The Hidden Billionaire

CHAPTER 9: SOMETHING IS WRONG

Thomas watched Ava walk back to the table and couldn't help smirking.

"So she really doesn't believe me." He shook his head.

"It's just one business deal. How difficult can it be?"

Pulling out his phone, he called David. The call connected almost immediately.

"Young Master, have you finally decided to return and take over the family business?"

David asked hopefully. Thomas rubbed his forehead.

"Not this again."

David laughed awkwardly.

"Then what do you need?"

"I want to know what project Ava is working on." There was a brief pause. Then David replied, "She's negotiating a contract worth one hundred and eighty thousand dollars with the Holland company."

Thomas frowned slightly.

"The Holland family?"

"Yes. They're one of the companies in our business network." David sounded casual, as if discussing the weather.

"Should I buy the company or bring their executives over for a meeting?" Thomas almost choked.

"David."

"Yes, Young Master?"

"Buying a company isn't the answer to everything."

David went quiet.

A few seconds later, he asked, "Then what would you like me to do?"

"Call them."

Thomas glanced back toward the restaurant.

"Tell them to cooperate with Ava and stop making things difficult for her." David sounded confused.

"That's all?"

"That's all."

"You could solve this in five minutes by buying the company."

Thomas rolled his eyes.

"I want to keep a low profile." There was a long sigh from the other side.

"Understood."

"Five minutes."

The call ended. Thomas slipped his phone back into his pocket and looked through the restaurant window. For years, Ava had carried most of the family's burden. Working overtime. Taking difficult clients.

Running around everywhere trying to earn money.

Meanwhile, she still believed he was the same useless man everyone looked down on. A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Ava."

"If you knew who made this deal happen..."

He shook his head.

"You probably wouldn't believe it."

A moment later, he called David again. The old man answered immediately.

"What now, Young Master?"

"One more thing."

Thomas's expression became serious.

"Don't let Ava find out I helped."

David sounded disappointed.

"You still don't plan to tell her who you really are?"

"Not yet."

Thomas looked toward the restaurant again.

"I have my reasons."

After hanging up, he took one last look at Ava before turning around and leaving. He was confident the deal would be settled soon.

Back inside the restaurant, Ava sat across from Peter. The contract was already prepared and neatly placed on the table.

She pushed it toward him with a polite smile.

"Mr. Peter, could you take one more look?"

"If everything is okay, we can sign today."

She tried to stay calm. If this contract went through, the commission alone would help sort out some of their expenses.

Unfortunately, Peter seemed more interested in drinking than reading. Several empty glasses already sat on the table. His face was red from alcohol. His eyes wandered over Ava far more than they wandered over the contract. Ava noticed it. But she endured it.

As long as the deal was signed, she could leave. Peter slowly moved his chair closer.

"No rush."

He smiled lazily.

"We have plenty of time." Ava forced herself to smile.

"Of course. But if we finish now, I can arrange a driver to take you home safely."

Peter laughed.

Then suddenly grabbed her hand.

"Why go home?"

His smile became disgusting.

"We could go upstairs and discuss the details privately." Ava immediately stiffened.

The next second, his hand moved onto her leg. That was enough.

Smack!

The sound echoed across the table.

Peter froze. A bright red handprint appeared on his face. Ava stood up. Her eyes were full of anger.

"I'm married."

"And I have a daughter."

"Don't ever touch me again."

For several seconds, Peter simply stared at her. Then his face twisted.

"How dare you hit me?"

He slammed his hand on the table.

"Do you still want this contract or not?"

"I was giving you an opportunity!" Ava grabbed her documents.

"If signing this contract requires that kind of opportunity, then keep it." She turned around and started walking away. Peter's face darkened. No woman had ever embarrassed him like this before.

Just as he stood up to stop her, his phone suddenly rang. Already furious, he answered immediately.

"What?!"

Before he could say anything else, a roar exploded through the speaker.

"Peter!"

"What the hell are you doing?!" Peter froze.

His expression changed instantly.

"Mr. Diaz?"

The voice on the phone belonged to Murphy Diaz, one of the company's senior executives. Peter forced a smile.

"What's wrong?"

"Don't play dumb."

Murphy's voice grew colder.

"I just heard you've been delaying Mrs. Ava's contract." Peter's heart skipped a beat.

How did they know already?

"I was only reviewing it carefully," he said quickly.

"I wanted to double-check a few things."

Murphy nearly exploded.

"Double-check?"

"Do you think I'm stupid?"

"I know exactly what you've been doing." Peter's face slowly turned pale. Murphy continued.

"You're using company business to harass a client."

"You're lucky this hasn't reached the chairman yet. "Otherwise you'd be packing your desk right now." Cold sweat began forming on Peter's forehead. For the first time that night, he realized something was very wrong.

Very, very wrong.