LOGINShare
Chapter 5: WHEN BUSINESS TURNS PERSONAL
Last Updated:
2025-01-07 21:33:37VICTOR’S POV
When Isla accepted my invitation to dinner, I felt a wave of happiness wash over me, though I did my best to hide it. It wouldn’t do to let my feelings show too soon. Over the meal, I opened up about something that had been bothering her—why I tolerated Emma’s attitude so much.
“Her father was my father’s driver,” I explained, my voice calm and steady. “They both died in the same car accident.” Isla’s face softened, her expression tinged with understanding. “Emma does have talent, but her temper has always been a problem. I try to overlook it as long as she doesn’t go too far.”
I noticed Isla’s demeanor shift. She seemed to regret judging Emma so harshly before hearing the whole story. In that moment, something between us changed. She no longer seemed as guarded, and I felt a small victory in earning her trust.
---
Later that evening, after returning home, my phone buzzed. It was Daniel, his tone serious as he shared an update on the investigation. “Victor, we’ve hit a snag. We need more information. You might need to get closer to Isla—she could have answers we’re looking for.”
The conflict in my heart grew stronger. On one hand, I genuinely liked Isla. There was something about her that pulled me in, and I wanted to bring us closer. But on the other hand, my grandfather’s reputation—and freedom—depended on this investigation. My family came first.
After a long moment of reflection, I made my decision. I needed to test Isla.
---
To put my plan into motion, I arranged a business trip for just the two of us. It was the perfect opportunity to spend time with her and ask subtle questions about her past. Isla took charge of booking the flights and accommodations.
When she informed me of the arrangements, she hesitated. “There was only one room left at the hotel you requested,” she said. “So I reserved a room at a nearby hotel for myself.”
I felt a pang of disappointment, though I quickly brushed it off. Why did it bother me so much? I had to remind myself that this trip wasn’t about romance—it was about uncovering the truth.
---
The business trip went smoothly, and we managed to secure the contract we came for. To celebrate, I suggested we go shopping, using the excuse, “You’re the lucky charm for this deal.”
She looked at me suspiciously but eventually agreed. Truthfully, I wasn’t sure how to treat a woman properly. Growing up wealthy, I had always relied on gestures of affluence to impress others. It was all I knew.
Later that evening, I decided to show her a more personal side of me. I took her to my favorite local bar—a place I rarely shared with others. As we sat with drinks in hand, I carefully steered the conversation toward her family.
Her cheerful demeanor faded the moment she mentioned her father. Her voice grew quiet, and I could see the pain in her eyes. I felt a pang of guilt for pressing her, but I needed answers.
Hoping to coax more from her, I tried a subtle trick, pretending to share my own struggles to encourage her to open up. But instead of talking, she drank. One drink after another until she was visibly drunk.
---
When it became clear she’d had too much, I decided to take her back to my room at the hotel. Carrying her felt surprisingly intimate, though I tried to push the thought aside. This was about looking after her—not anything else.
After settling her on the bed, I sat in the armchair across the room, watching her for a moment. Alcohol had brought a flush to her cheeks, and her soft breathing made her look so vulnerable.
I’d never thought I’d meet someone like her—someone who stirred feelings I’d long buried. There was something so genuine about her, something that made me want to protect her.
The thought of leaning closer crossed my mind, but I stopped myself. No, I wasn’t that kind of man. She deserved respect, not to be taken advantage of. With that resolve, I covered her with a blanket and retreated to the couch to spend the night.
---
The next morning, Isla woke with a start. Her eyes darted around the room before landing on me. Confusion turned to alarm, and she sat up quickly.
“What happened?” she asked, her voice shaky.
“You got drunk,” I said calmly, standing to give her space. “I brought you back here to make sure you were safe.”
Her cheeks flushed red as she processed my words. “Did we...?”
“No,” I interrupted firmly. “Nothing happened. I wouldn’t do that to you.”
Relief washed over her face, though she still looked embarrassed. She mumbled a thank you before getting up to gather her things.
As I stepped into the bathroom, I watched her carefully. Something told me this trip had changed things between us. But whether it was for better or worse, I couldn’t yet tell.
Related chapters
IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE Chapter 6: A NIGHT OF CONFUSION
ISLA'S POVThe first thing I noticed when I woke up was that the room around me was unfamiliar. My heart began to race. This wasn’t my hotel room. Panic crept in as I tried to make sense of where I was. My head throbbed, a dull ache reminding me of last night. What happened? How did I end up here?I sat up, clutching the sheets tightly around me, and that’s when I saw him—Victor. He was already awake shirtless on the couch, his broad shoulders catching the soft morning light. His muscular body was enough to make my breath hitch, and for a brief moment, I forgot how to think.“Oh my God,” I whispered to myself, the panic escalating. “Did we…” Then I said loudly, “Did we….?”Victor must have noticed my discomfort because he turned to me, a calm but serious expression on his face. “Relax,” he said, his deep voice steadying me. “Nothing happened last night.”I blinked, processing his words. “Are you sure?” I stammered, my cheeks burning.He nodded, running a hand through his disheveled ha
Last Updated : 2025-02-24IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE Chapter 7: A NEW UNDERSTANDING
ISLA'S POVThe events of the past few days had been a whirlwind, but this morning’s revelation left me even more unsteady. My mother’s surgery was paid for. The money had come from someone, but I hadn’t done it.As the car stopped at a red light, I decided I couldn’t stay silent any longer. “Victor,” I said, my voice hesitant.He looked up from his laptop, his expression calm. “Yes?”I took a deep breath. “It was the hospital. They called to confirm they received the transfer.” My voice shook slightly. “Was it you? Did you transfer the money to them?”Victor stopped typing and turned to face me fully. His blue-gray eyes met mine, sincere and steady. “Yes,” he admitted without hesitation.I blinked, stunned. “But… why?”He leaned back slightly, his tone calm and patient. “You got drunk last night and told me about your mother’s surgery. You cried, Isla. You told me you didn’t have the money to save her.”I felt my face flush with embarrassment. God, how could I be so stupid when I was
Last Updated : 2025-02-24IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE Chapter 8: REVELATIONS
VICTOR’S POVAs I went through my phone I got Daniel’s text. Daniel had news—important news. He mentioned something about the Morgan case and insisted we meet face-to-face. I quickly replied, asking him to come to the office once his less busy as he said this wasn’t something to discuss over the phone.Glancing to my side, I noticed Isla deep in thought. She seemed distracted ever since the call from the hospital. Her brow furrowed slightly, her gaze distant as though she were processing something profound.I couldn’t help but smile inwardly. Isla’s directness was something I admired. Most people danced around the truth, careful with their words. Isla, however, faced matters head-on. Even when she was clearly flustered, she didn’t shy away from speaking her mind. That unpolished honesty was what made her stand out. It made her… charming.“You look like you have questions,” I said casually, breaking the silence.She glanced at me, startled, her cheeks flushing. “I just… I wasn’t expect
Last Updated : 2025-02-24IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE Chapter 9: A NEW DAY
ISLA’S POVThe morning sun shone brightly as I made my way to the office, feeling lighter than I had in days. Knowing that my mother’s surgery bill had been taken care of gave me an immense sense of relief. Thanks to Victor, my boss, I could finally focus on work without the constant weight of worry. With a smile on my face, I entered the office, ready to tackle the day’s tasks.As soon as I stepped in, Emma stopped me.“Isla,” she said sharply, her arms crossed and her tone skeptical. “Karen told me your salary was paid in advance. Is that true?”I paused, surprised but not entirely shocked. Karen, the financial director, was Emma's close friend, so it made sense for her to hear about it. “Yes, it’s true,” I answered cautiously, unsure of where this was going.Emma narrowed her eyes, her voice rising so that everyone around us could hear. “You’ve been here for less than a week. What makes you think you deserve special treatment? What qualifications do you have to draw your salary in
Last Updated : 2025-02-24IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE Chapter 10: A CHANCE ENCOUNTER
ISLA’S POVThe world truly is small. As I stared at the man sitting beside me, I couldn’t help but wonder about his intentions. What was he doing here? Why had he approached me? My instincts told me to be cautious, but I couldn’t ignore the strange coincidence of running into him, someone I had seen in Victor’s office.He leaned in slightly, offering me a warm smile. “Hi,” he said smoothly.I nodded, responding with a curt, “Hello.” I wasn’t in the mood for small talk with someone I barely knew.After exchanging a few meaningless pleasantries, I couldn’t hold back my impatience any longer. I turned to him and asked directly, “What do you want from me?”My bluntness seemed to catch him off guard. He blinked in surprise before his expression softened. There was something more genuine in his demeanor now. “I guess there’s no way fooling you,” he admitted with a chuckle. “Yes, I know Victor. We’ve been friends since we were kids.”So, I was right. “A friend of Victor’s,” I repeated, study
Last Updated : 2025-02-24IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE Chapter 11: STRATEGIC GROWTH AND NEW LEADERSHIP
VICTOR’S POVI sat in my office, listening as my secretary went through the schedule for the day. There was a board meeting in the afternoon to discuss the company's business plan for the next quarter. It was a crucial meeting, one that would determine our direction and strategy for the coming months.After my secretary finished, I gave him a nod and said, “Make sure the meeting documents are ready. I don’t want any mistakes.”“Yes, sir,” she responded before leaving the office.Once she was gone, I leaned back in my chair and ran a hand through my hair. I had a lot on my plate, and I needed to make sure everything was handled properly. After a brief moment of thought, I pressed the intercom button.“Isla, come to my office,” I said, my voice firm.A few minutes later, she walked in, dressed in a sharp professional suit, her hair neatly pulled back. She looked sophisticated, capable, and confident—so different from when she first joined the company. I had noticed how much she had grow
Last Updated : 2025-02-24IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE Chapter 12 : A BOLD PROPOSAL
ISLA’S POVI had been working on a proposal for a while, but I never expected that I would actually have the opportunity to present it—especially not in front of the board members. When Victor told me at the last minute that I would be presenting my idea at the board meeting that afternoon, I was completely stunned.At first, I thought he was joking. Me? Presenting in front of the most powerful people in the company? It seemed too unreal. But when I saw the serious look on his face, I knew he meant every word.Just in case, I sent the proposal to him before the meeting. I wanted to be sure that my ideas made sense and that they were worthy of being presented. A part of me feared that he would think my ideas were too simple or not practical enough. But to my surprise, he really liked it.“This is a solid plan,” he told me, after going through the details. “You’ve thought it through well.”Hearing that gave me a boost of confidence. If Victor, the man who ran this entire company, though
Last Updated : 2025-02-24IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE Chapter 13: A CLASH OF AMBITIONS
ISLA’S POVAfter the meeting, Victor and I walked back to the office together. I still felt a rush of excitement from what had just happened. I had presented my ideas in front of the board members, and they had actually approved my proposal. It was more than I could have ever imagined.Victor turned to me as we reached the hallway. "Complete the final design drawings as soon as possible," he instructed. "The company will set up a new project team, and once the drawings are ready, we’ll launch the new series immediately."His words filled me with even more motivation. I nodded eagerly. "I understand. I'll start working on them right away.""Good." He gave me a small smile, his expression showing approval.I hurried back to my desk, my mind racing with ideas. I needed to refine my sketches, add more details, and perfect every single design. This was my chance, and I wasn’t going to waste it.Just as I opened my laptop to begin working, I suddenly felt a cold splash on my face. My breath
Last Updated : 2025-02-24
Latest chapter
IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE Chapter 78: A Dangerous Game
ISLA’S POV The first few days at Titan Holdings had been exhausting, not just because of the workload but because I had to constantly watch my every move. I had to be Isla—the talented designer, the ambitious woman looking for a fresh start—not Isla, the woman secretly plotting to bring down the very company that had hired her. And it wasn’t easy. Damian was testing me. Victor, Daniel, and I had expected this. Damian wasn’t stupid. He wouldn’t just believe that I had joined his company because he had offered me a better job. He would suspect there was more to my presence, and that meant I had to be careful. Every word, every action had to seem natural. Still, I wasn’t here just to play it safe. I had a job to do. I had already made an impact—one of my designs had attracted a million-dollar contract, putting me in the spotlight. The executives had praised me, and even Damian had acknowledged my work. But none of that mattered. I was here for one reason—to take him down.
IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 77: PLAYING WITH FIRE
ISLA’S POVWalking into Titan Holdings felt surreal. The polished marble floors gleamed under the bright lights, and the scent of expensive cologne lingered in the air. It was a world of power and precision, where people in tailored suits moved with purpose, their gazes sharp, their expressions unreadable.I kept my posture straight, chin lifted, eyes scanning everything as subtly as possible. This wasn’t just another job.I was here for a reason.Despite my confidence, a part of me couldn’t shake the unease in my gut. The feeling of being watched.It wasn’t blatant, nothing obvious, but I knew I wasn’t imagining it. There were moments when I caught a shadow moving just beyond my line of sight, or a presence lingering too long in the hallway near my office. It could have been paranoia, but I doubted it.Damian wasn’t stupid. He knew people. He read them.And right now, I was the biggest mystery in his world.The first few days were an adjustment. Damian had placed me in the design d
IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 76: A DANGEROUS ALLIANCE
DAMIAN'S POVI sat behind my desk, watching the city skyline stretch endlessly before me. The glass of whiskey in my hand remained untouched, the amber liquid catching the light. My mind, however, was far from the serene view.Isla had accepted my offer.I leaned back, tapping my fingers against the armrest of my chair. She wasn’t the type to make impulsive decisions. Which meant this was calculated. The question was—what was her angle?Victor had made his stance clear—he wasn’t backing down. I had anticipated him to put up a fight, but I didn’t expect Isla to step away from his side so easily. Unless, of course, something had happened between them. Something that pushed her straight into my hands.A slow smirk tugged at my lips. Whatever it was, I intended to find out.A soft knock came at the door before Samson stepped in. "She’s here."I downed the rest of my whiskey and stood, smoothing the sleeves of my suit. "Let’s not keep her waiting, then."Samson led the way to the executive
IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 75: THE BEGINNING OF THE END
ISLA'S POVI wasn’t sure why I agreed to meet him.After everything Victor had done, after the betrayal, the manipulation, and the lies, I told myself I was finished with him. I meant it when I said I wanted nothing to do with him anymore. But deep down, I also knew something else—I couldn’t just walk away. Not when I finally had the truth. Not when I had a chance to take down the people who stole my father from me.That was the only reason I was here.As I stepped into Victor’s office, my heart pounded, my mind swirling with everything that had led me to this moment. The moment I walked in, Victor and Daniel turned to me. Their faces were unreadable, but I could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating.Victor was the first to speak. “Isla.”I ignored him. Instead, I looked at Daniel. “Hello, Daniel.”Daniel gave me a nod, a hint of sympathy in his eyes. “It’s good to see you, Isla.”Victor exhaled sharply, clearly aware of the hostility I was throwing his way, but I didn’t
IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 74: A FIRE WITHIN
ISLA'S POVThe cold night air hit my face as I walked out of Victor’s presence , but it did nothing to cool the burning rage inside me. My heart pounded in my chest, my breath shallow and uneven. I felt like I was drowning, suffocating under the weight of everything Victor had just told me.I kept walking, not caring where I was going, only knowing that I needed to get as far away from him as possible. My hands trembled, my mind racing as I replayed his words over and over again.Nick pushed him from that building. But it was bigger than just Nick. Someone else wanted him gone.Stratos Corp was involved.Your father discovered something bad, and they took him out for it.I gritted my teeth, my nails digging into my palms as I clenched my fists. Anger coursed through my veins, hot and unrelenting. For years, I had lived with the pain of losing my father, but I never knew why. Now I did. And the truth hurt more than the uncertainty ever had.But what made it worse—what made it unbearabl
IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 73 : A DANGEROUS TRUTH
VICTOR'S POVThe rooftop bar was nearly empty, except for a few scattered patrons enjoying the view of the city skyline. The soft hum of jazz music played in the background, but it did little to ease the tension coiling in my chest. My fingers drummed restlessly against the edge of my glass, the whiskey inside untouched.I had sent Isla a message an hour ago, asking her to meet me here. No explanations. Just urgency.Now, as I waited, doubt crept in.I had spent so long keeping people at a distance, burying the truth behind walls of strategy and control. But this wasn’t just my fight anymore. Isla deserved the truth. She deserved to know why she had been pulled into something far bigger than herself.The sound of heels clicking against the polished floor made me look up. Isla was walking toward me, her expression unreadable. She was wearing a fitted black coat over a sleek dress, her hair neatly styled, but there was a sharpness in her eyes.She stopped in front of the table and slid
IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 72 :A DANGEROUS GAMBLE
VICTOR’S POVThe moment the bullet struck the flash drive in my hand, time seemed to slow down. A sharp crack echoed through the night as the tiny device shattered into pieces, fragments flying across the alley floor.No.For a split second, I stood frozen, my mind struggling to process what just happened.That was our proof.Everything we had against Titan holding—gone.Daniel reacted first. "MOVE!" he yelled, shoving me behind cover as another bullet whizzed past, barely missing my shoulder.We hit the ground, scrambling for safety behind an abandoned car. The gunfire stopped, but the damage was already done. My pulse pounded in my ears as I stared at the broken pieces of the flash drive scattered on the pavement."Shit," Daniel cursed. "That was our only leverage."I clenched my jaw. Damian had played us. He knew exactly what we were after, and he made sure we wouldn’t get to use it against him.But I wasn’t giving up that easily.Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out my phone and
IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 71 – THE PRICE OF FAILURE
DAMIAN’S POVThe sharp ring of my phone echoed through my office, slicing through the heavy silence. I answered without hesitation."Tell me you have him," I said, my tone cold, my patience razor-thin.Silence.Then a hesitant voice came through. "Boss… we lost him."For a second, I didn’t say anything. My grip on the phone tightened. "What did you just say?"There was a shuffle on the other end of the line, followed by the strained breathing of the man unfortunate enough to deliver this news."It was his bodyguards," the man continued quickly. "We didn’t expect him to have that much protection. They were already on edge after the beach attack. When we tried to take him, a shootout broke out. We lost three men—Rico, Dante, and Cole."I exhaled slowly, pressing my fingers against my temple. "So let me get this straight," I said, my voice dangerously calm. "Not only did you fail to capture one man, but you also lost three of my men?"Silence."Answer me!" I barked."Y-yes, boss," he sta
IT'S A JOB, NOT A RELATIONSHIP, MR. BILLIONAIRE CHAPTER 70 – BETRAYAL IN THE SHADOWS
VICTOR’S POVThe moment Caleb’s call cut off, my stomach clenched with unease. The tension in his voice, the way his breathing had quickened—it was clear he was in real trouble. Two black SUVs. That was no coincidence. It meant one thing.Damian had found us.I turned to Daniel, who was already gripping his gun. He didn’t need me to say it. We both knew what needed to be done."Let’s move," I muttered, already heading for the door.We left Nick behind, still tied up. Right now, he was the least of our problems. If Caleb had truly been followed, then whoever was after him knew what we had taken. That flash drive contained everything—years of evidence that could bring Damian Lannister and Titan Holdings crashing down.And if we didn’t get to Caleb first, Damian’s men would.I pushed the car to its limit, the tires screeching as we tore through the streets of New York. The city lights blurred past, a mix of neon and shadow. I barely registered them. My mind was already at the docks, alre
