Billionaire's match novel

---- Chapter 598 "There's a major news story | think you'll be interested in." The next morning, Khloe had just finished washing up when her phone exploded with notifications. Endless news alerts, messages from acquaintances, and several missed calls. The calls were from Loretta and Charlotte. Before she could respond, Khloe saw a message from Charlotte, urging her to check the news. At midnight, a report titled "Nick Hunt Seriously Ill in Naraida" had gone viral, dominating domestic headlines and trending in international business circles.

The article's tone was sensational, clearly bought to gain attention-there was no way such a story could achieve this level of coverage so quickly otherwise. It claimed that Nick had suddenly fallen gravely ill in Naraida, his life hanging by a thread. The report warned that the Hunt Group was leaderless and on the verge of shaking the entire Goldmont business world. ---- Khloe's first reaction was disbelief. It was all fake news. She had parted from Nick just yesterday-he had been perfectly fine. How could he suddenly be gravely ill overnight?

Besides, she had been in contact with him all along after leaving. The only brief lapse had been on her way back, but they had resumed chatting before sleep, exchanging goodnights as usual. Without a second thought, she immediately called Nick, hastily dressing and gathering her things as she did. Even if the news was likely false, the mere one-in-a-million chance that it was true made her heart pound uncontrollably. Her pulse raced with each second the call went unanswered. Finally, just before the call cut off, his voice came through the line.

"Khloe." Nick's voice sounded a little tired, but otherwise normal. "How are you? | saw the news-" "Fake news. Don't worry, I'm fine." His words sent a wave of relief through Khloe, her heart settling ---- back into her chest. She exhaled, almost in tears. "| was scared to death. Are these media people insane? Spreading nonsense like that..." "We may be under surveillance." Nick's words snapped Khloe's thoughts back into focus. It wasn't the fake news that mattered-it was that he was in Naraida. They had only met yesterday, and now this news had appeared immediately afterward.

Nick's trip had been secret and unplanned. Even if someone knew he was away from Goldmont, away from the Hunt Group, they couldn't possibly have known he'd gone to Naraida. Clearly, either someone was watching Nick-or Khloe's movements yesterday had been discovered. A chill ran down her spine. "I think | know who it is." If it were people watching Nick, there'd be no need to buy fake news to draw attention-they'd strike directly. The only people who would use this method were those keeping tabs on her. Their intent was blatant.

By exposing Nick's presence in Naraida, they could attract, Henry's attention without immediately implicating Khloe. The ---- focus on Nick's "illness" would stir anxiety among the Hunt Group while simultaneously destabilizing her. It was a classic feint: attack Nick, but make Khloe instinctively rush into danger. A move far more sophisticated than running to Henry and revealing her own needs. Khloe's stomach tightened. She knew this tactic all too well. Back when Nick had run into trouble in the border mountains, that same woman had used this exact strategy, trying to trap her ina dilemma.