MR BILLIONAIRE, NOT YOUR WAY!

UNEXPECTED

|Helena|

“What on earth…” I whispered as I stared at the text on my phone. My chest tightened as my eyes darted over the message repeatedly, hoping the words would somehow rearrange themselves into something less horrifying.

The text was from Jude. He rarely contacted me unless it’s extremely important, which made the urgency clear.

“Helena, we need to meet ASAP. It’s about the missing financial manager. There’s been a sighting.”

A mix of panic and dread rushed through me. The financial manager was at the core of this entire ordeal. If she was truly alive and in hiding, it meant one of two things: she had been coerced, or she was part of the plan all along.

Everything went wrong with my mood. I knew she would be the factor that would extend my stay in Spain. I wanted to wrap Michael’s case up quickly and leave the country because I didn’t want to get involved with the Clintons anymore but it seemed impossible with the latest news.

“Helena?” Brian’s voice pulled me back to the car. His brows knitted in concern as he glanced between me and my phone. “Is everything okay?”

I locked my phone and forced a weak smile, trying to mask the chaos in my head. “Yeah, just work stuff. You know how it is.”

He didn’t look convinced, but thankfully, he didn’t press further and I was grateful for that. “If you need to talk about it or need help, you know I’m here.”

“I know. Thank you,” I said, forcing a smile softly, though my thoughts were already racing ahead.

Brian had parked outside the restaurant, but my appetite was long gone. As we stepped out, I gently touched his arm. “I just remembered I have a call scheduled soon. I might need to step out early.”

His face fell, but he quickly recovered, offering me an understanding nod. “No problem. We’ll eat quickly. You’ve got a lot on your plate, Helena, and I respect that.”

Guilt twisted in my stomach, but I couldn’t let this situation slip further out of control.

“Sure. Let’s eat first,” I agreed and walked in with him.

I slipped out of the restaurant after a rushed meal, apologizing to Brian for cutting it short. The moment I was in my car, I called Jude.

“Helena,” he answered almost immediately, his voice hushed.

“What’s going on? Where was she seen? And what does this even have to do with me? You should hand her over to the police. " I didn’t want our relationship to move past him being my client.

I know they were trying to involve me in the case since I told Michael that the ledger was rotten and now that the lady has been found, he would go to any length to prove her crime. The ledger is too clean for any random person to spot the trick and he wanted me to deal with that.

“There’s a private hospital just outside Madrid. Someone fitting her description was admitted under a fake name. I had someone confirm it and it was her. I have deployed the securities to guard the hospital so she doesn’t escape,” he responded

“Does Steve know about this yet?” I asked, gripping the steering wheel tightly.

“No, but I’m sure they will catch on soon. If we want to get to her, it has to be now.”

I exhaled sharply. This was a chance to unravel the mess Steve had created, but it was also dangerous. If Steve found out I was involved, he wouldn’t hesitate to retaliate, especially with the fact that I had humiliated him before.

“I’m on my way,” I said before hanging up and stepping on the gas pedal.

****

The hospital was dimly lit and quiet when I arrived. Jude was already waiting for me near the entrance, his face emotionless as always. He had that in common with Michael so that aided their compatibility. They move alike, emotionlessly.

“She’s on the third floor,” he whispered. “Room 312. I’ve already cleared the nurse on duty so she thinks we’re family.”

“Good,” I replied, my heart pounding as we moved through the corridors.

When we reached the room, I paused outside the door. Through the small window, I could see her lying in bed, pale and frail, but unmistakably the woman whose disappearance had thrown the company into chaos.

“What’s her condition?” I asked.

“Stable, but she’s been sedated. It looks like she’s recovering from an injury. The hospital records say she was brought in unconscious a few days ago.” He explained, pushing his tab into my hands for me to see for myself

I pushed open the door and stepped inside. The room smelled faintly of antiseptic, and the soft beeping of monitors filled the air. Her face was peaceful, almost serene, but I knew better than to trust appearances.

“Do we wake her?” Jude asked, marching straight to her side.

I shook my head. “Not yet. Let her rest. But we need to ensure she stays here until we get the truth. If Steve gets wind of this…”

Jude nodded grimly. “I’ll arrange for more private security. Discreet but effective.”

As I stared at her, a part of me wanted to feel pity for the woman lying so helplessly before me. But another part, the sharper, more guarded side, knew she could just as easily be a pawn or even a willing player in Steve’s schemes. Our sides are also different; we are not allies so there was no reason to show any pity. She’s a snake that has bitten Michael’s heel and I have to bruise her head mercilessly.

“Helena,” Jude interrupted my thoughts. “There’s one more thing.”

I turned to him, my patience wearing thin. “What now?”

“She was carrying this.” He handed me a small USB drive sealed in a plastic bag.

I frowned, holding it up to the light. “Did you check what’s on it?”

“No. I figured you’d want to see it first.”

“Good,” I said, slipping it into my purse. “I’ll deal with it later. Right now, we need to make sure she doesn’t vanish again.” I sighed and turned to take my leave.

****

Back at my temporary residence, I locked the door and pulled out my laptop. The USB drive felt heavier than it should as I slid it into the port.

Files popped up immediately, a mix of spreadsheets, emails, and scanned documents. As I clicked through them, my stomach churned at the lots of secret and dirty works that were stored on it.

Steve’s name appeared repeatedly, along with references to shell companies and illicit transactions. This was more than enough to implicate him but it also tied back to Michael’s accounts, making him look just as guilty.

“This is going to be so hard. I can’t believe I’m getting entangled with this mess” my hand swept through my hair in frustration.

I was about to shut my laptop down so I could rest when one email caught my attention. It was a draft, unsent but saved.

Subject: “If Something Happens to Me”

The message was addressed to Michael and detailed how Steve had coerced the financial manager into falsifying records. She had tried to back out but was threatened into compliance.

“Damn, she really prepared a lot,” I whispered. This was the key. If I could authenticate these documents, it would blow Steve’s schemes wide open. I hated his gut and the fact that he was trying to ruin the company I had worked my ass off for.

I knew it would never be easy because Steve was cunning, and if he caught wind of this evidence, he’d bury it alongside me before it ever saw daylight. He’s a cruel man who wouldn’t blink to get whatever he wants, even if it meant people getting hurt in the process.

My phone buzzed, snapping me out of my thoughts. It was Brian.

“Hey, everything okay? Are you home now?” He asked and I realized that I hadn’t texted him ever since I left the restaurant.

“Yeah, just wrapping up some work. I’m sorry for not texting sooner,” I said, my voice strained.

“Helena, you’ve been working non-stop. Don’t forget to take care of yourself. If it’s too much for you, you can also quit. I am sure he will understand.” His advice was full of care because he was trying not to get me annoyed.

His concern warmed me, but it also added to my guilt. Brian deserved better than half-truths and distractions, but I couldn’t involve him in this mess. Not yet, at least.

“I will. Thanks, Brian. Take care of yourself too.”

After hanging up, I leaned back in my chair, staring at the screen. The evidence in my hands could destroy Steve and possibly redeem Michael. But at what cost?

I closed my laptop and stood, pacing the room. My mind raced with possibilities, strategies, and worst-case scenarios.

One thing was clear: the game had shifted, and the next move was mine.

****

|Michael|

I sat in my study, staring at the glass of whiskey in my hand. The events of the past few days have left me reeling.

Helena had come through for me, despite everything I had done to her. Her brilliance and her tenacity were like seeing a whole new side of her.

But she was distant, cold even. And who could blame her? I had pushed her away brutally that night, and now she was with someone else. Someone who clearly adored her because her eyes said it all when she pointed to her boyfriend waiting for her. She was happy to flaunt him.

The thought made my chest ache in a way I hadn’t felt before. Regret, guilt, longing, and jealousy all swirled together, a bitter cocktail I couldn’t swallow. However, I didn’t want to dwell on the emotions; I had bigger problems in front of me.

Jude entered the room, breaking my thoughts. “We’ve found the financial manager.”

I shot to my feet immediately. Several emotions rushed through me as I clenched my fist. “Where is she?”

“She’s safe, for now. Helena’s handling it.”

“Helena?” my neck titled in shock. He explained that she had told him earlier that there was still a lot to uncover from the ledger. He had also tried to keep it secret because of Steve, who had his eyes everywhere.

I ran a hand through my hair. “She’s always one step ahead.”

Jude hesitated before speaking again. “There’s more. Helena found a USB drive with damning evidence against Steve.”

My heart pounded. This was the break I needed, but I also knew the risks. With the USB, she can either gain power to the company or help him oust Steve. However, they were not in a relationship where he would be assured that she would choose him.

“Helena’s playing a dangerous game,” Jude continued. “If Steve finds out…”

“He won’t,” I interrupted sharply. “Just make sure to keep an eye on Helena and the suspect.”

I turned into the dark night by the window and made a silent vow. If she decides to oust Steve and help me, that means she’s saving me again. She has always supported me, and now it was my turn to protect her, even if it meant risking everything.