Billionaire's Match

Chapter 5 Author: Tangy Candy The car rolled to a smooth stop. Oscar opened the door again, gesturing for Khloe to enter. "Get in. We can speak privately." After a moment's hesitation, Khloe finally slid into the luxurious interior. From Oscar's explanation, she quickly pieced together the story: the men who had intervened for her belonged to one of the nation's most formidable dynasties-the Hunt family. Their empire spanned finance, technology, and energy, wielding immense influence over the entire country's economy. To say they were as wealthy as a small nation wasn't an exaggeration.

The heir, Nick Hunt, was only twenty-eight and had already expanded the family's fortune to unprecedented levels. In powerful circles, he was already known as the most influential power broker of his generation. Just last night, the Morrison patriarch, Henry, had received a call from the Hunts. They had proposed a marriage alliance-and the bride they had specifically named was Khloe. Oscar explained that countless elite families dreamed of tying themselves to the Hunts, and the Morrisons were no exception. He had come today at Henry's request.

"So what you're telling me," Khloe cut to the chase, "is that the Hunts are more powerful than the Morrisons?" "There's no comparison," Oscar stated plainly. "If you need a scale, the Morrisons are the undisputed leaders in Goldmont City. But the Hunts? Across the entire country, no one dares to cross them." "And Nick?" she asked, her voice even. "What is he like?" Oscar rubbed his nose, clearly choosing his words with care. "He's something of a legend overseas, rarely seen here. A very private man. I've never actually met him, but the rumors..." "What rumors?" she pressed. "That he's...

a difficult person to deal with." His phrasing was deliberately soft. If Nick were merely "a little difficult," the Hunt family's gates would have been stormed by hopeful suitors years ago. Khloe's eyes narrowed. "Difficult in what way?" Oscar offered a strained smile. "Cold. A perfectionist. There are whispers he avoids women's company. But the Hunts are known for their discipline. His character... can't be all that bad." 'Can't be?' Khloe thought, her gaze steady on him. That didn't sound like a ringing endorsement. Finally, Oscar relented. "Alright, the truth.

They say Nick Hunt is solitary and brutally sharp-tongued. His methods are ruthless, and he's driven solely by profit and strategy. He shows no emotion, and those who offend him tend to disappear from the playing field." He sighed, then added quickly, "But it's just a marriage. In families like ours, most marriages are strategic, not love matches. With your inheritance, you'll have a target on your back from all directions. Without a powerful protector, you won't last a week." Khloe gave a single, slow nod. "Alright." "Wait-don't refuse so quickly-" Oscar cut himself off, stunned. "You...

fraudulent contract, a lie that made her a pawn. She was alone in the world now, with no one to rely on. A man like Nick Hunt-however severe his reputation-was a hundred times the man Trey would ever be. Trey had used a forged document to make her his stepping stone. Nick Hunt, by contrast, could become her shield. He wasn't just a hundred times more powerful; he was the lifeline that could pull her from the quicksand she was in. The Morrison family's waters ran deep. Clarice and

about love. It was a transaction. An alliance. Khloe turned from the window, her voice calm yet resolute.

saw several missed calls and one unread message from Trey. Trey: [Khloe, Pete really wanted to see this exhibit with Ms. Thompson. It's a bit of a drive, so I went with them.] How considerate-leaving her a note as if they were a perfect little family of three on a day trip. It suited her just fine. Their

busy lately. It's best

most important academic thesis, containing years of research data. It had been locked in her desk drawer, but was now gone. Likely taken by Trey. The other was the core project data she had developed for his company. Those files were now locked within the corporate server, inaccessible to her. But both were her life's work. She refused to leave them in his hands. ... At dawn, Trey finally called, the sound of highway rumble clear in the background. "Khloe, did you get my message yesterday?" "Yes. I saw it,"

town alone." "No need to apologize," Khloe said, her voice light. "It's only natural for you to accompany her." His words faltered. He had assumed her silence meant she was furious. Preoccupied with Angela last night, he hadn't dared to call her again. But now, she sounded calm. Almost indifferent. "Khloe, I thought you were upset..." "I was busy yesterday. Looked at a few properties, met with some

Don't push yourself. I worry about you." Khloe's stomach turned. Her appetite for breakfast vanished completely. "Daddy! Stop talking to that bad woman!" A child's voice shrilled through the line-Pete's. It was immediately

away, there are several funding contracts that need your signature." She scanned the documents. These were for projects she had personally fought to secure-deals far beyond the company's usual league. A delay in funding now would cause half of them to collapse.