Watch a Billionaire Shatter for the Woman He Betrayed novel Chapter 5

Putting her phone away, Leilani turned to leave, but her legs suddenly gave out, and she nearly collapsed.

A wave of heat surged from deep within her, accompanied by an overwhelming, hollow ache of desire that felt like it was seeping into her very bones.

Her mind instantly flashed back to the glass of sparkling wine Naomi had handed her.

The drink had been drugged. And it was undoubtedly on Grandma Watkins's orders.

Leilani took a sharp breath, completely abandoning any thought of returning to the private room.

Going back meant being alone with Preston...

The thought alone made her feel sick.

Without hesitation, she spun around and stumbled toward the exit of the club.

Just ahead, two men in loud patterned shirts stumbled toward her, reeking of alcohol.

They immediately locked onto Leilani—her flushed face, rapid breathing, and obvious distress.

The men exchanged a sleazy look.

They fanned out, cornering her from both sides.

The taller one reached out and grabbed her arm. "Hey beautiful, your face is awfully red. Are you not feeling well? Need us to help you out?"

The other chuckled sleazily. "Yeah, it's dangerous for a girl to be all alone in a place like this. Let us take you somewhere to rest."

Their intentions were glaringly obvious.

Leilani ground her teeth.

Using every ounce of strength she had left, she shoved them aside and desperately bolted down the hall.

"Hey! You think you can run?!"

"Get her!"

Heavy footsteps echoed behind her. Leilani's legs felt like jelly, her heart hammering wildly against her ribs.

The corridor started to spin.

The drug was kicking in fast and hard.

She rounded a corner into a quieter lounge area bathed in soft lighting. A man in an iron-gray suit was standing by the massive floor-to-ceiling window, his back to her. He was on the phone, his shoulders broad and his posture impeccable.

"Help... help me..."

Leilani lunged forward, her knees buckling as she collapsed onto the carpet right at his feet.

The man looked down.

A flicker of surprise flashed through his deep, dark eyes.

It vanished in an instant, replaced by the cold irritation of someone who despised being bothered.

Trembling, Leilani reached out a hand and gripped the crisp fabric of his trousers. She looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears.

When the man's gaze fell on her face, a brief look of shock crossed his handsome features.

The two thugs caught up.

The taller one offered a sleazy smile. "This chick is with us. Sorry to bother you, man. We'll get her out of your hair."

They reached down to grab Leilani's arms.

She violently shook her head at the man. "No... please, help me."

The man calmly slipped his phone into his pocket.

Just as the thugs yanked Leilani up, preparing to drag her away, the man moved.

He suddenly lashed out with a vicious kick, striking the taller thug right in the knee. The thug dropped to the floor with a heavy thud, glaring up with furious eyes.

The man grabbed Leilani's arm, pulling her out of their grip and tucking her safely behind him. "Get lost," he ordered, his voice cold.

His presence was incredibly intimidating.

The two men exchanged a look, quickly realizing they were completely out of their depth. Muttering curses under their breath, they didn't dare push their luck and scrambled away.

Leilani's fraying nerves finally gave way.

Leilani forced herself to sit up. The lingering effects of the drug left her dizzy and nauseous.

She pressed her hands firmly against her temples.

"There are still trace amounts of the drug in your system," the woman advised. "Make sure you drink plenty of water to flush it out. You're free to leave whenever you're ready."

Leilani gave a faint nod. "Thank you."

Once she was alone, Leilani leaned back against the pillows, her mind reeling as fragments of the previous night flooded back.

Her phone lit up with a message.

Preston: [Leila, are you home? I'm coming to pick you up for the auction.]

Leilani smiled bitterly.

So he hadn't even gone home last night.

If she had died in that club, would anyone have even known to claim her body?

Leilani casually typed back: [I'm not feeling well.]

Preston: [Then rest up. I'll head straight home the second the auction is over. Love you.]

Leilani locked her phone.

As soon as she walked out of the hospital and stood by the street to hail a cab, another message popped up. This one was from Naomi:

[Leilani, I'm so sorry! It was all Grandma's idea, please forgive me! I'm so sorry!]

[By the way, Leilani, the necklace you've been looking for is at this auction. Does telling you that make up for what I did?]

[You have to come!]

[The starting bid is twenty thousand dollars, and it shouldn't go for more than two hundred thousand.]

A cab pulled up right in front of her.

Leilani opened the door and slid into the back seat. "Sir, I need to change my destination."