Page 71 of The Billionaire's Betrayal
Perfect.Elegant but understated.Professional, with just the right touch of feminine allure.
I had just finished breakfast and taken a shower when my phone buzzed.
TRISTAN:The venue is ready.Everyone did an incredible job.I can’t wait to see you tonight.I love you.
I stared at the screen, my heart hammering in my chest.
Tonight, I would finally see him again.
***
The moment I stepped into the headquarters of the Hope Foundation, the first person I saw in the grand entrance hall was Audrey.She stood at the center of a group made up of security staff and receptionists, giving out orders with an air of authority.She was dressed in an elegant off-the-shoulder evening gown, her polished appearance perfectly in tune with the event.But when her gaze met mine, her smile froze, and a flicker of pure hatred flashed in her eyes.She straightened ever so slightly and strode toward me, like a predator ready to pounce.
“Well, what a surprise,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm—a sharp contrast to her sophisticated appearance.“Deciding to show up now that all the hard work is done?Great timing.”
I stared at her for a moment, almost fascinated by the transformation.The mask of professional perfection had cracked, revealing the truth beneath.
“So this is what you look like without your mask,” I said calmly.“I don’t envy you.”
Her eyes narrowed, her voice turning as cold as ice.“What are you doing here, Eva?Why today?No one needs you here.”
I didn’t flinch.I refused to let her hostility get to me.
“Save your venom,” I shot back.“I don’t need your permission to be here.And just because Tristan’s been shielding you doesn’t mean you get to do whatever you want.Don’t forget where you stand.”
Her expression hardened even more, and she took a threatening step toward me.
“Leave,” she hissed.“I won’t let you take credit for my work.”
Suddenly, a deep, familiar voice cut through the tension, laced with barely contained fury.
“Your work?”Tristan’s tone was glacial.“Are you referring to the project Eva spent months building from the ground up, pouring her heart into, or the last-minute tweaks you threw in, hoping to steal the spotlight?”
Audrey paled slightly, but she tried to hold her ground.
“Tristan, you’re mistaken…” she started, her voice faltering.
“No, I’m not,” he interrupted sharply.“You played your game well, I’ll give you that.But it’s over.We’ll deal with this later.Leave.”
Realizing she was cornered and utterly alone, Audrey took a step back before turning on her heel, the sharp click of her heels against the marble floor echoing in her rushed retreat.
Once we were alone, Tristan turned his attention to me.His gaze swept over my face, as if memorizing every detail, as if afraid I might disappear again.The silence between us was thick with unspoken emotions—a tangled mix of longing, regret, and shared memories.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Damn, I had missed him so much.
44.Dinner with me
TRISTAN
Eva was finally here.
After two endless weeks, she was back.
I had missed her more than I could put into words.My eyes drank her in, mesmerized by her beauty, by the quiet radiance that always seemed to surround her.
A hostess approached with a warm smile, and Eva handed over her coat with a polite nod.Her hair was pulled into a loose bun, with a few rebellious strands framing her delicate face, enhancing the deep hazel glow of her eyes.She wore a lace blouse and black leather pants—an outfit almost too simple for an event like this, but I understood her choice.She wanted the young participants of the Espoir Program to feel comfortable, not intimidated by too much grandeur.
