The Rise Of Karion Kross: I'm Now A Billionaire

007

Chapter 007

Maddie’s POV

“Baby,” I said seductively, my fingers slowly rubbing up and down Jubril’s bare, chiseled chest as he leaned back comfortably on the couch. His skin was warm beneath my touch.

“Now that the deadbeat is finally out of our way, what now?” I added casually, taking a small bite from the slice of pizza in my other hand like we were talking about the weather and not someone’s life.

Jubril let out a low chuckle and cleared his throat before shifting in his seat. He adjusted himself, resting his arm behind his head like a man who had finally gotten what he wanted.

“Well,” he started, his voice calm and satisfied, “things were a bit rushed yesterday. Neither of us expected him to return so soon from the event. That part caught me off guard.”

He paused, then smirked.

“But I’m glad he caught us. Finally, I don’t have to pretend to be his friend anymore. My shoulders feel lighter, like a huge load has been lifted. I was tired of hiding, tired of pretending.”

He brought the expensive tobacco to his lips and took a long, slow inhale, the smoke filling the air around us.

“Now that he’s dead, everything feels… easier.”

I scoffed softly, licking the grease off my fingers before responding.

“He was nothing but a naïve fool,” I said coldly. “Even a blind person would have seen the signs from a mile away.”

I shook my head, a small laugh escaping my lips.

“I never loved him, not from the beginning. And even if he didn’t catch us yesterday, I was still going to call him after the event and break the news. Either way, he was going to get killed by your boys. That wasn’t even up for debate.”

Jubril nodded, clearly pleased with my words.

“The moment I saw his idea for that nano chip tech company,” he said, leaning forward slightly, “I knew if he launched it, my company would lose investors. Big ones.”

His jaw tightened briefly.

“But poverty helped me. It kept him from launching the company long enough. Gave me enough time to fool him, secure my break, attract investors… and then get rid of him.”

I smiled, reaching out to pinch his lower chin playfully.

“I knew you had it in you, sugar,” I said sweetly. “No matter how good that fool thought he was at his little nano chip business, you were always better.”

I gestured around us.

“Look where you are now, and look where he is. That alone proves everything.”

From the very first day I set my eyes on Jubril years ago, I saw his light. His hunger. His drive.

Karion never had that fire. He was too soft, too hopeful, too trusting.

Jubril, on the other hand, wanted power. Wanted money. Wanted control.

The universe sent Jubril to me, and I never doubted that for a second.

And the best part? I started my relationship with him when he had nothing. That alone should mean something to him now.

“I’ve always been the better man, baby,” Jubril said confidently. “I didn’t need anyone to tell me that.”

He exhaled slowly.

“Right now, I just need to find a way to pull in more investors. Our cash pool can’t run dry.”

I raised an eyebrow, already knowing where this was going.

“Let me guess,” I said, smirking. “You’re thinking of going to the All CEO Millionaire Ceremony next week.”

He turned his head toward me, clearly impressed.

“Yes,” he said. “I got an invite three days ago. Rising millionaire CEO stars in the city.”

He paused, studying my face.

“I’m impressed you know about it.”

“Why wouldn’t I?” I replied smoothly.

“That ceremony has been all over the internet like wildfire. Only the elite get invited.”

I leaned closer.

“So many people are desperate for an invite because of the connections you can get from just one night there.”

“Well,” Jubril said, a grin spreading across his face, “I’m not going alone.”

He looked directly at me.

“You’re going to be my plus one.”

For a second, I froze, my mind playing what Jubril just said one more time before I reacted, a plus one, I thought to myself, Then excitement exploded through me.

I didn’t realize when I had already jumped to my feet, covering my mouth with both hands as my eyes widened.

“Are you serious?” I asked, barely able to contain myself.

“I am,” he replied calmly.

That was all I needed to hear. I leaped onto him on the couch, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck.

I kissed him hard, my laughter spilling out.

“Baby, that’s so sweet,” I said breathlessly. “Thank you.”

Someone watching would think Jubril had just giving me a house from the way I reacted, they wouldn’t understand that this opportunity I’ve been given would get me more houses than I can count

“Anything for you,” he said, smiling proudly.

But then reality hit me.

If I was going to an event that grand, there was no way I’d wear any of my cheap dresses.

That ceremony would be crawling with millionaire CEOs and their polished partners.

“If I’m following you,” I said slowly, pouting my lips the way I always do when I want something, “then I need a new gown.”

I paused deliberately.

“An expensive Louis Vuitton gown.”

Jubril laughed.

“I can’t go there looking all good and your not,” he said.

“Send me the price. I’ll buy the dress and a brand-new pair of shoes. You’re going to outshine every woman there.”

Just as gullible as his friend was, Of course I will, I thought with satisfaction.

That was always the plan.

At least I could use that event to make more contacts. More options.

What’s that saying again?

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

In my case, I wasn’t about to put all my financial dreams into one man.

Men can fail.

That’s why I always have a Plan B, thinking about how many other rich men would be there alone gives me chills.

And am not going to mess up this opportunity.

A knock on the door snapped me back to reality.

“That should be Kane,” Jubril said casually. “Guess he got rid of Karion’s body fast.”

“Come in,” I called out.

The door opened and Kane stepped inside, his eyes glued to the floor.

Something about his expression immediately rubbed me the wrong way.

“I know the place probably had a bad rotten smell,” I said dismissively, rolling my eyes, “but that doesn’t mean you should look like someone died.”

Jubril straightened.

“You cleaned the place up and got rid of the body, right?”

Kane swallowed hard, then cleared his throat.

The unease on his face was obvious now.

“We cleaned the place, boss,” he said slowly.

“But—”

“But what?” Jubril snapped.

Kane hesitated for a second before finally speaking.

“Karion’s body… it wasn’t there when we got there.”