”I walked closer. “But these are the last two names on the list. We should both be there. You can’t leave me now after we started this together.”He paused long enough to give me a single glance, one of those looks that said he’d already decided and nothing I said mattered. The corner of his mouth moved faintly. “You’ll be fine.”He turned away and added, almost casually, “You should be used to firing people by now.”The comment punched the air out of my lungs. My body stiffened, swallowing hard. “That’s not something you ever ‘get used to,’ Alex.”He shrugged, completely unbothered by whatever was happening in my li