CHAPTER SIX

DANIEL POV

"Boss, it's done, I dropped her off at your house and she didn't suspect a thing."

"Thank you, Oliver," I replied to my driver over the phone. I paused when I felt hesitation in his voice.

"What is it, Oliver?"

"Boss, I think she has heard the rumor about you and she looked scared."

My lips turned up in a rueful smile. I could imagine what must be going through her mind right now.

"She asked about the car and I told her that you rented it because it's your wedding day."

"Thank you, Oliver," I said as I hung up.

I was standing in front of my mother’s grave. “You see, Mother, I got married, and like I promised, I will not allow your money to fall into the wrong hands. From today, I’ll start executing my revenge plan. I will get back every dime that was taken from you, Mother—including your company.”

I will make sure I avenge my mother, even if that’s the last thing I do.

When I got home, I found her sleeping on the sofa in my favorite T-shirt, and I did not feel pleased about it.

She must have started settling in as my wife, but I needed to set her straight: although we might be married, it’s only on paper. I’d observe her first, and if she proved herself worth it, I might not divorce her after a year. Then I’d reveal myself—not the pauper she thought I was, but the billionaire with many multinational companies linked to my name.

I moved to wake her up to tell her just how I felt about her in my favorite T-shirt, but before I could touch her, her eyes snapped open, and in one glance, she took in my stance and raised hand—and all hell broke loose.

She screamed the moment she saw me standing beside her with my hand raised. Was she thinking I was going to kill her already? She scrambled away from me and fell on her butt.

Despite her resolve not to let the rumors get to her and to live as my wife, that resolve crumbled the moment she opened her eyes and saw my face darkened and my hand stretched toward her. She scrambled for the bread knife she had been holding before she fell asleep waiting for me. “Get away from me!” she screamed, pointing the knife at me.

“Hey, relax,” I said, bringing my hand forward, but she shifted backward.

“Stay away from me. Please, don’t kill me,” she begged, tears falling from the corners of her eyes.

I stared at her for a moment, then threw back my head and laughed. Damn, the rumor really got to my bride’s head.

She looked at me in a puzzled frown and managed to stand up from the ground.

“Now, why would I kill you?” I asked, my face growing serious once more.

“Well, b... because... because…”

“Because of the rumors?” I asked, sitting down on the sofa.

She nodded and avoided my gaze, probably fearing I might get mad at her.

“So, do I look like a murderer?” I relaxed on the sofa and crossed my legs, clearly enjoying her discomfort.

“Murderer isn’t written on anyone’s forehead. Looks can’t tell you who’s a murderer and who’s not.”

“In that case, you can be a suspect too,” I said, leaning forward and staring at her intently. “Have you ever murdered someone?”

She paled instantly and swayed on her feet.