Billionaire's match novel

---- Chapter 858 If Nick hadn't left this time, Barney probably wouldn't have stood achance. That thought reminded Khloe of something else. "By the way, what was it you used to threaten Barney last time?" "Threaten Barney?" Nick paused, as if recalling the details, before explaining the information he had uncovered about the Lemont family. Even before Barney had shown interest in the bid, Nick had already sent people to dig into both him and the Lemont family. Families like theirs always had secrets.

What Nick needed was something Barney deeply cared about- something he would do anything to protect Growing up, Barney's parents had never had a good relationship. His father had many women outside the marriage and rarely came home, so Barney had been closest to his mother. But because of his father, his mother's mental state had always been fragile. When Barney was six, she fell into depression and passed away. ---- A few years ago, Bamey had begun quietly hiring private investigators to search for a younger sister.

What Nick's people uncovered was this: during her marriage to Barney's father, his mother had secretly had an illegitimate daughter. If that truth were exposed, it wouldn't just be a scandal-it would deal a devastating blow to his mother's reputation. Barney would never allow it to come to light. "An illegitimate daughter..." The words stirred something deep inside Khloe. After all, she herself was also an illegitimate daughter-one of Niel's children bom outside his marriage. Because of her existence, the Morrison family had been thrown. into turmoil lately.

Clarice hated both Niel and her to the core. At times, Khloe couldn't help but feel a quiet, gnawing doubt-as though her very existence had been a mistake, something never meant to be. "Don't overthink it. Children are innocent. The ones at fault are irresponsible parents." Nick sensed the subtle shift in her emotions and spoke quickly. ---- "Il know." Khloe buried her face in the curve of his shoulder, drawing ina deep breath. The clean, cool scent of him always brought her the greatest comfort. "It's just... sometimes | feel like | was born carrying an original sin.

That some of the resentment directed at me... isn't entirely unreasonable." "No one gets to choose where they come from. Even if you call it 'original sin,' it should never be an excuse for others to vent their selfish desires." Nick's voice was low and gentle, like a breeze brushing over strings. "And in the end, the only thing you can truly decide... is your own life." He paused, his fingertips brushing softly against her cheek, as if he wished he could melt every ounce of his tenderness into her bones, soothing even the faintest trace of sorrow within her.

Khloe lifted her head and gave a soft "Mm." Oh, right. Even though Solara Energy lost the bid this time, they'll probably still try to develop in Goldmont City. If that happens, we'll be competing with them in a lot of areas going forward. "Barney may seem polite on the surface, but | get the feeling he's highly ambitious. And now that we're holding his biggest ---- weakness, he definitely won't let this go." Nick looked at her, the smile in his eyes soft as starlight. "Then let him come." "You already have a plan?" Khloe looked at him, admiration clear in her gaze.

Nick didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked, "What do you think Goldmont City's current landscape is missing?" Khloe thought for a moment. "A true 'bridge,' maybe? There's still a disconnect between traditional industries and the new economy. Everyone talks about integration, but there aren't many platforms that can genuinely connect resources and build trust between them."