Chapter 7
Hah, “in business“? Who was buying that bullshit?
He was Adrian Volkan–current CEO of Volkan International, the sole heir to a billion–dollar empire that controlled global supply chains.
Sure, the Anderson family might rule California with an iron fist, but the Volkans never bothered confining themselves to just one city.
Their tentacles reached into aviation, shipping, natural resources, AI, even entertainment and defense. Any industry you could think of, they had their fingers in it.
Media?
That was just Adrian’s little toy when he got bored–a side hustle for a rich boy “stuck in California,” just for fun.
I’d heard the rumors.
His grandfather retired in California, so he naturally “happened” to take over operations here, like some rich kids might run a winery to keep their parents entertained.
He casually started a company, registered brands, like he was playing the business version of SimCity.
He could have told me who he was.
But he didn’t.
He let me think he was some reporter working at a local rag, still paying off his car loan. Just some regular guy in high–street brands who loved gossip.
He played the part perfectly, flawlessly–at least to me.
And this whole “pretending to be ordinary” act made me angrier the more I thought about it.
In a way, we were strangers–he had no obligation to tell me the truth. But he deliberately wanted me to figure it out myself.
He wanted to see my reaction when I realized everything.
That mischievous smirk of his was the answer.
“Oh really?” My voice turned icy.
“Who was it that told me he was just some small time reporter?”
13:46 O
His
aby is My Betty
While He’s Babysuring His Bruendos Ext
Chapter 7
I stared at him, the sarcasm in my words practically forming frost.
Adrian stiffened slightly. I could tell he’d originally found this all quite amusing.
But he hadn’t expected–I was genuinely pissed.
He was a few years younger than me, probably twenty–seven or twenty–eight, the typical rich heir–raised in Swiss boarding schools, fluent in three languages, looked like he’d stepped out of a luxury menswear ad.
For him, there was nothing in this world that couldn’t be solved with money, wit, or charm.
He’d known he was “special” since childhood and was used to that privilege.
And me? I’d just escaped from a family that used power to crush people.
I didn’t need another man treating me like an experiment to test his own appeal.
The composure on his face slowly gave way to something like regret.
“I’m sorry.”
His voice dropped, clearly less confident than usual.
“I wasn’t trying to deceive you. I just—”
“Just wanted to show off, right?” I finished for him.
eful smile, like a schoolboy called out by his teacher.
re right.”
friend stood nearby, blinking as she tried to ease the awkward tension.
“OK, but seriously… it’s freezing out here.”
She rubbed her arms. “If you two are gonna fight, can you at least do it while walking?”
That’s when I finally felt the bone–deep chill of the rainy season.
Wind cut through the wet streets like icy blades. I wrapped my arms around myself, instinctively hugging my body tight.
I was pregnant now. Cold wasn’t just “uncomfortable” for me–it was dangerous.
Seeing this, Adrian said nothing, just took off his wool coat and naturally draped it over my shoulders.
It was a beautifully tailored custom piece, carrying the fresh scent of cedar and leather cologne–warm and reassuring.
13:46
His Rival’s Baby in My Belly… While He’s Babysitting His Pregnant Ex!
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Chapter 7
“We’ll get you something warmer in a bit,” he said.
Not a command, not pity. Just stating fact.
I stared down at the coat’s buttons, unable to tell if I was shivering from the wind or because my heart was a tangled
mess.
