Betrayed By The Billionaire

69

Chloe was overwhelmed with joy, pulling Liam Jr. into a fierce embrace. Her voice shook, breathless and fragmented with emotion. "Liam... oh, Liam..."

She couldn't find the words to describe the warmth spreading through her chest. It felt as if the entire world had suddenly brightened, bringing with it a profound sense of responsibility she was more than willing to shoulder. Yet, beneath the happiness lay a sharp edge of anxiety; she couldn't make any permanent promises to the boy. She could only vow to the heavens that for every single day she remained in the Grayson household, she would protect him with everything she had.

The breakthrough was monumental. The "Little Wolf" had finally taken his first step toward the world.

After a long moment, she released him, smoothing his soft, curly hair. "Liam, you are so brave. You're amazing."

The boy, still seeking reassurance, looked at her with wide, reddened eyes. His small hand flew across the whiteboard: "Will you go?"

Chloe shook her head, her gaze steady and resolute. "No. I will stay with you, Liam. Always."

In that instant, the boy’s porcelain face lit up. His eyes curved into brilliant crescents, radiating a level of pure, innocent cuteness that made it impossible to look away. Chloe couldn't help but laugh, pulling his soft frame back into her arms and planting a firm kiss on his cheek.

When she later led him to Nanny White and the boy scrawled a sincere "I'm sorry" on his board, the elderly housekeeper was moved to tears. The young master was communicating. The bruise from the night before was a small price to pay for such a miracle.

The Boardroom Execution

At 9:00 AM sharp, Chloe and Mrs. Bishop arrived at the Bishop Group headquarters. They met Xavier at the entrance and ascended to the high-level conference room together.

One hour later, the transition was complete.

Mrs. Bishop emerged from the building, her eyes red and swollen from crying—but these were tears of relief. Behind her, the once-arrogant Arthur Bishop and his accomplice, Paul, were being led into police cruisers in handcuffs.

Xavier, acting with the lethal precision he was famous for, had officially taken over as the new CEO of the Bishop Group. He presented a mountain of evidence: falsified accounts, embezzled corporate funds, and the illegal use of his position for personal gain, all of which had caused staggering losses to the Bishop legacy.

To bury Arthur completely, another shareholder stepped forward, providing evidence that they had been physically threatened by Arthur into selling their shares at rock-bottom prices.

Mrs. Bishop was ecstatic. She grabbed Xavier’s hand, her voice trembling. "If he's convicted... how many years will Arthur get?"

Xavier didn't answer immediately. His cold gaze dropped to where her hand was gripping his.

Realizing her lapse in decorum, Mrs. Bishop quickly withdrew her hand, her face flushing with embarrassment. "I'm sorry... I... I'm just so overwhelmed."

Chloe watched from the side, a bitter pang in her heart. She was used to being humble and cautious in front of Xavier, but seeing her mother—the elegant matriarch of the Bishop family—acting so tentatively in front of her son-in-law was difficult to swallow.

Then, Xavier’s deep, steady voice broke the silence. "Mom, there's no need for that. Don't worry; the amount Arthur embezzled is enough to put him away for ten years, and that’s without counting the other charges."

Chloe looked up, both surprised and deeply grateful. She was thankful he hadn't given her mother the "cold shoulder" and thankful he hadn't allowed them to feel humiliated in their moment of victory.

"Good," Mrs. Bishop sighed happily. "You've handled this perfectly. Please, come home for lunch today. Since the wedding, you haven't had a proper meal at our house, and I haven't had the chance to thank you properly for everything."

Xavier remained unsmiling, but he maintained the respect expected of a junior to an elder. "I'm afraid not today. There is a great deal of work to be done with the transition."

Mrs. Bishop tapped her forehead. "Look at my head! You just took office; of course you're busy. How about this—I'll have Chloe bring lunch over to your office?"

Xavier glanced at Chloe. He didn't object. "That will work."

After a few brief words, Xavier turned and strode back into the Bishop Group building. Mrs. Bishop watched his tall, imposing figure with growing approval. She squeezed Chloe’s hand tightly. "I think this son-in-law is actually quite good."

Chloe knit her brows. Good? In what way?

"I've learned to fear those who speak sweet words but hide a dagger," Mrs. Bishop sighed, her thoughts clearly drifting to the past. "Xavier is like this—steady and direct. It's better to have a man who is cold on the outside than one who is hollow on the inside."

They both knew who she was talking about. Liam Martin had once been the perfect, attentive fiancé, and look where that had led them.