My Billionaire Husband

“Cedric Reyes. 24. The second eldest son of Thomas Reyes, the chairman of Julton Pharmaceutical,” Nadine recited Cedric’s bio as she drove. “After Eddie Reyes, Thomas’ eldest son, was crippled, Thomas placed all of his hopes on Cedric. He is currently studying in Emerdale University, and he’s definitely no saint.” Nadine paused for a beat. “He’s done many unsavory things, but has never been caught due to his powerful background.”

As they drove, Nadine continued to list out all the things Cedric had done. The level of detail in Nadine’s report shook Marie to the core.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

How could anyone uncover so many details about a person in such a short amount of time? She was even able to list out all of Cedric’s crimes by year!

Marie stole a glance at Nadine. What on earth did she do for a living? Was she a CIA agent or something?

More importantly, how did Leo know such a woman?

Did Lydia know?

A barrage of questions about Leo assaulted Marie’s mind.

Contempt and disdain no longer filled Marie’s eyes as she looked at Leo now. Instead, her eyes were filled with awe, curiosity, and… even a little bit of admiration.

Little did Marie know that at that moment, her heart had begun to yearn for the man that was Leo Cohen.

Leo’s soft chuckled filled the interior of the Rolls-Royce. “Thomas Reyes is a respectable man. But his two sons are nothing but useless scum who are dead-set on ruining his reputation.”

Leo reclined in his seat and mused on the follies of Thomas Reyes’ sons. His eldest son, Eddie Reyes, had gotten into trouble after he tried to flirt with Kate Lawson. Kate didn’t approve of his advances and ordered her men to cripple the guy-and also ruin his testicles. And now Cedric had gotten into trouble with Leo.

The days of Julton Pharmaceutical were numbered.

Leo’s ringtone sounded right then.

Leo glanced at his phone and was surprised to see Lydia’s name plastered on the screen.

This was the first time Lydia had ever called Leo.

“Hello? Lydia?”

Leo’s demeanor changed the moment he picked up the phone. Gone was his dark and terrifying expression; and in its place was the expression of a man in love.

“It’s late. Why aren’t you home yet?”

Lydia’s tone was as cold as ever, though Leo could hear the subtle longing in her voice.

Leo let out a genuine laugh. “I need to take care of something. I’ll be home soon though.”

A long silence filled the other end of the line. “Emilia misses you.” There was a pause. “You and Marie should come home soon. Emilia’s bed time is at 9pm.”

“I will.”

The call ended with a click.

Leo reclined in his seat again, staring at the dark screen of his phone in silence. A moment later, he raised his gaze and caught Nadine’s glance in the rearview mirror. “Please step on it, Nadine. Let’s wrap this up by 8. 30 p. m., shall we?”

“Yes, sir.”

The car surged forward when Nadine pressed her foot on the accelerator.

Marie, who had overheard the conversation between Leo and Lydia, understood why Leo wanted to wrap things up quickly. It was because Emilia had begun to miss her father.

And the fact that Leo had wanted to go home to see Emilia before the girl went to bed warmed Marie’s heart.

She opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out. A moment later, she changed her mind and decided to keep her thoughts to herself.

Nothing else was said for the rest of the journey.

***

Soon, the Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of the Royale Clubhouse. Naturally, a guy like Cedric Reyes wouldn’t be staying at the dormitories.

Currently, Cedric was staying in one of the Royale Clubhouse’s presidential suites.

Leo and Nadine exited the car. When Marie moved to step out of the car, Leo stopped her. “You need to stay in the car. We won’t be long. Give us ten minutes.”

“But-”

“No buts.”

Leo gave Marie a stern look, hoping that she’d comply.

He didn’t want Marie to tag along because he didn’t think Marie would be able to stomach the idea of what he was planning to do to Cedric tonight.

Besides, the Rolls-Royce could keep Marie safe. The car was equipped with bulletproof windshields and windows. There were also secret compartments inside to store weapons.

Thankfully, Marie complied without any complaints. After locking the car, Leo and Nadine entered the building.

On the way to the elevator, they were stopped by the young lady at the reception counter.

“Hello. Please show me your membership cards-”

Leo strode past the woman without sparing her a glance.

“Wait! Sir-”

The lady’s words died on her lips when Nadine suddenly turned around and shot her a death glare.

“Stay out of our way if you value your life,” Nadine said.

The receptionist flinched and followed Leo and Nadine with her gaze until they both entered the elevator.

Inside the presidential suite on the 29th floor, a handsome young man clads in designer clothes lay on the couch with a beautiful woman in his arms.

Strewn around the couch were various kinky toys: a flogger; a leather whip; ropes; and a pair of handcuffs.

Annoyance flashed across Cedric Reyes’ eyes. “Why isn’t she here yet?” he grumbled.

When he glanced at his watch, the look of annoyance in his eyes intensified.

“What’s the hurry, Mr. Reyes?” The beautiful woman giggled. “Don’t you like my company?”

“You’re doing fine.” Cedric glanced at the woman in his arms. “Though you seem like the type who has seen too much action. I prefer women who are more…” A smirk played across Cedric’s lips. “Unsullied. Yes, that’s the word.”

The woman drew quick circles on Cedric’s chest. “Are you sure about that, Mr. Reyes?”

“I’m beyond certain.” Cedric gave the woman a serious look. “You and that young lady I’m about to meet tonight are on totally different levels.”

Jealousy filled the woman’s eyes. “I guess we’ll see about that, then,” she grumbled. “You make it sound like she’s Aphrodite or something.”

Cedric burst into laughter. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

All of a sudden, Cedric stopped laughing and studied the gorgeous woman in his arms. “I know you’re not exactly happy about this arrangement… Well, how about this? Once the girl gets here, I’ll give you the flogger.” Cedric smirked. “You can rough her up a little first.”

The woman broke into a grin. “You’re so nice to me, Mr. Reyes.”

Cedric pulled out his phone and checked the time again. He hadn’t heard anything from Shawn at all. What the hell was taking Shawn so long?

The voice of the operator sounded when Cedric dialed Shawn’s number.

“The number you have called is unavailable. Please leave a message after the tone…”

Cedric cursed loudly and tossed his phone aside. “What the hell is that bastard up to? I told him to bring Marie straight here.”

“Don’t hold your breath. He won’t be coming tonight.”

Cedric’s gaze flew towards the door. That cold voice belonged to a man, and it came from outside the door.

Then, the door burst open and flew off its hinges.

The woman in Cedric’s arm screamed, and scrambled towards the corner of the room.

Cedric stared at the broken door, too stunned to even move. This was impossible. That door was supposed to be unbreachable without the proper security code. Yet it had just been taken off its hinges with a single blow.

Cedric sprang to his feet and faced the man and the woman at the doorway.

“Who the hell are you people?!”

The pair strode into the room without saying a word.

The look on the man’s face was positively inhuman. It was cold and vicious, like he was just moments away from turning Cedric into a corpse. The woman had the look of a deadly assassin, her crimson eyes screaming murder.

“You’re Cedric Reyes?” Leo said coldly.

“I’m not going to ask you again,” Cedric roared. “Who the fuck are you people? Do you know whose territory you’re in-”

Cedric’s body was flung into the air when Nadine’s foot slammed into his midsection.

Cedric crashed into the floor; his body curling up like a shrimp.

“My boss asked you a question,” Nadine growled. “You had better answer it.”

Pain consumed Cedric, and he felt like he’d just been run over by a truck. Struggling against the pain, he climbed to his feet and looked at Leo and Nadine with fear in his eyes. “Why are you doing this? I’ve done nothing to offend you.”

A cold smirk tugged at Leo’s lips. “Really? You’re telling me that after you tried to mess with my sister-in-law?”

“S- Sister-in-law…?”

Cedric’s eyes grew wide. “Y- You’re Marie’s… brother-in-law?”

“Nadine.” There wasn’t a single ounce of mirth in Leo’s smile. “You know what to do.”

“Yes, sir.”

With purposeful eyes, Nadine strode towards Cedric.