Betrayed By The Billionaire

264

The night air on the balcony was thin, but for Chloe Bishop, it felt like the only place she could breathe. The rhythmic ring... ring... of the phone was a high-stakes countdown. Standing just a few feet away, Vince felt his palms slick with sweat. He knew better than anyone that Xavier Grayson hadn't stepped foot in his office all day.

Before leaving the estate with Liam Jr., Vince had seen the "Demon CEO" staring at his phone—the same one that had survived a fall onto the lawn the night before. When Vince had dared to ask why he wasn't joining them, Xavier had simply muttered, "Wait a little longer."

Vince knew that Xavier was waiting for this exact call. In all his years serving the Grayson family, he had never seen the master so tethered to a device for anything other than a billion-dollar deal. But as the seconds ticked by, Vince wondered: Did he give up? Or is he so angry from the wait that he’s decided to ignore her?

At the very last second, the line clicked open.

"What is it?" Xavier’s voice was as sharp and cold as an arctic gale.

Chloe felt a familiar, heavy ache in her chest. The memory of the dungeon's damp walls and Xavier's recent cruelty rose up, making her voice sound as distant as his. "The full moon feast is about to begin. Are you coming or not?"

"I’ll have to check my schedule," Xavier replied smoothly.

Vince, overhearing the exchange, nearly choked. Master, you can be a bit more dramatic if you try. He knew for a fact there was no "schedule"—only a man waiting in a silent house for a reason to leave it.

Chloe took a deep, steadying breath. After a long, suffocating pause, Xavier’s voice returned. "There’s nothing urgent tonight. I’ll be there soon."

The Burden of a Bishop

Chloe hung up, a strange mixture of relief and bitterness washing over her. She didn't want to see him. In truth, the thought of facing his icy gaze made her stomach churn. But she knew that if Xavier didn't show, the night would end in a forced confession to her mother and grandparents. She wasn't ready for that explosion.

Xavier had been right about one thing: she was the one who had begged for this marriage. She couldn't allow her family to be dragged into her mess, to be humiliated or forced to bow their heads before the Graysons. If a war was to be fought, she would fight it herself. The Bishop family was already fragile; they were no match for the Grayson empire.

She smoothed her skirts, wiped the exhaustion from her face, and walked back into the warmth of the parlor.

The Matriarchal Alliance

Jane Bishop was already busy greeting guests, so Chloe moved toward the center of the room where Old Mrs. Grayson sat with Liam Jr. The scene was unexpectedly domestic. The three matriarchs—Old Mrs. Grayson, Old Mrs. Tang, and Old Mrs. Bishop—were deep in conversation. They looked like old friends who had known each other for lifetimes, already laughing about future mahjong dates.

Old Mrs. Grayson reached out and took Chloe’s hand, pulling her into their circle. "Look at my Chloe," she beamed, her voice full of genuine pride. "Beautiful, a master in the kitchen, a perfect angel. I don't know what our family did to deserve her."

Chloe felt a flush of shame. If only the old woman knew what had happened in the cellar. But for her mother and grandmother, hearing such high praise from the Grayson matriarch was the ultimate validation. It was a shield against the whispers of Haicheng society.

"Did you call Xavier?" Old Mrs. Grayson asked, her eyes searching Chloe’s face. "When will he be here?"

"He’s still at the office," Chloe said softly, her voice steady. "He said he’s on his way now."

She offered a small, practiced smile, grateful that she had made the call. Without it, she would have had no shield against the questions of the women who loved her most.

The stage is set. Xavier is minutes away from entering a room where the Bishop family is ready to welcome him—and where Master Marcus Sr. is ready to judge him. Will the "Demon CEO" play the part of the devoted husband, or will his arrival ignite a new fire?