YOKED TO A BILLIONAIRE BY VENNEH LISAH

𝐘𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐀 𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐄

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐈𝐗𝐓𝐘-𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐄:

"That's brilliant!" Davon curled up his lips into a smile. "But I'd like to correct you on one thing only. Once this year's data is revealed, Roman Group will still come first!"

"You seem confident," Violla commented with her eyebrow still raised. "How are you so sure, that Landiana Corporation wouldn't overthrow Roman Group from the first place this year?"

Davon flashed her a good-mannered grin. "Well Miss Landiana, most of the assets of Landiana Corporation are in the other cities. The Gregorian Chamber of Commerce is in this city, naturally, Roman Group located here in this city has a higher advantage! I believe Leon Landiana will think so too!"

Hearing those words, Violla had no words to refute the argument. In all reality, she couldn't care less about the ranks. It was the sight of Laura that lit the fuse. She wanted her revenge on Laura.That was what provoked her to do what she did.

"Excuse me." Davon placed down his champagne flute and left with a polite nod.

Violla stared intently at his silhouette, frowning slightly. 'This man gives the impression of a calm and collected gentleman, yet he can retaliate my words with just a few sentences. I'll have to raise my guards around him! He is not getting me back to his life so easily.'

As the scene ended, the person in charge quickly lightened the mood. "The Landianas and the Romans have always equally matched, both equally impressive and should be our benchmark," he announced in a loud voice. "Right, everyone?"

"Right!" the crowd chorused.

"Miss Landiana, we have prepared a place for you to rest. Should I escort you to your private lounge?" the person in charge approached Violla cautiously, in fear that he might accidentally offend and trigger her.

"Please excuse me, everyone." Violla nodded to the people around her with a smile and left the room with him.

Meanwhile, Davon had excused himself since his phone had not stopped vibrating with calls and notifications. The moment he stepped foot into the hallway, Davon picked up the call. "Hello?"

"What the hell is wrong with you?" D'barl hollered on the other side of the phone, causing Davon to pull his phone away a few inches from his ear. "First you made plans to go out with Carol, then you refused to text back or answer any calls? Is this nothing but a game to you?"

Davon froze, speechless. Only then did he recall the dinner reservations he had made with Carol.

Davon pinched the bridge of his nose in realization. He had intended to have a conversation with Carol, but the sudden change of plans threw him off track, causing him to push the matter to the back of his mind.

'No wonder my phone kept vibrating just now.'

"Sorry, there was a change of plans. I forgot to inform her about it," explained Davon.

"She waited for you in the restaurant for two hours…"

"How big of a deal is that?" interrupted Davon. "She could have just gone back on her own, must she run to you and start tattling?"

"She wasn't tattling. She was just asking me about your whereabouts. She was worried…"

"Worried about what? What could possibly happen to me?" Davon's patience was beginning to slip away. "Fine, I'll head back and explain it to her, alright? Stop fussing over it."

"She's in our house," replied D'barl before interrogating further. "When are you coming back?"

Davon was once again at a loss for words. After a few quiet seconds, he quipped, "Why did you bring her back to our house?"

'If the triplets see Carol, things will be awkward.'

"What about it? Do I not have the authority to do so?" D'barl questioned back.

"Of course you do," replied Davon, massaging his head, attempting to get rid of the headache that his grandfather just gave him. "I'm attending events organized by the Gregorian Chamber of Commerce right now and won't be coming home tonight. Ask someone to send her back to her place, I'll contact her tomorrow."

"Why do you always…" retorted D'barl.

"I have to go." With that, Davon hung up. Seeing the numerous notifications on his phone, he rolled his eyes, deciding to turn a blind eye to them.

"Excuse me, Mr. Roman. Sorry to bother you." A melodious voice rang from behind him.

Davon turned and came face to face with a beautiful young lady. Her delicate features and hourglass-like figure were enhanced by the exquisite black form-fitting gown. She was holding a glass of wine in her hand, looking at Davon in admiration from afar.

"I'm sorry, you are…?" Davon arched his eyebrow at the sight of the stranger approaching him.

"My name's Goldie, daughter of Jacob John . Pleased to meet you!" Goldie spoke. "May I have the honor to have some words with you, Mr. Roman?"

Davon cringed slightly in response. He was about to decline when he saw Violla heading their way, causing him to change his mind. With a coy but polite smile, Davon gestured to the door of his lounge. "Please! Come in!"

"Thank you!" chirped Goldie, ecstatic.

Davon smiled, glancing quickly in Violla's direction before leading Goldie into his private lounge, deliberately slowing down his pace.

As he had intended, Violla passed by the pair on her way to her own lounge. However, to his dismay, Violla merely gave him a look of contempt and walked right past without further thought.

Davon's brows furrowed as he frowned. The interaction between Violla and Laura, the way Violla was finding fault in Laura in everything the latter did, the way Violla seemed to be getting revenge crossed his mind. All those seemed to prove she really was Violla Milan.

'So why, when seeing me in close proximity with another woman, did she not even flinch?'

"Mr. Roman, my family's company is entertainment-based. We have signed contracts with many popular celebrities in the city." Goldie immediately launched into self-introduction the second she sat down. "Hope you can give us a chance to work together, Mr. Roman," she added sweetly.

"Mm." Davon nodded half-heartedly. "We shall see, maybe someday."

As he was talking, he gave a signal. Cruze walked forward and bowed courteously. "This way, Miss Goldie," he said politely, gesturing to the door.

Goldie was dumbfounded. Davon had just invited her in for a conversation, why was he sending her out already? What's going on?

Not giving up, Goldie took out her phone and asked cautiously, "Mr. Roman, can we exchange our numbers, please?"

Davon peered at her phone with no response.

"This way please, Miss." Cruze urged again.

Not daring to utter another word of protest, Goldie reluctantly got up and left with a curt and polite nod.

As Cruze opened the door of the lounge for Goldie, he caught sight of Violla's ferocious female bodyguard closing the door of the opposite lounge across the hallway. The latter noticed him too. Though stunned at first, her shocked face turned into a glare within a second.

"You…" Cruze gnashed his teeth in fury upon seeing her again.

Once Goldie exited the lounge, Cruze slammed the door shut in frustration. "That damned woman, I will make her pay one day!" said Cruze through his gritted teeth.

"Who?" Davon asked out of curiosity and lifted his eyes to peer at Cruze. He was quietly savoring the wine he had poured for himself when Cruze had said those words, no doubt coming off as a surprise.

"That bodyguard of Miss Landiana," huffed Cruze. "Yesterday during the car accident, it was her who came out of the car and started hollering at me. She even had the audacity to glare at me just a minute ago!"

"Hmm, she looks like she has great combat skills, you might not be able to beat her if there was a duel," teased Davon with a smirk.

"How is that possible?" Cruze was starting to get anxious. "Mr. Roman, I'm one of your men, how could you compliment others while putting your own people down." he faltered.

"Quit talking and maybe defeat her in combat, then we'll see." Davon rolled his eyes at Cruze, annoyed.

"I'm tempted to… but she's one of Miss Landiana's people, and I dare not cross her...." Before Cruze could finish his sentence, a loud noise came from outside. "What the f*ck are you doing?" A furious voice followed.

It was Marco!

"Looks like your fighting skills aren't as good as your racing skills," an arrogant, feminine voice mocked.

"F*ck you! Let me show you how to really fight." Having enough of her arrogance, Marco lunged towards the woman and started a physical fight.

Cruze rushed forward to open the door. Seeing the scene, he scolded, "Marco, what are you doing?"

"Cruze." In that fraction of a second, Marco was distracted and received a heavy punch to his chest. Marco gritted his teeth and was about to parry the attack when the door across the hallway opened. "Belly, what are you doing? Are you harassing the weak again?" A voice called out, calm and slow.

"Weak?" Marco retorted as he felt the anger rising to his neck.

"Who are you calling weak?" Interrupted Cruze, frowning. He shot daggers at Lucky, the woman who had mocked and insulted him multiple times, unable to swallow his pride and stay silent that time.

"I'm calling you weak, what about it?" Smirked Lucky with her eyebrows raised.

"You…" Cruze balled his hands into fists and charged forward.

"Enough!" A low growl rang out behind him.

Reluctantly, Cruze stopped and stepped aside. His fists fell to his side, still clenched.

"Belly, Lucky." Another voice scolded sternly from the opposite room. "Stop harassing men again."

"Harassing men?'' Marco gawped openly at Violla in disbelief and felt his blood pressure shoot up hearing those words uttered by her.

Cruze's expression darkened. His eyes were beginning to gleam like a predator stuck in a cage, waiting for the opportunity to pounce.

"Miss Landiana, your bodyguards sure are an image of yourself." Joked Davon in a good manner while stepping out of his private room. "All of you are hot-tempered."

"Sorry about that," Grinned Violla humbly. "Us Landianas are rather aggressive with quite a unique personality. Please excuse us, Mr. Roman."

"That's quite alright, Miss Landiana. A gentleman will not pick fights with women." A smile made its way to his lips. No matter what, Davon had to redeem some of Cruze's and Marco's dignity. "As for us Romans, we might have superb combat skills, but we will never harass the weak just because we're strong."

'Well said!' Applauded Cruze internally as he felt his dignity being restored. Seeing someone finally had their backs, Marco's gaze softened as well.

"Hah," sneered Violla. "Who's strong and who's weak, we don't even know yet."

At the side, Lucky and Marco cracked their knuckles, ever ready for another fight.

Cruze and Marco did not back down either. The pair puffed up their chests and raised their fists, getting into a fighting stance.

"Arguing with women is not a gentleman's character," smirked Davon while shrugging his shoulders. "How about we play a game?"

"What game do you have in mind, Mr. Roman?" Violla asked with an arched eyebrow, not backing down from the challenge.

"Shall we go to the basement?" asked Davon as he crossed his arms in front of his chest, leaning nonchalantly against the door frame of his private lounge. "There are lots of games we can play at the basement… unless of course, you're afraid and want to call it quits."

"What's there to be afraid of?" Violla straightened her spine and lifted her chin in pride. "Who's to say, maybe we might win instead!"

"Shall we?" Davon gestured in the direction of the elevator.

The pair moved towards the elevator side by side with six of their people trailing behind. Each step they took emitted power and dominance.

Although in the wide hallway, Violla and Davon walked next to each other in close proximity, shortening the gap between them.

Davon peered at her from the corner of his eyes, taking in her angelic face, raven-black hair, and the same mild perfume she used to wear. Everything about her seemed to be identical to Violla Milan back then.

"What are you looking at?" snapped Violla, displeased.

"Looking at you, of course!" Davon answered, grinning good-naturedly.

"You can look, but you will never get to touch," retorted Violla proudly.

"We shall see." The corners of Davon's lips lifted.

As they stepped foot into the basement, only did Violla realize what the games were. However, it was men's territory. Pole dancers were on the stage, surrounded by cheers and whistles. All around them were games such as darts, shooting, and gambling.

A few merchants had a lady on their laps, playing poker as laughter resonated in the room.

The person in charge was betting on a horse race when he got word that Davon and Violla had arrived. He quickly got up to greet the two. The few merchants quickly got up too.

"Mr. Roman, Miss Landiana!"

"Continue." Davon waved his hand dismissively, letting the crowd know not to be influenced by their presence.

The merchants sat down again to continue the game. Nevertheless, their eyes kept straying at the duo and the band of people behind them.

"What would you suggest, Miss Landiana?" Davon smiled charmingly.

"All these are men's idea of entertainment." Violla swept her eyes across the room, finally landing on the dartboard. "A game of darts?"

"Alright." nodded Davon. "Not a bad choice, my men are quite talented with darts."

"Brilliant," smirked Violla. "At least now it'll be a fair game."

Davon remained silent, taking in the woman next to him.She sure had gotten quite sharp and witty.

They settled in the darts area, taking a seat. The person in charge quickly arranged for some of the finest liquor they had in store. "Would you like anything else, Mr. Roman, Miss Landiana? I will get it served in a jiffy."

"No need to bother. We'll just be playing." At his final word, Davon gave a signal.

Cruze took out a dart and flung it across the room.

Bullseye!

"Not bad!" applauded Violla, "But where's the fun in this?"

"What do you suggest then, Miss Landiana?" Davon crossed his legs and looked calmly at her. Violla made a gesture.

Understanding the order, Belly took out a champagne-colored rose from a vase and held it in between her teeth before standing in front of the dartboard.

"Whoever hits the stem shall win?" asked Cruze.

"No," said Violla coldly with a sneer. "Whoever drops all of the petals on the ground first shall win."

"This will be a breeze." Cruze took out another dart in full confidence.

"Without touching the stem." Violla added.

For a split second, Cruze was dumbfounded. Looking at Belly with the rose in her lips with just a little stem poking out, he registered the difficulty in hitting the stem without harming the person.

Now he couldn't even hit the stem, but had to drop the petals on the ground? She just had to make things harder. Cruze gritted his teeth.

"Not up for the challenge?" Violla raised her eyebrow, mocking. "It's not too late for you to back down."

Everyone else in the room had stopped whatever they were doing, focusing all their attention on the little competition between the Romans and the Landianas. Some even brought their drinks, hoping for a good show. How could Cruze possibly back down now?

"Of course not," answered Cruze instantly. "Challenge accepted."

"Show them how it's done, Cruze!" cheered Marco.

He had been mocked and humiliated by Belly, the fire of his rage was still burning hot. Right then and there, Marco hoped that Cruze would restore their integrity.

"So childish." Belly rolled her eyes at the men, still holding the rose between her teeth.

"Fair warning, Mr. Roman." Violla raised her glass and gave a stern look towards the men, "If there is even a scratch on Belly ,I shall destroy all of you."

"Heard that?" Davon raised an eyebrow at Cruze.

"Don't worry Mr. Roman." Cruze frowned. Even though he knew it wouldn't be easy, it was too late to quit now.

"Let's begin!" Impatient, Lucky took out a dart. She turned to Cruze and raised her eyebrow in a mocking manner. "Go ahead. I'll give you a head start."

Feeling his pride and dignity being threatened, Cruze declined. "No need for that. Ladies first," he said, gesturing to Belly.

"Okay," Lucky did not hesitate. She held the dart and took a few strides back, allowing the distance between her and Belly to be a good twenty meters. Narrowing her eyes, she aimed the dart towards the rose in Belly's lips.

The dart flew across the distance and right through the center of the rose. The liquid on the flower splashed all over Belly.

Belly closed her eyes reflectively. When she reopened them, a few shredded bits of the rose petals hung on her eyelashes.

"Brilliant!" A few merchants applauded in awe.

Lucky's aim was sharp and precise. The dart only pierced through the petals, and the stem did not even move. The dart finally landed on the dartboard, shaking slightly at the impact.

"Your turn." Belly smiled triumphantly at Cruze and walked to the side.

Cruze held a dart and headed towards the position where Lucky stood. He aimed his dart and drew his hand back, prepare to shoot. Before he could, however, Violla quipped, "Without touching the sepals either."

Cruze widened his eyes, at a loss for words. "Why didn't you say so earlier?"

Lucky had hit the middle section of the flower, leaving only the messy bottom half held together by the sepals. If they weren't allowed to even hit the sepals, it would complicate things further.

"I didn't hit it either just now." shrugged Lucky with a smirk.

"You…" Cruze gnawed his teeth in frustration. But with all eyes on him, he decided not to pick a petty fight with a woman and let it slide.

"Good luck, Cruze!" cheered Marco in a cold sweat, feeling anxious for Cruze.

Davon on the other hand sipped his drink elegantly without even lifting his gaze.

"You don't seem to have any bit of worry, Mr. Roman," teased Violla. "What if you lose? Wouldn't that be embarrassing?"

Davon swirled the glass in his hands before smiling, "The Romans never lose," he declared confidently.

At those words, Cruze's dart flew across the room and accurately pierced through the petals, missing the sepals by a few millimeters.

The petals were torn and scattered, landing softly on Belly, adding hints of color on her black suit.

Yet the scene looked undeniably beautiful.

"Awesome!" The crowd burst into cheers and applause.

Even though Cruze did not knock down as many petals as Lucky did, he managed to hit the target precisely without scratching anything else. At that, the crowd was impressed.

"Not bad." Violla curled her lips into a smile. "I've underestimated you."

"Hmph," huffed Cruze and gestured for Lucky to take her next shot. He was interested to see what Lucky would do next.

The rose was now utterly disheveled, with only tiny bits of petals left. To successfully hit the petals that were left was already a challenge by itself, much less to knock them down.

TO BE