The Betrayed Billionaire

Chapter 4

Ray’s POV

The air in the room was heavy.

Lisa’s eyes widened, her lips trembling as she stepped back. "You..." she whispered, pointing at him like he was some kind of ghost. "No... this is impossible. You’re supposed to be dead."

Ray stood in the corner, calm, his hands in his pockets. Her shock was delicious, but he didn’t flinch. His voice was steady and calm.

“Surprised to see me, Lisa?” he asked, tilting his head slightly. “You shouldn’t be. The world isn’t that merciful to you.”

She shook her head violently, her hair falling across her face. "No... no! Guards!" she screamed. "Throw him out! Now!"

But no one moved. The guards looked at each other, uncertain. Something in his presence stopped them.

Raymond took a slow menacing step forward. Her perfume mixed with the cold tension in the air. He looked straight into her eyes, and for the first time in years, Lisa looked afraid of him.

"You look shaken," he said, smirking. "Don’t tell me guilt, finally found you?"

She clenched her jaws and furrowed her brows. "You have no right to stand here. You... you are nothing. You don’t belong in this office. Not in my world!"

A faint smile crept across his lips. Her world. That had always been the problem. She thought she owned everything, including him.

Before he could answer, the door burst open. Lisa’s secretary stumbled in, her face pale, holding a laptop with shaking hands.

"Ma’am... the stock. It’s still falling."

Lisa’s head snapped toward her. "What?"

The secretary showed her the live feed. Oakford Empire’s stock graph was plummeting in real time. Red numbers, investors pulling out, the screen was a war zone.

Lisa’s knees nearly buckled. She grabbed the desk for balance. "No... this can’t be happening. Not tonight."

Ray let out a low chuckle. "Seems the world is finally seeing the truth about Oakford Empire."

Her eyes darted to him, she was furious like fumes steaming out of her ears. "This is your fault, isn’t it?"

He shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe not. But isn’t it funny how everything you build can collapse in one night?"

She lunged toward him, her finger in his face. "I swear, if I find out you had anything to do with this, Ray, I will destroy you"

He leaned in close enough for her to see the calm in his eyes. "You already tried. And failed."

Her breath hitched, but before she could spit another word, the door was pushed open.

Oscar stormed in, his suit slightly ruffled, his face was shining with tiny beads of sweat. "Lisa! I have good news"

She rushed toward him like a drowning woman clutching at air. "Tell me you fixed this, tell me the shares can be saved"

He grinned, gasping for breath. "I secured a lifeline. Adrian Cortez, the Adrian Cortez is on his way here right now. He’s willing to discuss a merger. If we close this deal tonight, the Oakford Empire will bounce back before morning."

Lisa gasped, her face lighting up. "Adrian Cortez...? The billionaire from Karakesh?"

Oscar nodded quickly. "Yes. His influence in Xuropa is unmatched. If he merges even a fraction of his company with us, investors will pour back in."

Lisa clapped her hands together, tears of relief forming in her eyes. "We’re saved. We’re actually saved."

Then her gaze flicked back to Ray, and her relief twisted into venom.

"But not with him here,” she snapped, pointing at him. "I will not let that man ruin this."

Oscar looked at him, frowning, finally establishing his presence. "What’s he doing here?"

Lisa’s lips curled. "Don’t worry. He won’t be here for long. Guards, throw this beggar out of my building. He has nothing to offer us."

Her words cut sharply, but Ray didn’t move. He stood, calm, while her voice cracked under the weight of fear disguised as arrogance.

"You hear me, Ray? You’re worthless! You couldn’t even take care of yourself, let alone my daughter. Look at you, barging into my office like a desperate dog. You’re pathetic"

Her guards finally started moving in, toward him. But before they could touch him, the secretary’s voice echoed.

"Mr. Adrian Cortez has arrived."

The room went silent.

Oscar straightened his jacket, wiping his forehead. Lisa quickly adjusted her dress and plastered a wide smile on her face. The guards stepped back, their heads bowed.

The door opened, and Adrian Cortez walked in. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with sharp eyes that radiated power. His presence filled the room like fire immediately.

Lisa hurried forward, beaming with joy. "Mr. Cortez, it’s such an honor. Thank you for coming on such short notice."

Adrian nodded faintly, but his eyes weren’t on her. He scanned the room, then his gaze fell on Ray.

The change was immediate. His expression softened into something close to reverence. He froze, then took a slow step forward, ignoring Lisa’s outstretched hand.

Lisa blinked. "Um... Mr. Cortez?"

But Adrian didn’t answer her. He walked right past her, past Oscar, until he stood directly in front of Ray.

And then, in front of everyone, Adrian Cortez bowed his head fully.

"It’s an honor, Mr. Carter," he said respectfully. His voice carried weight. "I didn’t expect to meet you here."

The room felt like a graveyard as silence overtook it.

Lisa’s mouth fell open. Oscar’s eyes widened. Even the secretary gasped.

"Mr... Carter?" Lisa stammered, her voice barely a whisper. "W-what are you talking about?"

Adrian glanced at her briefly, his face hardening. "If you don’t know the man standing before you, then you don’t deserve to sit at my table."

Lisa’s face drained of all color. She shook her head in disbelief. "This... this can’t be true. He’s... he’s a nobody"

Adrian’s tone grew sharper as her words irritated him. "Watch your words. Men like him are the reason companies like mine even exist. If not for his empire, you wouldn’t even be in business.*

Oscar stepped forward nervously. "Mr. Cortez, please, we were about to discuss a merger..."

Adrian cut him off coldly. "There will be no merger. I don’t do business with unstable people who can’t recognize power when it’s standing right in front of them."

He turned back to Ray, bowed his head once more. "Mr. Carter, if you ever need anything from me, my resources are yours."

And with that, Adrian Cortez walked out, leaving the room shattered in silence.

Lisa stood frozen, shaking, her lips moving without sound. Her whole body shook as she slowly turned to Ray.

Her eyes burned with anger, fear, and confusion all at once. "Who..." her voice cracked. She swallowed hard, her words breaking as they left her lips.

"Who the hell are you really?"

Ray smiled faintly, stepping closer until his presence enveloped hers.

"The man you thought you buried."