All Chapters of The Billionaire in oil-stained hands : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

52 Chapters

The signs I never saw

Chapter 11 Fafane If I hadn’t lived this life before, I would have believed every word that came out of Henry’s mouth. “You’re quiet tonight,” he said as he poured himself a glass of wine. “I’ve had a long day.” I tiredly said. He smiled with practiced ease. “I’ve been thinking about the wedding.” There it was, the reason for tonight’s dinner. My father looked up from his plate. “Finally. It’s about time you two set a date.” Henry reached across the table and gently took my hand. “I was thinking sometime this fall.” I forced a small smile. “I’ll think about it.” His fingers tightened around mine for the briefest second before he let go. Anyone else would have missed it, but I didn't because I know it wasn't asking; he was trying to pressure me. The old me would have mistaken it for excitement, but now the new me recognized control. As dinner continued, I found myself doing something I had never done before. Watching, not Henry, my eyes found my dear sister Te

Last Updated : 2026-07-24

Wedding Dates

Chapter 12 Fafane The following morning, I was summoned to my father’s office before I had even finished my coffee; that alone was unusual. My father rarely called for me unless it involved the company or Henry. I knocked twice before stepping inside. “You wanted to see me?” He looked up from the stack of papers on his desk and motioned for me to sit. “I’ve spoken with Henry’s parents.” Of course you have; what else is new? He slid a folder across the desk. “I think it’s time to settle on a wedding date.” I stared at the elegant cream-colored folder as though it were a venomous snake. In my previous life, I had opened that exact folder with excitement while I imagined a future with Henry and our children, he and I being together for a lifetime. Instead, I received betrayal, humiliation, and death. Keeping my expression calm, I opened the folder. There were five dates, each carefully selected by both families. “You can choose whichever works best for your schedule,” Father

Last Updated : 2026-08-01

Perfect Candidates

Chapter 13 Quashawn The investigation reports covered nearly half my desk. There were twelve women, twelve carefully selected candidates my mother believed were worthy of becoming my wife. Some were socialites, others came from wealthy families, and a few had impressive careers. Every one of them had been thoroughly investigated. I flipped through another folder before tossing it aside. “Another one?” Malik, my cousin, asked as he walked into my office carrying two cups of coffee. “Please tell me one of them is normal.” I accepted the coffee with a sigh. “So far? None” He laughed. “What was wrong with the last one?” “Three arrests.” I threw each one of them in the garbage pan next to the desk “Ouch.” Malik sat on the chair across from me. “The one before that owed six million dollars.” He whistled. “And the one before?” “She was secretly engaged,” I said. Malik nearly spilled his coffee laughing. “Your mother sure knows how to pick them.” “My mother doesn’t pick them.

Last Updated : 2026-08-01

The change of plan

Chapter 14 Fafane Before I could go to that shopping spree Tessa was babbling about, I got a text that the board was having a meeting without me there. “ I'll meet you at the mall.” I removed my hand from her arms. “ I have something to handle.” I wasted no time getting in the car and drove to the office. I found my assistant standing anxiously by the elevator. “ Oh, thank God you're here” We fell into step. “What's going on?” She quickly gave me a rundown of the situation: the board was worried about me giving the CEO position to Henry after the wedding. Without another word, I walked into the conference room, and it felt silent. Eight pairs of eyes followed me as I took my seat at the head of the polished table. The board of directors had been with Louis Corporation long before I became CEO. Some had watched me grow up. Others had doubted I could ever fill my grandfather’s shoes. Now, every one of them waited for me to speak. Mr. Campbell, the oldest member of the boa

Last Updated : 2026-08-02

Too perfect

Chapter 15 Quashawn The moment I sat down, she smiled with no warmth, but professionally. It was the kind of smile perfected through years of etiquette classes and charity galas. “I’ve heard wonderful things about you, Mr. Baker,” she said. “I’m sure you have.” I took a sip of my water. She folded her napkin neatly across her lap. “I’d like to thank you for taking the time to meet with me.” “So would I.” I kept my answers short. The waiter appeared almost instantly. She ordered first, “I’ll have the imported wagyu, the caviar tasting, lobster tail, and a bottle of your most expensive champagne.” The waiter looked at me. I nodded. “No problem.” he stepped away from our table. As he walked away, she smiled again. “I hope you don’t mind.” “Not at all.” Money had never impressed me; neither had expensive tastes. For several minutes we exchanged polite conversation; she spoke fluent French and played the piano, she volunteered twice a month and loved children. Everythin

Last Updated : 2026-08-02

Husband?

Chapter 16 Fafane The moment Tessa insisted we stop for dinner after shopping, I knew she had an ulterior motive. “I thought we were going home,” I said as she linked her arm through mine. “We’ve been shopping for hours. I’m starving,” she whined next to me. “You’ve been shopping for hours.” I pointed out. She laughed. “Same difference.” I rolled my eyes and followed her inside one of the city’s most exclusive restaurants; the hostess led us toward our table. Halfway through the dining room, I stopped walking; no way Quashawn sat across the room. Even from a distance, he looked composed in a charcoal suit, one hand resting beside his glass of water. Across from him sat a beautiful woman dressed to perfection; some would say it was a date, but it looked like two uncomfortable people who were forced to be there. Tessa noticed I’d stopped. “What is it?” “Nothing.” But before I could continue walking, the woman’s voice carried across the room. “One million dollars.” I frown

Last Updated : 2026-08-03

Dangerous proposal

Chapter 17 Quashawn I hadn’t laughed that hard in years. The moment the restaurant doors closed behind my former date, I leaned back in my chair and looked at the woman responsible. Fafane looked far too pleased with herself. “What?” she asked, trying to hide her grin. I shook my head. “You have terrible timing.” “I’d say my timing was perfect,” she replied. “You just scared away my date.” I pointed at the closing door. She gasped dramatically. “Oh no, whatever will you do now?” I couldn’t help smiling. “I suppose I’ll have to thank you.” She slipped into the chair the other woman had abandoned. “You don’t have to.” “I insist,” I said. The waiter cautiously approached our table. “Will the lady be joining you for dinner?” I looked at Fafane; she smiled. “I’ve already eaten.” “Then dessert.” I offered. She opened her mouth to refuse. “I wasn’t asking.” I insisted. She rolled her eyes. “Bossy.” The waiter quickly disappeared; for a moment, silence settled between

Last Updated : 2026-08-03

Why me?

Chapter 18 Fafane The restaurant faded into the background as I stared into Quashawn’s eyes. I had expected him to laugh, even though I'd made him promise not to, but I still expected him to believe I was joking again. Instead, he looked at me as if my answer truly mattered. There was no sarcasm, just quiet patience. “Why me?” he asked. It was a simple question one that I wasn't prepared for. I lowered my gaze to the untouched dessert between us, tracing the rim of the plate with my fingertip. Why him? Because every instinct I had screamed to stay away from marriage, after my experience in another life with the man I trusted most had smiled while taking my life. Saying yes to Henry had become the biggest mistake of my life. But I couldn’t tell Quashawn any of that, not without making myself sound like a complete crazy person. I took a slow breath before meeting his eyes again. “Because,” I began softly, “you’re the first man who doesn't make marriage sound like a prison” H

Last Updated : 2026-08-04

One condition

Chapter 19 Quashawn I looked at the woman sitting across from me; every instinct told me I should say no. We had known each other for less than a day. And I could already tell she was carrying secrets she refused to share, and yet here she was asking me to change the course of both our lives with a single word. It was reckless and Illogical, completely wild. Yet, not once did I believe she was lying. There was fear in her eyes, not of me but of something waiting for her outside this restaurant. I leaned back in my chair. “If I agree” She straightened immediately. “To marry you,” I continued. She nodded. “Yes.” I studied her for another moment before asking the question that mattered most. “Do you love your fiancé?” I asked her. Her smile disappeared. “I don’t.” “Does he love you?” came my next question. A bitter laugh escaped her lips. “I don’t think he ever did.” That answer alone told me more than an hour of explanations could have; I folded my hands together. “I’ll

Last Updated : 2026-08-04

It was never love

Chapter 20 Fafane Once I was back at my car, everything that Quashawn just talked about replayed in my mind over and over before I finally accepted it. It's better to be with someone who is upfront instead of going back to the person who will kill me one day. I drove back home in silence. The moment my car pulled into the driveway, I knew something was wrong. Henry’s black SUV was parked outside. I sighed before walking towards the door and pushing it open. It hadn't even closed behind me before his voice echoed through the house. “Where have you been?” I looked up and found Henry stood in the center of the living room, his jaw tight and his arms crossed. Just a few feet away, Tessa sat elegantly on the sofa with a cup of tea in her hands, the corner of her mouth curling into a smug smile the second our eyes met. She was enjoying this. I slipped off my heels and placed my purse on the entry table. “Good evening to you too.” Henry ignored the greeting. “I’ve been calling you al

Last Updated : 2026-08-05

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