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The Ruthless Billionaire, Australian Bachelors

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    25 peringkat
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Yet I had to ask. In return for what? One dark eyebrow slanted, and his voice held an edge of mockery. “Occupying my home, my bed. My eyes blazed blue fire. “As your mistress? He sounded mildly amused, and at that moment I truly hated him. “Then…..what? I demanded. “As my wife! For a moment I lost the power of speech, and I felt the blood drain from my cheeks. “If this is a joke, I began shakily, it’s in very bad taste. Chef Anna needs cash fast and there’s only one man she can turn to… Eric Alexander. Eric needs to marry to meet the terms of his late father’s will, so he’ll help Anna. She’ll be his convenient wife. It’s so sexy and interesting, it will leave you breathless.

tagar
8 tagar
Chapter 1Chapter 1. YOU MUST OCCUPY MY HOME, MY BED

Anna's point of view 

Can we talk? Stark, minimum words that cost me dearly, and incurred a probing look.

"There's something you want to discuss?

His voice was a faintly inflected drawl, and I suppressed an involuntary shiver.

I spared him a quick glance and gleaned little from his expression. Assertiveness was the key. "Yes.

"In that case, let's do so over lunch.

Share a meal with him? I really didn't want to spend any more time than necessary. Time was something I didn't have!

He sensed my hesitation, and his eyes narrowed slightly. I looked too slender, my features too pale, and I resembled a cat on hot bricks.

Grief, without doubt, had to be taken into account…but why did he have the feeling it was more than that? A broken romance? 

He told himself if he didn't care…and knew it to the untrue. For, despite the intervening years, he still retained a vivid recall of my teenage crush and the method with which he'd dealt with it.

The surprising sweetness of my young mouth; my reaction to his touch; the way I'd felt in his arms, and my uninhibited response.

It had affected him more than he'd imagined possible and left him with a lingering sense of frustration at the knowledge he could have taken me.

What had held him back? Remorse? Guilt? At the time, he'd refused to contemplate thinking it might be anything else…and he'd grasped opportunity with both hands soon after by relocating to New York, where he'd focused on forging his own fortune.

Not unlike the feeling he entertained now.

"We both need to eat, Eric ventured silkily.

Do I have a choice?

"A sandwich and coffee, I conceded, aware it was all I could afford.

"When was the last time you ate a decent meal?

The question came out of left field, and I stiffened at the underlying censure. "In case you've forgotten, I spend my time in the kitchen cooking professionally for a living.

"For clientele.

"The nature of the business," I responded, and incurred his dark gaze. 

"An hour or two enjoying a leisurely meal in my company is abhorrent to you?

Difficult. Unnerving. But not abhorrent. I closed my eyes, then opened them again. Of course not.

We were walking along a busy city street, and I hesitated as Eric indicated a restaurant I knew to be ruinously expensive.

"Relax.

Sure. Like I could do that!

The maître d' took one look at Eric, determined an aura of wealth, and ushered them to a well-positioned table.

Within minutes, the drinks waiter elicited our order, and I opted to stay with chilled water, as did Eric.

"Do you have a preference?

Oh God, I didn't want to do this!

"I'm not very hungry.

Eric cast me a brief glance over the top of the menu, then went ahead and ordered the bruschetta, two entrèes, two mains, and intimate desserts that could wait until later.

I opened my mouth to protest, only to close it again as I incurred his dark, unyielding look.

"You really want to argue?

Give it up, a silent voice warned.

The temptation to launch into my request was uppermost if only to get it out there and be done with it—-for the thought of playing polite and conducting a meaningless conversation almost brought me undone.

He looked every inch the man he'd become. Hardened, ruthless, powerful. Someone it would be wise not to toy with….unless you were prepared to face the consequences.

Successful beyond measure, Michael had been known to reveal, with pride, his residence in London and the south of France, to name a few.

While I was almost destitute and in debt to her eyeballs.

Some comparisons!

Did—could— Eric know of my financial circumstances? Probably not. Unless he'd make it his business to find out.

The waiter appeared and placed a platter on the table. The bruschetta was tempting, but, given the state of required concentration.

"Eat, Anna.

To refuse would be churlish, given a banana followed by coffee.

"How long do you intend to stay in Sydney?

He met my gaze and held it. "As long as it takes.

An ambiguous answer that didn't commit him to anything. 

Would he comply with the conditions of Micheal's will?

It really was no concern of mine whether he did or not.

I moved the food around on my plate and was so caught up with nerves I didn't trust myself to light my fork.

"You wanted to run something with me? Eric prompted and caught my sudden look of anguish.

This was hard, but I couldn't prevaricate, wouldn't pretend. To explain…and ask.

Which I did, as briefly as possible, whilst outlining only the pertinent facts and my desperate urgency for funds.

The specter facts of the loan shark hovered over me like the sword of Damocles, ever threatening, and poised to fall anytime soon. 

Fear consumed me, stretching my nerves to breaking point. 

There was nothing to be gleaned from his expression, making it impossible to discern whether he'd view my request favorably or not.

"What amount do you have in mind?

I mentioned a sum, and he didn't even blink.

"You perceive it as a gift?

"No, Genuine shock widened my eyes, and my hands shook slightly as I replaced my water goblet down on the table. "A loan. I closed my eyes, then opened them again. 

"Using the shades bequeathed me under the terms of Micheal's will as collateral.

I'd done the math, had agonized and lost sleep over the figures, minimizing them to bare essentials to clear accumulated debts and purchase a vehicle. 

"I'll pay you back every cent, with interest.

"Over what time frame?

I relayed an estimation. "Less, I assured him quickly. 

" Can utilize the annuity from Cressida's estate and transfer it directly to you.

Eric surveyed me carefully, then offered a silky negative. "No:

My features paled, and my eyes became large stricken pools. I had nowhere to go…no one else I could ask.

Loan sharks lent money on a strictly short-term basis and non-payment wrought dire consequences.

I could feel the germ of anger begin to seed and take hold, sparking into flames that owed much to the past.

Uppermost was the desire to pick up the salt shaker and hurl it at him. I consciously placed my hands on my lap in an effort to control it.

Any hope Eric might honor Michael's verbal assurance of financial help died a natural death, and I rose to my feet, unable to bear so much as another minute in his company.

"Go back to New York and have a nice life.

"Sit down. Dark slate-grey eyes seared mine. "I'm not done.

"I am!

I turned away from the table, and in the next instant a hand closed over my wrist, mama king me as securely as steel restraints.

"Let me go. The words husked from my throat in a low growl, and my eyes flared with brilliant sapphire chips.

This was close, I was supremely conscious of his height and breadth of shoulder, the clean, laundered smell of his clothes, and the faint, teasing aroma of his cologne.

"Sit down…please.

The "please" did little to appease my anger as I glared at him. "Give me the reason why I should.

Anda Mungkin Juga Menyukai

After Divorce, Billionaire Ex Found Me Pregnant

“Gabriel Bryce, how can you stand being so shameless?” Leonica asked, staring daggers at her atrocious husband and his mistress. “This is the house gifted to my by grandmother, yet you dare bring another woman into it? Aren’t you afraid that grandmother would be disappointed with you actions…?” Leonica’s words remained unfinished as an enraged Gabriel swung his hand through the air, smacking his palm clean on her left cheek. Leonica held her throbbing cheek, eyes wide and teary as she stared at her husband who glared down at her ferociously. “The nerves of you to mention my grandmother. You have no right to do so!” He spat, taking a step forward and jabbing his index finger painfully into her shoulder, making her take several steps back. “Bare this in mind, Leonica Romero, if not for the wishes of my late grandmother, I’d much rather be dead than associate myself with somebody like you.” *~*~* *~*~* Leonica Romero has always had a long time crush on Gabriel Bryce, CEO of Bryce Empire and Norway’s Business tyrant. Fortunately, at the request of his Ill grandmother, her family’s long time friend, Leonica gets the chance to marry her beloved. Feeling elated, she abandoned her position and dream job in the Romero household and becomes a humble housewife for Gabriel. However, Three years later, on the day of Gabriel’s grandmother’s funeral, Leonica is stunned speechless when he demands for a divorce, as his ex girlfriend Angelina Fernandez had suddenly returned, proclaiming her undying love for him. But that wasn’t the only shock Leonica received that day. Hours after Gabriel’s declaration for a divorce, Leonica wakes up in the hospital to a shocking news. She was two months pregnant. And Gabriel knew nothing about this!

Khira · Perkotaan
Peringkat tidak cukup
227 Chs

I've Gone Viral Because of a Money-Saving Variety Show

To win a grand prize of five million, Chen Xixi signed up for a variety show called 'Saving Battle'. As the show began, other guests were scrimping and saving by eating the cheapest instant noodles or even starving. But Chen Xixi got a pound of eggs for free during a pharmacy event and even managed to score ten free lunches! The internet exclaimed: This lady really knows how to freeload! While other participants were too thrifty to buy cosmetics, Chen Xixi managed to have makeup without spending a dime. The internet responded: When it comes to saving money by freeloading, Chen Xixi is the master! Other guests obsessed over how to spend their money most effectively, meanwhile Chen Xixi was leisurely enjoying free afternoon tea! The internet complained: Darn it! Chen Xixi's not spending a cent, yet lives better than all of us! To save money, the other guests decided to beg at the train station. In contrast, Chen Xixi became a middleman and made a profit! In the end, all the guests were shocked by Chen Xixi's bank balance: Damn it! Not only does she freeload and pinch pennies, but how on earth is her money multiplying?! ... Every time Chen Xixi freeloading, she found herself reluctantly signing up for memberships that not only led to an onslaught of spam messages and calls but also posed a risk of personal information leakage. Then she thought of the spam text that was blocked by the anti-fraud app, why not leave the scammer's number active! ... At Zhongjing Group. Zhou Jingyuan was silently suffering from the barrage of spam texts and nuisance calls every day. ... Later on, Zhou Jingyuan's nephew pointed at the woman on the computer screen, saying: 'Uncle, this is your future niece-in-law.' Zhou Jingyuan replied: 'That's your aunt.' !

KinderPartTimer · Perkotaan
4.9
243 Chs

The Heiress Acts Mischievously, But Her Family Can Read Her Mind

After switching bodies, Jiang Nan Shu becomes the villainous true daughter in a melodramatic tale and is bound to an all-encompassing revulsion system. If everyone's level of disgust for her reaches 100, she can return to her original world with a prize of ten billion. Being reckless is just one of her many skills. Starting with a disgust level of 89, Jiang Nan Shu sets a modest goal for herself: to live a life collecting easy money within six months. Unbeknownst to her, everyone can hear her inner thoughts! When facing the domineering CEO eldest brother, she says outwardly, "I think this project is excellent and will make a fortune." Inwardly she thinks, "I hope you don’t go bankrupt! Once you're out, I'll steal your company's secrets." When dealing with the indifferent medical second brother: outwardly, "The food at your colleagues' gathering looks so appetizing." Inwardly she thinks, "I'll switch tables when the second brother picks food, to avoid catching any diseases from him." When facing the sickly research third brother, she says outwardly, "Third brother, you're amazing to conduct such tough experiments, keep going." Inwardly she thinks, "I’ll gracefully exit before your experiment explodes." When interacting with the pop star fourth brother: outwardly, "These songs suit you so well, sing them all, and fame is just around the corner." Inwardly, "Just wait for the news to break about your tax evasion." When advising the love-struck fifth brother: outwardly, "She's taking an hour out of her busy schedule to be with you because she loves you." Inwardly, "You’ve been turned into a grassland of green; your goddess has a different companion morning, noon, and night. Bet you didn't see that coming!" As the male protagonist looks at her with increasingly deep eyes, saying, "Let's be together," Jiang Nan Shu weeps, saying, "Don't let your sister misunderstand, I'm not worthy!" Internally, "Money's hard to earn, crap's hard to swallow, the life of a supporting character matters too!" However... why does she end up as the darling of the whole group in the end?

Mu Tingfeng · Perkotaan
4.8
285 Chs

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