The Billionaire CEO's Bought Secret Baby

Chapter 2

“Is that so?” Dorian feigned surprise. “There might be an issue with the account. I’ve been having some financial difficulties lately, so that could be the cause.”

“So what now?” Sophia asked, staring at the check, despair sinking in. It had taken all her effort to get the money once. Would there be a second chance? What would happen to her mother?

Dorian thought for a moment and then said, “Let’s do this. Join me for dinner tonight, and give me your account details. I’ll transfer the money directly to your card.”

Sophia paused, considering her options, then responded, “Alright.”

After hanging up, she returned to the hospital to sit with her mother. Around six o’clock, she called Dorian again. “Where are we meeting for dinner?”

“I’ll send my driver to pick you up,” Dorian replied.

“I’m at the hospital.”

Dorian hesitated briefly before ending the call.

Sophia sat on a bench outside the hospital, waiting for about ten minutes before the driver arrived. Once in the car, she closed her eyes, leaning back against the seat. After some time passed, the driver’s voice called her.

She thought they had arrived, but as she stepped out of the car, she realized they were in front of a place called Greener Fashion, a high-end fashion salon.

“What’s this for?” she asked.

“The chairman has reserved a table at a fine dining restaurant,” the driver explained. “He specifically asked me to bring you here to get you properly dressed.”

Sophia glanced at her simple attire and felt a surge of frustration. But for the 500,000 dollars, she bit her tongue and went along with it.

Two hours later, she arrived at the restaurant, her stomach grumbling with hunger.

“Do you have a reservation, miss?” the host asked.

“Dorian,” she replied.

“This way, please,” the host said, giving her a quick once-over before leading her through the elegant dining room.

The air conditioning was on full blast, and she could feel a chill creeping up her bare shoulders. She longed to wrap her arms around herself for warmth, but such a gesture would be too unbecoming in a place like this, so she resisted the urge.

As they neared Dorian’s table, she noticed he wasn’t alone. There was another man seated with his back to her.

She hesitated before softly calling out, “Dad.”

Dorian quickly stood up, smiling in a way that startled her. There was a hint of nervousness—no, more like deference—in his smile. This was unusual, deeply unusual.

At that moment, the man who had been facing away from her turned around. His lazy gaze sharpened with interest the moment their eyes met. She recognized him immediately—he was the man she had accidentally bumped into at the office earlier.

“This is Tobias, CEO of the Aetheris Group,” Dorian said hastily. “Say hello.”

Sophia stood frozen for a moment, then managed to stammer, “Mr. Tobias.”

Tobias offered a small smile, his eyes slowly scanning her from head to toe.

She was wearing a light purple strapless evening dress, her hair styled in loose waves cascading over one shoulder. Her makeup was expertly done, accentuating her youthful features. As his gaze lowered, he took in her delicate collarbones and the sparkling crystal necklace that hung just above her chest, drawing attention in the most alluring way.

She looked stunning, and Tobias’s smile deepened in approval. Turning back to Dorian, he said casually, “Come by my office tomorrow to sign the contract.”

Dorian’s relief was palpable.

"Yes," Dorian responded, visibly pleased. He quickly turned to Sophia. "Sophia, pour Mr. Tobias some wine."

Sophia glanced at him warily but stepped forward to the table. She picked up the bottle of red wine and carefully poured it into Tobias’s glass. When she finished, she realized he was watching her. She forced a small, awkward smile. "Please enjoy, Mr. Tobias."

Just as she was about to step away, Tobias suddenly grabbed her hand. Startled, she was about to speak, but he reached out with his other hand, gently grasping her chin, his thumb brushing across her lips. "I don’t like women who wear lipstick," he said in a low, smooth voice.

Sophia’s heart raced with fear. She quickly pulled away from his grip and ran over to Dorian. "Dad!"

Tobias lifted his glass, giving her a brief, dismissive glance. Dorian, forcing a smile, gently pushed her into the seat next to him. "Mr. Tobias was just teasing you. Relax. I’ll be right back, just going to the restroom. You go ahead and eat."

"No!" Sophia tried to grab him, but Dorian had already darted off, heading not toward the restroom, but out of the restaurant. She knew instantly—she had been sold out. Panic set in, and she bolted from the table.

Tobias didn’t move from his seat. Calmly, he poured himself another glass of wine and took a slow sip, watching her flee.

As soon as Sophia made it out of the restaurant, she was grabbed by two men in black suits and sunglasses, looking like something straight out of a gangster movie. She struggled and screamed, "What are you doing? Let go of me!"

"We’re Mr. Tobias’s men," one of the men said calmly. "Please wait here for Mr. Tobias."

Sophia’s heart sank. She turned back toward the restaurant and saw Tobias strolling out, casually making his way toward her.

She fought against the men holding her, but it was no use. They were far too strong.

Tobias approached, and with a casual wave of his hand, the two men immediately let go of her and disappeared as quickly as they had come.

He reached out, gently caressing her face. "Your father sold you to me. In exchange for a piece of land worth two billion. How does it feel to know you’re worth that much?"

“You—you monster!” she spat, trembling with anger.

“Do you want to save your mother?” he asked coolly.

Sophia froze, staring at him, her mind racing.

Tobias’s voice softened, almost coaxing. “Your father won’t help you anymore. But if you listen to me, your mother can have her surgery tomorrow—she’ll get the best doctors, the best medicine, everything top of the line. If not… well, by tomorrow, she won’t even have a room to stay in.”

Sophia stood there, stunned, staring at him. After what felt like an eternity, she slowly lowered her head, her shoulders trembling with the weight of defeat.

She didn’t scream, didn’t fight, didn’t even walk away. Tobias knew instantly—she had surrendered. He smiled, pleased with her decision. “You’re a smart girl. That’s good. Smart girls don’t suffer.”