A Billionaire In Disguise novel Chapter 40

Without even realizing it, the morning had become noon, and Rome was still stuck on trimming the brushes to perfection.

The afternoon sun was hot, and his body was drained with his sweat. But he kept going, and every now and then he would gaze at Catherine, standing a few steps away from him with a water bottle and towel in her hand.

“I can't believe she is actually in that blazing heat with him.” Richard said, taking a sip of his tropical juice.

Gazing away from the umbrella covering her, Chloe pulled down her shade off her face, stared at the pool before glaring at Rome and Catherine a few distances away from the pool yard.

Then she rolled her eyes and said, “That right there is the definition of ‘stupidity.’ It's not a surprise though. She took it from her weak father.”

“True! Edward is aways at the heel of our fathers because he's such a goodie-two-shoes.” Charles said, rubbing sun cream on his arm.

For a moment, none of them spoke. Then Charles set the bottle on the table and asked, “Where's Jeff?”

“Working after a project that doesn't belong to him.” Chloe mumbled, wearing her shade as she laid back on the chair.

Hearing the coldness in her voice, Richard let out a nervous laugh and mumbled, “I'm not excusing his behavior, but I know my brother, and he didn't rat you out to Hanson.”

“As his younger brother, you are always kissing up to him. Doesn't that get tiring?” Chloe mumbled, shutting her eyelids.

“I wouldn't be talking on his behalf if I did believe that he was the one who did it. But Jeff doesn't leave bread crumbs that lead back to him when he does something.”

“So, let me get this straight, you want me to believe that Mr. Richmond got the information about my suspension out of the wind, and magically decided to give it to your brother?”

“Well, when you put it that way, it does sound fishy.”

“Good, I'm glad you finally cure your stupidity and see the truth that no one else has the motive to do this except your brother.”

It grew silent for a while. Then Richard scratched the back of his head and nervously mumbled, “What do you intend to do to him?”

“What I plan for your brother doesn't concern you. But you can try to warn him to step back, or else, no one should blame my ruthlessness.” Chloe mumbled with not a hint of remorse in her tone.

Swaying his gaze from her, Richard stared at Charles and said, “Come on, guys. We are all blood. Can't we just let this one slide.”

“Don't get me involved in this. I'm only here to see the outcome of this fight and not get myself entangle in a battle that doesn't concern me.” Charles mumbled, relaxing on his seat as he crossed his one leg over the other.

With a hint of fear in his eyes, Richard rested his back on the pillow and thought, ‘Well, you are on your own bro. I hope you have a defense mechanism in place for Chloe’s attacks.’

After a while, Rome finally trimmed the last leaf of the brushes. Then he smiled at Catherine and cheerfully said, “Done.”

Keeping his eyes on hers, he walked towards Catherine, and then stopped a foot away from her, breathing heavily.

“You did well.” Catherine whispered, drying his face with the towel.

“Did I?”

“Of course. Not even Tony could do what you just did.”

In a split second, Rome pulled her into his arms and mumbled, “My wife is so sweet.”

“And sweaty. Let me go.” Catherine cried, trying to break free from him.

“So am I. Should we wash up together?”

“Uh?”

With her ears red, she pushed Rome off her, put his phone into his hand, and said, “Go wash up by yourself.”

When he stared at his phone screen, the words in his head got stuck in his throat as fear beams in his eyes.

“One-fifty? That old man is going to kill me.” Rome mumbled beneath his breath.

“What?” Catherine mumbled.

Without replying to her, Rome rushed into the house, heading straight for their room.

When he arrived inside, he hurried into the bathroom, came out a few minutes later, and got dressed.

Then he picked his phone off the bed and his jaw dropped as he stared wide-eyed at the number, “two-fifteen” on his screen.