Broken to billionaire: A vengeful return

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 7

The slight scar on Desmond’s head was the result of hitting his head on a rock-like stone at the orphanage home. 

He had pushed Tatiana away from danger that year, saving her life. After receiving treatment, only a faint mark remained.

Oh my God! The very person he had nearly lost his life for, risking everything to rescue her, enduring the pain of the injury, and suffering through the treatment, had not only betrayed him but had also laughed at what she caused. 

If fate had been unkind, it could have been her life lost instead.

He had shielded her from death, yet she showed nothing but ungratefulness. 

The cheating, the divorce, and now this? Laughing at him, mocking his efforts, belittling him as if he were worthless?

Desmond instantly shook off the thought.

 It was all in the past and no longer mattered. 

What mattered now was finding the one who had been there for him in his darkest times.

"Since all your big talk has led nowhere, it only proves that you’re just an empty barrel making the loudest noise," Alex scoffed, annoyed.

"But I’ll do you a favor," he continued, turning to Desmond with a smug expression. "I’ll send her two million dollars, just enough to wipe out your dream of buying her the best package at the finest housing estate."

Tatiana leaned her head against Alex’s broad chest, smiling up at him. 

"I'm glad I met such a generous man like you," she said sweetly. 

"At least someone with real proof of wealth, not just empty bragging."

As she spoke, she cast Desmond a look of pure disdain, as if he were nothing more than a bothersome insect.

"It’s nothing, just a small token of what I can offer you," Alex replied smoothly. 

He then turned his gaze back to Desmond, waiting for a reaction, hoping to enjoy his humiliation.

But Desmond’s face remained unreadable.

"Desmond, by now, you should be groveling at Alex's feet, thanking him for helping you out," Tatiana sneered. 

"If not …”

"Dear, can we leave now?" she cut herself off, turning to Alex.

 "You know we have other places to be. Enough time wasted on this clown."

"At least we got a good laugh," Alex chuckled.

They both laughed again before turning to leave, but Desmond didn’t utter a word. They no longer mattered to him.

Once, he had held Tatiana in high regard, but now, he had no energy left to engage in any battle with her. 

She was no longer significant, not even a little.

As they walked away, Desmond’s thoughts shifted to the young girl. 

His priorities were elsewhere.

He left immediately for Arthur Harrison's office—the acting president and vice president of Zenith Lux.

Upon entering the first room before the vice president's office, he found a huge, tall, well-built man surrounded by three other men frantically arranging documents. 

Though the air conditioning was on, they were sweating profusely, concentrating on the papers, and struggling to get everything in order.

When they heard a footstep, they raised their gaze to know who it was. 

"Oh! Mr. President!"

The tall man’s voice rang out the moment he spotted Desmond.

"G-Good day, Sir," Arthur stammered, rushing forward, his mind racing. 

He abandoned what he was doing to properly greet Desmond.

He recognized him instantly. Nicholas had described him well.

At the mention of "Mr. President," the other two men immediately halted their tasks and bowed in greeting.

"I'm so sorry for the delay, Sir," Arthur apologized quickly.

 "The workers at Everest Consortium didn’t process the order immediately. They thought a single person couldn't purchase the highest package just like that."

"They didn’t take it seriously until Mr. Everstone intervened and personally called the CEO. That whole process caused a delay, Sir."

A faint smile crossed Desmond’s lips as he nodded in understanding.

"Mr. Arthur Harrison?" Desmond asked, confirming the identity of the tall man before him.

"Yes, Sir. Just call me Arthur." the man replied, immediately adjusting his stance to stand properly before Desmond.

"I apologize once again, Sir. It was never our intention to inconvenience you by making you come here for the housing receipt."

Arthur’s voice wavered slightly, worried that Desmond might be displeased and issue a sanction.

And why wouldn’t he be nervous? 

The man before him held immense power, even more than his own boss- Nicholas Everstone. 

If Desmond were to reveal his true identity, no one would dare challenge him. 

The country’s officials were practically at his fingertips.

To put it simply, Arthur’s career and financial stability directly or indirectly depended on Desmond. 

Even if he chose to start his own business one day, its success would still have to pass through Zenith Lux’s review.

"It’s fine," Desmond responded casually. 

"I knew the process would take some time."

Arthur let out a breath of relief. 

His tensed-up mind finally eased.

In all his years working under different bosses before becoming Zenith Lux's vice president, he had never encountered one as calm and composed as Desmond.

Most executives would have lashed out, especially in a situation like this. 

He had expected strictness, even cruelty. 

But it was a big surprise to him that Desmond was different.

"Thank you, Sir," Arthur said sincerely, grateful for Desmond’s patience.

He wasted no time, rushing to finalize the arrangement. 

Within a few seconds, he had neatly packed the documents and handed them over.

"Sir, here are the papers for the house," Arthur said, bowing slightly as he stretched the file toward Desmond. 

"The highest package, registered under Tatiana Lancaster’s name, as you ordered."

Whooping Wow! A house of two billion dollars plus, bought in under one hour.

If it could be spelled in one phrase, then that would be “Massive!”

Desmond took the documents, his expression unreadable.

For a moment, he stared at the papers in his hand.

 The very thing Tatiana had laughed at, the very thing she believed impossible, was now a reality.

If only she knew, maybe she would not have mocked him, but in the end, she was the real clown.