The billionaire maid

Chapter 10

The next morning, Khloe entered Anthony's study without knocking, a determined expression on her face. When he looked up, surprise flickered across his features. “Khloe—”

She gently closed the door behind her, her heart racing. “We need to talk, and quickly.”

With a steady voice, Khloe shared the concerns that had been weighing heavily on her mind. She spoke about what she had overheard, her fears spilling out as she described the betrayal. Anthony's expression went through a range of emotions—confusion, anger, and finally, a deep hurt that tugged at Khloe’s heart.

“I trusted Tasha,” he murmured, pain etched in his voice. “She was like family to me.”

“She betrayed your trust,” Khloe said softly, trying to reassure him of her support.

Anthony stood, his brow furrowing with worry. “If what you’re saying is true, this isn’t just about us. It involves the company and my family’s legacy.”

“And they’ve put me in a position to use against you,” she replied, pain shimmering in her eyes.

Finally, his expression softened with understanding.

“I’m sorry,” he said gently, a vulnerability in his voice.

Khloe shook her head, not wanting him to bear the weight of that guilt. “Please don’t apologize. Just let me help you.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, he reached for her hand—his grip firm and reassuring this time.

“We’ll face this together,” he affirmed, warmth in his words.

Khloe nodded, determination reflecting in her gaze. “Together.”

Unbeknownst to them, however, someone was observing from a hidden room above—aware of the unfolding drama and ready to strike.

---

The next 48 hours unfolded like a strategic chess game, each move laden with stakes higher than either of them had anticipated. Anthony was no longer just a distant billionaire; he was a man resolute in protecting his legacy, with Khloe by his side. Together, they rolled up their sleeves, delving into hidden truths, conducting thorough background checks, and scrutinizing financial records until the pieces of the puzzle began to materialize.

As they pieced together the situation, they discovered that Tasha had been enticed with bribes to undermine Anthony’s reputation. The money flowed through convoluted shell companies, eluding detection. But one slip—a single deposit into a shared account—left a trace.

Khloe stared at the screen, disbelief washing over her. “She’s been working with them for over six months?”

Anthony’s jaw tightened with a mix of anger and sadness. “Since I first refused to sell controlling shares of Voss Industries. When they realized they couldn’t buy me, they schemed to break me.”

He paused, his voice softening. “And they thought you would be the easiest way to achieve that.”

Khloe looked down, guilt creeping in. “I felt like I was part of that.”

“No,” he insisted, his tone gentle yet firm. “You’re the reason this company is still standing.”

---

Later that evening, Khloe gathered her courage to meet Tasha in the private lounge. Her heart raced as she positioned herself just outside the door, anxious yet resolute.

Tasha entered, clipboard in hand, exuding an air of normalcy. “You wanted to see me?”

“I did,” Anthony said, his voice calm but firm. “Please, have a seat.”

With a hint of confusion, Tasha asked, “Is something wrong?”

He slid a manila envelope across the table. Inside were emails, financial records, and video evidence.

Tasha’s hands froze, her confident facade beginning to c***k.

“I trusted you,” Anthony said, his voice cold but filled with underlying hurt. “You were family to me.”

“You don’t understand—” she started, but he interjected softly.

“Oh, I do. You believed I wouldn’t notice, that I was too wrapped up in other matters.”

Leaning slightly closer, he noted, “But you made one crucial mistake.”

“What mistake?” she challenged, her composure slipping for the first time.

“You underestimated her.”

Standing tall, he exclaimed with conviction, “You’re finished here. The board has been informed. Your access has been revoked. Security will escort you off the property shortly.”

Tasha's confident demeanor faltered, fear surfacing as reality settled in.

“You have no idea what you’ve unleashed,” she warned, backing away.

Anthony locked eyes with her. “Let them come.”

As Tasha stormed out, Khloe stepped into the room.

Anthony turned to her, a mix of exhaustion and relief reflecting in his eyes.

The next day, anticipation thickened the air in Gabriel’s office as he and Khloe took their places across from the board members, the stakes climbing higher with each passing moment. The looming offer from Argent Holdings cast a shadow over their discussions, and they were acutely aware of the impending decisions that could change everything.

“Gentlemen,” Gabriel began, his voice firm and resolute, even as the weight of the present pressed down on him. “You’ve all seen the offer from Golden. I’ve reviewed it, I’ve weighed the options, and I’m prepared to reject it.”

A murmur of disbelief coursed through the room.

“You reject it?” one board member asked, incredulous. “Gabriel, this offer represents a foundation we could never rebuild on our own. This is security for the company and for you.”

In the whirlwind following Samson Luke's visit, Gabriel's focus sharpened. He wasted no time in filing a lawsuit against Argent Holdings, determined to challenge their overreach. He strengthened his position at Anthony Industries, gathering a loyal circle and identifying those who had been swayed by Luke's tempting offers.

But amidst all the chaos, Khloe struggled. Each time she shut her eyes, visions of Samson’s cold gaze haunted her, mingled with thoughts of her betrayal. She remembered how fiercely Gabriel had stood against those who would pull them apart, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was caught in a web far darker than she ever anticipated.

One late evening, after the last staff member had left, Gabriel summoned Khloe to the library. The quiet of the mansion enveloped them, interrupted only by the soft whispers of the wind outside.

“Khloe, we need to talk,” he said as she stepped inside, his expression taut and his hands nervously toying with a glass of whiskey.

The next morning, the tension in Gabriel's office intensified further, the offer from Argent Holdings still casting a long shadow.

“Gentlemen,” Gabriel stated again, voice steady and unwavering despite the uncertainty surrounding them. “You’ve all received the offer from Golden. I have no intention of accepting it. I reject it.”

Another wave of murmurs rippled through the boardroom.

“You reject it?” a board member echoed, incredulous. “Gabriel, this is safety—this is everything you could need.”