Billionaire's match novel

---- Chapter 672 Nick's words carried a practiced lightness, a self-deprecating humor masking deeper tension. Yet anyone could tell that whatever Henry had said to him had been far heavier, far more hurtful. Nick was simply shielding her from the full weight of it with his calm tone. Khloe's eyes trembled as she buried her face in his shoulder. " What did he say to you? Did he... say a lot of harsh things? Did it make you feel awful?" "Not at all." Nick's hand stroked through her silky hair with the gentle patience one might use on a cat, soft and unhurried.

"I've heard far worse things in my life. Your grandfather... he was. actually fairly polite." "You always just act tough with your words..." "lunderstand your grandfather's mind," Nick said, voice even." He has his prejudices against my father, but I've somehow won his granddaughter's heart... It's only natural he can't fully accept it" The first half of his sentence was earnest; the second half slipped into teasing, a playful lilt in his tone. "Nick... how can you... be getting more shameless by the day?" ---- Khloe murmured, half exasperated, half flustered.

"Am | wrong?" Nick chuckled low, his warm breath brushing her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. Khloe knew he was deliberately shifting the topic, avoiding anything too serious to keep her from worrying. She didn't press further. Late at night, Clarice emerged from Henry's private library and immediately drove away from the estate. She leaned back in the car seat, finally letting out the long-held tension in her chest Tonight, the old man had summoned her to play the villain, to find a way to break apart Khloe and Nick.

After all, even if Khloe had caused Henry repeated disappointments, she was still his blood. In his old age, he wanted someone loyal and close by. Clarice had long seen through his schemes. From the very beginning, everything-the way he manipulated Khloe into coming here, the Remington family project, even Ralph's pursuit -had been excuses for his selfish desires. But he could never have predicted that Khloe and Nick's bond would be so strong. His tactics failed utterly. Even putting the entire Morrison family at stake, Khloe remained defiant.

The drama would unfold on its own; Clarice wouldn't even need to intervene to reap the rewards. ---- Earlier, Henry had finally promised her the power to regain control of the Morrison Group-but only if she avenged Niel and destroyed the Hunt family. Clarice's own goals aligned perfectly with this. Her aim was always to reclaim the Morrison Group and make Khloe suffer. Henry's orders were a perfect fit. Love that is stronger than gold? Fine-then they would have to be separated by death and distance.

A smile crept onto Clarice's lips, uncontainable, growing louder until she laughed softly to herself. "Niel... watch closely from above. Watch your daughter gain everything-and then lose it all." Just as Clarice was reveling in her thoughts, the sudden ringing of a phone cut through the night. At this hour, very few would call her. Her eyes narrowed, and she quickly put on her earpiece to answer. It was Spence on the line. "Clarice... something's happened." The next day, at dusk. Noah's expected arrival time had come and gone, yet Khloe still ---- had no word from him.

Arista had been trying to reach him for some time, but there was no response. Meanwhile, Lenny had managed to relay some troubling news. Those searching for Ryan had found a fishing village he had been spotted in... and discovered a disappearance case: all six members of Ryan's family had vanished.