The Billionaire's Mistake (Anya and Daniel)



Chapter 254: Mathew Shaw's wife

Chapter 254: Mathew Shaw's wife

The blood drained from Vivian's face as she realized he must have just revealed her presence to the gunmen. She watched in horror as the leader whipped around, glaring straight into the lens for a long moment before spinning and issuing what were clearly orders to his crew.

Down in the lobby, sirens began wailing as a small fleet of armored SUVS screeched to a halt. The hotel's security forces were mobilizing, storming the building in full tactical gear. Vivian's breath caught in her throat as Mr. Levi cursed vehemently.

"We've got another wave of hostiles mobilizing toward the elevators and service entries!" He shouted hoarsely into his radio. "Full lockdown procedures, protect the client at all costs!"

Outside the viewing room door, Vivian could hear shouting and running footsteps as

additional security personnel hurried to set up a perimeter around them. Her hands began shaking, the weight of just how dangerous this situation truly was crashing over her. But she looked on as though nothing serious was happeninf

Back on the monitor, the invading gunmen seemed to be falling into disarray. Several began frantically milling about, shouting and gesturing while others stood shock-still. A new voice boomed out, one of the hotel's security chiefs by the looks of his uniform.

"This is neutral territory under control of the Fabio family," he bellowed, clutching a bullhorn as his troops fanned out with weapons raised. "You'd best start talking before things get uglier."

The name Fabio was clearly one the gunmen recognized and reacted to. A visible shockwave passed through their ranks. Vivian frowned, her brow furrowing as she realized she must be dealing with some offshoot of mafia or organized crime.

The gunmen's leader looked momentarily thrown, whipping his head back and forth between his squad and the rapidly advancing wall of armed guards. He shouted something, a snarl of rage twisting his features as he gestured emphatically.

Several of his men shook their heads adamantly Vivian recognized the body language of people wanting out, the gravity of the situation becoming too hot to handle But the leader appeared to redouble his efforts, reassuring and imploring his crew with grandly sweeping motions of his arms, jabbing his finger back at the auction stage repeatedly.

At last, the bulk of the gunmen steeled themselves, visibly squaring their shoulders. They fanned out once more, forming a ring around the central auction stage as if preparing to use the priceless items as human shields.

"Enough of this," the auctioneer wheezed, daring to step forward. "Do you idiots have any idea whose territory you've breached? Not only the Fabios, but the Shaw family as well? Mrs. Shaw herself is on premises!"

Chapter 254. Mathew Shaw's wife

That revelation hit like a shockwave. The gunmen turned to stare back at the viewing room's camera in unison, looks of panic and horror washing over their unmasked faces. The leader in particular seemed dumbstruck, his mouth falling open in dismay.

He roared something Vivian couldn't make out, hoisting his rifle and clearly ordering a hasty retreat. Without further ado, the gunmen broke formation and sprinted for the exits, shoving one another out of the way in a mad scramble.

The security forces hung back, allowing them to flee rather than start an all-out firefight. Within moments, the auction room was empty but for hotel guards sweeping the area with thermal imagers.

In the viewing suite, Vivian finally let out the breath she had been holding, slumping back in her chair in relief. Mr. Levi dismissed the hotel's security detail with a gruff nod.

"Well, that was an...unexpected twist," he temarked drily, straightening his tie

Vivian tried hard to not shoot him an incredulous look. What in the world just happened? I don't understand any of what I saw! It seems that she is being paraded somewhat. She wondered, why was she there? She understood the last tiem she went to see Madam Hou, but what about now? Something was not adding up.

Outside the viewing room, hotel staffers were busily cleaning up debris and inspecting for any damage. Vivian suddenly felt exhausted, utterly drained from the jarring adrenaline spike of brushing up against such raw violence once more. Perhaps being Mrs. Shaw was to parade her across the city. If it was just that, she could live with it. She got up, no more interested in the auction. She took some cake and had some wine as she watched the screen with interest. It seemed that the mention of Mrs Shaw had caused more uproar than gunmen raiding the

auction.

As the chaos finally died down and the auction hall was cleared, Vivian sat back in her plush viewing room chair, an uneasy feeling settling into the pit of her stomach. Something about the events that had just transpired didn't sit quite right with her.

While she knew next to nothing about the underworld of crime families and black market dealings she had been so abruptly thrown into, her instincts told her this violent raid hadn't been a typical occurrence. The way that auctioneer had so blatantly pointed out her presence to the gunmen, practically inviting the danger right to her...it felt deliberate. Like someone had wanted to put her on display as Mathew Shaw's wife.

She eyed Mr. Levi skeptically as the older man tidied up, straightening his cuffs with a practiced air of nonchalance. As if narrowly avoiding being caught in the crossfire of a daring heist was just another day at the office.

"I trust the items I selected have been properly seen to?" she asked him coolly, needing to regain some semblance of control over the situation. Lovi gave a curt nod. "But of course, Mrs. Shaw. All acquisitions processed and packaged per

254 Mathew Shaw's wie

your specifications. My assistants will ensure they're delivered promptly and discreetly."

With a toneless hum of acknowledgment, Vivian rose from her seat, smoothing the lines of her ivory suit. The bodyguards straightened to attention, falling into step as she made for the

door without another word.

As she expected, they passed through the hotel's elegant lobby without issue, the staff dipping their heads deferentially despite the obvious disarray from the earlier crisis. Outside, Joe stood beside the idling sedan, holding the rear door open for her.

As soon as the sleek town car merged into traffic, Vivian allowed some of the tension to bleed from her shoulders with a deep exhalation. She cut her eyes to the bodyguard in the passenger

seat.

"Who precisely are these... Fabio people? That seemed to be a name those gunmen recognized, caused quite a stirProperty of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

Joe's eyes flicked to meet hers briefly in the rearview mirror before returning to the road ahead. "They're an old, established Sicilian crime family. Been in operations across Europe and the States for decades now, runningafi legitimate businesses as a front. These days they keep a lower profile, mostly dealing in antiquities, art, and relics - feeding the same BlackMarkets we were at today."

He gave a slight shrug. "Pretty typical rivals and allies with the Shaw family, depending on the particular business dealings. An unspoken code between the Families."

Vivian pursed her lips, considering this. "It felt like the situation was being...intentionally escalated. As if someone wanted to put me on display, prove a point."

The slightest crinkle appeared between Joe's brows, though his expression remained impassive. "I'm sure Mr. Shaw had his reasons. Allpart of the... territory, you might say."

The uneasy feeling persisted, amplified by the vague responses. What exactly was she being drawn into here, playing this role as Mathew's wife? More disconcerting still were the implications that her very presence had been provocatively put on display, drawing the attention and ire of those gunmen. As if she was being used as a pawn of sorts.

Before she could dwell too deeply, Joe cleared his throat. "We had your personal effects transferred from your apartment, per Mr. Shaw's instructions."

"My things?" Vivian blinked, the shift in conversation derailing her train of thought.” Transferred where exactly?"

A humorless quirk of Joe's lips. "To your new residence, Mrs. Shaw. A...marital home, if you will, more suitable for your updated circumstances.”

Of course it made sense that extended this farce, she wouldn't be returning to her dilapidated studio. Mathew clearly expected her to fully embrace her new role as his wife. The foreboding sense that she was in far over her head grew stronger.

Chapter 254: Mathew Shaw's wife

“I see,” she replied evenly, betraying none of her inner turmoil. “And where precisely is this... new home?"

"Border of the Hampton estates on the north end. An...enlightened purchase selection on Mr. Shaw's part, I believe."

Vivian couldn't hide her surprise at that tidbit. The ultra-exclusive Hampton estates were some of the most desirable - and expensive - residential communities in the city. Enclaves of palatial mansions surrounded by lush, sprawling grounds and the latest boutique amenities. Not at all what she would have expected, despite Mathew's obvious wealth and opulence.

Sure enough, when the car finally pulled through the stately front gates of the development, Vivian felt her breath catch in her throat. They wove along a meandering driveway, towering trees filtering the golden evening sunlight into dancing patterns across the plush carpet of the perfectly manicured lawns and gardens.