THE BILLIONAIRE'S BARGAIN

**Chapter 4: A Night of Unintended Encounters**

Yiwen’s eyes widened in disbelief as she stood amidst a storm of flashing cameras and invasive questions. Her heart pounded with the realization of her public humiliation. She forced air out of her mouth, feeling the cold breeze against her hand, desperate to confirm she wasn’t dreaming. The relentless barrage of reporters and onlookers captured every moment of her despair, amplifying her sense of dread.

"It's finished," she mumbled, her voice trembling. Tears streamed down her cheeks uncontrollably as she faced the crowd, whose laughter and insincere sympathy only deepened her sense of doom.

Struggling to maintain her composure, Yiwen wiped her tears with a shaky hand. She felt utterly defeated, her dignity stripped bare before an unforgiving public. Each attempt to leave the scene was thwarted by a relentless avalanche of flashing cameras and invasive questions, making her feel trapped in a spectacle of her own making.

**At Bangkok Airport**

In stark contrast, Alexander Ryan Caves emerged from his private jet to a chaotic scene of adoring fans and relentless paparazzi. The crowd surged forward, their excitement palpable as they snapped photos and shouted their admiration. Alexander, known for his enigmatic allure and preference for discretion, was not accustomed to such public scrutiny, and his attempt at a discreet arrival had backfired spectacularly.

"He's so cute!" a woman shouted, her voice filled with excitement.

"Look at his hair!" another exclaimed.

"I promise our children would be adorable!" a third added.

The cacophony of flattering but intrusive remarks frayed Alexander’s nerves. This was not the low-key entrance he had planned. He needed his arrival to remain confidential, away from both his family and the media’s prying eyes.

Turning to his right-hand man, Rosh, Alexander's frustration was evident. “Send them away. Make sure my arrival doesn’t make the headlines, or you’ll both be out of a job,” he ordered with icy resolve.

Rosh immediately set to work, deploying the guards to intimidate the crowd into deleting photos and videos. Threats of severe consequences ensured compliance, and within minutes, the frenzy subsided. Alexander, finally able to continue his journey, retreated into his waiting Hyundai Ioniq 5—a luxurious sanctuary amidst the chaos.

"Young master, we’ve booked one of the finest hotels in town. I trust it meets your expectations," Rosh informed as they drove through the bustling city streets.

Alexander’s response was a noncommittal grunt.

As he perused a magazine, his attention was diverted when he spotted a news headline about Yiwen.

“Yiwen?” he muttered, a frown creasing his brow.

“What’s going on outside?” he inquired, peering through the tinted window.

“Probably just some street commotion,” the driver replied.

Alexander’s curiosity was piqued. "Stop the car," he commanded with a voice that brooked no argument, sending a shiver through his entourage.

The driver quickly complied, bringing the car to a halt. Alexander rolled down the window and surveyed the scene. His gaze locked onto a disheveled Yiwen, surrounded by a throng of reporters.

“Rosh,” he called out.

“Here, young master,” Rosh replied, bowing slightly.

“Find out what’s happening and handle it discreetly. And ensure no one recognizes me,” Alexander ordered before rolling up the window to shield himself from the remaining onlookers.

Rosh stepped out of the car, navigating through the crowd with purpose, while Alexander’s interest was piqued by Yiwen’s plight.

**Meanwhile**

Yiwen faced a relentless barrage of intrusive questions from reporters. “Why are you sleeping on the street?” one asked. “Are you homeless now?” Another pressed. The relentless questioning intensified her shame as tears continued to fall from her eyes.

She felt overwhelmed by the crowd’s growing size and her inability to escape the situation. Her mind raced with explanations she couldn’t give—about her well-furnished apartment and the insomnia drug that had led her to this unfortunate predicament.

Amidst the chaos, Yiwen noticed the familiar Hyundai Ioniq 5 and saw Rosh approaching. Her heart leaped with a glimmer of hope. “It’s the same man, it’s the same car!” she exclaimed, her voice cutting through the crowd’s noise.

“Give her some space. She’s struggling to breathe,” a sympathetic voice called out, leading people to clear a path for Rosh.

Rosh’s commanding presence created an immediate separation between Yiwen and the reporters. “Right on time, my good Samaritan,” Yiwen managed to say weakly before losing her balance and blacking out.

**On the Other Hand**

Xu Junxi, Yiwen’s ex, watched the disturbing footage of her on the street with a mix of guilt and indifference. Although he felt some remorse for the state she was in, he couldn’t ignore the bitterness from their past. He had moved on with Laura, someone he found caring and genuine. Resolving to cut ties cleanly, Xu Junxi typed a message to Yiwen:

“Hey Yiwen,

I guess I shouldn’t ask how you’re doing because it’s clear you’re managing without me. After seeing your recent situation, it’s surprising how you’ve changed. You were once someone I admired, but now you’ve become a shadow of that person.

I’ve transferred some money to your account—just enough to reflect your worth in my life. Take it and move on. I want to live without the shadows of our past and enjoy my life with Laura. Please don’t cause trouble for us.

Also, return my turquoise ring. It was meant for someone else. I hope you find a new path and leave the past behind.

Take care,

Xu Junxi”

As he sent the message, a few tears escaped his eyes. Despite his resolve, the emotional weight of their shared history lingered, a reminder of the complexities of love and regret.