Betrayed By The Billionaire

223

The opulent restroom of the Cantonese restaurant felt colder once Bluebelle and Yvonne Blue had exited. Chloe Bishop stood alone, staring at her reflection in the gilded mirror. Her complexion was pale, the stress of the morning etching faint lines of exhaustion around her eyes.

Bluebelle’s parting shot echoed in her mind: “To Xavier and that boy, you will always be an outsider.”

It was a jagged truth. No matter how much she cared for Liam Jr. or how effectively she managed the Grayson interests, she was a contract player in a family built on blood and trauma. Shaking off the chill, she straightened her blazer. She had no time for self-pity; she had a kingdom to build.

Leaving the restaurant, Chloe and Lyra led Mr. and Mrs. Han to the elite wilderness training grounds on the outskirts of Haicheng. By the time they arrived, the private shooting range and its adjacent equestrian club were already buzzing. Sarah, Arthur, and Donovan Tang were waiting, along with several of their long-time inner circle.

This facility wasn't just a playground for the rich; Chloe, Sarah, and Arthur were the silent majority shareholders behind it. Today, the agenda was high-stakes: Wilderness Tactical Combat (Live CS).

Ten players stood on the staging ground. Two captains were chosen to lead: the battle-hardened Donovan Tang and the tactical specialist Sarah. The rest drew lots to form teams.

Team Donovan:

Chloe Bishop

Lyra

Mr. Han

Bella (A marksman Chloe had known for years in the shooting association)

Team Sarah:

Arthur Vance

Mrs. Han

Leo and Marcus (Childhood friends and veteran members of the range)

"Chloe, be careful!" Mrs. Han called out, her eyes sparkling with competitive fire. She looked twenty years younger in her tactical gear, radiating a vibrant energy. "Back in Seoul, they called me the 'Goddess of Snipers.' I was legendary ten years ago!"

Chloe laughed, adjusting her tactical vest. "I’m looking forward to seeing if the legend holds up on my turf."

The Cold Commander

The two teams drew their gear—weighted vests, high-precision laser rifles, and comms units—before disappearing into the dense forest of the mountain.

Donovan Tang took the point, his long strides forcing the others to keep a brisk pace. Lyra, ever the social butterfly, jogged up beside him, trying to catch her breath. "Hey, Commander Donovan! Do you actually remember me?"

Donovan glanced down at the petite woman, his sharp brows knitting together in a faint, distracted frown.

Lyra pointed excitedly at her own face. "It’s me! The one who used to follow you and Sarah around like a lost puppy ten years ago. Look closer!"

Donovan’s expression remained stoic for a heartbeat before a flicker of recognition crossed his eyes. "Lyra?"

"Yes! That’s me!" Lyra chirped, her voice filled with fan-girl adoration. "I can’t believe it’s been ten years. You’ve become so... imposing. So rugged and powerful. That 'Iron Commander' aura of yours is enough to shake the mountains."

She showered him with praise, but her true motive surfaced quickly. "Since I’m so small and delicate, I’m clearly the most vulnerable person here. I should probably stay at the very back of the formation, right? For my safety?"

Donovan stopped in his tracks and looked back at the team. His voice was a flat, military monotone. "There are other women in this unit. I don't give special treatment based on height."

Lyra pouted, her eyes turning watery. "But Chloe and Bella are expert marksmen! Their stamina is ten times mine. I’m the one who needs a protector!"

Donovan stared at her for a second before delivering a crushing blow. "Actually, because you are the smallest target, you are perfectly suited for the vanguard. You’ll be our lead scout."

Lyra’s jaw dropped. "What did you just say?"

"Even if the enemy sees you," Donovan said with a shrug, "they likely won't hit you. You're too small to aim at properly."

A herd of alpacas stampeded through Lyra’s mind. Is he calling me a midget? "You... you're insulting my dignity!"

Chloe laughed so hard she had to lean against a tree, tears pricking her eyes. Lyra had always been the master of "acting cute" to get her way, but she had clearly forgotten that Donovan Tang was immune to her charms since they were toddlers.

"Chloe! Don't you dare laugh!" Lyra screamed, her face flushed red.

Chloe clutched her side, finally catching her breath. she stepped forward and slung an arm around Lyra’s shoulder. "Don't worry, little scout. Big sister will cover you. I’ll take the vanguard instead."

Lyra’s eyes lit up with relief. "Mwah! See? This is why sisters are better than brothers!"

The First Shot

As they moved deeper into the brush, the playful atmosphere evaporated. Donovan raised a hand, signaling for silence. His senses were dialed into the forest, his body moving with a predatory grace that made even Mr. Han look on in silent respect.

"Target at two o'clock," Donovan whispered into the comms.

Chloe raised her rifle, her eye finding the scope. Through the leaves, she saw a flash of blue—Arthur’s team colors. She adjusted for the wind, her finger hovering over the trigger. In this forest, she wasn't a "contract wife" or an "outsider." She was a hunter.

Suddenly, a twig snapped behind them. Chloe didn't hesitate. She spun around, her rifle steady, only to find herself staring down the barrel of another weapon.

Standing in the shadows was a tall figure in a dark tactical suit. He wasn't part of the game. He wasn't wearing team colors.

"The target is locked," a cold, familiar voice crackled over a private frequency.

Chloe’s heart skipped a beat. Xavier Grayson was standing twenty yards away, looking like a dark god of war against the forest backdrop. He hadn't just come to "watch" the game. He had come to end it.

Xavier has crashed the private party, and he isn't playing by the rules of the game. While Chloe was prepared to face Sarah and Arthur, she wasn't prepared for her husband to hunt her in the wild. Is he here to protect her from the "threat" of Donovan Tang, or is he here to remind her that even in the forest, she belongs to him?

Do you think Chloe should "shoot" Xavier to show him she isn't afraid, or lower her weapon and concede to the Demon CEO?