2025-01-26 20:17:06Meanwhile, in the midst of their conversation, Vere was about to reveal his true identity and answer Ronnie's question when suddenly, his phone rang. Their discussion came to an abrupt halt as Vere glanced at the screen and answered the call.
"Excuse me, Ronnie, I have to take this. It's Olivia calling," Vere said, stepping away towards the pool.
"Hello, Olivia."
"Hey Wayne, how's everything?" Olivia's voice came through, sounding slightly strained.
"All is good here. As I told you before, Ronnie is someone we can trust," Vere replied, his eyes scanning the pool's still waters. "We were just discussing our plans for the upcoming meeting with Mr. James."
"Oh, okay. I'm happy to hear that," Olivia said. "If you need anything, just give me a call, okay?"
As the conversation continued, Vere noticed something unusual in Olivia's tone. She sounded weak, distant. Concerned, he asked, "Olivia, are you okay?"
There was a brief silence before Olivia sighed and replied, "Actually... not really. I went to the doctor for a check-up because I've been feeling some discomfort, and I found out that... I have cancer."
Vere's heart sank. "What?" he gasped.
"Yes," Olivia confirmed, her voice trembling slightly. "The doctors will do their best to help me, but it's already in an advanced stage."
Vere was stunned into silence. He could feel his eyes welling up with tears. "Olivia... I..."
"Wayne, don't worry about me, please," Olivia interrupted. "Just make sure all the plans for acquiring the company go smoothly. I need to know that everything is under control."
"But Olivia, I can cancel everything and come to California right away," Vere insisted, his voice thick with emotion.
"Hey, please listen to me, okay? I want you to focus on our plans. When you're done with Mr. James, call me right away so we can arrange your flight," Olivia said firmly. "I have to go now; the doctors are coming in. Goodbye, Wayne, and good luck."
"Olivia..." Vere whispered, but the call ended. He sat down heavily on a chair by the pool, his head in his hands. Tears streamed down his face as he whispered, "Lord, why? Why does this always happen to the people I love?"
Moments later, Ronnie approached him cautiously. "Mr. Wayne, are you okay? I noticed you seemed upset after Olivia's call."
Vere quickly wiped his tears and straightened up. "Ah, it's nothing, Ronnie. Just some business matters," he lied, forcing a weak smile.
At that moment, a sudden breeze swept through the air, and a wave of uncertainty filled Vere's mind. He hesitated, reconsidering his decision to reveal his true identity. Looking at Ronnie, he said, "About what I told you earlier, forget it. Unfortunately, I was just joking. I wanted to cheer you up and make you feel comfortable, like when you were with your friend... Vere."
Ronnie looked at him curiously before breaking into laughter. "Haha! I sensed a prank in the air, Mr. Wayne."
Vere laughed along with him, though his heart felt heavy. Deep inside, he knew that the truth about his identity would have to wait for another time.
Ronnie patted Vere's shoulder. "Mr. Wayne, we still have a lot to discuss and prepare for."
"I'm sorry, Ronnie," Vere said, shaking his head. "I just wanted to see you smile because I know how much you miss Vere."
Ronnie nodded solemnly. "I understand, Mr. Wayne. But sometimes, there are things in life we just have to accept."
As the two men stood by the pool, the night deepened, and a quiet understanding passed between them. For now, the truth remained hidden, and their focus shifted back to the tasks at hand. Yet in Vere's heart, a storm of emotions raged on, torn between duty and the desire to be honest with those he cared about.
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The Unknown Billionaire Chapter 60
The day after tomorrow marked the moment Vere had been waiting for the day he would finally meet with James to discuss the arrangements for buying the company. It was a day that held significant weight in Vere's life, a culmination of preparation, planning, and persistence. That morning, Vere and Ronnie woke up unusually early, eager to go over a few details before the meeting. The two greeted each other as they found themselves awake at the same time."Are you ready and excited?" Ronnie asked, breaking the morning silence."Yes, Ronnie," Vere replied with a confident smile. "Finally, this is the plan I’ve been waiting to execute my entire life. It means a lot to me.""I know, Mr. Wayne," Ronnie said, sharing in the excitement. "I’m thrilled as well. Today is going to be a great day because I know you’ll finally reclaim what’s rightfully yours. James and his bosses won’t own the company anymore."Ronnie paused for a moment before continuing. "By the way, Mr. Wayne, James messaged me l
The Unknown Billionaire Chapter 61
Yesterday was a momentous day for Vere as he finally achieved his lifelong dream of reclaiming his company. After years of struggle, betrayal, and relentless effort, Fuentes Company was finally his once again. However, as he sat on the couch in his luxurious mansion, instead of feeling overwhelming joy, his mind was burdened with concern. His heart was heavy, and his thoughts were consumed by Olivia’s condition.Grabbing his mobile phone, he dialed Olivia’s number once more. Since yesterday, he had been desperately trying to reach her, eager to share the news about the successful acquisition of his beloved company. But each time, he was met with the same voicemail message: “I'm unavailable.” The robotic tone of her voice message only deepened his anxiety. He had called her multiple times the previous night, hoping she would pick up, but to no avail.Although he had accomplished one of the greatest victories of his life, a shadow of sadness loomed over him. He knew that Olivia had been
The Unknown Billionaire Chapter 62
After several hours of flying, Vere woke to the soft, professional voice of a flight attendant announcing their arrival at the California airport. He opened the window shade and gazed at the bright Californian sky, feeling an overwhelming sense of relief. “Finally,” he whispered to himself, “I’m here, Olivia.” A small smile crossed his lips, knowing that soon he would see her again. He could already imagine her surprise and the happiness his presence would bring. With renewed determination, he gathered his belongings and disembarked the plane, his heart racing with anticipation.Outside the terminal, Vere hailed an Uber and instructed the driver to take him to Olivia’s address. The drive took around thirty minutes, but to Vere, it felt like an eternity. To distract himself, he pulled his phone from his pocket and noticed several missed calls from an unknown number. He frowned. “Who could this be?” he wondered aloud. But he quickly dismissed the thought. “The only call I care about is
The Unknown Billionaire Chapter 01
Vere works as an employee under his boss. He wanted to ask for a pay raise due to the medical bill for his sick Mother. His boss instead humiliates him and mocks him for asking for a pay raise, and instead lowers his salary and threatens to fire him if he does not accept. Due to his Mom being sick, he needed the job and accepted begrudgingly. However, he soon found out that his girlfriend whom he loved dearly was cheating on him with his boss as her sugar daddy. Vere flipped out and tried to attack his boss, only to get thrown out to the streets after getting badly beaten. When he was angry at life for treating him this way, a beautiful lady clad in business dress approached him and told him to marry her. "Who are you? Vere questioned her with his weak voice. Vere gently opened his eyes after hearing a woman's voice say, "Hey, wake up." The world around him was blurry at first, but slowly, his surroundings came into focus. He found himself lying on a park bench, the harsh streetli
The Unknown Billionaire Chapter 02
That afternoon the two had arrived at the café... As he sipped his coffee and watched the rain patter against the window, Mira arrived, her warm smile putting Vere at ease. "Vere, I've been thinking about our conversation," Mira began. "I understand that your family's financial situation is difficult. I still believe we can help each other, but we should discuss the details and set some ground rules." Vere nodded, grateful for Mira's pragmatism. They spent hours that evening discussing the logistics of their arrangement. They agreed on a clear plan: they would enter a fake marriage for a set period, enough to cover his mother's medical expenses. During this time, they would pool their resources, split the costs, and appear to be a married couple to the outside world. But behind closed doors, they would maintain their individual lives and personal boundaries. In the weeks that followed, Vere and Mira put their plan into motion. They met with a lawyer to ensure all the legalitie
The Unknown Billionaire Chapter 03
Since that fateful moment, the lives of Vere and Mira had taken divergent paths. Mira's parents continued to oversee their family business, and despite the lingering heartache, they remained resolute in their decision to keep Vere at a distance. For Mira, this meant a constant tug-of-war between the love she held for Vere and her loyalty to her family. Meanwhile, Vere had no choice but to forge his own path forward. The separation had been painful, but he couldn't afford to let it paralyze his life. With determination, he embarked on a challenging journey to find new employment. Months turned into a seemingly endless cycle of job applications, interviews, and rejections. The job market was competitive, and Vere's sense of unease grew with each passing day. But he clung to hope, the same hope that had once rekindled his life when Mira had offered him a lifeline. After many attempts and numerous sleepless nights, Vere's persistence finally bore fruit. He received a job offer from
The Unknown Billionaire Chapter 04
Vere's heart raced as he rushed back to his apartment after the unexpected night at the hotel. A sense of urgency gripped him as he knew he had an important meeting at the office that day. The sun hung high in the sky, casting long shadows in the bustling city streets as he weaved through the throngs of people. When Vere finally arrived at the office, he knew he was a few minutes late for the crucial meeting that was already underway. His steps quickened as he entered the room, his presence drawing fleeting glances from his colleagues. The discussion that unfolded in the meeting room sent shivers down his spine. The executives were deep in conversation about the potential sale of shares in a company that served as a partner to the one Vere worked for. The implications were stark—there would be massive layoffs because of this corporate maneuver. Vere listened in silence, a pit of anxiety forming in his stomach. As details were laid bare, Vere couldn't escape the undeniable realit
The Unknown Billionaire Chapter 05
As Vere waited at the airport for his return flight, his thoughts were consumed by the day's events and the awards ceremony that had marked a significant moment in his career. However, fate had another surprise in store for him, one that would tug at the strings of his heart. Unintentionally, his eyes fell upon a familiar figure in the bustling airport terminal. It was Mira, standing beside a man who bore the air of her husband. Vere's heart constricted, and an overwhelming sense of sadness washed over him. He watched silently from a distance, the ache of longing and unspoken words welling up inside him. Mira and her husband appeared deep in conversation, but there was something in Mira's demeanor that Vere couldn't ignore. She seemed uneasy, her smile forced, and her eyes distant. It was a stark contrast to the vibrant and confident woman he had once known. The flight was called, and Vere boarded the plane, his thoughts still tethered to the chance encounter at the airport. For
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Chapter 62
After several hours of flying, Vere woke to the soft, professional voice of a flight attendant announcing their arrival at the California airport. He opened the window shade and gazed at the bright Californian sky, feeling an overwhelming sense of relief. “Finally,” he whispered to himself, “I’m here, Olivia.” A small smile crossed his lips, knowing that soon he would see her again. He could already imagine her surprise and the happiness his presence would bring. With renewed determination, he gathered his belongings and disembarked the plane, his heart racing with anticipation.Outside the terminal, Vere hailed an Uber and instructed the driver to take him to Olivia’s address. The drive took around thirty minutes, but to Vere, it felt like an eternity. To distract himself, he pulled his phone from his pocket and noticed several missed calls from an unknown number. He frowned. “Who could this be?” he wondered aloud. But he quickly dismissed the thought. “The only call I care about is
Chapter 61
Yesterday was a momentous day for Vere as he finally achieved his lifelong dream of reclaiming his company. After years of struggle, betrayal, and relentless effort, Fuentes Company was finally his once again. However, as he sat on the couch in his luxurious mansion, instead of feeling overwhelming joy, his mind was burdened with concern. His heart was heavy, and his thoughts were consumed by Olivia’s condition.Grabbing his mobile phone, he dialed Olivia’s number once more. Since yesterday, he had been desperately trying to reach her, eager to share the news about the successful acquisition of his beloved company. But each time, he was met with the same voicemail message: “I'm unavailable.” The robotic tone of her voice message only deepened his anxiety. He had called her multiple times the previous night, hoping she would pick up, but to no avail.Although he had accomplished one of the greatest victories of his life, a shadow of sadness loomed over him. He knew that Olivia had been
Chapter 60
The day after tomorrow marked the moment Vere had been waiting for the day he would finally meet with James to discuss the arrangements for buying the company. It was a day that held significant weight in Vere's life, a culmination of preparation, planning, and persistence. That morning, Vere and Ronnie woke up unusually early, eager to go over a few details before the meeting. The two greeted each other as they found themselves awake at the same time."Are you ready and excited?" Ronnie asked, breaking the morning silence."Yes, Ronnie," Vere replied with a confident smile. "Finally, this is the plan I’ve been waiting to execute my entire life. It means a lot to me.""I know, Mr. Wayne," Ronnie said, sharing in the excitement. "I’m thrilled as well. Today is going to be a great day because I know you’ll finally reclaim what’s rightfully yours. James and his bosses won’t own the company anymore."Ronnie paused for a moment before continuing. "By the way, Mr. Wayne, James messaged me l
Chapter 59
Meanwhile, in the midst of their conversation, Vere was about to reveal his true identity and answer Ronnie's question when suddenly, his phone rang. Their discussion came to an abrupt halt as Vere glanced at the screen and answered the call."Excuse me, Ronnie, I have to take this. It's Olivia calling," Vere said, stepping away towards the pool."Hello, Olivia.""Hey Wayne, how's everything?" Olivia's voice came through, sounding slightly strained."All is good here. As I told you before, Ronnie is someone we can trust," Vere replied, his eyes scanning the pool's still waters. "We were just discussing our plans for the upcoming meeting with Mr. James.""Oh, okay. I'm happy to hear that," Olivia said. "If you need anything, just give me a call, okay?"As the conversation continued, Vere noticed something unusual in Olivia's tone. She sounded weak, distant. Concerned, he asked, "Olivia, are you okay?"There was a brief silence before Olivia sighed and replied, "Actually... not really.
Chapter 58
The following morning, Vere woke up with a start. His mind was already racing, preparing for the monumental day ahead. He dressed quickly and made his way downstairs. As he entered the dining area, he saw Ronnie sitting at the table, sipping his coffee in quiet contemplation."Hey, morning," Ronnie greeted, a casual smile on his face."Coffee?" he offered with a gesture to the steaming cup in front of him."Yes, sure, thanks," Vere replied, a slight smile curving his lips. He walked over, took a seat, and reached for the cup. The warmth of the coffee did little to calm the storm of thoughts swirling in his head.The silence between them was comfortable at first, but it didn’t take long before they both began discussing the meeting that awaited them the following day."Are you excited?" Ronnie asked, looking up from his cup, a slight gleam of curiosity in his eyes."Yes, I am," Vere replied, his gaze steady. "This is the biggest moment of my life. I've been waiting for this for years."
Chapter 57
Two weeks later, Vere had just returned from his trip to Italy, he was back home. Ronnie, ever the loyal assistant, was waiting for him at the airport to give him a warm welcome. As soon as Vere stepped off the plane, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief and happiness. He muttered to himself, “Finally, I’m back, and I’m so happy to be home.”He glanced around and spotted Ronnie, who waved energetically at him. It was clear from the expression on Ronnie’s face that he was just as happy to see Vere again.“Hey, welcome back, Mr. Wayne! Glad to see you again,” Ronnie greeted him enthusiastically as he approached.Vere smiled, feeling the familiar comfort of his right-hand man’s presence. “Thank you, Ronnie. How was your vacation, Mr. Wayne? I’m sure you enjoyed the time off. You deserved it,” Ronnie added, his tone sincere.Vere chuckled softly. “Yes, you’re right. It was great to take a break from everything, but I’m happy to be back.”The two of them made their way to the car, a
Chapter 56
Vere and Ronnie were cruising down the road, heading to a restaurant to unwind after a busy week. The sun was starting to set, casting a golden glow over the city streets. But suddenly, without warning, Vere jerked the steering wheel and pulled the car over to the side. He let out a long, weary sigh, his face clouded with thoughts that seemed too heavy to carry alone. Ronnie, who had been quietly gazing out the window, was taken aback by the sudden stop. He turned to look at his friend sitting in the driver's seat, concern etched across his face."Mr. Wayne, are you okay?" Ronnie asked, his voice laced with genuine worry.Vere didn't respond immediately. He stared straight ahead, his hands still gripping the steering wheel tightly. After a long pause, he sighed again, this time deeper, more resigned."I'm confused," Vere muttered, almost as if he were speaking to himself. "I don't know where to start."Ronnie furrowed his brows, clearly puzzled. "Ha? What do you mean?" he asked, tryin
Chapter 55
But before Vere took any steps outside, he abruptly halted. Hastily, he ascended to the mansion's second floor, entering his room to retrieve the gun. Swiftly returning to the screen where they observed the parked car near the mansion, Vere continued monitoring the situation."Mr. Wayne, hold off on using the gun, especially if you're not sure who these people near the mansion are," Ronnie advised, his tone conveying concern.Vere glanced at Ronnie, acknowledging his words. "Yes, Ronnie. Thank you. I'm just really cautious in these situations, given past experiences," Vere explained, his eyes reflecting a sense of vigilance.Ronnie, understanding Vere's heightened state, nodded in agreement. He empathized with Vere's wariness, comprehending why he was on high alert.As they continued observing the screen, Vere kept a watchful eye on the parked vehicle, his instincts on edge. The uncertainty and the possibility of a threat lingered in the air, intensifying Vere's vigilance and wariness
Chapter 54
On that night, Vere drifted off while waiting for Olivia's text. The next morning, he was roused from slumber by the persistent ringing of his cell phone. Rubbing the drowsiness from his eyes, he answered with a hint of grogginess."Hey, Olivia, I was worried about you!" Vere started, concern evident in his voice."I'm sorry, Mr. Wayne, oh, hahaha, Wayne, I mean," Olivia replied, her voice tinged with inebriation."Are you... drunk?" Vere inquired, noting the telltale signs in her speech."Yeah, friends invited me to a birthday party," Olivia explained.Without skipping a beat, Vere dove into the purpose of his call: "I need you to know about Mr. Smith. He's going to sell his company.""Seriously?" Olivia's tone shifted to seriousness."Yes, and that's why I've been trying to reach you," Vere continued. "I've decided to buy his company.""This is the happiest news I've heard from you!" Olivia exclaimed, her enthusiasm apparent. "So, okay, what are you waiting for? Grab it!"Vere felt
