Betrayed By The Billionaire

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Donovan Tang slowly tucked his phone away, his gaze returning to Chloe Bishop’s sleeping face. Beneath the stoic exterior of the "Iron Commander," a turbulent sea of agony and resentment swirled.

If that "accident" hadn't happened ten years ago, he would have taken her away the very night they reunited at the Grayson gala. He never anticipated that Xavier Grayson would move with such predatory efficiency, dragging her to the civil affairs bureau the very next morning to secure a marriage certificate.

Donovan had spent a decade calculating his return, ensuring every piece was on the board. Yet, despite having everything in his grasp, he had been a step too late. He had meticulously laid the groundwork, only to watch another man claim the prize.

The Silent Siege of the Grayson Estate

Back at the Grayson Mansion, Vince had sent word: Donovan’s car was heading toward the Bishop Estate, not the Grayson residence.

Vince relayed this to Xavier, asking if he should breach the Bishop property to forcibly bring Chloe back. Despite the change in location, Xavier’s expression didn't soften. If anything, the air around him grew more lethal.

"No need," Xavier said, his voice dropping to a terrifyingly calm register.

In his hand was a brand-new smartphone. Every bit of data from the shattered device—including the incriminating photos of Chloe in Donovan's arms—had been seamlessly synced. The images that had fueled his rage were now glowing mockingly on the new screen.

Xander Grayson had sent a few more voice notes, his tone dripping with self-righteous indignation on Xavier's behalf. Seeing no reply, Xander had finally had the sense to shut up.

Vince watched his master, unable to read the darkness behind those obsidian eyes. "Perhaps... I should go to the Bishop house personally?" he suggested tentatively.

Xavier leveled a freezing glare at his fixer. "I said no need. Is your hearing beginning to fail you, Vince?"

Vince bowed his head, but his loyalty to the "contract" outweighed his fear of the man. "I think... I’ll go anyway," he murmured. Without waiting for a second outburst, he turned and vanished into the night, leaving Xavier alone with a phone he looked ready to smash once again.

The Sanctuary of the Bishop Manor

At the Bishop Estate, Madam Bishop hurried out to the driveway. Her heart sank when she saw her daughter, dead to the world in the passenger seat. "Donovan, why did she drink so much?" she asked, her voice laced with motherly concern.

Donovan stepped out and carefully gathered Chloe into his arms, his movements as tender as if he were handling spun glass. "A few old friends gathered today," he explained smoothly. "Sarah and Lyra were there too. Chloe was happy and had a few extra glasses. They all overdid it a bit."

Madam Bishop didn't pry further. "Bring her in, quickly."

Donovan carried Chloe up to her childhood bedroom. As he laid her down and tucked the duvet around her, he took a moment to survey the space. The room had changed completely since he was a teenager. Gone was the Disney-themed princess sanctuary of her youth; it had been replaced by a minimalist, elegant aesthetic—clean lines and soft textures that reflected the woman she had become.

"It’s changed a lot, hasn't it?" Madam Bishop stood in the doorway, smiling sadly. "You used to sit right there, trying to tutor her. But that girl never had her heart in her books. Her grades were a constant battle."

Donovan looked at the spot she pointed to. It was now occupied by a massive, floor-to-ceiling wardrobe. The little girl who hated studying had grown into a woman who lived in the spotlight.

"You haven't eaten, have you?" Madam Bishop asked. "Come down and have a bite."

Donovan nodded, lingering for one last look at Chloe’s tranquil face before following her mother downstairs.

The Ghost in the Garden

Madam Bishop had the kitchen prepare a few simple, home-cooked dishes. When she returned to the living room, she found Donovan standing silently before a meticulously pruned bonsai tree in the corner.

"You're surprised it's still alive, aren't you?" Madam Bishop walked over.

This particular bonsai was a rare specimen, once the pride and joy of Marcus Bishop. Years ago, in a fit of teenage rebellion, Chloe had argued with her father and shoved the plant off its pedestal, shattering the pot into a thousand pieces. Marcus had been so livid he called for the "family cane" to teach her a lesson.

Donovan had been there that day. He had stepped between the father and daughter, shielding Chloe with his own body. He had taken the brunt of the strikes, his back covered in angry red welts for weeks.

"I remember," Donovan whispered, his hand hovering over the ancient bark. "I'd take those hits a thousand times over if it meant she never had to feel a second of pain."

Madam Bishop sighed. "You were always her protector, Donovan. Sometimes I wonder... if things had been different..."

She trailed off as the sound of a car pulling into the gravel driveway echoed through the house. The headlights swept across the living room walls. The peaceful sanctuary of the Bishop Manor was about to be breached by the shadow of the Grayson empire.

Donovan Tang is standing in the house where he once bled for Chloe, reclaiming his role as her guardian. But as Vince arrives at the gate, the collision between Chloe’s past and her present is inevitable. Xavier Grayson isn't just a husband on paper; he is a man who doesn't allow his territory to be encroached upon.

Will Donovan allow Vince to take Chloe back to the "Demon CEO," or will he use this night to remind the Bishop family who truly loves their daughter?

Should Donovan confront Vince at the door, or let Chloe's mother handle the "Grayson problem" to avoid a public scene?