Love Game With The Rebel Billionaire

"Really?" He looked at me, his mouth slightly open.

I nodded. I didn't mean it, though. If he took it seriously, that was on him.

"I'm done talking. Your turn," he said, staring at me.

I kicked at him, but he dodged. What a waste. I closed my eyes and leaned my head back.

"Nothing interesting in my life," I replied. "Stop."

"Hey, Ash!" he said suddenly, making me straighten up and look at the door.

"Where?" I asked, a little panicked.

I stopped when I realized he was just messing with me.

"Nowhere," he said with a laugh. I raised my wine, ready to throw it at him, but stopped myself.

"Fuck you, Haze Greensmith," I muttered.novelbin

He laughed again before turning serious. "I've got something to tell you. I meant to say this when you visited the hospital but forgot."

"What is it?" I asked disinterestedly, focusing on my drink.

"I saw someone who looks like Ash."

I froze mid-drink. It felt like time had stopped. "What did you say?"

"I know it's weird, but hear me out. I'm not sure if it was Ash or if I was just seeing things. But I've known that guy for ages. Even if you turned him inside out, I'd still recognize him."

I nodded slightly. He and Mason had grown up with Ash. Of course, they'd know him inside and out. It sounded strange, but I waited for him to explain.

"At first, I was confused too, but I knew it wasn't Ash. He didn't give off the same vibe as my friend, who used to chase women with me." He chuckled at his last comment, but I wasn't paying attention anymore. It wasn't absurd. It was just that... I didn't want to believe it initially because I needed someone to blame for my misery.

"When did this happen?" I asked.

"Hmmm..." He scratched his chin in thought. "About two weeks ago."

And then it struck me. That was around the time I showed Senator Windwood Ash's picture. He had a strange reaction before he died.

"Where are you going?" Haze asked as he saw me stand up and gather my things.

"You can get home on your own. You're a big boy," I replied. "Thanks for the information, Haze," I added before walking out of the VIP room.

AS SOON as I arrived at the hideout, I called Kesha. I went straight to the computer room and waited for her there.

It wasn't a long wait before she arrived, looking completely out of breath. She immediately leaned against the wall, panting heavily.

This was part of her responsibilities outlined in her contract. When I call for them, they have no choice but to come.

However, I don't always treat my team like just a team. To me, they're like family. That's why it hurt a bit when Evangeline told me there might be a mole among them.

I believe her, so I've been trying to keep some distance from everyone until I figure out if it's true or not-and who it could be.

I just hope it's not true.

"Are you okay?" I asked her, concerned.

"It's almost midnight," she muttered before grabbing a drink from the water dispenser.

"I know, Kesha," I replied, pointing to the wall clock in the corner of the computer room. "We have a clock here. But why do you look so drained?"

She was wearing a gray long-sleeved hoodie and faded jeans. Her long, curly hair-similar to mine-was a mess, covering her face.

"I... ran." She finally said, still breathing heavily as she sank into the couch, clearly trying to calm herself before talking to me.

I let her take her time. While waiting, I opened the fridge to grab a canned coffee but spotted a chocolate donut on the lower shelf. I took it, thinking it might help me sober up-though I wasn't drunk. It was just wine, no big deal.

To pass the time, I scrolled through my phone, but I stopped abruptly when a notification popped up.

I have a gift for you.

That's what the message said.

It was a new number this time, but I knew it was the same person who had contacted me before. I didn't bother asking Kesha to trace it because I feared he'd threaten my kids again. That jerk played dirty. The game hadn't even started, but he already wanted to control me.

What does he want? It seemed like he just wanted to play a game... but what kind? A death game? Hide and seek?

And what's the gift he mentioned?

I was deep in thought as I bit into the donut I took from the fridge. It was soft and chewy-until my teeth hit something hard. I winced as pain shot through my tooth, making my eyes water.

"Ouch," I complained, setting my phone aside to fish out whatever hard object was in my mouth.

I probably looked gross; I'll admit that. Kesha was staring at me, confused about what I was doing, her face twisting in mild disgust like mine.

I stood, grabbed my phone, and rushed to the bathroom. I tried to vomit, fearing it might be poison, but nothing happened after a few minutes. Aside from dizziness, likely from exhaustion and the wine, I felt fine. At first, I thought the gift mentioned in the message was the donut-but it turned out to be something else.

"What is... this?" I murmured, examining the velvet ring I was holding in my hand.

That's what I had bitten into earlier. No wonder it was so hard to chew.

It looked like a wedding ring.

As if on cue, I received another message.

Marry me, Sapphire.

I clenched my fist, tempted to toss the ring into the toilet and flush it away, but I stopped. There might be a clue hidden in it. That person loved playing games-it was obvious from his behavior. Someday, the clues he left might be the key to his downfall.

I rinsed the ring, which was still coated in chocolate, and rinsed my mouth before leaving the bathroom.

"Kesha, can you check this?" I said, tossing her the ring.

She caught it easily, looking more composed than before. She was no longer panting and was fully attentive now.

"Wow," she murmured, admiring the ring. "A velvet ring. It symbolizes power and wealth."

She glanced at me with a confused expression. "Who proposed to you and gave you this? He wanted to show his influence."

"Is that what it means?" I asked, frowning as I took the ring back from her. "Cool..."

And clever, I had to admit.