Underrated Secret Billionaire

Chapter 6: Tightening Noose

Tiana stood stiffly at the party’s edge, her hands clasped so tightly in front of her that her knuckles had turned white.

At her side, Carlos noticed. Of course, he noticed. His hand was warm and strong as he slipped onto her shoulder in a quiet, grounding gesture. 

“Tiana,” he murmured, voice low enough to barely be heard over the music, “I’ll talk to my father. I’ll plead with him. I’m sure there’s still a way to get your company back on that list.” 

The luxurious glow of the chandeliers above, the soft trill of the string quartet in the background, the laughter and clinking glasses all blurred together like a cruel joke playing out before her eyes. It felt like standing at the edge of a cliff, knowing the ground was about to vanish beneath her feet but being powerless to stop it.

The news had already reached her — first the blow from the Torres company backing out, and now the confirmed cancellation of all pending orders from the Adesins company.

The double hit settled heavily on her chest, squeezing until she could barely breathe. Her company, her pride, everything she had worked tirelessly for, was hanging by a thread so thin it was practically invisible.

For the first time that night, Tiana’s eyes, rimmed slightly with unshed tears, flickered with a glint of hope. Fragile, trembling hope that clutched at her heart like a drowning woman reaching for driftwood. 

“Thank you,” she whispered to Carlos, forcing a smile that barely lifted the corners of her lips. She couldn’t trust herself to say more. 

She didn’t know if Carlos could fix any of this. In truth, she doubted it.

The Torres family was fiercely proud and hardly known for forgiving perceived slights. But right now, she needed something to believe in. Something to stop the spiraling fear threatening to pull her under.

Outside the hall, beyond the glitter and glamour of the party, Jalen leaned heavily against the side of the sleek black car he arrived the party with Sonia, his phone still pressed to his ear. 

“I’m sorry, son,” an older man’s voice came through the line, heavy with regret. “There’s nothing more we can do. It’s done.” 

The older man was a known figure on the high tables of the Torres family whom Sonia had earlier introduced to. Jalen presented Tiana’s case to him with hope that something good could come out of it.

But nothing.

Even though he wanted to make Tiana pay for her cruel actions, which was why he warned Malik to cancel further contracts with the Black Blossoms after the ongoing one. 

But tonight, he felt the hit was too much on her.

He had make her pay, but slowly just a the rat caught by cat; the cat plays with it slowly, chopping its body one after another till it finally give up its breath.

Jalen squeezed his eyes shut, jaw clenching so hard it ached. The finality in the older man’s tone drove the last nail into the coffin. The Torres family had taken a hasty decision here.

Tiana’s company was blacklisted, their contracts dead in the water. 

He ended the call without another word, tossing the phone onto the passenger seat with a frustrated grunt. 

It shouldn’t matter to him. Not after everything. Not after the divorce papers, the bitterness, the nights he spent convincing himself he was better off without her. 

But it did matter. 

Because despite the anger, despite the hurt, there was still a piece of his heart that remembered the woman she used to be. The woman who had once dreamed alongside him, laughed with him, built castles in the sky with nothing but faith and stubbornness. 

He couldn’t stand by and watch her lose everything. 

Without thinking further, Jalen pushed himself off the car and strode purposefully towards the grand entrance of the party. 

He didn’t get far. 

Two towering men in black suits stepped forward from the ornate gate, blocking his path. Arms crossed, and their faces hard, they sized him from head to toe like he was nothing more than a stubborn stain refusing to be scrubbed out of their perfect evening. 

“Invitation?” one barked. 

Seriously? Someone who just stepped out a few moment ago to catch some air?

“I need to speak with Sonia,” Jalen said, keeping his voice steady, though irritation simmered just beneath the surface. 

“No invitation, no entry.” 

The second man’s words were final. 

Frustration bubbled dangerously in Jalen’s chest. His fists clenched at his sides as curious glances began to turn toward the commotion at the gate. The last thing he needed was to cause a scene, but they were pushing him to the brink. 

Just as he opened his mouth, ready to force his way through if necessary, a soft, familiar voice floated through the air. 

“Jalen?” 

Sonia appeared, framed by the golden glow of the entrance. She wore an elegant silver gown that shimmered like liquid light, and her smile, upon seeing him, was warm and genuine. 

The guards paled instantly, their posture stiffening with panic. Clearly, they hadn’t anticipated humiliating someone important enough to command Sonia’s personal attention. 

She walked forward gracefully, her heels clicking softly against the stone steps, and waved a hand dismissively at the guards. 

“It’s alright. He’s with me.” 

They scrambled back at once, murmuring frantic apologies. 

Jalen barely spared them a glance. His focus was entirely on Sonia. 

He didn’t waste time. “Is there any way Tiana’s company can be reinstated?” 

His voice wasn’t pleading, but it carried a quiet intensity that even Sonia, seasoned and poised as she was, couldn’t ignore. 

Her smile faltered slightly, curiosity flickering across her face. She studied him for a long, loaded moment. 

She hated to say no to him. Why the hell does he still care about the same woman who treated and dumped him like rotten trash?

"Jalen," Sonia called gently. "Why do you still care about this woman? After everything?"

Jalen didn't answer that, but the look on his face told Sonia everything she needed to hear.

Sonia sighed, and without a word, she pulled out her phone, dialed a number, and spoke in quick, efficient tones. 

“Reinstate Tiana’s company on the partner list. Effective immediately.” 

Jalen let out a slow breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. 

Relief — sharp, aching, and overwhelming pulsed through him, but he forced himself to remain outwardly composed. 

“Thank you,” he said simply. 

Sonia smiled again, softer this time. “Anything for you.” 

Before either of them could say more, the heavy glass doors behind Sonia swung open, and the cool night air rushed in. 

Tiana emerged, her hand still resting lightly on Carlos’s arm, her gown flowing elegantly around her. 

Her eyes landed on the scene before her, and for a moment, she froze. 

There was Jalen, standing casually close to Sonia, looking perfectly at ease, almost... intimate. 

Tiana’s heart twisted painfully. 

She instinctively turned to leave, her mind screaming at her to avoid the unfolding disaster, but Carlos, ever the showman, couldn’t resist twisting the knife. 

With a wicked smirk dancing on his lips, he leaned closer and said, just loud enough for everyone around to hear: 

“Looks like they must have been rejected at the entrance and have been loitering around for hours, waiting for a way in.” 

His laughter echoed sharply in the night air, slicing deeper than he realized.