Betrothed to a Ruthless Billionaire

CHAPTER 4

TWIST OF FATE

"What the f**k is wrong with Chloe? Did I do something to upset her?” Danny asked rhetorically and pondered why Chloe acted like that. Judging from her shitty attitude, he could discern that something was eating her up. These two weren't on talking terms. Chloe doesn't even find Danny fascinating as a person or as the managing director of De Royale Gold Mine.

"Her attitude speaks volumes. But whatever it is, I'm ready to go ask Dad,” Danny muttered and walked inside his father's office.

"You should respect my privacy. You don't just break into people's offices as you wish. This is a reputable organization. Show some courtesy,” he scolded Danny for breaking in.

"Easy on me, Dad. I meant no harm. I just had a nasty encounter with Chloe outside the office. She looked tense and angry. Something is eating her up, and I bet you know about it.” Danny sat down and popped the question.

"And why would I know anything about it? You had the opportunity to ask her, but you goofed. I thought you'd never show up. What changed?” Lucas ignored the question, but Danny wasn't ready to back out either.

"I see what you did there. Stop running away from the question, Dad. A little explanation would do. Did you do anything to upset her? I haven't seen her that angry before. I bet you did something to trigger that provocation.” Danny kept pushing for an answer.

"Okay, fine. I'll spill it already.” Lucas bowed to pressure and explained about the stolen check.

"Okay? I got the picture! She came begging you to drop all charges against her mother, and you refused, hence her anger? It wasn't your fault her mother stole from us. She deserves to be punished to set an example for those opportunists out there,” Danny supported his father's actions.

"Even when her mom is dying of cancer? Come on, show some emotions, son."

"Emotions? Dad, when did you become this weak? Who gives a f**k about her pathetic poor dying mother? She should rot in hell for all I care. I just want her to get punished for stealing from us."

"Sorry to burst your bubble, but there's a twist. I intend to drop all the charges against her mother. For some reason, though,” Lucas unleashed the bombshell that left Danny astounded.

"What reason could that be? Please come off it. This isn't you talking. When did you become this nice? We both know this is a prank. I mean, her mother can't escape prosecution. A few years behind bars would help reset her head.” Danny laughed mischievously and doubted his father. Lucas Mariano is known for one thing, except for forgiveness. He barely forgives, irrespective of the victim involved. Now, hearing his father speak about granting a pardon to a stranger who stole such an outrageous amount is what Danny doesn't seem to comprehend. “I need an explanation, Dad. You're making me nuts. Why would she be granted a pardon? Are you having a secret affair with Chloe?”

"This is a slap on my face. Why would you even think of such? Come on, son. I can't stoop so low to have a relationship with a peasant. I demand an apology for that false accusation. You should know me better than the rubbish you just spew,” Lucas slammed his desk in anger.

"Apologies, Dad. I didn't mean to say that to you.

I just feel there's more to this. I know you too well. You just don't become so good and benevolent in one day. So I insist, why did you decide to drop all charges?”

"I know this may sound so ridiculous to your hearing, but you just need to know. She's gonna get married to you."

"Wait, wait, hold on a sec.” Danny made an upraised hand to interrupt his father.

"But I'm not done talking. I hate to be interrupted. That was rude,” Lucas protested.

"Rude? I may have missed the definition of rudeness. What else do I need to hear? Just like you said, this is absurd. I can't even marry that godforsaken leper called Chloe for a second. I would rather become a priest than get married to her. If she was the only girl remaining in the world, I would rather stay single for the rest of my life. How did you even think of such? You amuse me,” Danny stood up and sparked outrageously. He wouldn't stop yelling at his Dad as though they were mates.

"Can you stop yelling and get your ass down? I'm still your father and not one of those numerous prostitutes you flock around town with. I deserve some respect.” Lucas calmed the situation and asked Danny to be seated. Reluctantly, he obeyed and looked at his father with a bombastic side-eye. Lucas sighed and revealed the multi-billion dollar deal, De Royale Gold Mine could lose if Danny refused to get married to Chloe.

"So this is what everything is about. Are you selling me out for money? How cruel can you be? You aren't even concerned about my feelings. Do you even bother to ask what I want?”

"I care about your future, that's why I'm doing this for you. Remember you'd one day inherit my legacy? I need to lay a better foundation for you.”

"And what if I decline?”

“You dare not because you're gonna be affected. I'm not asking you, I'm telling you to do it because if you don't, you risk losing your inheritance to your kid brother. I'll transfer all rights to him, and you'd be reduced to a mere staff of De Royale Gold mine. Which means, he automatically becomes my heir apparent,”

"This is the height of wickedness. Am I even your biological son? I know you never liked me, but this? It is cruel,” Danny placed his head on the desk and bemoaned. He didn't see this coming. If anyone had told him his father would do this, he would have gotten the person arrested for trying to destroy his future.

"Enough with the emotions. Are you in or not? There's no time to think about it.”

"You speak as though I've got a choice. I'll do this. What about Chloe, did she accept?” Danny agreed after a prolonged silence.

“Awesome! Worry not about Chloe. She's just proving stubborn. She'll come around,” Lucas assured.

Moments later, Chloe walked inside with a file in her possession. The moment she saw Danny seated in the office, she made a U-turn to walk away. “I'm sorry I have to come back. I can't stand him,”

"That won't be necessary. You two need to start getting used to each other since you'll be living together for the next three years,” Lucas announced with a smile.

"What do you mean? I haven't accepted your proposal yet,” Chloe asked with a cracked tone.

"I don't have a problem with your acceptance. I was only concerned about Danny's, but he has accepted already.”

“He did?” Astonished, Chloe asked.

“Oh, yes, he did. Shocking right? I knew you would be,” Lucas laughed.

“This is unbelievable. I thought…" Chloe paused for a moment after her phone suddenly rang from a strange caller.

“Sorry, I need to take this,” she frowned and placed the phone on her left ear.

"Yes, it's Chloe. Who are you? My mom? What happened to my mom? I would be there immediately,” she screamed and got off the phone.

“What happened to your mom?” with the deepest concern, Don Pedro inquired.

"I just got off the phone with a cop at the station. It's about my mom. He sounded so urgent. I think she's In danger,"she replied.

"I had to rush in immediately when I got your call. Where's my mother? What happened to her?” Chloe questioned the cop after arriving at the station.

"Calm down, Miss Chloe. You're getting yourself so worked up,” One of the cops said, attempting to console Chloe.

"Don't you dare tell me to be calm? You had my mom locked up and expect me to stay calm? Where's my mother? I wanna see her immediately.” Chloe gripped his shirt and screamed so loud other cops were alerted.

"She had a seizure. But she's fine now. Our medical team quickly administered first aid treatment. Are you aware your mother is asthmatic? What if she had died?” The cop asked.