Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 63

Chapter 63: A Heart-Wrenching Betrayal

“This…setback,” Derek began, his tone dripping with anger, “Is unprecedented. And I want answers.” His gaze sliced across the room, suspicion blazing in his eyes.

Xander kept his face blank, leaning back with an air of unaffected calm. He knew better than to react under Derek’s steely scrutiny, but from the corner of his eye, he noticed others exchanging uneasy glances.

Then, one of the men, tall and wiry with a cold intensity in his gaze, abruptly pushed his chair back, slamming his hand on the table. “I’ve had enough of this guessing game!” he snarled, his eyes narrowing as he fixed his gaze on Xander. “This operation was flawless for years—no mistakes, no loose ends. And now? We’re compromised the second Sekem joins us. Explain that!”

The accusation hung in the air, heavy with menace. His face still unreadable, Xander met the man’s eyes with a level stare. But before he could respond, the man’s hand flew to his hip, drawing a pistol and firing at him in one swift motion.

The shot struck Xander’s shoulder, and a sharp jolt of pain coursed through him. He clutched his shoulder, steadying himself as the room broke into chaos, men scrambling back from the table.

Derek’s voice cut through the commotion. “Stop! Enough of this!” But his command was cut short as the sound of shattering glass echoed across the room.

The doors burst open, and agents from the National Security Agency stormed in, rifles raised. “Hands up! Get down, face down!” they shouted, their voices unyielding as they forced the syndicate members to the floor. Shock rippled through the men, their faces drained of colour as they comprehended the dire reality.

Xander, still holding his wounded shoulder, allowed himself a faint smirk as he complied with the agents’ demands, his face turned down to the floor as chaos broke out around him.

Each member was now helpless, pinned by both the agents’ presence and their own betrayal.

~***~

~WING CITY~

TWO DAYS LATER.

The poolside at Olivia and Owen’s bachelorette party shimmered under the warm, late-afternoon sun, the crystal-blue water reflecting the vibrant string lights that hung above.

Laughter and music filled the air as influencers Olivia had invited angled their phones to catch every glamorous shot, especially when the ‘Spraying Champagne’ bottles were popped, sending arcs of champagne glinting in the sun.

In the centre of it all, Olivia swayed in Owen’s arms, basking in the attention. With a mischievous gleam in her eye, she took a playful bite of cake from his hand, her lips grazing his fingers—a moment that drew delighted cheers from their friends. Owen leaned in, sealing the sweet moment with a kiss as cameras flashed around them.

After their exchange, Olivia led Owen to a large round table shaded by palm trees, where the group settled in to play Truth or Dare. The laughter and dares grew rowdier as the champagne flowed, everyone egging each other on.

When it was Owen’s turn, he confidently chose “Dare,” prompting a friend to lean forward with a daring grin. “All right, Owen,” his friend challenged. “I dare you to make out with any girl here…except Olivia.”

The air around them tensed, and Olivia’s smile wavered as her gaze shot to Owen, anxiety pooling in her stomach. He hesitated, scanning the circle until his gaze landed on Casey, one of Olivia’s oldest friends, who froze under his gaze.

Owen reached out, hand hovering toward Casey, and Olivia’s heart hammered, panic spreading across her face. But just before his fingers touched her shoulder, he drew back with a smirk, grabbing the scotch shot on the table and downing it in one smooth gulp.

Everyone burst into laughter, relief flooding Olivia’s face as she leaned into him, whispering, “You almost got me there.”

“You’ve got yourself a real keeper, Olivia!” someone quipped, clinking glasses. “A guy who won’t betray you, not even on a dare!”

The game continued, the crowd growing rowdier as dares and truths flew around until it circled back to Owen. This time, he picked “Truth,” and another friend asked, voice full of playful mischief, “So, Owen—have you ever been with another woman since you and Olivia got together?”

Olivia’s grip tightened on her glass, her heart stuttering. Owen met her gaze with an easy smile, replying smoothly, “Never.” He kissed her cheek with a reassuring grin, and the group cheered, the tension dissolving as everyone got up to return to the dance floor.

Later, Susu, one of the influencers, pulled Olivia into an Instagram Live video, the two chatting animatedly as they hyped up ‘Spraying Champagne’ for the excited viewers.

In the middle of the Livestream, Owen leaned in to tell Olivia he had a headache and was heading to the room to rest a bit, and a few minutes later, she excused herself to check on him, Susu following, still recording for the Livestream.

Olivia stepped into the building, bypassing the sitting area and striding straight down the hallway. But as she pushed open the room door, her heart froze. On the bed was Owen, tangled in a deep kiss with her friend Casey—the very girl he’d nearly chosen in the Truth or Dare game.

They seemed lost in the moment, oblivious to the world around them. Olivia let out a sharp gasp, hand flying to her mouth as shock and horror gripped her.

Behind her, Susu froze, her phone still recording as her face contorted with disbelief. Realizing what was happening, she fumbled, ending the livestream in a flash, but not before viewers had seen more than enough.

Owen pulled away from Casey in stunned silence, his face twisting in shock as he turned toward Olivia, whose expression was a mix of betrayal and heartbreak.

“Babe, t-this i-is not what it looks like,” Owen stuttered, panic in his eyes as he tried to reason with Olivia. But before he could finish explaining himself, she matched forward and without warning, slapped Casey across her face.

“How dare you!” She questioned with venom laced in her tone and the pain of betrayal flashing across her eyes.