Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother - Chapter 91

Chapter 91: Hurt Ivan

Sephina answered the call, her expression tense as both Clara and Briena watched her with bated breath.

“Who is he?” Sephina asked sharply. She listened intently, but as the person on the other end spoke, her brows furrowed in frustration. After a brief pause, she angrily hung up.

“Is he someone we know?” Clara asked, her voice full of curiosity.

“No,” Sephina furrowed her brows. “We still don’t know who he is. The money was transferred from an international account, and it’s highly secured. No one can any information about it.”

“What?” Clara exclaimed, her face a mixture of shock and disbelief.

Sephina nodded grimly. “Only the wealthiest and most powerful people or organizations use accounts with that level of security. There are very few of them, worldwide.”

“That means this man is truly powerful,” Clara gasped, wide-eyed. “No wonder he jumped from one billion to two billion like it was pocket change.”

Sephina hummed in agreement, her mind racing. “I’m just wondering how that wretch managed to get involved with such a man. What could have caught his interest in her?”

“Mother, if Natalie knew someone that powerful, why would she marry a poor man and struggle under us?” Clara confidently dismissed the possibility. “I think this man showing up and bidding on her was just a coincidence. Maybe he’s one of those rich men who enjoys the thrill of scandalous women. Some of them have twisted minds. Who knows, he might bring more trouble into her life than help. After all, we can’t deny she’s beautiful, just like her mother was—easily able to seduce men with a single glance.”

But Sephina wasn’t so quick to agree, her thoughts drifting elsewhere as she spoke. “Jay couldn’t find anything about her husband. Have you asked for your brother’s help. His high position in government allows him to get any information.”

“Yes, mother. tomorrow we will get it.”

Finally, Sephina turned her gaze to Briena, who had been quietly observing the exchange. “Don’t just sit there. Call Ivan. He left today because he was hurt by Natalie’s actions. Use this opportunity. If you want to win him over, learn from Natalie how to capture a man’s attention.”

“Y-Yes, grandma,” and made the call.

—-

At the Brown residence…

Ivan had locked himself in his room from the moment he stormed back home, leaving the charity gala in a fit of anger. Pacing back and forth, he nearly kicked a chair over in frustration, his thoughts consumed by Natalie and the confrontation that still burned in his mind.

She has no remorse, he seethed inwardly. No shame for what she did to me. Leaving me humiliated in front of everyone and then marrying someone else like it meant nothing. And now she acts so righteous? How dare she point fingers at me—like I’m the one in the wrong?

But his rage faltered when he remembered her expression during their conversation—her eyes, clear and unburdened by guilt, making it impossible for him to accuse her of anything.

She’s always been like that, Ivan thought bitterly. Confident. So sure of herself. But at that she’s like a completely different person now, a rebel. Was everything she did—her obedience, her eagerness to please me—just an act? Was she just playing me, and was cheating on me with different men?

This time he kicked the chair hard, sending it skidding across the floor. I hate her. I hate her so much. His fists clenched as he silently vowed, I’ll make her regret choosing that poor man over me. I’ll make her realize exactly what she’s lost.

Just as he was drowning in his anger, the door opened, and his parents entered the room.

“Ivan, how could you leave the event so abruptly?” his mother, Amelia, began, only to pause as she took in the mess. The room was in disarray—furniture scattered, items thrown carelessly. Her eyes landed on Ivan, sitting on the edge of the bed, his head lowered, his face shadowed by his own dark thoughts.

“Ivan,” she approached him with concern, “are you alright?”

He didn’t respond.

Amelia sat down beside him, her voice soft. “Are you thinking about Natalie? I’ve always told you she wasn’t the right woman for you, but you wouldn’t listen. And now look at the state she’s left you in…”

“Stop it, Amelia,” her husband interrupted, “Can’t you see he’s already upset?”

“I’m sorry, son,” she said, her tone soothing. “I know how much you’ve been hurt, but you need to think about your future. Natalie isn’t the only option—you have Briena, a woman better than her. Once you marry her, all thoughts of that wretched girl will fade away.”

“Mother… can we hasten the plan of official engagement between Briena and me?” Finally he spoke.

Amelia’s face lit up. “Why not? We’d be more than happy to.” She turned to her husband. “Speak to Sephina Ford about it. The sooner, the better.”

Her husband nodded in agreement, but Ivan’s voice cut through the brief moment of excitement. “I want to be alone.”

The couple left, respecting his wishes while Ivan lay back on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

After a while, his phone buzzed, pulling him out of his reverie.

He picked it up and heard a sweet, gentle voice on the other end. “Ivan?”

His heart skipped a beat at the sound. “Briena.”

“Are you alright?” she asked, gently, “You left the event so suddenly, I was worried. If my sister hurt you, I want to apologize on her behalf.”

Ivan felt comforted. The one who had no reason to apologize was the one offering him kindness, while the woman who had wronged him had shown nothing but indifference. The contrast made something stir deep inside him. He swallowed hard before responding. “Can you meet me?”

“At this hour?” Her voice was hesitant.

“Yes. I need to see you.”

There was a brief pause on the other end before she answered. “Alright. Where should I come?”

“Office. To my private floor.”

“Okay,” she said quietly. “I’ll be there soon.”

Ivan hung up the call, his gaze darkened with certain need as he could not wait to meet Briena anymore.

—–

After half an hour, Briena reached the particular floor of the Browns head office building, where the head of security personally led her way.

She was dressed in beautiful delicate dress, and put on light makeup that made her look innocent. Her mother’s word rang in her mind. “Men likes innocent, delicate and submissive women, the one they want to concur with ease in their bed and get the sense of superiority.”

Once she reached the floor, the security head left while Briena knocked on the door of the private, luxury lounge that belong to Ivan.

The door opened soon. Even before she could take a proper look at the man, she was pulled inside that dimly lit luxury lounge and was pressed again the wall, and the door was slammed shut.

“Ivan…Umm…”

Her lips were sealed in rough kiss, making her unable to speak, her hands were pinned against the wall, leaving her unable to protest.

Realising, it was Ivan indeed, she calmed down and decided to submit. As expected of her, he was indeed hurt by Natalie and tonight was the night for them.