The Return of the Billionaire’s Wife

Chapter Seven

Elena opened her eyes and watched as the sunlight streamed through the window, piercing her eyes like pepper spray. She winced and rubbed her temples. She felt her head throbbed with a headache. She remembered the champagne she and Richard had at the wedding was a little bit strong.

She slowly sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She felt her thighs were sore from the intense s*x they had last night. A gentle smile spread across her face as the memories flooded her mind.

She glanced at him beside her and smiled. He was sleeping peacefully. His chest rose and fell with each breath. His brown hair was Mussed. She reached out and gently brushed a strand away from his forehead.

“You look so handsome when you sleep,” she whispered. Her gaze remained on his face as she took in his strong jawline, the nose, and the lips that had explored every inch of her body.

She took a deep sigh and headed to the bathroom. After her bath, she wrapped herself in a towel and walked back into the bedroom. She couldn't find him anywhere.

“Richard?” She called out but there was no response. She got dressed and made her way downstairs. She could perceive the aroma of bacon and eggs drifting through the air. The aroma made her stomach growl with hunger.

She got to the kitchen and saw him standing at the stove. He was skillfully flipping eggs. He wore only his boxers with his broad back and shoulders on full display.

“Morning,” he said, without turning around. She hugged him from behind and replied, “Morning.”

He turned around with a spatula in his hand and smiled. “How are you feeling?”

“A bit sore,” she admitted and chuckled softly. He furrowed his brows and muttered, “Sorry about that.”

She smiled and said, “Don't be,” she glanced and winked at him. “I loved every minute of it.”

He pulled her closer and whispered in her earlobe. “Me too.” He handed her a plate filled with bacon, eggs, and a tangy sauce. “Your culinary skills are top-notch,” she said, digging in.

After breakfast, they sat in the living room. She glanced at him and said, “Hey, can I ask you something?” He looked up from his coffee and replied, “Of course,”

“What Jackie said yesterday… about you going bankrupt… is it true?” she asked, furrowing her brows. He cleared his throat and his eyes dashed away. He heaved a deep sigh and mumbled, “I don't know what jackie’s talking about. Listen, don’t listen to whatever he says. He's just an asshole.”

She glanced at him angrily because she knew he was trying to avoid the question. But she wasn't letting up either. “Look at me, Richard. Tell me the truth.”

His gaze met hers and he felt uneasy. He felt his pupils widen slightly as she searched his face. He crossed his chest and took a deep breath. “It's true,” he admitted. “I'm facing financial difficulties in my company.”

Her eyes widened as she parted her lips in surprise. She leaned in and asked, “Why? You're one of the most successful businessmen in the city. Why would you go bankrupt all of a sudden?”

He hesitated before speaking. He chuckled softly and said, “I made a deal with your father.” she furrowed her eyes and asked, “What kind of deal?”

He took a deep breath and said, “I agreed to give him 60% of my wealth in exchange for… you.” Her eyes widened as she looked like she'd been punched in the stomach. “You gave up almost all your money…for me?” she asked.

He nodded and clenched his jawline.

“You’re going bankrupt,” she whispered. “The company will be claimed by those you owe.” Her eyes were filled with tears.

He nodded and said, “I know. But I’d do it all over again if it meant being with you.” She felt tears stream down her cheeks. She reached out and took his hand in hers. “I had no idea you were going through all this.”

“No, I shouldn't have agreed to this. You’re going bankrupt because of me,” she muttered tearfully. His eyes searched hers and he said, “Don't say that. I want you, believe me. I am willing to start all over with you.”

The next morning, Richard stormed into his office, and the heavy wooden door swung shut behind him. His personal assistant, Joe, jumped up from his seat and said in a casual tone, “Good morning sir.”

He nodded and his eyes scanned the room. He took a seat and asked, “You've got any information for me?”

Joe hesitated and fiddled with his tie. “The Smith deal fell through,” he said. “And our investors are pulling out.”

He furrowed his brow and groaned angrily, banging his hand on the desk. “Why?”

Joe swallowed hard and tried to find his voice. “Rumors about the company going bankrupt,” he replied. He slammed his fists on the desk and ran a hand through his hair.

“Who started these gossips?” he asked, his eyes glowing with anger. His personal assistant, Joe, moved back a little. He hasn't seen his boss angry like this. He opened his mouth to words and said, “I'm still trying to find out, sir.”

Just then, his phone rang, and he ignored it at first but it continued ringing. He heaved a deep breath and checked the caller. It was his father. “Excuse me, Joe,” he said and Joe walked out of the office.

He answered the call and heard his father’s voice. “Richard?”

He felt his blood boil inside him and the voice kept skimming through his head. “What do you want?” he spat, grabbing the phone tightly.

“I know everything going on with you. You're going bankrupt, right?” He clenched his jaw and snapped, “It's none of your goddamn business.”

He felt his face burn as he thought about how he heard about it. He's literally in another country and he left because he couldn't get away from him ordering him around like a kid. He knew he had eyes in the company and he would try his best to fish the person out.

“I have my ways, boy,” his father muttered and he clenched his jaw. He never left him alone to make decisions on his own. He loathes him for that. He knows he doesn't trust him to run his company and that is why he set up his own company and left the city.

“I told you, Richard. You're not capable of running a company.” his father said angrily. He never trusted him. He chuckled and took a seat. He gritted his teeth and growled, “I'll show you.”

“I doubt that,” his father muttered and he hung up. He banged the phone on the wall and heaved a deep breath.

“I think I need to do this another way,” he murmured, rubbing his forehead. Then, his personal assistant came into the office. “

He held out the phone and said, “It's the bank, sir,” He added, “They are foreclosing on the company. They called just now.”

“No,” he whispered and took a shaky breath. Everything he had worked for, everything he had sacrificed, was slipping away. He glanced at Joe and asked him to leave. He needed time alone. He couldn't believe his world was crashing in front of him.

He slumped in his chair and buried his head in his hands. His eyes were narrowed and he picked up a phone and dialed a number. He was calling his best friend’s number, Mark. He hasn't heard from him for the past two months.

The call didn't go through and he stood up and paced around the room. He couldn't believe it had come to this. Then, the door opened again. “Sir?” Joe said.

“What?” he snapped and shook his head abruptly.

“There’s someone here to see you,” he said. Richard glanced at him and asked, “Who?”

“She didn't give a name. But she insists it's urgent,” he replied. Richard rolled his eyes and said, “Send her in.”

The door swung open and Victoria walked in. She glanced around the room and said, “Quite the office you have here. Looks like you've been spending too much on aesthetics and not enough on actual business.”

He clenched his fists and tried to put on a smile. “Victoria, what are you doing here?” he asked. She walked over to the chair in front of his desk and sat down.

“I heard about your little financial troubles,” she said, a mocking smile on her face. “And I thought, why not offer a helping hand?”

He raised an eyebrow and chuckled. “What makes you think I need your help?” he asked and she laughed hysterically.

“Oh, come on, Richard,” she muttered. “We both know your company is going down the drain. But I'm willing to throw you a lifeline…on a few conditions, of course.”

He narrowed his eyes and asked, “What conditions?”

She leaned forward and began, “Well, first, I want 50% of the profits you make and second, I want a seat on your board.”

He glanced at her for a minute and laughed. “You’re out of your mind.” She shrugged and crossed her arm over her chest. “Take it or leave it. And there's one more thing.”

His eyes locked onto hers and he growled, “What?”

He watched as her smile widened. His face darkened as he glanced at her.

“Divorce my sister, immediately,” she said and chuckled. He felt his blood boiling inside him. He banged his hand on the desk and she was startled. He stood up and spat, “Get out.”

“Fine,”she said, walking towards the door. “But think about it, Richard. You have nowhere else to turn. You need my help.”

“And by the way, if you decide to take me up on my offer, give me a call,” she said and dropped her business card for his personal assistant. She took a final mocking glance at him and walked out of the office, laughing hysterically.

His face burned with anger as he yelled, “How dare she?” he slammed his fists on his desk and growled. He couldn't believe her audacity.

“Joe,” he called out. “Get me Mark on the phone, ASAP.”