Page 42 of The Billionaire's Betrayal
Audrey, on the other hand, could no longer hide her frustration.Her usually well-controlled smile sometimes gave way to a flicker of bitterness, which felt like a small victory to me.Yet, I knew better than to underestimate her.Like a wounded predator, she was all the more dangerous.I kept an eye on her, fully aware that our rekindled happiness must be eating her alive.
I wasn’t naive enough to believe that Tristan’s attraction to her had vanished overnight.Sometimes, his gaze lingered a second too long in her direction before he caught himself.Those moments reopened wounds that had yet to heal.
But he had chosen me.He had decided to fight for us.That certainty alone kept me moving forward, day by day, step by step.
When I arrived at the conference room for the quarterly board meeting, several executives were already seated.I took my time greeting each one, exchanging a few polite words.
Tristan walked in next, followed by Audrey.His eyes immediately searched for mine, and a subtle smile touched his lips.Audrey, however, clenched her jaw, clearly displeased by our regained connection.
Leila, Satoshi, and Steve arrived shortly after, and we all took our seats around the large table.
During the meeting, the board members voiced their concerns about the repercussions of the cyberattack we had suffered.
"Everything is under control now," Tristan reassured them."Thanks to our cybersecurity team’s quick response and the precautions we implemented, the damage was minimal.Our communication efforts also paid off.Clients and partners appreciated our transparency and the efficiency with which we handled the situation."
"Have you identified the perpetrators?"one of the IT directors asked.
Tristan turned to Satoshi, who spoke up.
"Based on our investigation and security audit, the attack originated from organized cybercriminals, likely aiming for ransom.But our cybersecurity teams blocked them before they even had the chance to make their demands."
"So the threat is completely neutralized?"a finance executive inquired.
"Yes, though we must remain vigilant."
"Thank you.It’s clear you have the situation well in hand," the executive acknowledged.
By the time the meeting ended, the board seemed satisfied with our responses.
Community Pilot’s annual holiday party was set for Friday night.Every year, we hosted an elegant evening with gourmet catering, live music, and a dance floor—an event attended by employees, their spouses, as well as key clients and strategic partners.It was, without a doubt, the most anticipated event on our corporate calendar.A time to celebrate our successes and strengthen relationships.
For once, I had taken the afternoon off, determined to look my best for Tristan.
These past few weeks had taught me a valuable lesson: even the strongest love must be nurtured and protected.I would never take ours for granted again.Tonight, I wanted him to see only me in a room full of beautiful women.Who was I kidding?Audrey would be there, and I refused to look anything less than stunning.
The afternoon passed in a careful beauty ritual—hair, skincare, makeup.The sapphire dress I had chosen hugged my curves with just the right touch of allure—sexy but not inappropriate.I slipped on the dangling earrings Tristan had given me for our first anniversary and completed the look with Italian heels that elongated my silhouette.The result exceeded my expectations—I felt strong, desirable, and ready to reclaim the man I loved.
Marco was waiting for me, as dependable as ever.
"You look stunning, Eva."
His genuine compliment warmed my heart.With renewed confidence and hope, I let him drive me to the event.
The reception hall was already buzzing, guests mingling in a constant hum of conversation.I navigated the crowd, exchanging pleasantries, all while keeping an eye out for Tristan.He had been caught up in a meeting with a potential investor.
When he finally walked in, my heart skipped a beat.His gaze swept the room, searching—until he found me.His face lit up with a smile that stole my breath.He made his way toward me, his eyes never leaving mine.
"You look so beautiful, I can hardly breathe," he murmured, his voice meant only for me.His hand squeezed mine discreetly before letting go.
His low, intimate tone sent a wave of heat through me.That fleeting touch, as if he couldn’t resist, was all the reward I needed.
"You don’t look too bad yourself," I teased with a smile.
"Tristan?"Audrey interrupted."Mr.Martinez needs to speak with you."
I saw frustration flicker across Tristan’s face, but Audrey insisted, her voice laced with calculated sweetness.
"It’s important.He’s leaving soon."
