Billionaire's match novel

---- Chapter 719 Ralph frowned as he watched Khloe, a heavy weight pressing against his chest. He wanted to say something, anything, to comfort her-but his lips twitched helplessly, and no words came. Arista quickly embraced her. "Khloe, don't let yourself despair. Even if Nick couldn't walk all the way with you, he was truly happy with you. | could see it. He protected you and the child- he wouldn't regret it." George was not one for consolation, yet for the first time, he couldn't bear to see a woman cry-except for Arista.

He stood, shot a glance at Ralph, and quietly stepped out of the room. Arista stayed with Khloe, gently comforting her, but Khloe said nothing. She lay against Arista's chest, eyes closed, letting the tears fall in silence. The grief was unbearable, yet she remained acutely aware: she had to restrain herself. After a long while, Khloe slowly rose from Arista's arms. "Ralph," she said, "Nick wouldn't have abandoned his promise. If his identity hasn't been confirmed, he may still be alive. Can we expand the search area?

Cover the entire mountain range-or even a wider area?" ---- Her mind immediately went to Noah. The six bodies meant that someone else had intervened at the last moment. If Spence's people were involved, then even if Nick couldn't escape, Noah wouldn't have simply sat by. He would have acted. Noah's whereabouts were unknown-but if he was out there, there might still be a chance for Nick. Ralph nodded without hesitation. "Of course." At that moment, whatever request Khloe made, he would agree to. It might mean calling in favors, spending more resources, or hiring people for a prolonged search.

Whatever it took. Even if it took months-or a year-he would do it. As soon as Ralph left, Khloe's body reacted. She was only in her first month of pregnancy, yet her symptoms were severe, likely worsened by the emotional turmoil. She vomited everything she ate, but to prevent nutritional deficiencies and keep her body strong, she forced herself to eat again, even without an appetite. Arista stayed by her side, refusing to leave until Khloe finally fell asleep. Late at night, Khloe again retrieved the plastic-sealed bag containing the rings, clutching the charred bands in her palm.

She bit her lip until it bled, the metallic tang mixing with her tears. ---- For two days after Ralph left, Khloe hadn't left her bed. Aside from eating, she scrolled her phone, her spirit seemingly drained, her energy sapped. Arista tried to engage her several times, but Khloe said nothing. Even when Arista called a psychologist to help her process her emotions, Khloe avoided all contact, unwilling to speak a single word. She was a shadow of the responsible, considerate woman she had once been. "Khloe, we need to talk," George suddenly said one evening, appearing in her room.

Arista was beside Khloe, peeling an orange for her. Seeing George, she quickly shook her head, signaling him to leave. Khloe's state was too fragile-she had no energy to converse, and Arista feared that his good intentions might backfire. George was resilient. Even when Nick's mother had passed away, he had grieved only a week before regaining composure. Now, even after the tragedy with Nick, though much of his hair had tured white, he had managed to hold himself together.

But if George demanded too much from Khloe-a deeply grieving woman, pregnant and emotionally unstable-then it would be too much. Yet, he insisted. Taking the orange from Arista's hands, he ---- began peeling it himself.