Billionaire's match novel

---- Chapter 531 Nick gently held Khloe's withdrawn hand, enveloping it in the warmth of his palm. His hand was large, completely covering hers, as if that simple gesture could shield her from every storm in the world. "No... without you, | wouldn't be okay." Khloe's chest tightened. She felt tears welling up, and she had no choice but to turn her face away, forcing herself to deny his words. Nick was right-maybe she could endure any blow and refuse to give up. But the heart is made of flesh, and when it hurts this badly, how can it ever fully heal?

Moreover, because Nick existed in her life, her world without him would feel infinitely lonelier. Even the most beautiful scenery might lose its color. "Khloe," Nick continued softly, his voice lower, velvety with intensity, "then tell me-if today's danger had struck me directly, and you were right beside me, would you think to protect yourself first?" Khloe opened her mouth, about to say, "| would." But the words got stuck in her throat. No matter how she tried, they wouldn't come out. Saying them would feel false.

---- Her instinctive reaction, deep in her heart, was exactly the opposite of what her mind wanted to claim. Her silence spoke louder than words ever could. Nick chuckled lightly. "See? We're the same. Protecting the one you love is instinctual... just like... how you instinctively want to protect me." Khloe realized it was hopeless to argue with him. The more she tried, the more frustrated she felt. She decided to drop the topic, feigning annoyance "No, that's not true. | don't have this instinct to protect you. Didn't you say I'd be fine without you?

Maybe my instinct would actually be to protect myself." "No," Nick murmured, pressing a kiss to her ear. "I trust you to be like me. But thi man can't let a woman take that burden." Khloe was utterly defeated. He pulled her close, tugged and coaxed, and eventually melted her defenses with his warmth, turning her entirely into his embrace, kissing her again and again. The conversation ended, but their worries had not. A day that should have been sweet had been marred by the night's unexpected threat. The next morning, Khloe accompanied Nick to the nearby police station.

The two men from the previous night had already been ---- caught. They were known locally as members of an entertainment salon, but the investigation revealed no real connection to the Hunt family. Their so-called "greeting" to Nick had been a spur-of-the- moment stunt-they recognized his usual license plate and decided to play a prank. As for mentioning George, they claimed to have merely seen him in some financial report. Of course, no one believed such excuses.

After reviewing surveillance footage, the authorities found that the person who tampered with the car tires was actually a small, black-clad man. Fully equipped, he exploited the brief moment when the bodyguards and driver stepped out. In just a few minutes, he finished the job with professional precision. He was careful to avoid leaving any identifiable facial footage, making him extremely difficult to track. Combined with the lack of evidence linking the two pranksters to Nick, the case couldn't go further.

The police could only file a report and increase vigilance around the Hunt estate and Nick, reassuring them of safety. Khloe and Nick had anticipated this outcome. The two pranksters were released but were not allowed to leave Goldmont. Nick's men were already waiting outside, and even the salon where the two men had gathered was ordered to ---- temporarily close. By the afternoon, Nick received the interrogation results. The two men had weak resolve-just a little pressure and they caved immediately.

They mentioned a dark web forum called " Black Whale." Both were low-tier members, occasionally assigned tasks in exchange for points.