I Dominate Them All!

Chapter 0008 - A pillar’s brat

Chloe wasn’t dumb; the way Orion approached the situation raised her suspicion. First, her family had proposed a nearly impossible task, and he'd been unbothered, certain he could complete it in a single day. Second, when all hope seemed lost, he remained adamant that it would work out—and it did.

There was definitely more to this man than met the eye, she could feel it.

Orion chuckled, folding his arms. “How? I'm just a lowly servant, hon. I couldn't have possibly done this.”

Chloe rolled her eyes. “You stay in a billion-dollar villa and have a personal chauffeur. You also bid for me with a… ouch!” Chloe held her head, staggering slightly as a flash of memory hit her.

Her eyes lit up. “Yes, yes, of course! Though it’s a bit fuzzy, I think when I first arrived at the villa, hundreds of armed men tensed up at the sight of you. Also, there was this huge man who spoke to you like a subordinate. You ain't a servant, are you?”

Jimmy, who stood close by, sweat profusely like he's the one being interrogated. His eyes darted to Orion, but noticed he's utterly chilled, unbothered as if his identity wasn't being pieced together by the one person he least wanted.

Orion leaned against the car, crossed legged. “First of all, the villa isn’t mine. Being the good servant I am, my master allowed me to stay there. The car is a wedding gift, and as for the bid, the money was lent to me by my master, for saving his life. I know nothing about any armed men, but it makes sense. The doctors did mention you might experience post-surgical illusions.”

“Really?” Chloe narrowed her eyes.

“If you don’t trust me, we could always get a divorce.” Orion teased. “Someone of your beauty and caliber shouldn’t even be with a lowly servant who relies on his master for a livelihood.”

“Don’t say such things.” Chloe hit him softly, then wrapped him into a hug. “I don’t care if you’re a servant. You rescued me and nurtured me back to health when my own family abandoned me. We’re married, and this contract will earn us my family’s blessing. As for money, don’t worry, I’ll take care of us.”

After a while of hugging lovingly, Chloe heaved a sigh. “Okay, hon! Come on. Let’s go show my family the contract.” She entered the car, and Orion, noticing a sweaty Jimmy, narrowed his eyes warningly at him. He’d managed to deceive Chloe, but Jimmy might undo that with his nervous demeanor.

Jimmy quickly composed himself and went to do his job.

The car roared to life, and they sped off.

At the Carmichaels’ house.

The entire family fawned over a prestigious man who sat cross-legged, casually smoking a cigar. He wore a relaxed yet expensive outfit, but the most striking feature was his badge—a symbol of the powerful family he belonged to.

This man was Xander Delacroix, the grandson of Catherine Delacroix, and, thanks to his family’s immense wealth, he had earned the title of West Arcadia’s biggest most short-tempered playboy.

However, despite his reputation, the Carmichaels were least bothered.

All they wanted was for Chloe to carry his family’s name, and they relished the benefits of the reunion. Philip was particularly excited because, if they married, he would be handsomely rewarded as the mastermind behind the union.

Philip Carmichael had shown pictures of his transformed cousin to Xander.

At the sight of Chloe, Xander was completely swept off his feet—literally. He tumbled over the chair he sat in and vowed that he must have her.

Xander puffed a cloud of smoke, a smirk curling his lips as he watched the Carmichaels exalt him like a god. Such were the perks of belonging to a prominent family.

But his patience was wearing thin.

He had come to claim a souvenir, yet instead of it being well-packed and waiting for him, he was the one left waiting—two grueling hours had already passed.

He snapped his fingers rudely at Senior Lucius, a pinch of arrogance in his voice. “Hey, you. How long do I need to sit here? Where's Chloe? Why hasn’t she come down to pay me her respects?”

The Carmichaels instantly bowed, fear evident in their eyes. The last thing they wanted was pissing off a Delacroix.

Senior Lucius crawled forward, a nervous smile stretched across his face. “We-we gave the man Chloe foolishly married a task—one he couldn’t possibly complete. She went with him, but rest assured, they’ll fail. Once they do, he’ll have no choice but to divorce Chloe, and she’ll be yours. She'll be back soon.”

Xander grinned, his ego swelling at the thought of taking another man’s wife. But the waiting was really getting on his nerves.

“Oh, great Mr. Xander,” Miriam worshipped as she served him the family’s most expensive champagne. “I swear on my life, Chloe will surely be yours. There’s no way the servant she calls a husband could accomplish the task we’ve given him. When they return, we’ll begin preparations for your marriage. You’re already my son-in-law.”

“Yes, Chloe is already yours. Just be patient,” Philip spoke confidently.

“Yes, absolutely.” The family nodded in unison, desperate to appease Xander.

“Alright,” Xander laid back, savoring the wine. Waiting another hour for his new collectible while being venerated like a god wouldn't hurt, anyway.

Just then, the front door clicked open.

Chloe giggled softly as Orion playfully kissed her ear.

When they reached the sitting room, she was taken aback by the sight of her entire family staring at her. Every pair of eyes—both familiar and unfamiliar—was fixed on her, as though she were a long-lost possession that had finally returned.

Ignoring their intense stares, she excitedly pulled out the contract. But before she could act, hands grabbed her roughly, and Miriam dragged her to Xander’s feet.

“Mr. Delacroix, this is my daughter. Chloe, this is Mr. Xander Delacroix. He’s the only grandson and heir to the Delacroix fortune, and he’s come to take you as his bride.” Miriam couldn’t contain her joy. “He’s your new husband. Here,” she shoved the wine bottle into Chloe’s hands. “Pay your respects, bow, and sit next to him.”

Xander’s mouth opened as his eyes travelled slowly from Chloe’s skirt to her face, a saliva dripping on him. She was a sight beyond compare, an insatiable appetizer he couldn’t wait to devour. Truly, the wait had been worth it, and he wasn't leaving this house without her.

Meanwhile, Chloe glared down with a flown. She only needed to take a look at Xander to know he's just another arrogant elite. She refused to give him any respect, folding her arms.

“What the hell, Chloe? Are you daft?” Miriam roared. “Pour Mr. Delacroix a drink and go sit next to him.” The rest of the Carmichaels joined in, degrading her.

“It’s alright, don’t berate her.” Xander sprang to his feet, waving them quiet. “I love women that put up a fight.”

“You know, Chloe,” he locked eyes with her. “All it takes is two words, and I’ll be yours. You’ll be Mrs. Delacroix, and everything you and your family ever wished to have will be just a call away. What do you say?”

Miriam’s eyes lit up at the prospect. Her daughter had better say yes.

“I say...” Chloe shot him a flirtatious smile, and he inched closer, grinning. But then her expression hardened. “I say I’m married. Now fuck off.”

Xander’s face fell, and so did the Carmichaels’. They were too stunned to speak.

Orion, standing quietly in the corner, chuckled. He loved that Chloe was finally standing up for herself.

Xander, infuriated, caught Orion's laughter and spun toward him. “What the hell are you laughing at? Do you know who my family is?”

“Yes,” Orion answered, unbothered. The short-tempered elite stormed over and grabbed his shirt.

“I’ll kill you,” he growled, but Orion rolled his eyes. All he saw was a brat trying to prove what he wasn’t. He couldn't do anything.

Seeing that Orion wasn’t the least bit intimidated by him, Xander threw a lazy punch. It hit Orion's face, but he remained unfazed. Xander, however, yelped in pain, clutching his fist, which now oozed smoke as if he'd dipped it in molten lava.

An astonished expression etched itself onto Xander's face as he glanced back at Orion. What kind of magic trick was that? Xander decided to use his words, but just as he was about to yell, Orion shoved him, and he staggered backward, tripped and fell.

At the sight of such insolence, the Carmichaels dropped to their knees to Mr. Delacroix's feet. An assault on someone of his status could spell their ruin.

“What did you just do?” Senior Lucius bellowed at Orion, his face red with fury. “Why are you even in my house, still claiming to be Chloe’s husband? You clearly failed to get the contract. Get out now!”

“Grandpa,” Chloe said, her voice firm. “We didn’t fail. In fact I secured a two billion dollar contract with BlackMecury. I have my signature on the agreement. Please, take a look.” She passed him the contract documents.

Senior Lucius’s eyes bulged. “What? Two billion dollars? Y-you really got it?” He stammered.

“Yes,”

The senior sprang to his feet, his entire family joined him.

They inspected the document, scrutinizing every sentence and page. Chloe had done the impossible—she had indeed secured a two dollar deal with Black Mercury. Tears of joy welled in their eyes. This agreement would transform their small company, guaranteeing them immense wealth and influence.

The family erupted in celebration. Everybody except for Miriam and Philip, of course.

“You dare celebrate in front of me?” Xander pushed himself up, his eyes bitter. “What’s a two billion dollar contract with Black Mercury? After the humiliation I've suffered. I'll have it canceled.”

He threatened and the Carmichaels quieted down.

Before anybody could react to what he said, a young woman burst into the room, breathless. “Grandpa, you’ve got to see this! Chloe is on the news—with Black Mercury’s chairman!”