My Protector: The Billionaire's Hidden Devotion

ly useless! She' s going to ruin everything for me, just like last time. His internal roar

smile. In my previous life, it had been me on the receiving end. Me, desperate for his love, clinging to the fading hope that the charming

e, a woman whose career and reputation had been systematically destroyed by her own trusted partner. I had no

me. She had made her choice. She had embraced her jealousy, sought to destroy me, and allied herself wi

red, a testament to the Becker family's influence. As Essie Becker made her grand entrance, leaning lightly

ers hunched. Her gown, though clean now, was a shade less vibrant than mine, a deliberate choice by Chloe to project an image of demure elegance, bu

across the silent hall, "that's quite an interesting choice of a

gant! Curtis picked it out for me!" She instinctively clutched Curtis's a

ed on Chloe's arm. Idiot. Why can't she eve

es of a formal event. Perhaps he'll learn." She paused, her gaze hardening. "However, your responsibility is to represent our family with grace and dignity.

t's just... he was so busy, and with e

ane, bringing it down sharply on the polished marble floor with a resound

snapped, her eyes blazing. "You will not embarrass this family, and you

e instinctively recoiled, trying to hide behind

his face. He made no move to protect Chloe, no gesture of comfort. This is perfect. She' s dest

Chloe' s cowering form. "Get her out of here, Curt

m, "it would be best if Curtis escorted Chloe home. She does seem rather... overwhelmed. We wouldn't want to spoil the dinner."

. "Ellie, my dear. Always the voice of reason. You handle these situations with such... c

word, but his silent gesture was a powerful affirmation. He pulled m

. Becker. Come on, Chloe." He grabbed Chloe's arm, his grip almost brutal, ya

m, leaving red marks on her pale skin. He leaned down, his voice a low, vicious whisper, audible only t

hum of the house a stark contrast to the earlier drama. My mind, however, was restless. I i

' s voice, cold and laced with fury. "You thought you could embarrass me? You thought you could make me look li

looded my mind. He' s hitting me! Oh god, he' s going to kill me!

in a twisted way, was being served. And a chilling echo of my own past pain. This was the price of

ld, hard understanding. She had

ed, his dark eyes fixed on me. "Ellie," he said, his voice softer than usual. "You handl

prise in my heart. "Thank you. I

Or your intelligence. You turned a potential disaster into a display of family unity, with you at its core." He paused, his gaze soft

voice barely a whisper. "More than anything. To be ind

wled business plans. "Your ideas for the AI division are sound. More than sound, they're revolutionary." He looked at me, a rare, genu

I had dared to hope for. A real project, with

nderstanding of consumer psychology will be invaluable. You'll be overseeing the acquisition of a struggling but iconic fashion house, turning it around, and launching a new line. It' s a challenge, E

h to true independence. I looked at him, truly looked at him, for the firs

ised, my voice filled with a conviction born of past pain and ne

cker of something unrea