Billionaire's match novel

---- Chapter 748 Lenny caught the implication behind Barney's words. Before Khloe could answer, he spoke first. "Mr. Lemont, Mr. Hunt and Madam are essentially one. Madam also serves as the vice president of the Hunt Group, so she has full authority to handle the bid on behalf of the company. As for Mr. Hunt's personal situation, that falls under private matters. Isn't inquiring about it crossing a line?" Having listened quietly until now, Lenny felt his blood boil. His words were blunt and impulsive, but Khloe couldn't help feeling satisfied. Barney's approach had been a naked test.

Answering or not wouldn't benefit her-hesitation would signal guilt, evasion would signal consent. Even if Nick's situation couldn't be kept hidden forever, at least during the bidding stage, nothing could compromise it. Any ripple that could affect the company's market value was unacceptable. Barney didn't respond to Lenny. Khloe, meanwhile, decisively cast aside pretenses and left without even glancing back. Yet, just as she exited the restaurant, Angela stepped out from another elevator, accompanied by Barney's assistant. The two passed each other by.

---- Angela entered the private room, finding Barney lost in thought. "Barney." Barney's eyes flicked up, startled. "You... what are you doing here?" He immediately frowned at his assistant. "Why didn't you say anything?" Hearing Khloe's earlier words, a sinking dread hit him. If Angela ran into Khloe, she would inevitably face repercussions. Barney was busy with the Hunt Group bid and had no time to deal with her. The assistant opened his mouth to explain, but Angela interjected first.

"| came suddenly-there was an urgent matter | needed to see you about." Go on out," Angela instructed the assistant, who promptly obeyed. Barney employed many assistants, but this one was newly recruited by Angela, specifically to manage matters between her and Barney, ensuring their private affairs didn't leak into the company. He hadn't planned on bringing Angela this time, yet he had taken the assistant along for convenience. Now the assistant had blatantly ignored his instructions. ---- Barney felt displeased, but with Angela present, he couldn't say much.

Still, his impression of her as fragile and helpless subtly shifted. "Bamey... are you upset?" Seeing the assistant leave, Angela immediately sensed his mood and hurried to sit beside him, her tone and expression shrinking in deference. "Do you know who | was meeting just now?" Barney asked coldly, without looking at her. Angela glanced at the table. Almost nothing had been touched- clearly, the meeting was just beginning. So... it ended without resolution? The assistant had only known that Barney had met a woman privately and hadn't known who she was.

Sensitive by nature, Angela instantly felt uneasy. She knew Barney didn't lack female acquaintances, but a woman he would meet alone, right after arriving in Goldmont City... she couldn't think of a single candidate. Given Barney's laser-focused personality, Angela assumed it had to be business-related. But if that were the case, the dinner wouldn't have looked like this. ---- Regardless of who it was, she couldn't let Barney engage further. And besides... Barney was in the prime of his enthusiasm for her now; she had to seize the moment.

"No..." "It's Khloe." Angela froze, staring at Barney in confusion.