Hidden Behind the Billionaire's Signature

Chapter 4: Which Way?

The moment I set the phone down, the fog finally lifted. Everything became razor-sharp. I could see both sides of the game now, and the realisation hit me like a physical blow: I was being used. I didn't fully understand the why yet, but the how was becoming painfully clear.

The signs were everywhere. Julian hadn't called back, didn't check in, and didn't care. That silence was the only proof I needed that "love" was never part of his equation.

Then there was Victor—suddenly reappearing in my life with a purpose I knew all too well, even if I didn't want to admit it.

By 6:00 a.m., Victor’s machinery was already in motion. He had the precision of a general. A makeup artist was already stationed in my room, painting a mask onto my face, ensuring I fit perfectly into whatever scheme he had engineered for the day.

Outside, the air buzzed.

Guests arrived in a steady stream of silk and perfume, the flashes of cameras punctuating the lively chatter. The entire place hummed with an energy that felt suffocating.

Suddenly, a black Porsche cut through the centre of the crowd. A woman stepped out, draped from head to toe in striking white and red garments. She carried herself with an authority that commanded the room. Even before she spoke, I knew she was someone significant—someone Victor hadn't warned me about.

“Her name is Celeste Stone,” a voice in my head seemed to whisper. “Victor’s ex.”

She glided toward the VIP table where I sat alone. Victor had stepped away to the restroom, leaving me vulnerable.

“Well, I guess you must be Elena,” she said, her voice smooth as glass as she approached, a drink held loosely in her hand.

“And you must be Celeste Stone,” I countered, trying to keep my voice steady. “Nice to meet you.”

“What are you doing here, young lady?” she asked, her eyes scanning me with a mix of pity and disdain. “Don’t tell me you came all the way from New York to L.A. just for this.”

I froze, my gaze locked on hers as she pulled out a chair and sat.

“Elena, I know you don’t want to do this to yourself… not for a coward like him,” she said, leaning in. “He’s a traitor. A master manipulator. He will use you to get exactly what he wants, and then he’ll discard you—just like he did to me.”

She didn't wait for me to answer. “You’re a beautiful woman. Don’t let a man like Victor ruin your life. He has nothing to offer you but hollow promises. Let me guess… he offered you a contract, didn't he?”

The blood drained from my face. I couldn't find the words. I forced a plastic smile, desperate to maintain a facade of composure, but I could tell she saw right through it. She smelled fear on me.

The moment Victor spotted Celeste at my side, his expression darkened. He practically sprinted toward the table, his hand clamping firmly around my wrist as he hoisted me up.

“Elena, I told you not to speak to anyone,” he hissed, dragging me away from the table. “Everyone here is fake. They can't be trusted.”

“Do you even know who you were talking to?” I snapped back, trying to shake his grip. “That was Celeste. She told me exactly who you are.”

“How did she know my name? How does she know about the contract?” The questions tumbled out of me. “This is all too shady, Victor. I want answers now, or I’m walking out.”

Victor’s eyes turned cold. “Don’t be an idiot, Elena.”

The word stung. “An idiot? Is that what I am to you? Your errand girl? I’m done. I’m out of here.”

He gripped my arm tighter, his voice dropping to a dangerous, low growl. “What do you think you’re doing? You don’t leave unless I say so—not if you want to walk out of here alive.”

My heart hammered against my ribs.

“This wasn't part of the deal,” he continued, his face inches from mine. “If you leave, it’s the end of you. That’s not a threat, Elena—it’s a warning. Don’t take me for granted.”

He let go and walked away, leaving me trembling. Tears blurred my vision. I stumbled toward the restroom, desperate to hide my breakdown from the prying eyes of the high-society crowd.

I fumbled for my phone and dialled Riley.

“Elena?” Riley’s voice was immediate, laced with concern. She could hear my ragged breathing.

“Riley…” I sobbed, the weight of the day finally breaking me.

“Listen to me, Elena. Don’t cry. You’re a winner, you hear me? Don’t let those losers win. We’re going to fix this,” Riley urged.

“Why is my life so bitter?” I gasped. “I’m tired, Riley. I’m so tired. I don't think I can take another second of this. What should I do?”

The world began to tilt. A sudden, violent nausea rose in my throat. The walls of the restroom started to spin and shake. I fell to my knees, retching, before the darkness rushed in to claim me. The phone clattered to the floor, Riley’s voice still calling my name into the empty air.

Back at the party, Victor’s impatience was growing. He scanned the room, noticing my continued absence. He signalled to his bodyguard. “Go find her.”

Minutes later, the guard returned, breathless. “We can’t find her, boss. We checked the apartment, her luggage… everything is there, but she’s gone.”

“What do you mean you can’t find her?” Victor growled. He pulled out his phone and dialled my number. It rang and rang, echoing somewhere he couldn't hear. “Stupid bitch,” he muttered under his breath. “I knew she’d try to test me.”

Suddenly, a scream pierced through the music and chatter.

A crowd began to form near the restrooms. Victor and his guard shoved their way through the onlookers. When they reached the centre, the sight stopped Victor cold. I was lying crumpled on the tile, motionless.

The bravado vanished. Panicked, Victor gathered me into his arms, shouting for someone to call an ambulance as he effectively shut down the event.

Later, as the sirens faded into the distance, Victor called Julian.

“If anything happens to her, you’re responsible,”

Julian’s voice crackled over the line, sharp with fear.

“Don’t drag me into this… this wasn't the plan.”

“How many people saw?” Julian demanded.

“This isn't the time for questions!” Victor barked back. “Meet me at the hospital. We’ll talk there.” He hung up before Julian could respond.

By 8:00 p.m., the hospital hallway was a grim reunion. The brothers, Riley, the bodyguards—everyone was there, pacing the sterile floors. Everyone was waiting for the same answer:

Dead or alive?

Either way, the girl I used to be was gone.