Title: THE BILLIONAIRE'S ARRANGED BRIDE

Chapter 4: Suzan's Pov

The room fell silent, the tension so thick it felt like I could cut it with a knife. Raymond’s grip on the phone tightened, his knuckles turning white as he listened to the voice on the other end. His jaw clenched, and for a moment, I thought he might crush the phone in his hand. His eyes, dark and stormy, flicked to me, and I felt a chill run down my spine.

“Find her. Now.” His voice was low, but the command was unmistakable. He slammed the phone down on the desk, the sound echoing through the room like a gunshot.

I stood frozen, unsure of what to do or say. The air was heavy with unspoken questions, and I could feel the weight of his gaze on me. I wanted to ask who was missing, what had happened, but the words caught in my throat. His presence was overwhelming, and I felt like a small animal caught in the gaze of a predator.

“Suzan,” he said, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. “Sit.”

I obeyed without hesitation, sinking into the chair across from his desk. My hands trembled slightly, and I clasped them together in my lap to steady myself. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving mine, as if he were trying to read my thoughts.

“Do you know why you’re here?” he asked, his tone calm but laced with something darker.

I shook my head, my voice barely above a whisper. “No, sir.”

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, his fingers steepled in front of him. “You’re here because my mother thought it would be a good idea to bring you into this family. But let me make one thing clear—this is not a fairy tale. You are not here to play the role of the happy wife. You are here because it serves a purpose. Do you understand?”

I nodded, though my mind was racing. What purpose? What did he mean? But I didn’t dare ask. The look in his eyes told me that questioning him would be a mistake.

“Good,” he said, leaning back again. “Now, as for the missing person—that’s none of your concern. You will not ask about it, you will not speak of it, and you will not interfere. Is that clear?”

“Yes, sir,” I replied, my voice trembling slightly.

He studied me for a moment longer, then nodded. “Good. Now, Jesse will show you to your office. You’ll start your duties today. Remember what I said—mind your business, and we’ll get along just fine.”

I stood up, my legs feeling like jelly, and turned to leave. Just as I reached the door, his voice stopped me.

“Suzan.”

I turned back, my heart pounding. “Yes, sir?”

“Don’t disappoint me.”

The words hung in the air like a threat, and I nodded quickly before slipping out of the room. Jesse was waiting for me in the hallway, her expression calm and professional.

“Ready to see your office?” she asked with a smile.

I nodded, though my mind was still reeling from the encounter with Raymond. Jesse led me down the hallway to a spacious office with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a stunning view of the city. The room was elegantly decorated, with a large desk, a comfortable seating area, and shelves filled with books and decorative items.

“This is yours,” Jesse said, gesturing to the room. “You’ll find everything you need here. If there’s anything else you require, just let me know.”

I walked over to the desk, running my fingers along the smooth surface. It felt surreal, like I was living someone else’s life. Just a few days ago, I was struggling to make ends meet, and now I was standing in a luxurious office with a million-dollar daily expense limit.

“Thank you, Jesse,” I said, turning to her. “I really appreciate your help.”

She smiled warmly. “Of course. That’s what I’m here for. Now, let’s get you settled in. You have a meeting with the marketing team in an hour, and I’ll brief you on what to expect.”

As Jesse began to explain the details of the meeting, I couldn’t help but glance out the window at the city below. The view was breathtaking, but it also felt like a reminder of how far I was from the life I used to know. I had stepped into a world of power, wealth, and secrets, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready for what lay ahead.

The meeting with the marketing team went smoothly, thanks to Jesse’s guidance. I listened carefully, taking notes and asking questions when necessary. The team seemed respectful, though I could sense their curiosity about me. I was the new face in the Callahan empire, and they were undoubtedly wondering how I had ended up in such a position.

After the meeting, Jesse handed me a stack of documents to review. “These are the latest reports from the finance department. Mr. Callahan wants you to familiarize yourself with the numbers.”

I nodded, though the thought of diving into financial reports made my head spin. I had never been particularly good with numbers, but I knew I had to try. This was my new reality, and I had to adapt.

As I sat at my desk, flipping through the reports, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. The numbers seemed too perfect, too consistent. It was as if they had been carefully curated to present a certain image. But I didn’t have the expertise to know for sure.

I was so engrossed in the reports that I didn’t notice the time passing. It wasn’t until Jesse knocked on the door that I realized it was already late afternoon.

“Suzan, Mr. Callahan has requested your presence in his office,” she said, her tone neutral.

My heart skipped a beat. What did he want now? I nodded, trying to hide my nervousness, and followed Jesse down the hallway to Raymond’s office.

He was sitting at his desk when I entered, his expression unreadable. He gestured for me to sit, and I did so, my hands clasped tightly in my lap.

“How was your first day?” he asked, his tone casual but his eyes sharp.

“It was… informative,” I replied carefully. “I’m still getting used to everything, but I’m doing my best.”

He nodded, leaning back in his chair. “Good. I expect nothing less. Now, there’s something I need you to do.”

I waited, my heart pounding. What could he possibly want from me?

“There’s a gala tomorrow night,” he said, his eyes fixed on mine. “You’ll be attending with me. It’s an important event, and I need you to be on your best behavior. Dress appropriately, and don’t embarrass me.”

I nodded, though the thought of attending a gala with Raymond filled me with dread. “Of course, sir. I’ll be ready.”

He studied me for a moment, then nodded. “Good. Jesse will help you prepare. You’re dismissed.”

I stood up, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety as I left his office. Jesse was waiting for me in the hallway, her expression calm.

“Don’t worry,” she said, as if reading my thoughts. “I’ll make sure you’re ready for the gala. You’ll do great.”

I nodded, though I wasn’t so sure. The gala was just one more thing to add to the growing list of challenges in this new life. But I knew I had no choice but to face them head-on.

As I walked back to my office, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something big was coming. The missing person, the perfect financial reports, the gala—it all felt connected, like pieces of a puzzle I couldn’t quite see. And I had a feeling that when the pieces finally came together, my life would never be the same.

But for now, all I could do was focus on the task at hand. The gala was tomorrow night, and I had to be ready. Whatever secrets lay hidden in the Callahan empire, I knew I was about to step right into the heart of them.

And I wasn’t sure if I was ready for what I would find.