The Billionaire Lady's Husband

Five Years Ago

Several people sat quietly in the courtroom, occupying the seats provided for them. Two opposing parties faced each other, their expressions starkly different. On the left side, a group of individuals appeared restless and tense. Meanwhile, on the right side, the people remained calm and composed, with a woman seated at the front occasionally smiling, convinced that she would win the trial.

As the sound of the gavel echoed through the courtroom, all eyes turned forward, focusing on the chief judge, who was about to announce the verdict after nearly two hours of proceedings.

"Based on the testimonies of the witnesses we have presented and heard, and the evidence examined throughout this trial, it has been decided that Watson Industries is found guilty of copying the product designs of Blaire Industries. Therefore, all claims from Blaire Industries have been accepted and must be fulfilled by Watson Industries."

The woman who had been smiling throughout the trial now widened her grin. She had anticipated this outcome-she would emerge victorious because her side was in the right.

As the chief judge and other trial participants exited the courtroom one by one, the woman-Rhea Addilyn Blaire, the president of Blaire Industries, a major company operating in the food and fashion industry-rose from her seat. A thirty-year-old woman known as a successful young entrepreneur, her name frequently appeared in various print and digital media. Rhea-beautiful, firm, and independent-had never lost a business competition. Like today, when her instant food product was copied by Watson Industries, she had successfully won all the claims she had filed against her opponent.

"Miss, congratulations. We've won this trial."

Monica, a 25-year-old woman, cheerfully congratulated Rhea on her victory. For the past two years, she had been Rhea's personal assistant and most trusted confidante in the company.

"Of course. We were bound to win because we were right. They copied our product, and I will not let them get away with it. They must face severe consequences for their wrongdoing against me."

"You're absolutely right, Miss," Monica replied, nodding in agreement.

"Send our lawyers to Watson Industries. They must pay the compensation of 100 million dollars as per our claim, and I want them to settle it immediately."

"Understood, Miss. I will deliver your message right away."

Rhea nodded and began to walk away, feeling that all her business here was done.

"Wait a moment!"

A voice suddenly halted her steps. Rhea turned around, raising an eyebrow as she found her opponent in this trial now standing before her.

"Don't get too comfortable just because you won this trial. One day, your arrogance will be your downfall."

Watson Hana, the CEO of Watson Industries, spoke through gritted teeth, visibly furious after being defeated in the court proceedings just moments ago.

Rhea remained completely unfazed. She scoffed and flashed a faint smile.

"And what exactly are you going to do? Copy my company's products again because yours can't compete in the market? Will you send your people to my company once more to steal our product designs, just like you did before? Listen, Miss Hana, if you think this case is over just like that, you're gravely mistaken. Do you want to know why? Because I won't rest until I've completely destroyed anyone who dares to cross me."

Rhea was about to turn away again, but something made her pause.

"Unless you publicly issue a formal apology, I might consider settling this matter peacefully. Oh, and one more thing... Make sure your company pays the compensation as soon as possible. My lawyer will be in touch with you shortly. Good day, and I do hope your business survives now that your dirty tactics have been exposed to the public. Excuse me."

Throwing a smirk, Rhea finally walked away, leaving her rival clenching her fists, her heart burning with anger and resentment.

"You just wait, Rhea Addilyn Blaire. I will make you pay for humiliating me today," Hana muttered under her breath, grinding her teeth as she began plotting her revenge.

Meanwhile, Rhea walked confidently through the corridor of the courthouse, intending to return to her office. There was still much work to be done. If her phone hadn't started ringing from inside her bag, she would have already reached the parking lot.

Rhea pulled out her phone and saw an incoming call from Aliza Blaire, her mother. She answered without hesitation.

"Hello, Mom," she greeted as soon as the call connected.

"Rhea, how was the trial?"

Rhea smiled, having already expected this question.

"It went smoothly, Mom. Of course, we won," she replied as she resumed her steps.

"That's great, congratulations to you," said Aliza cheerfully on the other end, genuinely happy for her daughter's victory. "Rhea, can you come home right now?"

"I can't, Mom. I have to go back to the office; there are still some matters I need to take care of."

"That can wait. Come home first. There's something important I need to talk to you about."

Rhea furrowed her brows. "What important matter, Mom? Just tell me now."

"I can't. We need to talk in person. I'll be waiting for you at home right now."

"But, Mom-"

Before Rhea could finish her protest, her mother abruptly ended the call. Clicking her tongue in frustration, she had no choice but to give in. Reluctantly, she changed her destination from the office to home to comply with her stubborn mother's request.

***

"Good afternoon, Miss Rhea."

A middle-aged woman greeted Rhea warmly as soon as she arrived at the luxurious mansion, a home that resembled a palace. The woman was Johanna, a housekeeper who had been working in the household since Rhea was a teenager.

Rhea offered a small smile. "Good afternoon, Aunt. Where's my mother?"

"Madam is in the library. She's been waiting for you."

Letting out a deep sigh, Rhea grew even more curious about what her mother wanted to discuss. "I'll head there now," she said before making her way to the library.

As Johanna had mentioned, Rhea found her mother sitting in a chair, flipping through a magazine.

"Good afternoon, Mom."

Rhea approached her and placed gentle kisses on both of her mother's cheeks.

"Good afternoon, sweetheart."

"What magazine are you reading?" Rhea asked, puzzled. It was unusual for her mother to be reading magazines in the library. She knew very well that her mother didn't enjoy reading, a stark contrast to herself and her late father, who had passed away when she was 20. After her father's passing, Rhea had to take over the company at the young age of 21, stepping into leadership far earlier than she had ever expected.

"I saw your photo in this magazine. Your father would be so proud of you up there, knowing that you've successfully built up the company he worked so hard to establish. But at the same time, he would also feel sad-just like I do."

Rhea's eyebrows knitted together. "Why would you say that? Why would Dad and you feel sad?"

Aliza placed the magazine she had been holding onto the table. She gazed at her daughter with a sorrowful expression. "Because you've been too busy working to grow the company, you're still not married."

Ah, so it was about that. Rhea let out a frustrated sigh. If she had known this was what her mother wanted to discuss, she wouldn't have bothered coming home, leaving all her work at the office.

"You're already 30 years old. It's time for you to get married, Rhea."

With a sigh, Rhea lazily sat down on the chair placed directly across from her mother, with only the table acting as a barrier between them.

"How can I get married when I've never even been close to any man?"

"That's the problem-you're too busy with the company to have time for a relationship."

"I also haven't met the right one, Mom."

"It's not that you haven't met anyone. You just aren't interested in getting close to any man. You're too picky, even though women your age should already be giving their mothers grandchildren. I feel so lonely in this house, Rhea. I want to hold my grandchild soon."

Rhea rolled her eyes. She had lost count of how many times her mother had brought up this topic. "Come on, Mom. I'll get married when I find the right person."

"How long do I have to wait? It's been over five years, and your answer is always the same."

"What else can I say?" Rhea responded lazily. "I really haven't found the right man."

"Do you remember Uncle Garry Damares and Aunt Greta Damares?"

Rhea froze, trying to recall the two names her mother had just mentioned. "Hm, Uncle and Aunt Damares? I remember them. They were your good friends from school, right?"

Aliza smiled widely, nodding enthusiastically, delighted that her daughter still remembered her two best friends from school. Back when Rhea was a teenager, her mother used to take her to visit their family often.

"Yesterday, when I went to the hospital for a check-up, I ran into them. We started talking about the promise we made back when we were still in school."

Rhea furrowed her brows deeply. "What promise, Mom?"

"The promise to marry you to their son."

Rhea's eyes widened in shock, taken aback by her mother's intention to arrange her marriage.

"You were originally engaged to their eldest son, but he's already married now. But that's okay because they still have a younger son who can marry you."

Rhea raised a hand in front of her, signaling her mother to stop. "Hold on a second, Mom. Are you seriously planning to arrange my marriage with your friend's son?"

Without hesitation, Aliza nodded. "Yes, I've made my decision. It's because you're still not married. I worry about you, Rhea. Besides, we made this agreement long ago, so it's already decided-we will marry off our children."

Rhea firmly shook her head in rejection. "Does arranged marriage still exist in this modern era? No, Mom. I don't want this."

"This is your own fault. I've been waiting for five years, yet you haven't introduced a single man to me."

Rhea clicked her tongue, her patience wearing thin as she discussed this matter with her mother. "That's because I-"

"I don't want to hear your excuses. You must marry their son. I'm sure he's a good man who will make you happy, Rhea."

"I don't want to, Mom. How could you arrange my marriage without asking for my consent first? I refuse, and you can't force me."

With that, Rhea stood up and quickly walked out of the library, even though she could clearly hear her mother shouting her name. However, she ignored it completely-whenever this topic came up, she lost all interest. She hated it. Marriage.