Semua Bab I KISSED MY EX'S BILLIONAIRE UNCLE: Bab 11 - Bab 20

LELLAThe event hall was filled with shimmering silk and tuxedos, but all I could feel was the suffocating grasp of Conrad’s hand on the small of my back. My head was pounding because I hadn't slept more than three hours, and the heavy makeup the stylist had plastered on my face felt like a mask I couldn't breathe through.​"Everyone, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend." ​I nearly tripped in my red heels because of what Conrad had said.Girlfriend? In the two years we were together, I was the ‘plus one,’ the ‘guest,’ or simply ignored. Now, suddenly, I was a trophy to be displayed.​"She’s stunning, Conrad," one of his associates remarked before sipping a martini. “A lucky man, indeed.”They are not the same friends he usually hangs out with. These guys were more groomed and well-mannered than those assholes.“So, tell us, when’s the big day? When are you two finally tying the knot?"My brow rose at someone’s query.​Conrad tightened his grip on my waist, pulling me against his side.

LELLAThrough the silver curtain of rain, Viktor stepped towards the passenger door and flung it open.​"Get in," he commanded. ​I stood frozen, clutching my two suitcases.‘Crap.’ I cursed silently, the cold rain stinging my eyes. "I’m fine, Viktor. I have a cab waiting–"​”There's no cab in this weather.” Viktor's voice is turning icy. He walked towards me and moved the umbrella above my head to cover me from the pouring rain. He stood in front of me with cold eyes on mine as the rain drenched his white dress shirt until it clung to his shoulders.My hands tightened at the handle of the suitcase as I avoided his intent gaze. “Then I'll wait until the weather calms down–”“Conrad will be through those gates in less than ten minutes. Do you want to be standing here until he finds you?"​The mention of his nephew sent a jolt of pure panic through me. I couldn't be here when Conrad returned. ​"Then just lend me your umbrella," I muttered and held the handle of the umbrella without

​LELLAAs the following days passed quickly, I spent my days busy with my resume. ​I had graduated with a degree in medicine, a path I had chosen out of genuine passion before my life became a series of "favors" and "obligations" to the men in my family and, eventually, to Conrad. For the first time, I wasn't looking for a job to be with Conrad. I wanted to stand on my own two feet. ​But the reality of the New York job market hit me like a bucket of ice water.​’We require at least three years of clinical experience.’​’Your background is impressive, but we are looking for someone with an established residency.’​’Currently, we have no entry-level openings in our research department.’​Each rejection letter felt like a door slamming in my face. I sat on the edge of the bed in my new Midtown condo and stared at the skyline.I had the degree, but the years I’d spent being Conrad’s "trophy" had left a gaping hole in my professional history. I felt a crushing sense of dismay. Was I reall

LELLA​"He's not even a scientist or a doctor," I uttered to the empty elevator, pressing the button for the lobby with a little more force than necessary. Maybe Viktor won't tell Conrad that I'm here. That's the only thing I'm worried about. In the first place, he was the one who kept insisting that I should break up with that bastard.I know he won't be here every day. He’s too busy running his empire to micromanage a junior researcher. I can do this. I'll just keep my head down, do my work, and avoid the executive floor at all costs.​But my brain refused to cooperate with that comforting lie.The whole night, I couldn't sleep. I kept tossing and turning in my oversized bed because every time I closed my eyes, I saw his smug, handsome face. I could still feel the phantom heat of his fingers wrapped around my wrist and his gaze that seemed to strip away all my defenses.​’You think this is a game to me?’ His voice echoed in my head.​I groaned and buried my face in a pillow. I was

LELLAI anxiously licked my lower lip as my fingers fidgeted together on my lap. I couldn't think of anything but money. But he had more money than he could ever spend, power that rivaled the city's elite, and access to anything he could ever want. What on earth could I offer a man like Viktor Volkonsky?“What do you want?"“Anything.”“Be specific, Viktor," I groaned.“Anything that comes to your mind, Lella.”I leaned against my chair and crossed my arms over my chest. “Why are you doing this? You're the one who keeps insisting that I should end things with your douchebag nephew. So why are you doing this?”But he only smirks and sips his coffee as if he didn't hear my tantrum.I let out a deep breath and tried to think thoroughly. My gaze landed on the food. Desperate to lock in his silence before my orientation started, I blurted out the first thing that came to my mind.​"I'll... I'll make you food!" I said quickly, leaning forward. "Every day. I'll deliver breakfast or lunch str