billion book
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
5
She was just a small, pitiable, helpless woman, with no power to stand against the corporate titan.
Cross him, and she’d be out on her street, jobless and homeless.
But there was a stubborn streak in her that refused to bow to authority, urging her to stick to her
guns.
“Mr. Leopold…”
As she was about 15 bravely voice her opposition, her cellphone rang. It was her mother.
‘Aurelia. Avery’s condition has worsened. He’s been moved to the ICU. I need you to send over ten thousand dollars immediately, and there’s no telling how much more we’ll need. Gather what you can, the more the better.”
Aurelia felt like the floor had been pulled out from under her. In an instant, all her defiance, all her
resolve, shattered like a pane of glass hit by a
bullet.
She couldn’t even scrape together a single dollar, let alone ten thousand. What else could she
possibly do but sell herself?
Biting her lip hard, her voice came out as a mere whisper.
*Mr. Leopold, I can agree to your terms… but could you lend me ten thousand dollars? I’ll pay you back in installments.”
Contempt and disgust filled Leopold’s eyes. So she wanted to raise the stakes and get the money
upfront. Just as he thought, a greedy, manipulative woman.
He pulled out a credit card and tossed it to her, “This card has a monthly limit of twenty thousand
dollars. Consider it your support.”
Aurelia clutched the card tightly. It was feather–light, but it felt heavy in her hand like a lead weight.
She had never intended on accepting any support.
This was a loan, and she was going to pay it back.
But she said nothing, her head bowed in silence.
The car pulled up and the marriage was registered in a matter of minutes.
Leopold arranged an apartment for her and had Laura oversee her daily needs as well as monitor her
every move.
*Remember, the baby is gone. Don’t let anyone find out.”
“What if my belly shows the pregnancy?”
“I’ll take care of that.”
“Okay.” Aurelia nodded obediently, not daring to question his motives.
Despite not fully understanding his intentions, Aurelia knew he was the boss, her patron. She had to
obey and could not resist.
Leopold’s icy gaze brushed past her face, “Keep our marriage a secret. It’s only temporary. You’re not Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
my wife.”
“I understand.”
Aurelia shrugged. She never had considered him her husband. All her compromises were made solely
for the sake of saving her brother.
If it weren’t for Avery’s worsening condition and the urgent need for money, she would never have
given in, no matter what the pressure.
After giving Laura a few instructions, Leopold left.
After the weekend, Aurelia went to the office.
Kelly, the Director of the Design Department, handed her the new quarter’s design proposal, “Take this
to Mr. Leopold.”
What?
She had to take it?
Aurelia was filled with reluctance.
She and the boss were now in a secret marriage with a secret pregnancy, which meant they were to
avoid each other and maintain their usual routines. She didn’t want to stir up trouble.
“I’m just an assistant designer. It’s not really appropriate for me to take it, is it?”
“What’s inappropriate about it? Aren’t you the one who did all the designs? Just hurry up and go. We
have a meeting when you get back.” Kelly smirked.
She was doing it on purpose. The whole company was buzzing about the elevator incident.
She wanted to see whether Aurelia had crossed Leopold and was about to pack her things to get out,
or if Leopold was impressed and was going to give her a promotion.
With no other choice, Aurelia headed for the CEO’s office.
“Mr. Leopold, this is the Design Department’s plan for the new quarter. Please take a look.”
Leopold raised his head and glanced at her, his expression as cold as ever.
“Put it there.”
“Oh.” Aurelia knew that he didn’t want to see her either. She put the file on the table and turned to
leave
As she reached the door, a sudden wave of dizziness hit her. Her vision went black, and she
instinctively reached out to grab the doorframe, but her hand slipped, and her body fell backward…