Vengeful Billionaire and His Lovers (Jerome Howard) novel Chapter 2

"They didn't check in?"

Henry blurted it out, completely thrown by the receptionist's answer.

He knew the second floor had a restaurant, but it hadn't crossed his mind.

"Yes, sir. They just arrived a little while ago. They haven't checked in yet," the receptionist said with a polite smile.

So they're just here for dinner?

Henry exhaled slowly, then a cold smirk crept across his face. That intimate scene at the hotel entrance hadn't been fake.

When a married woman lied to her husband and openly held another man's arm in public, that was betrayal.

Henry couldn't let it slide.

"Thanks," he said, heading toward the elevator.

His footsteps were noticeably lighter than when he first entered.

...

Second floor, Gilded International Hotel's restaurant.

The place was quiet. Soft piano music floated in the air, and only a few guests were scattered around, talking softly.

By the window, Luciana sat across from a young, handsome man.

"Luciana, the Scott Group isn't completely yours anyway. If you join my project, a 50 million investment could easily double. Your net worth would skyrocket."

Ethan Thompson grinned, full of confidence.

Luciana swirled her wine and smiled. "Thanks for the opportunity, Ethan. Cheers."

He laughed, clinked glasses with her, and drained half his wine in a single gulp.

"Alright, I finally got you out for dinner. No business talk tonight. We've known each other a long time. You know how I feel about you. So, what's your answer?"

He teased, eyes lingering on her delicate face. His gaze was sincere but with something more behind it.

Luciana tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled. "Joking again? Don't you have plenty of pretty girls around? What about that Libby from a few days ago? You're still seeing her, right?"

Ethan laughed. "None of them compares to you! Seriously, if you divorced that bookworm, I'd talk to my dad right now and marry you!"

The "bookworm" he meant was obviously Henry.

He literally spent all day in the library and at home, buried in books. There was no denying it.

Thinking about Henry made Luciana's smile falter for a split second, but she quickly masked it.

She sipped her wine and replied, "Don't joke like that. Even if I divorced him, I wouldn't be enough for you. Your family would never agree. Let's just focus on the investment."

"How can you be sure if you don't even try? Or ... are you actually attached to that bookworm? I doubt you have real feelings for him."

Luciana tried to steer the conversation elsewhere, but he leaned closer. He stared at hers, his presence almost suffocating.

"Feelings, huh?" Luciana paused, then replied flatly, "Even if it's just a pet I've cared for years, I'd still feel something."

"But a pet can't help you. It might even hold you back. Come with me—that's your chance to join the billionaires' club!"

He didn't give up. Instead, he reached out and held Luciana's soft, fair hand.

She frowned and calmly pulled it back. Just as she was about to speak, she noticed him looking behind her in surprise.

Confused, she turned and then froze. "Henry, why ... why are you here?"

Henry, who had just tracked her down, was standing behind her.

Seeing them together like a couple, Henry felt his chest twist with pain. He said coldly, "What? Am I interrupting your date?"

Luciana took a deep breath and questioned, "You followed me?"

Henry caught the irritation in her voice and smirked. She was unbelievable.

After kicking Ethan, Henry shot her a frosty look. "Stay or go. Your choice."

Then, he turned and walked out of the restaurant.

Luciana stared after him, stunned. She'd never seen Henry like that.

He looked brutal and cold.

For five years, he'd kept a low profile.

She'd thought of him as gentle, thoughtful, always gazing at her with affection.

Somehow, she'd labelled him a coward.

But now, that image was shattered.

It wasn't until he vanished from view that she snapped out of it. She jumped to her feet, panic rushing through her.

She was seriously unsettled. That side of Henry unnerved her.

...

Outside the hotel, Henry lit a cigarette.

Two minutes later, the click of heels reached him. He turned, sneering. "Not staying with your lover?"

Luciana scowled. "Can you stop being disgusting? I was just having dinner with him. It's not what you think. I said I was working late, so you wouldn't misunderstand. And you were completely out of line today. Do you even know who he is? Kicking him could be serious."

"He's cheating with my wife, and I'm supposed to care about the consequences?"

"Stop talking nonsense! Don't say things like that. I'm your wife. Can't you trust me?"

"Until today, I trusted everything you said blindly. Whatever. We'll settle this at home. This isn't over."

Henry flicked the cigarette away and walked toward his Audi.