Claimed By The Billionaire Who Ruined Me

Chapter five

Nathan

I wouldn’t say I wasn’t caught off guard when I saw Yvonne Gates standing beside my car. Yes, that Yvonne Gates. The woman who turned my life upside down with a single reckless post, a lie that nearly destroyed my mother in the process.

Her brown doe eyes were sharp with anger when she spoke.

“How can you not remember me when you’re the reason my life is ruined?”

Interesting. She still had fire in her voice, even when facing me. Most people shook at the mention of my name. She stood there, unflinching. And strangely enough, I almost admired it.

But hearing her accuse me of ruining her life only made me want to laugh. Ruined? No. I’d barely even started.

“Get away from my car,” I said coldly.

Before she could answer, Brian’s annoying voice cut through the tension.

“Who’s this pretty chick?” he asked, grinning like a fool.

Yvonne’s jaw tightened, but she ignored him. She kept her eyes on me.

“I need to speak with you, and it’s important.”

“Get away from my car,” I repeated, sharper this time. I despised repeating myself. But something about this woman, with her steady gaze and trembling hands she thought I didn’t notice made me tolerate her a second longer.

“It’s important, Mr. Pierce. A life is on the line,” she insisted.

Brian whistled. “Man, I feel like a third wheel here.”

“I don’t give a damn about what you think is important,” I snapped. “Now move.”

But she didn’t. She just stood there, chin raised, challenging me with those eyes. Damn. The audacity of this woman.

I stepped toward her, and Brian slid between us, smirking.

“She looks serious, Nate. Let’s hear the pretty chick out.”

“I don’t care what she has to say,” I ground out, glaring.

“Calm down, man.” Brian turned to Yvonne, practically eating her up with his eyes. “Go on, sweetheart. Let’s hear it. Gotta admit sneaking your way in here took guts. Respect.”

I rolled my eyes. I still couldn’t fathom what Ashley ever saw in him.

Then her voice came, small but steady.

“I just wanted to apologize.”

I froze, staring at her. Did she really—?

“I shouldn’t have released that false statement about you,” she continued, her throat tight. “I should’ve done better research. I regret it. Truly.”

Her apology was genuine, I could hear it. But I didn’t care. The damage was done. My mother had paid the price.

“You’re only here because things got bad for you,” I said with a cruel smile. “And the truth is, I haven’t even started yet.”

Her face paled, horror flickering in her eyes. I enjoyed it.

Brian muttered something about giving us space and walked away, but I didn’t look at him. My focus was entirely on Yvonne.

“I already apologized,” she said, her voice breaking with frustration. “What more do you want from me?”

“I want you to suffer,” I replied flatly. “You still look like you’re doing fine. That means I haven’t done nearly enough. You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into.”

Her lips trembled. She blinked, fighting her tears, and for a second, I wondered what she’d look like if she finally let herself break.

“What do you want? I’ll do anything you ask. Just… get me back my old salary. Or at least let me work at another media company,” she begged.

Anything?

A thought crossed my mind, wicked and satisfying. I let it linger before smirking.

“Fine. Become my personal assistant. You can still chase your little journalism dreams, though I doubt you’ll have time for them.”

Her face twisted. She knew exactly what I was doing.

“No… anything but that,” she whispered.

“Then move. I’ve repeated myself more times than I care to, and I don’t tolerate disobedience.” My voice dropped, cold and sharp.

She bit her lower lip.

Damn it, why did that simple gesture get under my skin?

“Fine,” she spat, forcing the words out. “I’ll be your assistant.”

“Good. You start tomorrow.” I said it as if it were nothing, though the satisfaction burning in me was everything.

She stepped aside, defeated, and I slid into the car. Brian was finishing a call and murmured something to her before rushing in. I didn’t care what he told her.

---

The car pulled into the Pierce mansion, and my chest tightened like it always did. I hated this place. It reeked of memories I wanted erased.

Inside, my mother’s warm smile greeted me.

“Mi hijo,” she said, wrapping her frail arms around me.

“Good evening, Mom.” I hugged her back, relief settling in when I saw her smile.

“You’re getting taller and more handsome every day,” she teased.

I chuckled softly. “You say that every time we talk.”

“I thought you weren’t coming for dinner tonight,” came the one voice I despised most.

My entire body stiffened as Jacob Pierce descended the stairs. My eyes locked on him, hatred so raw it could cut glass.

“I wouldn’t miss seeing Mom,” I said calmly.

“Of course. You only ever come here for her.” His sneer twisted his face as he stopped in front of me.

Mom quickly excused herself to set the table, leaving me standing with him.

I refused to call this man “father.” He lost that right the moment I was born. To me, he would always be Jacob Pierce and nothing more.