My Child and I Married a Billionaire

Chapter 13: Tear Her Up

Editor: Henyee Translations

So Vivian got to slander her and simply walk away?

Not a chance.

Vivian was turning to leave with a smug smile when Cecelia suddenly grabbed her wrist.

"You said that condom belonged to President Mason and me, right?" Cecelia’s voice was cold. "Fine. I’ll call him right now. We can all go to the hospital and have it tested."

Vivian froze.

Cecelia tightened her grip.

"You’re coming with me. So is everyone else." Her eyes were icy. "And if the results prove it has nothing to do with me—and instead show that you were the one involved with whoever used it—how exactly do you plan to explain yourself?"

For a moment, Vivian was speechless. She had never expected the quiet, easygoing Cecelia of the past to become this aggressive.

A DNA test? A lab analysis? Vivian hadn’t thought that far ahead. Forcing a laugh, she waved dismissively. "Who cares who used it? That’s your private business. As long as you’re bringing in contracts, you’re still valuable to the company. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?"

She tried to pull her hand free. "If your husband doesn’t care, why should any of us? Let go."

But Cecelia didn’t move.

"Being slandered is one thing," she said evenly. "But President Mason is one of our long-term clients. If rumors like this spread, it could damage both his reputation and the company’s." She raised her phone. "So yes, I’m taking it seriously."

The moment the screen lit up and Cecelia began dialing, panic flashed across Vivian’s face.

Without warning, Vivian kicked over the trash can. Garbage scattered across the floor. "Oh my God!" she exclaimed dramatically. "Look at this mess! The trash hasn’t been taken out in days. Everything’s mixed together now." Then she quickly added, "Fine. Let’s just say nothing happened between you and President Mason. I was wrong. Happy now?"

Cecelia was so furious she nearly slapped her.

"You publicly accused me of sleeping around for contracts," she said through clenched teeth. "And you think saying ’I was wrong’ makes it disappear?"

Vivian finally yanked her hand free and rubbed her reddened wrist. A trace of guilt flickered across her face. "So what do you want?"

What Cecelia wanted was to throw her out of the sales department and permanently sew her mouth shut. But this was still the workplace. As the new team leader, she couldn’t afford to create a bigger scene.

After a long moment, she sat back down.

"Watch your mouth," she said coldly. "If this happens again, I’ll call the police."

Vivian snorted and stalked toward the break room, coffee mug in hand.

Not long afterward, Kevin Lee appeared. He glanced in the direction Vivian had gone before lowering his voice. "Was what you said true?"

Vivian looked up sharply.

Kevin was twenty-eight years old and from a small rural town. He had clawed his way into Veridia without family connections or backing. His salary was average. His looks were average. But like many men, he possessed an extraordinary amount of confidence in spite of those facts.

For years, he’d been pursuing Cecelia. Or more accurately, harassing her. Daily good-morning texts. Saving her a seat in the cafeteria. Bringing her coffee she never asked for.

In Kevin’s mind, these small gestures amounted to a tremendous emotional investment. So when Cecelia suddenly announced she was married and had a child, he’d been furious.

The only thing stopping him from acting on that resentment was the possibility that her husband was powerful.

Now, thanks to Vivian’s rumors, a different possibility had taken root.

Maybe the husband wasn’t real. Maybe the entire marriage was a lie. Maybe Cecelia’s private life wasn’t nearly as respectable as she’d claimed.

Vivian, who had long seen through Kevin’s obsession, took advantage of it. She leaned in and whispered something in his ear.

That afternoon, Kevin approached her desk carrying a client file.

"Ms. Archer," he said, "President Thorne—the contact we met at the trade show last month—has shown strong interest in our products. He’s asked for details several times, but hasn’t signed yet." He opened the folder. "I think there’s real potential there."

Cecelia reviewed the information. The company was legitimate and sizable.

Kevin continued, "I’m flying to Corvane tomorrow to handle a contract renewal with another client. Since I’ll already be there, I thought we could meet President Thorne at the same time." He smiled. "The only problem is that I don’t have the authority to approve discount rates." His gaze settled on her. "Would you come with me?"

After reviewing the file, Cecelia nodded. "Alright. I’ll discuss it with management."

A few meetings later, the trip was approved. The department manager even encouraged her to use the opportunity to strengthen client relationships.

The following morning, Cecelia and Kevin boarded a flight to Corvane.

After landing, Cecelia planned to check into a hotel first. But Kevin immediately gave the driver an address. "We don’t have much luggage," he said. "The meeting’s already scheduled, and we’re running short on time. Let’s go straight there."

Work came first.

Cecelia didn’t think much of it. "Okay."

The taxi drove for nearly forty minutes. Then it stopped. Cecelia looked out the window. Her expression changed instantly. This wasn’t a business district. It wasn’t even a functioning industrial park. The entire area was abandoned. Dilapidated warehouses stretched across the landscape.

Broken windows. Rusting fences. Overgrown weeds.

Not a single person in sight. No clients. No workers. No vehicles.

Nothing. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

A bad feeling settled in her stomach.

"Kevin," she said slowly, "President Thorne’s factory is here?"

Today, she wasn’t wearing her usual office attire. Instead, she wore a simple black sleeveless dress with wide straps and nude-colored flats. Her shoulders were lightly exposed. Combined with her youthful features, she looked more like a college student on vacation than a corporate team leader.

Kevin’s eyes lingered on her. They had for the entire trip. The hunger in them was impossible to miss now. For this moment, he had planned too much to back out.

"President Thorne relocated recently," he said smoothly. "The old factory still has some equipment inside." He pointed toward one of the warehouses. "He asked us to wait there. He’ll be here shortly." freёwebnovel.com

Despite her unease, Cecelia followed him. Management had approved the trip. The entire department knew where she was.

Besides...

Surely Kevin wasn’t insane enough to lure her all the way here just to—

The thought stopped there.

Because even Cecelia hadn’t fully grasped how twisted he was.

The warehouse was empty. No machinery. No offices. No signs of recent activity. Only dust. Broken parts. Scattered bolts and screws.

And silence.

The moment she saw it, alarm bells exploded in her head. She turned around immediately. And ran. But Kevin was faster. He stepped in front of the exit, blocking her path.

"What are you running for?" he asked casually. His smile made her skin crawl. "Didn’t I tell you President Thorne would be here soon?"

Cecelia’s heart sank. Everything clicked into place.

"Kevin," she said, staring at him, "you’ve completely lost your mind."

He laughed. A low, ugly sound.

"No," he said. "I think you’re the crazy one." He took a step closer. "We’re both office workers."

Another step.

"What makes you think you’re so much better than me?" His eyes gleamed. "You even hired an actor to pretend to be your husband just to fool everyone." His voice dripped with resentment. "I never realized you were this vain."

Another step.

"Or this hypocritical."

At that moment, Cecelia understood.

Vivian.

Vivian had poisoned his mind.

"Everything she told you is a lie!" Cecelia snapped. "Vivian is the one sleeping around! She’ll regret this when I get back to the office!"

Kevin merely smiled. "We’ll find out soon enough."

The look in his eyes turned dangerous. Slowly, he pushed a large suitcase toward her. Then unzipped it. Inside were blankets, pillows, and other things she didn’t want to identify.

"I prepared everything." His voice softened into something terrifying. "Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you’re comfortable." He looked her up and down. Slowly. Hungrily. "Now be a good girl." His smile widened. "And let me get a proper look at you."