The Billionaire CEO's Bought Secret Baby

Sophia stepped out of the hospital, her face etched with weary despair, the doctor’s words still ringing in her ears. “Miss Sophia, your mother’s condition is critical. We recommend surgery as soon as possible. There’s a kidney available now, but you’ll need to come up with 300,000 dollars within the next two days for the operation. Otherwise, we’ll have to give it to another patient.” 300,000 dollars? Where was she supposed to find that kind of money? Her mother had been ill for two years now, and the alimony Sophia received after leaving her father’s house had long been spent. Could she go back and ask again? She had tried before, only to face the sharp ridicule of her father’s new wife and daughter. As for her father, the man who brought her into this world—he simply didn’t care. But for her mother’s sake, she had no choice but to try again. She rushed to a nearby phone booth, dialed a number, and spoke into the receiver, “It’s me.” “What do you want?” Dorian’s voice was laced with impatience. “Mom’s dying,” she spat angrily. “You abandoned us, and now you won’t even lift a finger to help her? How can you live with yourself? It’s just 300,000 dollars, and you won’t even give me that!” “Sophia, calm down,” Dorian replied. He wasn’t completely indifferent; it was just that every time she came to the house, his current wife was around, making it impossible for him to give her money without causing a scene. Plus, his company was going through financial trouble. Thirty thousand would be a stretch, let alone 300,000. “How am I supposed to calm down?” Sophia shouted. “If she dies, I’ll die too. We won’t let you forget this!” “Alright, alright, just come to the office,” Dorian said, his voice filled with frustration. Sophia hung up the phone and hurried to his company. Upon arrival, she was told Dorian was in a meeting and that she’d have to wait. Half an hour passed, and just as her impatience hit its peak, the office door opened. She quickly stood, rushing over, only to collide with someone. “Oof.” The impact was hard—was this man made of steel? “What do you think you’re doing?” a voice barked beside her. Before she could even react, a tight grip closed around her wrist, pulling her to the side. She looked up to see Dorian, her father, dragging her away. He didn’t even glance at her, his attention fixed on the man she had bumped into. “My sincerest apologies, Mr. Tobias,” Dorian said in a panicked tone. “Are you alright?” Sophia’s eyes widened. Dorian was never this deferential. Whoever this man was, he had to be someone important. She looked up and saw a young man, tall and impeccably dressed in a three-piece Italian suit tailored to perfection. His expression was cold, exuding authority and an air of effortless power. He didn’t need to say a word to command the room. His piercing gaze swept over her like a predator assessing its prey, sending a chill down her spine. She instinctively took a step back. The man’s eyes lingered on her for a brief moment before he turned away, his interest already waning. Without another word, he walked toward the exit. Dorian trailed behind him, bowing and nodding like a man in the presence of royalty. At the elevator, the young man paused and spoke in a voice so cold it could freeze the room. “Chairman Dorian, that will be all. No need to see me off.” “Yes, yes, of course,” Dorian stammered, continuing his sycophantic behavior. As the elevator doors slid shut, the man turned to his assistant and said, “Find out everything you can about that woman.” Sophia followed Dorian into his office. There was no room for conversation between the two—they had nothing left to say to each other. Instead, they got straight to the point. Dorian pulled out his checkbook. “How much do you need?” “The kidney and surgery alone will cost at least 300,000. That doesn’t include post-op care. You decide what’s fair,” Sophia replied. Dorian glanced at her, sighed, and reluctantly signed a check for 500,000. “This should cover it. The company’s been struggling lately, so don’t expect more from me. If you need anything else, just call. Don’t come to the house—your stepmother wouldn’t appreciate it.” Sophia snatched the check from his hand. “I’ll pay you back,” she muttered before turning and leaving without another word. Half an hour after she left, the phone on Dorian’s desk rang. “Hello?” “Chairman Dorian.” A steady, authoritative voice came through the receiver. “Tobias! Mr. Tobias!” Dorian shot up from his chair, his heart racing. Even over the phone, he couldn’t help but feel the imposing presence of Tobias, the CEO of Aetheris Group, one of the city’s most powerful real estate tycoons. “I hear you’re eager to sign that contract, Chairman Dorian?” Tobias’s tone was casual, as though they were simply discussing the weather. “Absolutely,” Dorian responded without hesitation. He’d spent the past few months desperately working to secure that deal. His company had been hemorrhaging money due to poor investments, and bankruptcy seemed inevitable. Tobias was his only way out. “Well then, how about we have dinner tonight and discuss it further?” “Yes, of course. That would be fantastic,” Dorian said, hardly able to believe his luck. Just hours ago, Tobias had seemed uninterested, but now he was suddenly willing to meet. Whatever the reason, Dorian didn’t care—he’d do anything to secure the deal. Tobias chuckled softly, and then his tone shifted. “I’ve also heard that aside from your daughter Vivienne, you have a younger daughter named Sophia.” Dorian froze, immediately realizing where this was going. “Yes, she’s the one who bumped into you earlier, Mr. Tobias.” He paused. It was clear Tobias had already done his research. In just thirty minutes, the Aetheris Clan had found out everything. Their reach was, as always, astounding. “Bring her tonight,” Tobias said, his voice smooth but carrying an unmistakable edge. “I rather like her.” Dorian hesitated for a moment before quickly agreeing. “Of course, Mr. Tobias. I’ll bring her.” Tobias’s words had a double meaning, one Dorian couldn’t ignore. He knew the kind of man Tobias was—after all, he had spent years in this ruthless business world. He had once tried to introduce his older daughter Vivienne to Tobias, but the man hadn’t shown any interest. Now, out of nowhere, Tobias had taken a liking to Sophia. Dorian knew what that meant. Tobias was just curious. He wanted to toy with Sophia, nothing more. But could Dorian really sacrifice his own daughter? After hanging up the phone, Dorian sat silently for a few moments, lost in thought. Eventually, he made his decision. Sophia didn’t have a mobile phone, so there was no way to contact her directly. She’d have to call him if she needed something. Dorian picked up the phone and called the bank, canceling the check he had just written. Sophia stood in line at the bank, finally reaching the teller’s window, only to be told that the check was invalid. She stood there in stunned silence for a few moments before pulling out her phone and dialing Dorian’s number. “The check bounced,” she said flatly.