Betrayed By The Billionaire

173

The professional masks were back in place as Dr. Aris pulled a thick medical dossier from his leather briefcase. He turned toward Mr. Han with a look of supreme confidence that bordered on arrogance. "Mr. Han, I’ve reviewed your father’s charts. I can cure him," he stated plainly, pausing for effect before adding, "But I have one condition."

With a flick of his wrist, Aris slid a separate legal document across the polished wood of the table. As Mr. Han opened the folder and began to read, his brow furrowed deeper with every line. The terms were clearly aggressive, likely involving exclusive medical patents or a significant restructuring of their partnership.

Aris leaned back, unbothered by the tension. "I can tell you with absolute certainty that in this city—and likely globally—I am the only one capable of treating this specific neuro-pathology. The esteemed colleagues sitting here can verify that this case is beyond standard practice."

The other medical authorities at the table remained silent. Though they were experts in their own right, none of them had the specialized experience Aris possessed. Furthermore, nobody was brave enough to challenge Aris while he sat under the shadow of the "Demon CEO."

To seal the deal, Aris leaned forward and dropped one final, personal bombshell. "And as for your wife’s chronic condition... I am also confident I can treat her successfully."

The room went still. Mrs. Han had suffered for years with a history of habitual miscarriages. Despite seeing the best specialists in Korea and taking every precaution, they had never been able to carry a child to term. Now in her forties, the couple had long since resigned themselves to a childless future. Seeing the spark of hope and indecision in Mr. Han’s eyes, Aris knew he had found their Achilles' heel.

Xavier exhaled a long, slow plume of white smoke, his expression unreadable. He tossed a second folder onto the table—a Grayson Group corporate profile. "Perhaps Mr. Han doesn't fully grasp the scale of the Grayson empire yet. I’ll give you the night to consider our terms. I expect your answer by tomorrow morning."

With a sharp movement, Xavier crushed his cigarette into the ashtray and stood up. The meeting was over. He reached for his heavy overcoat draped over the chair and, in a rare public display of "affection," draped it over Chloe’s trembling shoulders. "Let's go," he said, his voice dropping to a low, possessive rumble. "It’s time to go home."

Chloe stiffened momentarily, then pulled the large, expensive coat tighter around her frozen body. She felt as though she were disappearing into his scent and his shadow. As they walked out, Aris patted Mr. Han on the shoulder with a shark-like grin. "Think it over, Mr. Han. I hope the rest of your stay in our city is... enjoyable."

"Aris," Mr. Han called out, stopping the doctor at the door. "One question. What exactly is the relationship between Miss Bishop and President Grayson?"

Aris chuckled, the sound echoing in the hallway. "They are husband and wife, of course."

Husband and wife? Mr. Han stood frozen. He thought back to the first time he had met Chloe and Liam Martin in Seoul—the way they looked at each other, the promise of a life together. He couldn't help but sigh at the sheer unpredictability of fate.

Outside, Liam Martin had already fled, unwilling to let the world see his shattered pride. By the time Mrs. Han had chased him to the curb, his car was already pulling away. As she turned back toward the entrance, she saw Chloe emerging, wrapped tightly in Xavier’s coat and following half a step behind him.

"Chloe!" Mrs. Han called out, her voice full of lingering affection. "Are you leaving already?"

Chloe glanced at Xavier’s rigid back before stepping toward Mrs. Han. "I'm so sorry about tonight. How much longer will you be in the city?"

"Three or four days, I imagine," Mrs. Han replied.

Chloe felt a small wave of relief. "Then let’s see each other again. I'll take you to the racing tracks—away from all this business. I’ll call you."

As Xavier climbed into the back of the Bentley, Chloe hurriedly said her goodbyes and slid in beside him. The interior of the car was silent and smelled of leather and expensive tobacco. Chloe pulled the coat even tighter, her teeth beginning to chatter. Despite the heater, she felt a bone-deep chill that no fabric could reach.

Xavier watched her from the corner of his eye. Seeing her huddled into the coat, looking as though she wanted to disappear into the upholstery, only served to irritate him further. Does she find my touch that repulsive? he wondered, his anger flaring at the memory of her biting her lip in the restroom.

Without a word, he reached out, gripped her waist, and hauled her roughly onto his lap.

The Return to the Estate

The car sped through the midnight streets, the neon lights of the city blurring past the tinted windows. Chloe sat perched on Xavier's lap, her heart racing. The intimacy was forced and suffocating, yet she didn't dare struggle.

Xavier’s hand moved to her chin, forcing her to look up at him. "You looked very 'affected' by Martin’s little stunt back there," he whispered, his eyes dark with a dangerous jealousy. "Did his 'heroic' attempt to take you home stir up some old memories, Chloe?"

Chloe looked at him, her eyes tired but clear. "He was drunk, Xavier. It meant nothing. I told you, my life is here now."

Xavier’s grip tightened slightly. He wasn't looking for a rational explanation; he was looking for total submission. As the gates of the Grayson estate swung open, the "Demon" seemed to grow even more formidable in the darkness.

The evening’s power play was a success—the Hans are trapped by their need for Aris’s medical genius, and Liam Martin has been thoroughly humiliated. But for Chloe, the price of this victory is a night alone with a husband whose jealousy is far from sated. As they pull up to the front doors, Chloe realizes that the "discipline" of the club was only the beginning. How will she navigate the bedroom tonight when Xavier is determined to erase every trace of Liam Martin from her mind?

Do you think Xavier truly intends for Aris to help the Hans, or is the medical offer just a temporary bait to secure the business deal?