The Beautiful Billionaire

ESTELLE “How did you find me?” My father was surprised to see me in front of him. If it weren’t for Linden, I wouldn’t be here today.

“Gabriel and Moses know where you are.” I sat next to him.

“Does he know you’re here?” My father loved arts- a place like this would be the first on his list to be visited whenever he was out of the country. When Gabriel told me my father had been sighted in London, I knew he would be in a museum or art gallery.

“He actually pushed me to see you.”

He chuckled, but it sounded like a scoff. “That’s first.”

“Dad, I can’t leave him for you. I love him, and he’s the father of my child.” I placed my palm on my abdomen. She was growing fast. I wasted no more time when Dr. Chesca permitted me to travel.

“I know. So, Gabe Linden is extending his olive branch.”

“Can we just bury the hatchet and move on? I’m so sorry for how I treated you. I was just angry. The pressure of marrying Klayton went up my head. And honestly, I couldn’t see myself with him. I know his reputation, and I couldn’t be with a man like him without ambition.”

“You have no idea how hard it was for me to accept what you did, but somehow, you made it work. You’re on the right track, Estelle. I don’t like Klayton for you, too, but you signed that document that made it legal. I also realized I didn’t know them well, especially Tyrion.”

“I’m sure Tyrion hates me, but business is business. Our deal is over. I hope he gets to accept that.”

“His Weston Yachts is just a front for something inexplicable, and he’s losing control over the company. I had no idea what he did until you ran away. He used me against you, and I could not get out of it. I asked for a favor once, and he used it against me. If I didn’t do what he asked me to do, he would ruin CTEC and get involved with something dirty.”

“Linden gave me a brief background check of every major shareholder. Are you talking about a woman you forced to sign an NDA and paid her to shut up?”

Dad looked away, confirming I had on him. He was ashamed and guilty.

“It’s all right, Dad. I’m not judging you. I’ve learned to accept my imperfections, bad traits, and yours. You may not be  a perfect Dad, but you will always be my father.”

“I’ve done terrible things, and I’m going to change for good.”

“We’ll help each other then. Do you know what Paul has been doing?”

“I just heard it from a reliable source, and I wasn’t aware he’d been working with Tyrion all this time to destroy Star.”

“So you and Tyrion have fallen out?”

“That’s why I am here. He has someone, a hacker. That’s how I got Jasper Greer’s information. He told me I could use that to get into you. Is he okay?”

“Jasper? Yeah.” I stood up. “Can we go somewhere? Buy some fish and chips.”

Dad smiled. “Are you craving for fish and chips?”

“I just wanna walk with you. The weather is good.”

We left the museum, and there was a coffee shop around the corner. Qamar was tailing us.

“Tell me how did you convince Mr. Linden to visit me.”

“There’s no need convincing. This is his idea. And I don’t want to have any more quarrels with you. You’re right. You are my father-”

“I’m also wrong of putting you in a tough position. I should have supported your dreams. That was my biggest mistake. I should have believed in you. I know I was not a good father, and I filled my heart with anger and angst from your mother and used it against you.”

“Gabriel wanted me to fix if there’s something left to fix between us. He wanted me to sort things with you before I get married and have a baby.”

Dad stopped and looked at me. “You’re getting married again?”

“Yeah.” I showed him the new ring just next to my pink engagement ring. “I was hoping you could be there.”

“You’re inviting me to your wedding?” He still looked surprised.

“Yes.” I hooked my hand around his arm as we walked through the street.

“Is your husband aware of your plans?”

“Yes. He told me we should invite you. I would want you to be there, Dad.”

“Is he treating you all right?”

I chuckled. “Gabriel is a good person. He could be uptight regarding my safety, but I couldn’t blame him after what happened to me.”

“I heard what happened. Are you okay?”

I nodded. Sometimes, it still gave me terror whenever I was in the car. “Yeah. I was so terrified I thought I was going to die. I shouldn’t have left the house and drove alone.”

“Don’t do that again. Estelle, you’re not that little girl who could play in the park alone anymore. You’re also married to Mr. Linden. You are one of the wealthiest people in the country. You can’t ignore that people won’t recognize you. They can also take that as an advantage.”

“Jaymes also said the same thing. And I learn from it, Dad. It was so terrifying.”

“You should listen to your husband. Enough of running away, walking out when you won’t get what you want.”

I laughed and stared at him. “Did you just say I should listen to my husband?”

“You look happy and well. I guess he does take care of you and treats you well.”

“He does. He’s been amazing.” Once we were near the coffee shop, I asked him. “I want you to meet him, Dad. Please?”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” He didn’t hide his hesitance in his voice, which was all over his face.

“Trust me. This is the best time. Please, Dad? I also want you to have at least a civil relationship with him. Just give him a chance.”

Dad blew a breath before he agreed, “All right.”

“Good.” I smiled as we entered the coffee shop. I instantly saw Linden’s back. He wore a well-tailored dark blue suit and always pulled it off nicely. With him were Lynx, Sax, and Yue. Kye was handling an operation back home.

Once we were closer, Lynx rose from the table. Sax and Yue followed and went to the other table next to it.

Linden stood up and buttoned his suit before he turned to face us. Before he could say something, I widened my eyes at him as my warning. Instead of giving me back a warning, he just smiled.

“Mr. Bladwyn.” He offered his hand. “Good to meet you.”

“Mr. Linden.” Dad shook his hand. “How are you finding London so far?”

“We just arrived last night. I haven’t had a chance to look around, but I’ve been here before.” He gestured for my father to take a seat and unbuttoned his suit before he sat back.

Dad sat across him while I chose the seat between them. After they ordered coffee and tea for me, my father cut the chase.

“So, you’re marrying my daughter again.”

“That’s the plan, sir. I proposed again, and she said yes. I know it’s too late, but my father raised me in a traditional household and taught me to be a good man and to respect the parents of my wife. He said your in-laws are your second parents. So, I’m hoping I could ask for your blessings.”

My mouth hung open. It wasn’t a part of the plan because he never mentioned something like this. I shut my mouth when Dad looked at me.

“You have my blessings.”

“Thank you, sir. I promise I will treat her with respect.”

“If you ever mistreat her, I will do everything to kill you.”

“Dad.” My eyes went wide.

“Noted. If I mistreat her, I will kill myself, too.”

“Gabriel.” I turned to him with the same reaction. “Enough of the word kill for today.”

He just smiled at me while my heart was in my throat. “I haven’t apologized for what I did and how I acted. Please accept my sincerest apology.”

I couldn’t contain my smile. I didn’t expect that from him, too, but I hoped he could treat my father like Moses or how he saw Mom.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“I would like very much if we could just forget what happened. Tyrion put me in a tough spot. I know there’s no way to undo how I treated you. Looking at my daughter right now, I was wrong. You are a good man, Mr. Linden. I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry too, sir, but please call me Linden or Gabe.”

The coffee and tea arrived.

“So, have you thought of where you wanna get married?”

“Italy.”

I raised a brow at Linden. “Italy?”

“It’s where we met. What do you think? But you’re the boss, baby.”

“What do you think, Dad?” I turned to Dad.

“You two are the ones who get married. It’s your choice, but I will be there anywhere where to choose to renew your vows.”

The door chimed. The shop went silent. I turned to see who walked in, and that made everyone stop.

“Oh, my God.”