Hate To Love You My Billionaire Lover

Arianna’s heart sank. He didn’t seem to be feeling very sympathetic today.

She dropped her gaze in disappointment, then looked back at him with sorrow in her eyes. Arianna said, “Your father died because he was in trouble. My dad died in nearly the same situation. My mother… she committed suicide right after his death. My uncle did the same, just many years before her.”

Arianna took a slow breath before continuing, “Now, my grandfather, Mr. Sanchez, lost his son, daughter, wife, and son-in-law in his late years. He is all alone, and the family business he devoted his life to is crumbling before him. I’m the only one he has left, and I need to help him. Is his situation not enough to lessen your hatred?”

Her voice began to shake, “I know there’s an immeasurable amount of resentment between our families, but please, just let him be. After all, he didn’t take his share of the takeovers and liquidation over the years, which is also why you got the chance to sit here today.”

Several moments of silence passed before Travis smiled. His face softened, but his words were just the opposite.

“Are you enlightening me? Are you suggesting the resentment between two families should come to a stop for a dying old man? What a pity. Your honorable grandfather didn’t seem to think that mattered a few years ago.”

He added, “Now, to avoid being in the same situation as him someday, I need to neglect any risks, including you, Arianna.”

Her face grew paler and paler as he spoke. She was not good at arguing and did not have witty comebacks. Usually, she used silence to get her way, but in this case, it was nowhere near enough. She crossed one leg over the other to help hold her composure.

Arianna squeezed the beads on her mother’s bracelet against her palm. She wished her mother’s soul could give her some courage and strength.

Her tension seemed to be pleasing him. Travis’s eyes appeared gentler, and his tone eased, “You were so prepared before you came. You probably even practiced your speech, didn’t you?”

He chuckled before condescendingly continuing, “You know about my family, nice work. It seems like you’ve made progress over the years.”

“Thanks to you,” Arianna mumbled automatically.

Her words seemed to please him once more. He was the one who decided the life or death of her family.

Travis pushed the tissue box across the desk to her. Arianna self-consciously dabbed the tears out of her eyes. In the meantime, he had gotten up and started to boil some water.

Arianna lowered her head and relaxed her shoulders to ease the tension. She should show him gratefulness to make him happier, she thought, but she just couldn’t do it.

“How would you be willing to leave my grandfather alone?”

He casually poured her a cup of tea and placed it in front of her before replying, “I think the correct person to ask is the judge, no? The offenders are usually punished. This is a matter of justice, isn’t it?”

He was sincere and patient. Arianna was beginning to grow tired of his mood swings.

“He is old, and his body is failing him. He would not last long in prison.” Arianna continued to try to sway him.

“I’m sorry that I was not strong enough to confront Mr. Sanchez when he was younger and energetic.” Travis said with an innocent smile and leaned forward, “Miss Jenkins, I am no hero either, but I will try to be fair. Since you pre-paid me many years ago, I will not touch you and the belongings under your name.”

Travis continued to explain, “Those stocks written in your name will be discounted to you at normal price, and you can continue your current manner of living.”

“I don’t need those. I don’t mind losing anything. I wouldn’t dare ask someone to let go of their family, though. I only ask for the peace and freedom of my grandfather in his final years. Please don’t make him spend them in jail.”

Arianna was begging now, and she hated herself for it.

“What can I do? I always admire devoted children.” His voice carried some ridicule, “But I’m not a charity. I only do transactions with interests. What would you do in exchange for the freedom of your grandfather?”

“The Sanchez Group will soon be in your possession. Every piece of it is yours. What do you need above that?”

Travis intertwined the fingers of his one hand with the other and rested his hands on his stomach as he leaned back in his chair once more. His expression was a bit lazy, “Since you entered this door, I’ve been waiting for the drama of you selling your body and soul to me in order to save your family member.”

He looked at his watch once more and added, “Miss, you are not meeting my expectations, which is really disappointing. So, if you have a trump card you’d like to play, now is the time.”

Arianna couldn’t speak. This was not how she wanted this meeting to go; nevertheless, what he just secretly told her would save her grandfather.

After a long break, she said to him, “You used to tell me not to read the sappy stories written in popular novels. You said they’re deceptive and are unlike the real world. I’ve always remembered that.”

A sly smile appeared on Travis’s face. He said, “How do you know if you don’t try it? I thought that with your taste, you wouldn’t be interested in a member of the hostile family.”

When Arianna didn’t reply, Travis explicitly said, “Maybe I’m just bored. I’d like to try something fun.”

Arianna’s stomach felt like it flipped. She looked at the handsome face that was now showing evil. Her brain went empty.

She could not believe what he was saying to her. He would stop all actions imposed on her grandfather’s company in exchange for her indefinite freedom.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Trying to negotiate, she said in a faint voice, “I’m not asking for much, just my grandfather’s peace… You wouldn’t be interested in me for a long time. So you can set a deadline.”

“Miss Jenkins, I am Party A. I am the rule maker. Either you accept my terms or leave.”

“I am not worth that much money, Mr. Cooper. And I don’t need company either.” Her heart was slowly breaking.