WARMING THE BILLIONAIRE COLD HEART

Arthur Rayder sipped his chamomile tea specially prepared for him. He was sitting on his terrace, enjoying the evening. His feeling was peaceful, and not long after, Mario arrived and joined him.

“Have you both come back from work?” Arthur asked.

Mario nodded. “Yes, Opa. Just arrived five minutes ago. There’s something I need to tell you.”

Arthur put down the teacup he was holding and spoke again.

“What do you want to talk about?”

Mario took something from his work bag. After finding what he was looking for, he handed it over to Arthur. Without hesitation, the old man accepted what Mario gave him.

“It’s the result of Capital’s decision,” Mario said after handing the paper to Arthur.

Arthur put on his reading glasses and carefully read what was written on the paper.

“So, Alpha Beta was chosen this time?” His voice sounded displeased.

Mario nodded again.

“That’s right, Opa. Alpha Beta got chosen. I think they deserve it.”

“If Alpha Beta can do it, why can’t we? Has Kimberly found out about this?”

Once again, Mario nodded.

“She has, and she seemed indifferent about it.”

Arthur chuckled sourly upon hearing Mario’s words.

“Poor, unfortunate granddaughter of mine. The first time she gets into business, she has to be defeated by that insolent brat who had already hurt her heart.”

“Opa…” Mario murmured softly. “Kimberly is fine. There may be other opportunities in the future that are just as significant as this one. Isn’t there always a winner and a loser in every competition? Maybe our company just wasn’t lucky this time. But at another time, it might be us who have a chance to get it.”

Arthur responded to Mario’s words with a deep sigh. He was thinking about something right now. Something that might affect the relationship between Kimberly and Nicholas in the future.

Later that night, in a different place, Nicholas was already dressed and ready to go out. Tonight, he was determined to visit Kimberly’s house. Whatever happened, he had to meet her.

Confidently, Nicholas set off. Driving his car, he finally arrived in front of Arthur Rayder’s luxurious home. There, a guard intercepted his arrival.

“I want to meet Miss Kimberly,” Nicholas requested to the guard on duty.

The guard nodded but didn’t immediately allow Nicholas to enter. He first reported to Arthur, who happened to be inside the house.

“Sir, there’s a man who wants to meet Miss Kimberly. May we let him in?” the guard asked through the intercom.

Arthur furrowed his brow in question.

“Ask the man’s name.”

The guard obeyed and approached Nicholas to inquire about his name. After receiving the answer, the guard reported back to Arthur.

“His name is Nicholas Alistair, Sir.”

Arthur fell silent in his position.

Quite daring, this young man.

What could he want coming here at this hour?

Ah, but it doesn’t matter. It seems I have a plan that could benefit both of them.

From his position, Arthur could be seen laughing cunningly. He was planning something now.

“Tell him to come in,” Arthur instructed the guard.

Meanwhile, Nicholas waited anxiously behind the wheel. He waited patiently and hopefully, praying that his visit would be accepted by either Kimberly or Arthur Rayder. He waited for quite some time until the guard returned to him and knocked on the car window.

“You may enter.”

With a feeling of great relief mixed with joy, Nicholas directed his car into Arthur Rayder’s driveway. After parking it neatly, he quickly got out. The guard who had allowed him in was waiting not far from the door. He approached Nicholas and escorted him to where he needed to go.

“Please have a seat. Just wait here,” the guard said as he led Nicholas into the living room.

Nicholas nodded and took a seat on the sofa. Believe it or not, he felt nervous now, afraid that Kimberly might suddenly chase him away. But after waiting for a few minutes, it was not Kimberly who approached him, but Arthur Rayder who came and sat down with him on the sofa, facing him directly.

“It seems you still have the courage to meet my granddaughter,” Arthur chuckled bitterly at Nicholas.

Nicholas just lowered his head. He didn’t have the courage to look at the old man’s face.

“Anyway, I need to put an end to the misunderstandings between Kimberly and me.”

Arthur chuckled again.

“What else do you have to explain? My granddaughter truly loves you, but you’ve accused her of all sorts of things. I’m amazed how Kimberly could fall in love with a guy like you.”

“For that, I have to meet with her, Mr. Arthur. I have to apologize and explain that I truly love her.”

Arthur glanced dismissively at Nicholas.

“Love, you say? After repeatedly disappointing her? Even your company’s victory in the Capital tender could make Kimberly even more heartbroken.”

Nicholas shook his head.

“Please, let’s keep it professional. Don’t connect work issues with our personal matters. They are completely different.”

Hearing Nicholas’s words made Arthur burst into loud laughter.

“What do you young people know? Moreover, even if Kimberly forgives you and accepts your love, do you think I would readily approve of your relationship?” Once again, Arthur laughed from his position. “Don’t dream that I will just hand over my beloved granddaughter to you!”

Nicholas lifted his head and looked at Arthur with a pleading gaze.

“I beg you, forgive me. How can I convince Mr. Arthur that I truly love Kimberly?”

Arthur narrowed his eyes at Nicholas.

“You’re asking me how to convince me?”

Nicholas nodded quickly.

“I’ll do anything to prove that I genuinely love your granddaughter.”

From the expression on his face, Nicholas spoke sincerely. He didn’t want to lose Kimberly this time. He was determined to do whatever it took to prove his feelings. There was no more doubt like before.

“Very well, can I trust your words?”

Nicholas nodded confidently.

“Of course. A true man is judged by his words.”

Arthur smiled with a meaningful look.

“In that case, prove it to me. Cancel the collaboration between Alpha Beta and Capital. If you can do that, I promise to approve of your relationship with Kimberly. But if you can’t do it, don’t expect to see Kimberly again. I’ll make sure she marries Mario as soon as possible.”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Upon hearing this statement, Nicholas froze in his position.

Canceling a project worth 25 trillion,

or losing Kimberly?

Has this old man gone crazy?