Betrayed By The Billionaire

15

Among the city’s top five men, Arthur Grayson had the best family lineage, Xavier Grayson was the wealthiest, and Liam Martin had been considered the most promising young talent. However, all three had their flaws.

Xavier and Arthur shared a reputation for being ruthless and cold-blooded, which often pushed them down the popularity rankings, while Liam was at the bottom due to his physical disability.

Then there was Leon, who had the best public image, but he was already married. As for Liam, because of his recent wedding scandal, both he and Chloe were technically blacklisted from elite social invitations like this one.

Chloe had met Leon a few times but didn't care for him; she felt he was a "smiling tiger"—someone who wore a mask of kindness but was calculated underneath. She despised hypocrisy above all else. Her best friend Bella, however, had been harboringa secret crush on Leon for years.

Then there was Xavier’s old acquaintance, Julian. They had played together as children, and back then, he was a kind older brother figure who took care of her. But after he joined the military, they lost touch. It had been nearly ten years; she had long since forgotten what he looked like. She’d only recently heard that he’d left the service to enter the business world.

Tonight, Chloe was here for Xavier, but as she scanned the room, he was nowhere to be found.

On stage, Madam Grayson gave her final remarks before introducing Xavier and Liam Jr. Amidst a thunderous wave of applause, Xavier appeared carrying the little boy. He moved with the innate aura of a king—breathtaking and intimidating. The moment he stepped into the light, the socialites in the room went wild.

Like Chloe, most of them knew very little about Xavier Grayson personally. They only knew he had spent years developing his empire abroad before returning to River City two years ago. Upon his return, he had ruthlessly ousted his own grandfather from the company, seizing control of the Grayson Group and leaving the old man so devastated he was now paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair.

Not only that, he had reported his own uncle for embezzlement, personally sending him to prison. In just twenty-four months, he had snatched the Grayson Group from the brink of bankruptcy and turned it into an undisputed monopoly.

He was a man of shadow and steel, known for being heartless in business. The titans of industry spoke his name with a mix of terror and hatred.

However, Xavier rarely appeared in public. Most people here tonight were "trust-fund" socialites, not business moguls; they knew his legend, but they had never seen the man.

Looking at the strikingly handsome, powerful man on stage, the women’s gazes turned predatory. The "Grim Reaper" of River City turned out to have a face so flawless that even Leon, the supposed most handsome of the five, looked plain beside him. He was, without a doubt, the most dazzling man in the city.

The "little puppy" in his arms was momentarily forgotten. When Xavier spoke, his voice—deep, cold, and magnetic—made the women lean in instinctively. Is this really the monster everyone is afraid of?

Maya excitedly grabbed Ava’s hand. "Cousin, Xavier looks way better than Leon! The position of Mrs. Grayson is definitely yours."

Ava curled her red lips into a modest smile, whispering, "Keep your voice down, people will laugh at us."

"It’s true, though," Maya insisted. "Who in this room could possibly compete with you?"

Ava just smiled, remaining silent.

Standing behind them, Nadia let out a silent, mocking sneer. Ava and Nadia were the two most famous beauties in the city; with Chloe "fallen" from grace, one of them was expected to take the crown as the new #1 Socialite. Unfortunately for Nadia, her family background was weaker, and Ava had always managed to keep her in the shadows.

After a brief introduction, Xavier formally introduced Liam Jr.

Rumors had circulated about a "bastard son" Xavier had brought back from America six months ago, but few knew the boy suffered from severe autism and, at four years old, had never spoken a word.

Chloe watched the little boy from a distance. He had no marks on him, and his little arms and legs looked soft and healthy. It seemed she had misjudged Xavier earlier—the "little puppy" didn't look like a victim of abuse at all.

As the head butler, Nanny White, pushed the cake onto the stage, Chloe noticed the grand piano was unattended. She slipped through the crowd and sat down. Her fair, slender fingers danced over the keys, sending out a bright, joyful melody.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..."

Her soft, ethereal voice rose with the music, filling the hall with a hauntingly beautiful clarity. Most of the guests, focused on the father and son on stage, assumed it was a professional recording and began to sing along.

Only a few people noticed Chloe at the piano.

Liam Jr. was one of them. And because of the boy, Xavier noticed her too.

Xavier cast a cool, indifferent glance in her direction before looking away. He didn't linger on her for a second, despite how breathtakingly beautiful she looked in the soft light.

To the sound of the song, Xavier held his son's hand and cut the cake. The music dissolved into a chorus of cheers and blessings. As Xavier carried the boy down from the stage, the "matchmaking" portion of the night officially began.

Three socialites immediately tried to intercept him.

The leader was someone Chloe recognized—Nadia, Arthur Bishop’s daughter. She was pretty, but a classic "white lotus"—fake and manipulative. She seemed to have forgotten Xavier’s reputation as she approached him, flanked by her friends.

She didn't even get close. Xavier’s gaze, filled with chilling disgust, pinned her to the spot. He walked right past her, leaving her with nothing but a cold, arrogant view of his back.

Nadia stood frozen, her mouth slightly open, completely humiliated in front of the entire room.

The other women were secretly relieved they hadn't moved first. Maya scoffed loudly, "How embarrassing. She should check her pedigree before trying to climb that high. Just because she has a pretty face doesn't mean she has class. What a joke."

"Maya," Ava scolded gently, signaling her to stop.

Nadia’s face turned a violent shade of red as she glared at the arrogant Maya and the cold Ava. She let out a sharp huff, turned on her heel, and stormed away.