BOUND TO THE BILLIONAIRE BY CONTRACT

THE PAST

Chapter 31 – Shadows of the Past

The following morning, Ethan woke before sunrise.

The anonymous note Olivia had received and Daniel's report about the attempted cyberattack lingered in his thoughts.

For years, Carter Group had survived fierce competition, hostile takeovers, and legal battles.

But this felt different.

Victor Hayes wasn't trying to win.

He was trying to destroy.

Quietly.

Patiently.

Personally.

---

Inside the gym at Carter Manor, Ethan worked through his usual morning routine.

Punch after punch landed against the heavy bag.

His movements were precise.

Controlled.

But each strike carried the frustration he refused to show anyone else.

Daniel entered a few minutes later.

"You've been here since five."

Ethan didn't stop punching.

"Did the overnight investigation find anything?"

"Some."

Ethan finally lowered his gloves.

"Talk."

Daniel handed him another report.

"The cyberattack originated from several overseas servers."

"But our analysts believe those were only a cover."

"The real command came from inside the country."

Ethan's eyes narrowed.

"So they're closer than we thought."

Daniel nodded.

"Much closer."

---

Meanwhile...

Olivia was helping Chef Martin prepare breakfast.

"I think Grandpa would enjoy blueberry pancakes this morning."

Chef Martin smiled.

"Then blueberry pancakes it is."

Anna laughed as Olivia carefully arranged fresh fruit onto serving plates.

"You know..."

"When you first arrived here, I never imagined you'd spend so much time in the kitchen."

Olivia smiled.

"I never imagined it either."

"But..."

She looked toward the dining room.

"It feels like home now."

Anna's smile softened.

"That's because you've made it one."

---

A few minutes later, everyone gathered around the breakfast table.

William took one bite of the pancakes before smiling broadly.

"My dear..."

"I believe you've spoiled us."

Olivia laughed.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"It certainly is."

Ethan looked at her.

"So..."

"You made these?"

She nodded proudly.

"I did."

He tasted one.

After a thoughtful pause, he smiled.

"I think Grandpa's right."

She raised an eyebrow.

"You mean Chef Martin wasn't secretly helping?"

"I'll never reveal kitchen secrets."

Everyone laughed.

For a little while...

The worries of the outside world disappeared.

---

At Carter Group Headquarters...

Richard Collins entered Ethan's office carrying a thin black folder.

"We found something."

Ethan motioned for him to continue.

"The company Victor now owns..."

"...Hayes International..."

"...was once called Phoenix Technologies."

Ethan looked up sharply.

"Phoenix?"

Richard nodded.

"It changed its name nearly ten years ago."

Ethan slowly stood.

"So Project Phoenix..."

"...was never a Carter Group project."

Richard placed another document on the desk.

"It belonged to Victor."

Ethan frowned.

"Then why is someone trying to make it look like we're connected to it?"

Richard sighed.

"That's what worries me."

---

Across town...

Victor Hayes sat inside his private office.

Adrian Brooks entered after knocking once.

"You asked to see me."

Victor gestured toward the chair opposite his desk.

"Sit."

Adrian obeyed.

Victor slid a newspaper across the table.

The front page featured Olivia accepting her Community Impact Award.

"She's becoming more popular."

Adrian nodded.

"People admire her."

Victor looked directly at him.

"And what do you think of her?"

Adrian hesitated.

"I think she's genuine."

Victor smiled faintly.

"I know."

"That's why Ethan loves her."

The room fell silent.

Victor leaned forward.

"Your next assignment is simple."

Adrian listened carefully.

"I want you to invite Mrs. Carter to speak at the Children's Future Foundation."

Adrian frowned.

"But that's a real charity."

"Exactly."

"There must be nothing suspicious about it."

"And Ethan?"

Victor's smile returned.

"He'll encourage her to go."

Adrian slowly nodded.

"I understand."

As he stood to leave, Victor spoke one final sentence.

"The closer you get..."

"...the easier the final move becomes."

Adrian walked out without another word.

For the first time since accepting Victor's offer...

A feeling of guilt settled heavily on his heart.

That evening, Carter Manor was bathed in the golden light of the setting sun.

Olivia was arranging fresh flowers in the living room when she heard the front door open.

Ethan had returned.

He looked more tired than usual.

The moment he saw her, however, the tension on his face eased.

"You're home," Olivia said with a warm smile.

"I am."

She walked over and noticed the slight crease between his brows.

"Long day?"

He nodded.

"Longer than I expected."

Without another word, she took his briefcase from his hand.

"I'll have Anna bring us some tea."

Ethan smiled faintly.

"I could get used to this."

Olivia laughed.

"You already have."

---

A few minutes later, they sat together on the terrace overlooking the gardens.

The evening breeze was cool and peaceful.

Anna served tea before quietly excusing herself.

For several moments, neither Ethan nor Olivia spoke.

Finally, Olivia broke the silence.

"You found something today, didn't you?"

Ethan looked at her.

"What makes you think that?"

"I know your face."

"When you're worried, you become quieter."

He smiled.

"You know me that well already?"

"I'd like to think so."

Ethan looked out across the garden.

"We discovered that Hayes International used to be called Phoenix Technologies."

Olivia frowned.

"So..."

"Project Phoenix belongs to Victor?"

"It seems that way."

"Then why is someone trying to connect you to it?"

"I don't know."

"And that's what worries me."

---

Before Olivia could reply, Daniel approached carrying a small envelope.

"Sir."

Ethan accepted it.

"What is this?"

"It was delivered by courier."

"No sender."

Ethan and Olivia exchanged a glance.

Another anonymous message.

He carefully opened the envelope.

This time, there was only a single photograph inside.

It was old.

At least ten years old.

The picture showed two young men standing proudly in front of a newly completed office building.

One was a younger Ethan.

The other...

Was Victor Hayes.

Olivia stared at the picture.

"You really were friends."

Ethan remained silent.

His thumb brushed lightly across the edge of the photograph.

"We weren't just friends."

"We built our first company together."

Olivia looked at him in surprise.

"You never told me."

"I never wanted to remember."

---

She gently reached for the photograph.

"What happened?"

For a long time, Ethan didn't answer.

Then, quietly, he spoke.

"When we started..."

"We had nothing."

"We worked day and night."

"We dreamed of building something that would last."

Olivia listened carefully.

"Victor was brilliant."

"He could negotiate with anyone."

"And I handled the technical side of the business."

"We trusted each other."

"What changed?"

Ethan's expression darkened.

"Money."

"He wanted faster success."

"I wanted to build honestly."

"Our arguments became worse."

"Eventually..."

"...we went our separate ways."

Olivia frowned.

"But that doesn't explain why he hates you."

"It doesn't."

"Because that wasn't the end."

Before Ethan could continue...

His phone rang.

Daniel.

"Ethan."

Daniel's voice was tense.

"We have a problem."

"What happened?"

"Our cybersecurity team just detected another breach."

Ethan immediately stood.

"Did they get in?"

"Not this time."

"But they left us a message."

"What message?"

Daniel took a slow breath.

"It says..."

'The past always collects its debt.'

The line went silent.

Ethan's face became unreadable.

"I'll be there in twenty minutes."

He ended the call.

Olivia stood beside him.

"You're leaving?"

"I'm afraid I have to."

She nodded with understanding.

"I'll wait for you."

He gently cupped her face.

"I'm sorry."

"You don't have to apologize."

"Your company needs you."

He smiled softly.

"And you."

For a brief moment, he leaned forward and gently kissed her forehead.

"I'll be back as soon as I can."

Olivia smiled.

"I know."

---

Across the city...

Victor Hayes stood alone inside the underground vault once again.

The heavy steel door slowly closed behind him.

He unlocked the cabinet containing Project Phoenix.

This time, he removed a worn leather journal.

Inside the first page was a handwritten dedication.

"To Ethan and Victor. May Phoenix become the future we always dreamed of."

Victor stared at the words for several seconds.

His expression hardened.

"Our future..."

"...died the day you betrayed me."

He closed the journal with a sharp snap.

Far above him, thunder rumbled across the night sky.

Victor looked toward the ceiling.

"The debt is almost due, Ethan."

"And this time..."

"...nothing will stop me from collecting it."