My Billionaire Husband

The slap had caught Caroline off guard.

“Dad, how could you hit me?” Tears stung her eyes. “D- Dad… How could you? How could you hit me?”

She could not believe that her father, who had never laid a finger on her ever since she was a child, would slap her out of the blue like this.

“Are you crazy?” Rebecca yelled. “She’s your daughter!” She grabbed William’s arm, but William quickly broke free.

“You’ve been spoiling her all these years,” William said. “That’s why she has such a foul temper! Look. I don’t care what you do. Beg. Plead. Whatever. Just bring Leo back. Just remember that it’s all thanks to him that we even have something to celebrate today!”

With that, he stormed out of the venue in anger.

Caroline and Rebecca shared a look with each other, their faces grim.

“I basically told Leo to fuck off,” Caroline thought. “What the hell am I supposed to say to get him to come back?”

“Forget it, Mom! I’m not doing it!” Caroline snarled, pressing her palm on her swollen cheek.

Knowing what was at stake, Rebecca took her daughter’s hand and shot her a pleading look. “I don’t like it either, but we have no choice, Caroline. That lowlife really did help us win us the bid. That much can’t be in doubt. I never expected him to be this lucky, though.”

“Antagonizing him won’t do us any good. Your father has always had a weak spot as far as Leo is concerned. Look, right now we need to obey your father’s wishes and bring Leo home. We’ll get him next time he makes a mistake, okay? We’ll nail him eventually, believe me.”

Caroline was convinced. “Alright then,” she said begrudgingly.

They walked out of the International Commerce Center to find Leo, but he had already left.

Caroline dialed Leo’s number but the call went straight to voice mail: “The number you dialed is not available. Please leave a message after the tone…”

Caroline stomped her feet angrily. “Ugh, I hate this man…”

Meanwhile, a black Rolls-Royce was driving smoothly on the road amongst the traffic, while the other cars made way for it.

Leo was sitting in the back seat with his eyes closed. Nadine reported respectfully while driving, “Mr. Cohen, Martin Bailey has confessed to everything, including the sale of commercial secrets belonging to Vesper Corporation to other parties.”

“However, due to lack of evidence, the Lawson family couldn’t be implicated.”

“I see,” Leo responded lightly. He wasn’t expecting to bring down Kate with Martin in the first place.

After a moment of though, he asked, “How’s the wedding going?”

Nadine replied, “As per your instructions, we’ve anonymously informed all the prestigious upper-class families in Emerdale. Everything is ready, except for the wedding ring. There will be an auction in Riverside Club of The Lawson family at 6 p. m. tonight. One of the items is the largest and most expensive diamond ring in the Sallton, Winham, and New Queensland areas.”

Leo’s eyes sparkled and he said, “Take me to the Riverside Club.” As night fell, the Riverside Club’s lights shone like beacons in the dusk.

A black Rolls-Royce pulled into the parking lot quietly.

The parking lot was packed with all kinds of luxury cars, most of which were worth millions of dollars. Nevertheless, they paled in comparison to Leo’s car.

One could tell at a glance that the Rolls-Royce was a custom-built. Only the most elite of individuals could have this done.

The door opened, and a tall, commanding young man in a suit walked out. It was none other than Leo.

Nadine had changed into a black, strapless evening gown. The dress made her look decidedly more feminine and slightly less threatening.

“You look beautiful in that outfit,” Leo said with a soft smile.

Nadine’s face blushed right away while she cast a subtle and loving glance at him. She sent him a loving glance, though she’d done so furtively.

“Miss Moore, you’re here.” A middle-aged man trotted over and greeted with a smile. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

“Mm,” Nadine responded with her usual coolness.NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

The man was about to say something, but he suddenly saw Leo who was standing beside Nadine. He asked in shock, “You must be the man in charge, right?”

“Who are you?” Leo did not know him.

The man smiled. “I’m Alan Russell, but you can just call me Alan. I’m the middleman who bought the International Commerce Center on your behalf. It’s just a small token to show my respect.”

Fortunately, there was no one else present to hear him say this; if people overheard that the richest man in Emerdale was bowing and scraping to a relative unknown arrival in the city, it would definitely make the headlines.

Leo nodded. “What’s your background?”

“I’m a member of the Kingston Chamber of Commerce,” Alan said modestly.

“Kingston Chamber of Commerce?” Leo pondered for a while and then recalled that it was an association established by Commerce Maestro, one of the Seven Maestros of Winbury.

The Seven Maestros of Winbury were all leaders in their respective fields. They were nicknamed the maestros due to their prodigious skills in the business world. What nobody knew was that all of them had received help from one man at different points; Leo Cohen.

“Mr. Cohen, I’ve reserved the best private room for you. If there is any lot you like, please feel free to tell me,” Alan said, patting himself on the chest.

“No need,” Leo said lightly. “I don’t need your money. But I do need you to bid for me.”

Alan smiled awkwardly and said, “Sure.”

They arrived at a private box upstairs. The people inside could see what was going on outside through the one-way mirror without being seen by those outside.

Several priceless treasures were carried onto the auction platform, and the rich merchants bid one after another, creating a bustling atmosphere.

Leo remained quiet all the way because what he was waiting for had yet to show up.

“Next, it’s a Weirland diamond called the ‘Tears of Venus’. It’s five carats, and the starting price is 10 million dollars!”

With the bang of the hammer, Leo opened his eyes instantly, glanced at Alan, and held out two fingers.

Alan understood immediately and entered the price.

“Room No. 0, 20 million!”

As soon as this price was announced, the place fell into absolute silence.

People wondered, “Is the bidder so determined to win by doubling the price so early on?”

Suddenly, another flat voice sounded. “25 million.”

“Room No. 8, 25 million!”

Leo then stretched out three fingers.

Alan called out the bid at once, “30 million!”

“350 million.” The same voice rang again.

Leo looked colder and asked, “Who’s in room No. 8?”

He came here to get the Tears of Venus tonight, and so would not allow others to undermine him.

Alan answered after thinking for a while, “It’s probably Peter Lawson, the eldest son of the Lawson family. He’s also interested in this ring, and wants to get for it for a woman he fancies.”

Leo remained indifferent and gave Nadine a glance.

She nodded, then entered a price, “100 million”.

In an instant, the auctioneer went frantic and shouted, “Wow, room No. 0 bids 100 million. Is there anyone who wishes to bid higher?”

That voice did not ring out this time around.

“100 million, going once, going twice, sold!”

The auctioneer hammered the bid and said, “Congratulations. The ‘Tears of Venus’ goes to room No. 0!”

With the valuable item secured in his pocket, Leo did not stay any longer and left the room directly.

He didn’t really care about anything else here but the ring.

Inside room No. 8, Peter’s face was sullen.

It was downright embarrassing for him to be denied something he fancied in his own place.

“Who the hell is in room No. 0?” He asked grumpily.

The manager of Riverside Club broke out in a cold sweat and replied soon, “Mr. Lawson, I believe it’s Alan Russell, the richest man in Emerdale.”

Immediately, Peter’s eyes were filled with raging anger. “Alan Russell! So you’re the one trying to fuck with me!”

Overnight, the news that a mysterious rich man won the ‘Tears of Venus’ at a sky-high price of 100 million from the Riverside Club auction spread like wild fire throughout the city.

Everyone was curious about the identity of this affluent millionaire who had spent so much on a mere ring.

“It’s Alan Russell who got in my way!” Peter slammed the table and said angrily in the Lawson Group head office.

Opposite him sat a woman who was as beautiful as a painting. She was wearing a professional suit and a faint smile, but it barely masked the predatory gaze she wore beneath.

She said, “Alan wouldn’t dare oppose you on his own.”

Peter asked in surprise, “Are you saying…?”

Kate smiled, but then took out an exquisite wedding invitation and handed it to Peter. She said, “You will go to this mysterious wedding on behalf of our family. Be sure to give the bride and groom the warmest of regards on our behalf.”