Betrayed By The Billionaire

164

The moment those words left her lips, Chloe Bishop felt a wave of immediate, crushing regret. She had dared to suggest a future that involved a child of their own, and the silence that followed was heavy with a cold, predatory tension.

Xavier Grayson’s body stiffened visibly. His initial coldness transformed into a towering, obsidian rage. He leaned across the desk, his eyes boring into hers with a lethal intensity. "A child, Chloe?" he hissed, his voice dropping to a dangerous octave. "Are you looking for a permanent anchor to secure your position in the Grayson family? Do you think a baby is your ultimate bargaining chip?"

The accusation hung in the air like a physical blow. Was he right? Part of her motivation was indeed the desperate need for stability to protect her father’s legacy, but another part of her—the part that watched him with Liam Jr.—had felt a flicker of genuine hope. Facing Xavier’s soul-piercing gaze, Chloe found she couldn't offer a defense. The impurity of her own thoughts shamed her, leaving her speechless.

Xavier let out a harsh, guttural laugh and threw his chopsticks onto the table with a sharp clatter. "Let me make this perfectly clear. Liam Jr. is the only heir I will ever have. He is the only child I will ever acknowledge. You would do well to erase that pathetic fantasy from your mind immediately."

The light in Chloe’s eyes, which had been so bright just moments before, extinguished completely. She felt small, exposed, and utterly foolish. "I understand," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the hum of the office ventilation. "I won't mention it again."

She wondered why she continued to subject herself to this specific brand of self-inflicted humiliation. For a brief window, she had forgotten who Xavier Grayson truly was.

Strangely, seeing her retreat didn't soothe Xavier’s temper. If anything, her quiet submission seemed to fan the flames of his irritation. He stood up, his towering silhouette casting a long shadow over her. "If you have some free time, go back and re-read our pre-nuptial agreement," he spat, each word a jagged shard of glass aimed at her pride. "Do not let a few days of my patience give you the idea that you can overstep your bounds."

Chloe forced her pale lips into a tragic, hollow smile. "I was getting ahead of myself. I apologize."

She had intended to ask him if she could skip the welcoming banquet for the Han-Sin Group tonight. She had no desire to face Liam Martin, especially not while her heart was this raw. But looking at the cold, unyielding man before her, she realized there was no point in speaking. She would go, she would play the role of the dutiful wife, and she would endure.

Meanwhile, at the bustling city international airport, the atmosphere was a stark contrast to the stifling silence of Xavier’s office. Amidst the sea of travelers, Liam Martin stood out like a beacon of refined grace. He was tall, striking, and possessed a gentle, scholarly handsomeness that turned heads across the terminal. His temperament was that of a noble prince—warm, elegant, and composed—though the line of stern bodyguards behind him kept the curious at bay.

Before long, the Han-Sin couple emerged from the VIP exit. Mrs. Han caught sight of Liam and her first question was immediate and filled with genuine affection. "Where is that lovely little fiancée of yours? Why didn't she come to meet us?"

Mr. Han looked around, his disappointment evident when he didn't see Chloe’s radiant face. "Does that girl not know we arrived in the city today? She promised us in Seoul that the next time we landed here, she would be the first person we saw."

The Hans were still blissfully unaware of the cataclysmic shift in Liam’s personal life. They had no idea that the "perfect couple" they had hosted in Korea had shattered into pieces months ago.

Liam didn't rush to explain the messy reality. He maintained his polished, gentlemanly smile and gestured toward the waiting luxury sedans. "The terminal is quite loud, Mr. Han. Let’s get into the car and catch up properly."

Once they were settled in the quiet interior of the limousine, Liam skillfully steered the conversation toward business and market trends. It wasn't until they reached the hotel and were seated in a private dining suite that Mrs. Han brought up the subject again.

"Mr. Martin, what has Chloe been so busy with?" Mrs. Han asked, leaning forward with a warm smile. "We’re only staying for a few days, and we truly hope to spend some time with her. She’s such a bright, wonderful girl."

The two previous meetings in South Korea had left an indelible impression on the Hans. They had truly grown to love Chloe’s wit and charm.

A shadow of gravity crossed Liam’s handsome features. He remained silent for a long moment, his fingers tracing the rim of his tea cup before he finally sighed. "Her father was in a catastrophic car accident a few weeks ago. He’s still in a coma and hasn't regained consciousness. I’ll try to reach out to her for dinner tonight, but I can't guarantee she’ll be able to make it."

"Oh, how terrible..." Mrs. Han’s expression softened with sympathy. But then, as a sharp businesswoman, she caught a subtle shift in Liam’s tone. She frowned, watching him closely. "Wait... has something changed between the two of you?"

Liam’s eyes darkened, but his voice remained steady and calm. "We’ve broken up."

"What?" Mrs. Han was visibly shocked, her hand flying to her chest. "But you were planning your wedding! I saw the way you two looked at each other—it was deep, genuine love. Why on earth would you separate?"

Mr. Han let out a long, heavy sigh of disappointment. "No wonder she isn't here. To think that you two... after everything. It's such a shame."

The Hans couldn't help but reminisce about the time they spent together in South Korea. They remembered the effortless synergy between Liam and Chloe, the warmth of their interactions, and the way they seemed to move in perfect harmony. Above all, they remembered the way Chloe looked at Liam—her eyes had been filled with a soft, unwavering adoration and a tenderness that was written clearly across her face.

To them, it was inconceivable that such a profound connection could vanish so quickly. It was a tragedy they couldn't quite wrap their heads around.

The stage is set for the evening banquet. The Han-Sin couple, who still hold Chloe in high regard, are about to discover that she isn't just "single"—she is now the wife of Xavier Grayson, the man who is actively trying to dismantle Liam Martin's partnership with them. When Chloe walks into that room on Xavier’s arm, how will Liam Martin react to seeing the "adoration" in her eyes replaced by the cold duty of her new life?