Married On Paper To The Billionaire
Chapter 47: When Money Talks

"How did you find me?"

"That's not important right now. May I come in?"

"No. Leave right now before I call security."

Kane snorted. "What will you tell them? I'm sure you're not aware that I co-own this hotel. You're going to need a very convincing explanation to get them to throw me out."

"I don't care if you own the entire city. I'm not talking to you and that's final."

Matt tried to shut the door but Kane put his foot in the way and shouldered the door open instead. Matt instinctively stepped back warily, bracing himself for a fight with his billionaire rival. "I'm not here to fight with you, Matt. Instead, I came to make you an offer that you will find very beneficial to your life."

"I'm not interested."

"You haven't even heard my offer."

"I don't care!"

"How old are you? Fifteen?"

"Don't make me lose my temper, Kane Beaumont. You don't intimidate me."

"I'm happy to hear that," Kane said dryly. "Now listen to what I have to say. I am aware that you hate your job at Madison Ranch but you enjoy farming and everything else that comes with the terrain." "So?"

"I'll buy you a ranch in Wyoming and you can become your own boss and an employer. It's a 20-acre property with vegetable and fruit farms as well as livestock pens."

Matt's eyes became huge with wonder. "Only Morris Madison has that kind of property in Wyoming."

"And it's yours for the taking if you want it. He's ready to sell it to me and I want to buy it for you."

"Because?"

"I want you to stay away from my wife forever. You get the career of your dreams and I get my family back. It's a win for all of us."

"Except Emilia. She's tired of you. You've made her miserable from the first day she married you. Why wouldn't you just let her go and find happiness elsewhere."

"I am her happiness and she's mine. Look, this is the best offer you'll get from me. I shouldn't even be offering you anything but I can see that you're a desperate young man and this is my way of helping you. Stop trying to use my wife as a poverty alleviation scheme."

"How dare you insult me like that. Unlike you, I genuinely love Emilia. I'm not with her for money. I can make mine."

"But you haven't been doing that lately, have you? This is the only offer you'll get from me. Take it now and disappear!"

"No!"

"Excuse me?"

"I said no. I don't want Morris Madison's ranch and I don't want any bribe from you. My feeling for Emilia is not for sale."

He put his hand in his pocket and brought out the ring box. "You see this? I asked Emilia to marry me tonight and she told me to hold on to the ring until your divorce is finalized. Once she successfully gets rid of you, she'll marry me." Kane glared at him with so much fury, it was a miracle that he didn't pounce on Matt and pummel him with his fists.

"Is this a joke?"

"No, Kane. If you don't believe me, ask her. Emilia loves me and she can't wait to be free of you. Stop chasing a woman who doesn't love you anymore. Let her go."

There was nothing more to be said. Kane turned around and marched towards the door where he paused with his hand on the handle.

"Once I step out of this room, my offer to you ends. Is that clear?"

"Crystal clear," Matt replied confidently. "Get out of my hotel room, Kane Beaumont. Your time is up."

****

"What is wrong with you, Kane? How could you do that?"

"Do what? Offer the kid a chance at escaping poverty?"

"Matt is not a kid and he's not poor."

"I beg to differ."

"You're crossing the line with this. I don't belong to you anymore and you can't dictate who I can be with or not."

"You're still married to me and that's why I'm looking out for you."

"Don't look out for me, I can take care of myself."

"Why can't you just see that that guy is an opportunist social climber who's using you as a come-up."

"That was what everyone said about me when I married you the first time. It's nothing new."

"Come on, Emilia. Seriously?"

"I mean it, Kane. Back off!"

As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.com is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away!

"I don't want your reputation to be dragged through the mud all over again."

"Is that a warning or a threat?"

"Neither. Just a friendly piece of advice."

"Thank you," she snapped and ended the call. "The audacity!"

She eventually figured out the meaning behind Kane's cryptic advice the following day when Matt called her, sounding hysterical and speaking hurriedly.

"Calm down, Matt. What is the problem? Are you back in Wyoming? Are you ok?"

"No, I'm not ok and I'm still in California."

"Why? I thought you were leaving today?"

"I was. I was packing my bags a couple of minutes ago and then Molly called me to tell me that my parents were on TV. I thought she was joking but then she sent me to check WBX-TV right away and I did." "And?"

"My parents are on TV right now on the same talk show that Molly featured in the other time. They're saying the vilest things about you and making it seem as if I'm losing my mind or something. That is so unlike them. Why would they do this? They don't even watch TV!"

Emilia quickly hurried to her living room to switch on the TV and locate the channel. Sure enough, the interview was still going on.

However, this time, the interview was taking place on the middle-aged couple's front porch. Emilia absently noted how Matt favored his mother in looks but had his father's physique.

"I am appealing to Mrs Beaumont to release her hold on our son," his mother was saying mournfully. "He has deserted us yet again as he always does whenever she beckons to him. It's as if he's under a spell."

"She has no consideration for us, his parents," his father said. "We need our son here to take care of us but he's gone to the city to live with that Jezebel who can't stay married to her wealthy husband." "Oh, God..." Emilia groaned and switched off the TV.

"I'm so sorry, Emilia," Matt said on the phone.

His voice startled her. She'd forgotten that she was still holding the phone to her ear.

"You know what, Matt, I think you should go back home right now and reconcile with your folks."

"We were never separated before. We talked every day. Why would they do something as disgraceful as this?"

"That's exactly why you need to go back and talk with them. They're only concerned for your safety, that's all."

"I don't think so. This interview wasn't random. I think Kane paid them to do it."

"I think the same thing and that's why I need you to go back home to your family. Kane won't stop until you're no longer a threat to his chances of getting me back."

"And that's exactly why I won't leave! I'm not going to let that bully win."

"This isn't a competition, Matt. This is my life!"

"But Emilia, I love you."

"If you do, you will save me from further embarrassment by going home to your family. Let me deal with Kane by myself, ok?"

There was a long pause on the other end of the phone line. Emilia waited patiently for Matt to go through his thoughts and continue the conversation when he was ready. "Ok, if that's what you want," he said finally. He sounded defeated.

"I'm very sorry, Matt, but it's better this way. I'll try to keep in touch with you."

He hung up without saying another word. Strangely enough, Emilia felt extremely relieved.

"Thank God that's over," she sighed to herself. "now, back to Kane Beaumont. He better have a good explanation for this stunt or else I'm about to become a widow!"

****

"She's gone, Emilia. I promise you, she is," Kane said earnestly.

"And has the entire house been fumigated for bugs?" She asked coldly.

"We'll do that today," Kane replied promptly.

"I'm only considering this reconciliation for the sake of our children. I don't want them to miss out on having a proper relationship with you as their father."

"I appreciate your consideration," he said dutifully.

"If it were up to me, I'd never go back to that mansion or stay married to you. I've gone through hell and all sorts of nightmares because of you."

"I apologize for all that. I'm ready to put in the work to make our marriage work from now on."

"Fine," she sighed.

She had nothing else to prove. She'd gotten her pound of flesh and yet, he wants her back. At least now he knew he couldn't mess with her anymore and not get checked by her.

Their lawyers were pleased with the amiable resolution and began the paperwork to nullify the initial divorce petition. Once all that formality was done, they all stepped out of the conference room feeling satisfied. "Thank you, Emilia. I'm going to make up for all my past mistakes," Kane said softly.

"We'll see about that," she replied haughtily but deep down, she was hopeful that he truly meant what he'd just said.