The Billionaire Who Stole My Heart

"Are you folks with the Malones?"

Ronald spat out a mouthful of blood, miles away in Craneville. If he died here, it would never trace back to them. Clearly, they had been on his tail for a while!

The group sneered menacingly.

"Mr. Malone, sorry about this-"

Kari frantically dialed 911 and then called Brittany for help. After hanging up, she rummaged through the car and grabbed a hammer.

"Crash"

With a swing, she shattered the car window.

Then she climbed out and, with all her might, brought the hammer down on one of the men's heads. Ronald, startled, sprang to his feet and, taking Kari with him, dashed through the crowd! "After them, don't let them get away!"

Ditching the hammer, Kari followed Ronald, running at breakneck speed.

They darted through the most deserted areas, heading straight for the Spring Retreat center.

As the crowd thickened, they managed to slip away.

"Stop-"

Kari couldn't run any further and gasped for a break.

Ronald led her back to their hotel, feeling a pang of guilt at her exhausted state: "I'm sorry."

It was him they were after.

Kari shook her head: "Those guys meant harm, but I've called the cops. Hopefully, they'll get caught."

Ronald knew the Malone family had it in for him.

Especially the eldest Malone heir.

Always calling him an outcast, a bastard, yet in the end, it was this "bastard" who snatched the heir's position! "Let's head upstairs."

Upon returning to their room, Ronald received a call from the police. The assailants had fled.

Ronald complied with a visit to the police station to give his statement, then called his assistant: "Check on all the Malones' activities, the more details, the better."

He couldn't just let this slide after being blindsided.

After the hospital visit for his injuries and a return to the hotel, their vacation spirit was utterly dampened.

They booked flights back to Imperial City that very day.Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

Before leaving, Kari tried calling Brittany, getting no response, which worried her.

But Ronald urged her on, to board their flight.

Landing in Imperial City two days later, Ronald dropped Kari off at her place before heading to the Malone estate alone.

Upon entry, he found Tobin Malone, Mrs. Malone's son, kneeling in the living room, his face a mess of bruises and swellings, clearly beaten. "Grandfather."

Ronald bypassed the mother and son, greeting Old Mr. Malone.

Mrs. Malone's face was a portrait of embarrassment.

Old Mr. Malone, catching his breath,

knew Ronald wouldn't let things slide easily: "Ronald, he just got carried away this time. I've already disciplined him. Can we let bygones be bygones?"

Ronald knew the old man had a soft spot for him, yet his favoritism was apparent.

He glanced coldly at the man still kneeling: "Grandfather, I almost died. And all it takes is an apology and a beating?"

"Ronald, what more do you want-" Tobin rose in anger, ready to lash out.

But Old Mr. Malone struck him down with his cane: "Kneel!"

Such foolishness, even now he dares to raise his hand?

Tobin lay prostrate, unable to move.

Ronald knew this was all for show: "Grandfather."

"Tobin, after all, is part of the Malones."

"With the situation this blown up, it's hardly likely to calm down so easily.. Ronald feigned difficulty: "If this gets out, dragging the Mafone name through the mud, it'd be a loss for us all." en