The Billionaire Who Saved Me

Elice felt her body shake as she finished reading the message. Ariel? She had never expected this man to contact her again. After days of peaceful existence without Ariel’s name, why should she receive another call and message from him?

Momentarily stunned, Elice jumped in surprise when her phone rang again. As it showed the same number as before, it was undoubtedly Ariel calling Elice again.

Would Elice answer the call? Reply to his message? Or even accept his invitation to meet?

The answer was, of course, no.

Because moments later, Elice took a deep breath. And without hesitation, she rejected the call. And without a second thought, she blocked Ariel’s number.

*

Just like the last few days, Garrett couldn’t concentrate on his work. At least not until he met Carolus, as usual. Hoping to get some good news. But what he got was just the opposite.

“I’m still trying, sir. But it seems Mrs. Farrah has anticipated all of this.”

Farrah was no newcomer to the dirty and cruel game. She had been doing similar things for years. So, Garrett shouldn’t be surprised if Farrah was very meticulous and clean. Surely Farrah had anticipated everything that could happen.

“But I will still do everything I can, sir. I will send more people to investigate.”

Garrett sighed briefly. He nodded understandingly.

“I know,” Garrett said quietly. “This cannot be easy.”

Garrett’s understanding actually made Carolus feel uncomfortable. To feel incompetent. But what could one say? Farrah was getting smarter.

If in the past Farrah had cleverly exploited the national and global economic situation, which had been hit by currency crises, now it was different. She knew that Daphne’s death would really get the public’s attention. So, an intentional accident was the safest way to go.

Armed with careless driving or a vehicle that did not meet the requirements for roadworthiness, the incident would surely be considered an ordinary unfortunate event. Although there would still be someone responsible for the incident, it certainly wouldn’t be Farrah herself.

“Continue your investigation, sir. I believe nothing in this world is truly clean.”

Garrett remained convinced that there had to be loopholes. And although Carolus briefly mentioned that the driver had no family, Garrett doubted it. He still believed that the driver must have chosen one or two people who were most important in his life. No one really lives alone in this world.

“If only I could find an insider to work with…”

Garrett blinked once. Carolus’ words distracted him. He lifted his gaze. At Carolus, who looked almost desperate.

“… everything would be easier.”

Shifting his sitting position slightly, Garrett knew it was an almost impossible hope. Just as he was surrounded by trustworthy people, so must Farrah be. And if Garrett was thinking of sabotaging a maid in Farrah’s house, it wouldn’t be an easy task.

Unlike Farrah, who only ordered Yocelyn, Regina, and Thea to commit heinous acts, Garrett wanted something else. He wanted information that would be difficult to get from the maid.

“We don’t need to think about what we can’t do. We only need to think about what we can do. I’m sure there’s a hole left by Aunt Farrah.” Exhaling once, Garrett remained confident in his hope. “Widen your search,” Garrett said then. “His fellow drivers. Where he often gathers, perhaps.”

Carolus nodded. “I will do my best.”

They finished talking about Farrah and Daphne’s accident. Anyway, the police were still investigating the accident. And actually, Garrett and Carolus weren’t interested in it at all. Although they were still watching the investigation, they knew what was more important to pay attention to.

Leaving that topic, Carolus then discussed some things that Elice had to do in the future. There were at least three foundations that Elice had to study. Not to mention other activities with the name Morales, which were the most important part of it.

“Elice will resign soon.”

The news did not surprise Carolus. He already knew. A few moments ago, before he set foot in the Pasific Energy building.

“After that, I hope you will meet with Elice immediately,” Garrett continued. “She needs to know what to do. I don’t want Aunt Farrah taking advantage of the situation to put pressure on Elice.”

Unpreparedness, ineptitude, and carelessness could be Farrah’s loophole to bring Elice down. Garrett didn’t want Elice to be humiliated by Farrah.

“I’ll arrange a schedule for Madam.”

“Thank you.”

When Carolus left Garrett’s office, his face looked worried. It was his fault for not being able to give Garrett what he wanted. Carolus wanted to curse his limitations.

If only I could find someone to help me.

It wasn’t easy to find Farrah’s loophole now. She must have anticipated everything since her plan to poison Daphne had failed. Farrah knew that the accident would eventually lead to people blaming her. So, she made sure everything went smoothly and cleanly.

Through Teddy, Farrah managed to find someone who fulfilled her wishes the most. A driver who had been separated from his family. His ex-wife and their only child had left the country two years earlier. To start a new life in a neighboring country.

The driver, named Bald, was truly free and unattached. No history with Daphne, Farrah or the Morales family. And even though there was something strange about why Bald was willing to trade his free life for tens of millions of dollars, Farrah didn’t care. Because in Farrah’s eyes, there was only one answer. That money was everything.

So, if Carolus was rendered powerless by his limitations, Ruben was different. Because they were different people.

Immediately after Ariel called Ruben that day, his personal assistant left Ashford City. Using the excuse that he had something to do, Ruben freely entered Farrah’s house. He entered Ariel’s room as his alibi, and when people were unaware, he acted.

Ruben checked the itineraries and black boxes of every car in the house. Investigated the interactions of those who lived in the house for the past month. And everything else. Until he had all the information he could. In the form of a flashdisk, now in Ariel’s hand.

“Argh!”

The man growled. Finding his calls unanswered and messages unreturned, Ariel slammed the wheel.

Ariel’s face was drenched in sweat. Panicked and afraid. He urged himself to contact Elice again. But it was futile.

“Oh, God. Please, Elice,” Ariel moaned in his panic. “I’m begging you. Answer my phone, Elice.”

No matter how many times Ariel called Elice, just as many of his calls went unanswered. Sending her messages was just as useless.

“Argh!”

Ariel slammed the phone down. He hit the wheel repeatedly. He tried to think. What should he do right now?

Meet Elice?

The thought crossed Ariel’s mind. He could go to the Metro right away. But no.

Ariel rejected the idea immediately. Even though the idea sounded very logical, Ariel didn’t want to take the risk.

An open meeting with Elice would surely attract attention. Not only would Elice possibly avoid him directly if he pressed her. But more than that. Farrah might find out about the meeting. And in the end, Farrah might become suspicious.

If Farrah knew about his strange behavior, then Ariel’s warning to Elice would be pointless. And Ariel didn’t want to risk that. Elice’s safety was not something he could gamble with.

“Or … should I meet Garrett?”Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

This time, instead of slamming his hands on the wheel, Ariel banged his head against it. He didn’t want to meet Garrett. But what if that was the only way he could do it for Elice?

Maybe it was. After all, Ariel would sacrifice his dignity to save Elice. But would Garrett even meet him? And Ariel realized something. He and Garrett had never met in a good situation. Wouldn’t it be weird if they met? Wouldn’t that be a risk for them?

*