Betrayed By The Billionaire

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The hospital corridor, usually a place of sterile quiet, was now a theater of high-society warfare. Sarah, her military training evident in the effortless way she controlled the struggling physician, dragged Julian Lang toward the elevators. His frantic shouts for security were met only by the stunned gasps of nurses who were quickly brushed aside by Lyra, who strode behind them like a queen conducting a hostile takeover.

From the safety of a nearby consultation room, Yvonne Blue watched through a cracked door. Her face was a mask of calculated coldness. She adjusted her phone, her thumb hovering over the record button as she captured every second of Sarah’s "barbaric" behavior and Lyra’s arrogant phone calls. This footage was a goldmine—a weapon she could use to systematically dismantle the reputations of the women Chloe held most dear.

Inside the quiet of her private suite, Chloe stood on shaky legs. She stared at the small bead of crimson blood blooming on the back of her hand where the IV had been ripped out. The vertigo was a dull roar in her ears, but she pushed through it, reaching into the luxury shopping bags Lyra had dropped off. She stripped off the thin hospital gown and pulled on a fresh designer knit dress, the soft fabric a sharp contrast to the coldness of the room.

As she stepped out into the hallway, she didn't see her friends—they were already gone, the chime of the elevator echoing in the distance. Instead, she saw Yvonne Blue.

Yvonne had stepped out of the consultation room, her eyes fixed on her phone screen as she reviewed the video. She looked like a predator admiring its kill, her mind likely racing through a list of tabloid contacts or deciding which influential figure would be most "disturbed" by the footage.

The sound of Chloe’s footsteps made Yvonne turn. She didn't look surprised; instead, her lips curled into a slow, triumphant smirk. She tucked her phone into her designer clutch and tilted her head. "Chloe. Why are you all alone in the hospital? I thought after last night’s big performance, Xavier would be at your bedside. Or did he realize he was only protecting his own image, and not the woman who keeps getting herself into trouble?"

Chloe remained silent, her gaze level and freezing.

Yvonne stepped closer, her voice dropping into a conspiratorial purr. "Did you know that Xavier is the secret benefactor behind my career? Six months ago, he even accompanied me to a private clinic to handle a... delicate personal matter. It seems the 'Demon CEO' isn't quite as celibate or cold as the world thinks."

Seeing no reaction from Chloe, Yvonne’s eyes flashed with a sudden, venomous intensity. "After he dropped you off here last night, do you know where he went? Emerald Lake Manor. My residence."

Chloe didn't flinch. "You’ve grown quite bold, tracking Xavier’s movements. I wonder how he’d feel about that."

"I wouldn't dare track him," Yvonne countered with a soft, mocking laugh. "My father’s life is still in his hands. I’m just a pathetic girl begging for mercy. No... Arthur Vance told me. He tells me everything these days. He’s quite responsive to my needs."

Chloe narrowed her eyes. She knew Yvonne was trying to bait her, but the mention of Sarah’s husband made her pulse quicken.

"Sarah didn't tell you, did she?" Yvonne whispered, leaning in so close Chloe could smell her cloying perfume. "Because of the scene you caused last night, Arthur and Sarah had a massive blowout. He was so disgusted he walked out and didn't go home all night. And frankly, I don't think he’ll be sleeping in that house for a long, long time. I’ll make sure of it."

Yvonne’s smile widened, becoming something truly hideous. "And yesterday was little Bella’s birthday, wasn't it? Poor child. Such an important day, and her father forgot because he was too busy dealing with your mess. Imagine the trauma—waiting for a daddy who comes home only to shout and break things before leaving again. It’s almost tragic."

"Yvonne Blue."

Chloe’s voice was a low, dangerous vibration. Before Yvonne could blink, Chloe’s hand whipped through the air.

CRACK.

The sound of the slap was sharp and definitive, echoing off the linoleum walls. Yvonne’s head snapped to the side, her hair falling over her face as she stumbled.

This was the second time Chloe had struck her, and the impact left Yvonne’s cheek burning a bright, angry scarlet. For a few seconds, Yvonne stayed perfectly still. When she finally looked up, her eyes were no longer those of a "fragile bird"—they were shimmering with a dark, reptilian malice.

"I’m only doing this because you forced my hand, Chloe," Yvonne hissed, slowly touching her stinging face. "You destroyed my family's standing. I’m simply taking back what you and your friends stole from me. This? This is just the beginning."

The War of the Roses

Chloe is standing her ground, but her body is still frail from the fever, and the news of Sarah’s domestic collapse has dealt her a heavy psychological blow. Yvonne Blue has dropped her mask entirely, revealing a woman who is willing to burn down the lives of everyone around Chloe to get what she wants.

As Yvonne retreats to leak her footage and Chloe stands alone in the hallway, the stakes have shifted from social rivalry to total destruction. With Arthur Vance missing and Xavier Grayson's whereabouts shrouded in Yvonne's lies, Chloe is the only one left to hold the line. Will she call Xavier to confront him about Emerald Lake Manor, or will she go straight to Sarah's side to face the coming storm together?

Do you think Chloe will believe Yvonne's claim that Xavier spent the night at her apartment?