Behind the billonaire's mask!Chapter 1Sophie's POV"What did you just say?" I asked, unable to believe what I had just heard."My apologies, Sophie," my manager replied, his expression sympathetic. "The company is facing a serious financial crisis, and we've been forced to make some tough decisions. Unfortunately, that includes letting go of our part-time staff."I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. "You're firing me?" I clarified, trying to process the news.He nodded. "I'm afraid so. Your last paycheck will be mailed to you within the next two weeks."Stunned, I gathered my belongings and left the office, wondering how I would break the news to Mom with her health.As I walked out into the crisp afternoon air, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. Just then, my phone buzzed with a text from Isabella, my best friend:"When are you getting off work? Let's meet and celebrate your birthday. Don't tell me you are planning on celebrating it with that jerk."I stared blanking at the
Behind the billonaire's mask!Chapter 2Sophie's POV As I arrived at the hospital, I saw Isabella waiting outside the emergency room. "Sophie!" She exclaimed, tears in her eyes. "How is she?" I asked, my voice shaking. "They are stabilizing her, the doctor will come out soon." I nodded, trying to stay calm.Just then, the doctor emerged, looking expressionless. "How is my mom?" I asked, tears threatening to fall."Are you her daughter?" He asked. I nodded in affirmation. "Why didn't you bring her in all these days?" the doctor's tone was gentle, but laced with concern."I...I didn't know it was this serious," I stammered."Your mother has Stage IV Renal Cell Carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer. It's aggressive and requires immediate attention."My world crumbled."Doctor, what is to be done?" Isabella asked, her voice cracking "We need to perform a nephrectomy to remove the affected kidney. But it's complex and costly.""Surgery?" I whispered. The doctor nodded.I felt a lump f
Behind the billonaire's mask!Chapter 3Sophie's POV "What?" I couldn't believe what I had just heard and saw in the paper."Be my woman and warm my bed" He said with a smirk. I felt like slapping him. What did he take me for? Do I look like a slut? And here I was thinking he looked like a model.Taah!Fuck those my thoughts!"Don't worry, to people you will be my wife, and it's only for eighteen months as stated in the contract," he added. "Do I look that cheap?" I asked, and tore the paper. "How will you even suggest that type of thing to a stranger?" Julian's smirk faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. "Ah, come now, Sophie. Don't be dramatic. It's just a mutually beneficial arrangement.""Mutually beneficial?" I repeated, incredulous. "You think using me as your sex toy is beneficial to me?"Julian shrugged. "You'll get to live a life of luxury, and your mother will receive the best medical care. What more could you want?""I want respect," I said, my vo
Behind the billonaire's mask!Chapter 4Julian's POV "Hello, Marcus," I said, on the phone with my secretary. "I need you to draft another contract. Sophie seems hesitant, but I'm confident she'll come around."Marcus's voice was smooth on the other end. "Yes, sir. And what about the terms? Should I make any adjustments?""Yes," I replied. "Add that she is to move into my house immediately. And she needs my permission to leave the house."Marcus's pause was almost imperceptible. "Understood, sir.""But do you really have to do this?" My friend, Caleb, said immediately I ended the call. Caleb had been my best friend for many years. We had both met in the organisation as a fellow assassin, I had quit because of an incident a year ago, but Caleb is still in the business. "Yes." I replied curtly."But she's innocent. It's one woman who hurt you. Why are you taking your revenge on the other innocent woman?" he said in a low and urgent voice. I stood, pacing around the room. "You don't u
Behind the Billonaire's Mask!Chapter 5Julian's POV "Missing?" I repeated, my voice low and even. "What do you mean she's missing?"Marcus swallowed hard. "I...I was watching her, sir. I went to the bathroom, before her mother was moved to the operating room and when i came back, she was gone."My eyes narrowed. "What of her mother and her friend?""I haven't seen anyone with her today, and her mom is in the operating room." Marcus said. I nodded and quickly pulled out my phone to dial her number, but she didn't pick up.I turned and walked into the hospital, scanning the area. Where could she be? What's this girl trying to pull with me? "Find her," I ordered, turning to Marcus."Yes, sir," Marcus replied, walking towards the exit.I sat down outside the operating room.As I scrolled through my phone, I heard sobs. I looked up to see Sophie emerging from the operating room, wearing a pair of green scrubs and a surgical mask hanging around her neck. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and te
Behind the Billonaire's MaskChapter 6Julian's POV"Sophie's mother's health has worsened." Marcus said, on our way to my grandfather's house."What do you mean worsened?" I demanded. "The doctor said she's developed complications from the surgery, and they are not sure when she'll wake up."Get the best medical team on it." I ordered. "Already done, sir." We arrived at my grandfather's estate, and I stepped out of the car, my mind preoccupied. Her mother must not die if I don't want her to cancel the contract. Augustine Blackwood, my grandfather, sat behind his desk, his eyes piercing."Julian, I've received disturbing news," he said.This old man is something! No greetings. "Regarding?" I asked, taking my seat."A potential threat to our family's business empire." He said, rubbing his temple. My interest piqued."Explain."My grandfather leaned forward."One of our major investors is considering withdrawal. We need to persuade them otherwise."I nodded."I'll handle it."My g
Chapter 7Victoria's POVI pushed open the door, a smile spreading across my face as I locked eyes with Julian. Evelyn's voice was a mere backdrop."Victoria, what are you doing here?" Evelyn demanded, again, but I ignored her.My eyes never left Julian's as I strode towards him, confidence oozing from every pore. The woman sitting opposite him – probably, the woman i was told moved in with him - looked up, her eyes looking calm She is unaware of what is coming for her - I am back to get Julian!Reaching Julian, I leaned in, my lips crashing against his in a deep, possessive kiss. Julian's eyes fluttered closed, his body relaxing into mine, but he didn't respond to the kiss. His passivity was unusual, but I didn't let it deter me.As our lips touched, I felt Julian's weakness, his resolve crumbling beneath my kiss. I love the way he melted against my kiss. He hasn't changed. He still can't resist me. I laughed inwardly. But before I could savor the moment, Evelyn's hands grasped my
Behind the Billionaire's mask!Chapter 8Sophie's POV I woke up to a gentle knock on my door, disorienting me for a moment. Julian never knocked; he always barged in. I couldn't even remember falling asleep. The last thing I recalled was video-calling Isabella, followed by an intense gaming session that left my fingers tingling.Shaking off the haze, I got out of bed and opened the door to find Evelyn standing in the hallway, her expression soft yet laced with something I couldn't quite place."Evy," I said, smiling as I stepped aside to let her in.Evelyn's presence was always a welcome surprise. Her visits always brightened my day, like a ray of sunshine breaking through a cloudy sky."Evy, aren't you going out again?" I asked, noticing she was now dressed in her casual attire, a vibrant sundress that highlighted her youthful energy.She settled onto my bed, fidgeting with her fingers, the way she always did when she was nervous. "I'm back already. Julian dropped me off while going
Chapter 82 Julian's POV "I checked Victoria's house, and I noticed her car is missing," Jaxon informed me. "Do you know the plate number?" I asked. "No, I don’t. I've searched all of her usual hideouts; she's not there. Could it be that she left the country?" Jaxon speculated. "No, she can't. If she had tried to leave, someone would have seen her. She's likely hiding somewhere close by," I replied, trying to stay calm despite the urgency of the situation. Where are you, Victoria? Just then, my office door swung open, and Marcus rushed in, panting as if he had just run a marathon. "What's wrong?" I asked, instinctively rising to my feet. "Alex was found dead this morning," Marcus managed to say between breaths. "What?!" The word escaped my lips in a shocked whisper. "It's Victoria," Jaxon said, his expression grim. I stood there, speechless, my mind racing with dread. "Where is Sophie?" I asked, suddenly worried about her safety. "She's at home;the guards are at alert," Ma
Chapter 81Victoria's POVIt's been two days since I escaped, and I've been lying low, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. I've been watching the news, and they're still clueless about my whereabouts. Ha! They'll never catch me.I turned on the TV, and the first news that came on was: "It's been two days that Victoria Langley escaped, and no one knows her whereabouts for now, the police are..." I switched it off, laughing to myself. You can never catch me. Never!I got dressed in a sundress, applied a great amount of makeup to disguise myself, and put on a hat and sunglasses. I checked myself in the mirror, and I hardly looked like Victoria Langley. Perfect.I picked up a handbag and my car key, then went into the kitchen and brought a knife, which I put in the handbag. I added a syringe and injection, just in case. Then I got out of the house and went to the garage to pick up my car. I ignited the engine and drove out of the garage.I got to Alex's street and parked my car car
Chapter 80Sophie’s POV"So you mean Victoria escaped?" Isabella asked, her voice low and filled with concern. We were huddled together at a small table in the corner of the restaurant. "Yes," I replied, glancing around to ensure no one else was listening. "I overheard that one of the warders came to serve them this morning and noticed she's missing and now...no one knows where she is." My heart raced as I recalled the moment I had tiptoed behind Julian earlier, straining to catch snippets of his conversation with Marcus.Isabella's brow furrowed. "That means someone definitely helped her out, is it her dad? He could have sent someone to help her escape.""Yeah, i am not sure about that. But someone definitely helped her." i said. "So, what is Julian doing about it?" Isabella asked. "He's tightening the security measures," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I heard him telling Marcus to arrange for a personal guard for me, too.""That's good," Isabella said, her tone shifting
Chapter 79Victoria's POVA DAY AGO"Is it true you'll really release me?" I asked Owen, the warder I had been forced to interact with. We were at the corner of the yard where I had been assigned to cut the grass—a task I absolutely detested."Yes, that's if you will let me have a taste of you," he replied, his voice low and dripping with an unsettling desire. Ugh... the smell of him was repulsive. Smelly brute. I couldn't bring myself to stoop so low as to entertain the thought of fucking mere warder. Nah."Okay, but we can just meet after I am released," I suggested, trying to keep my composure as I stepped back slightly, putting distance between us.He nodded eagerly, his eyes glinting with something I found both pathetic and revolting. I had noticed his wandering gaze since he was transferred here a month ago. It had been a desperate gamble to flirt with him, but now it seemed to be my only chance for escape. "Yeah, but how would we meet?" he asked, leaning closer, his breath mak
Chapter 78 Julian's POV "What?!" I exclaimed, my voice barely containing my shock as my eyes locked onto Sophie, who stood frozen in disbelief. "Yes, boss," Marcus replied, his tone steady but urgent. I quickly removed the phone from speaker mode and pressed it to my ear, unable to look away from Sophie, whose gaze was fixed on the bed where my phone had just been. I noticed her hand instinctively move to her stomach. "How come?" I asked, my heart pounding. "Let me call you back, Marcus," I said, abruptly ending the call as I moved closer to Sophie. "Victoria is back. What if she really succeeded in killing me and my baby this time? What if she hurts you? What if, Julian? What if she—" Sophie's voice trembled, trailing off as tears began to flow down her cheeks. Damn it. Her tears were my Achilles' heel. I gently cupped her chin with my hand, tilting her head up to meet my gaze. "Nothing will happen to you or our baby. I promise I will protect you this time. Victoria can't hurt
Chapter 77TWO MONTHS LATER Sophie’s POVEverything has been going smoothly for the past two months. Julian and I have grown closer than I ever thought possible. He treats me like I’m delicate, like an egg, always careful and attentive, and honestly, I feel pampered in a way that makes my heart swell.Alex has come by countless times, begging for forgiveness, but I’ve turned him away each time. It wasn’t until recently that I finally found it in me to forgive him. As for Victoria, she’s been sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempted murder as a first time offender. It’s a harsh reality, but it feels like the right outcome for everything that happened.Evelyn has returned to school, and I’ve been visiting Julian’s grandfather more often. He’s a charming old man with so many stories to tell. I love listening to him reminisce about his younger days; it brings a warmth to my heart. On top of that, Isabella has been stopping by at least once a week, which has been a bright spot in my
Chapter 76 Sophie's POV I woke up with a start, my heart racing as I looked beside me on the bed and didn't see Julian. Was it all a dream? Was it all a dream that I'm back with Julian? My heart sanked as tears welled up in my eyes. Just then, the door opened, and Julian walked in carrying a tray. "Good morning, milady," he said with a smile, and my heart skipped a beat. He was real, and he was here with me. I rushed to hug him as he dropped the food on the bedside table, tears of relief streaming down my face. "What's wrong?" he asked, concern visible on his voice. "I thought it was all a dream," I said, my voice shaking. "Us being together, I thought it was all a dream." He pulled away from the hug to look at me, his eyes filled with warmth and love. He placed a soft, gentle kiss on my forehead, and I felt my heart melt. Then, he wiped the tears off my cheeks with his thumbs, his touch sending shivers down my spine. "You really should stop being a crybaby," he teased,
Chapter 75Sophie's POV"Why did you not want to stay here again?" I asked Evelyn as we stepped out of the car, and they also got out from the car they had entered. Julian, my love, had been busy planting kisses all over my body during the drive, showering me with affection that made even the driver chuckle at our antics. At one point, Julian had playfully barked at him to mind his business, which only made us laugh harder. Evelyn just said she wouldn't be coming in with us."I want to give the new couples some happy moments together," Evelyn explained, her cute eyes sparkling."No, Evy! I want us to catch up," I pouted, crossing my arms in a mock display of annoyance."I'll still be around for two to three days, and I promise to visit each day," she reassured me. "But for now, I promised Grandpa I would spend a few days with him. You can also visit us; I'm sure Grandpa would be eager and happy to see you.""That's a promise, oo," I said, a smile breaking through my pout. Evelyn nodde
Chapter 74 Sophie’s POV My ass hit the chair as I struggled to steady myself, gripping the edge with trembling hands. Victoria truly was a devil. How could someone be so heartless? I touched my stomach, feeling a wave of panic wash over me. She would have killed my baby—my innocent baby. Tears streamed down my face as I felt the weight of my grief. Suddenly, a hand wiped my tears, and I looked up to see Julian. I yanked his hand away. “Don’t touch me!” I screamed, my voice laced with betrayal. “So you know everything, and you kept making me suffer? You stayed away from me when you knew I couldn’t live without you.” “I am so sorry, Sophie. I had to. For you, for us,” he said, his face etched with guilt. “No, Julian,” I shook my head violently. “You should have explained everything to me when you knew.” “No, Soph.” Isabella’s voice pierced the heaviness of the moment as she approached us. “He couldn’t. Your life and your baby’s were in danger.” “You knew?” I asked, my voice barely