Billionaire's Match (by Tangy Candy) novel Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Fortunately, a few waiters and security guards rushed over in time to separate them. Veronica was pulled upright by those around her.

Michael was there too. He’d come precisely because he worried something like this might happen to Khloe. He never cared for such social gatherings, but tonight, he made an exception.

The moment he arrived, he took off his jacket and draped it over Khloe’s shoulders, then turned to glare coldly at Veronica. 1

“Veronica,” he said sharply, “this isn’t the Olson family’s territory. Even if you want to throw a tantrum, know who you’re dealing with. Are you trying to make the Olsons and Morrisons enemies by going after Khloe like this?”

“Michael,” Veronica shot back, her face flushed. “This is between me and Khloe. It has nothing to do with you-or your family. Move.”

But her voice trembled. Seeing the way people stood around Khloe, protecting her, she grew even more frustrated, helpless and frightened. Her anger crumbled, and tears started spilling down her cheeks.

Her friends quickly surrounded her, murmuring soft words of comfort.

“Veronica, it’s not worth it. Don’t start something with the Morrisons over this.”

“Yeah, and besides… Nick might still be around.”

The mention of his name made everything worse. Veronica froze, then laughed bitterly, her expression collapsing. Her eyes, full of jealousy and grief, flicked toward Khloe again-eyes sharp enough to cut through glass.

The ballroom remained dim, their quarrel swallowed by the low music and shadows. Most people hadn’t even

noticed.

Then, all at once, a ripple of excitement swept through the room. Every gaze shifted toward the dance floor.

Under the soft, glittering lights, a man and a woman moved together with quiet grace. The rhythm of their steps was steady, the way they fit together almost seamless-like a pair born for this moment.

Khloe recognized the man immediately. He was Nick.

“It’s Nick…” one of Veronica’s friends gasped. All eyes turned toward Khloe, expecting that the man protecting her earlier would be the one dancing with her now.

Veronica looked toward the stage and let out a dry laugh.

“Khloe, seems I was wrong about you. Nick would never look at you that way. He’s clearly not here for you.”

Her voice cracked at the end, but she kept her eyes fixed on the couple in the center of the floor-the woman beside Nick. From across the room, his presence still radiated that same calm authority, bright and distant as ever.

Veronica could bear it no longer. She turned and hurried out of the ballroom.

“Don’t listen to her,” Michael said once Khloe seemed to come back to herself. “The woman with Nick is Michelle Keller, They’re old friends.”

He was being polite about it. In truth, Nick and Michelle were more than that. They’d grown up together, childhood companions.

Michelle came from a family steeped in literature and art-her grandfather a renowned calligrapher. Nick had

1/2

Chapter 13

+25 Bonus

even studied under him as a boy.

Later, their lives had taken different paths, and contact between them had faded. Tonight’s charity gala was the first time they’d seen each other in years-Michelle was one of the hosts.

During the speeches, Khloe had noticed her, elegant and luminous on stage, though she hadn’t realized then that Michelle was also a special guest.

Now, watching them dance, Khloe could see how naturally they moved together. Every turn, every step fit perfectly, as if they’d rehearsed.

She looked on for a few seconds, then took a slow sip of champagne.

There was nothing to dwell on.

Setting her glass down, Khloe turned and left the ballroom. She had an early flight in the morning, and rest seemed far more important than staying to watch.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify