The Billionaire Who Saved Me

“You’re finally here, Ariel. We have been waiting for you.”

In truth, Ariel didn’t want to come to his parents’ house at all. But that afternoon, Farrah contacted him. She invited him to dinner because it seemed that Farrah and Kurt would be returning to Crestdale soon. There was something urgent.

Ariel pulled up a chair right in front of Farrah. He glanced at the dishes and then turned to his parents. He asked, “So… when are Mom and Dad planning to return to Crestdale?”

There were no small talk questions about news or anything else. Instead, Ariel asked the only question that was the reason for his visit that night. He looked at Kurt. The middle-aged man seemed to be enjoying his meal with a relaxed expression on his face. Unlike her husband, Farrah looked different.

“Probably next Saturday,” Farrah answered. “Your dad needs to check on something.”

Ariel wasn’t interested in knowing exactly what Kurt needed to check. His head was already full of his own affairs and problems. He didn’t want to add anything else to them.

“So, we’ll leave Ashford City for now.”

Ariel just mumbled. He took a piece of chicken. He put the food on his plate. But just as he was about to enjoy his meal, Kurt’s voice was heard.

“I hope you’ll concentrate on managing Lostic while we’re gone.”

Ariel and Farrah both looked at Kurt. The man seemed indifferent as he spoke, but he managed to get the attention of both his son and his wife at the same time.

“I know you have to juggle your other things,” Kurt continued, not even lifting his face from his plate. As if picking flesh from bones was more important than looking at his son while he spoke. “But at least remember what you said the other day. You want Lostic to regain its top position. And I hope that you really do it. Don’t let the Sanders family continue to dominate the market.”

That was indeed what Ariel had promised Kurt the other day. When he expressed his wish to take over Lostic. He was determined to move Lostic forward. Although that wasn’t the only reason for Ariel.

“Kurt.”

Farrah’s voice interrupted her husband’s words. The tone was different, causing Kurt to raise his face. He looked at his wife who was openly showing her displeasure.

“Don’t push Ariel too hard. After all, you know that Lostic isn’t the only thing Ariel has to deal with right now,” Farrah said, taking a quick look at her son. “There are other more important things he has to deal with.”

Kurt let out a long sigh. This time a slight wrinkle appeared on his forehead as he met Farrah’s eyes.

“Still about Garrett?”

Farrah’s sigh sounded weak. “Of course. After all, what Garrett possesses is more than anything else. If we can get Pasific, then Lostic won’t matter anymore.”

“Farrah.”

“Sorry, Kurt,” Farrah said quickly. She hurriedly continued. “I didn’t mean to belittle Lostic. Besides, it’s one of our prides.”

Actually, it’s the pride of the Ramirez family. One of the things that once made Farrah think that marrying Kurt wasn’t such a bad thing. Even though her husband’s family wasn’t exactly on the same level as hers, it still fell into the category of decent to Farrah.

“But of course, we can’t deny that having Pasific means we can have more power. And I am sure that once we have it, Lostic can flourish on its own. It will also be elevated.”

A reasonable thought. But it seems that Kurt didn’t quite agree with his wife.

“It’s not easy to get Pasific right now. You see it, right? I have heard almost no complaints about Garrett’s leadership. He can handle the company well. So how do you and Ariel plan to take Pasific out of Garrett’s hands?”

This one question made Farrah pout. She wasn’t unaware of it. On the contrary. She knew it very well. Even if she wanted to look at it objectively, Farrah wouldn’t ignore some facts. Wherever Garrett and Elice’s events took place, be it their engagement, wedding, or reception, she often heard people praising Garrett’s performance.

But Farrah wouldn’t admit it. She didn’t want to lower her hopes. Or Ariel’s hopes.

“Don’t worry, Ariel,” Farrah told her son. “I think you can handle this. Isn’t that right?”

Ariel nodded. “I’ll do anything to take everything away from Garrett. Mom and Dad don’t have to worry.”

A proud smile spread across Farrah’s face. She seemed pleased to see her son’s zeal. It gave her the confidence to speak to her husband again.

“You don’t have to worry, Kurt. I think Ariel can handle it.”

Kurt placed his spoon and fork on the side of the plate for a moment. Apparently, the conversation that had been going on since earlier was preventing him from enjoying the meal as much as he had before.

“This is not going to be easy for Ariel, Farrah.”

It seemed the husband and wife were in a moment of disagreement. Farrah clearly disagreed with her husband’s words.

“I think Ariel can handle it. And you don’t have to worry. I think Ariel is lucky like me. There is luck that shines on us.”

Ariel frowned. “Luck?”

“Yes.”

Farrah’s hand reached out and took her drink. It took the middle-aged woman at least three seconds to clear her slightly dry throat. Then a hint of a smile appeared on her face.

“The luck I got four years ago.”

Ariel stood still. His memory was drawn back.

Four years ago?

“Or maybe… like the luck twenty-five years ago.”

Not sure. But that time seemed familiar to Ariel.

Grandfather?

Farrah waved her hand in front of her face. She looked at Ariel indifferently, then turned to Kurt.

“You don’t have to worry, Kurt. I think that luck will be on our side again,” Farrah said confidently. “Anyway… it’s only this luck that makes me happy. Especially after all the injustices I had to endure from my own family.”

Kurt took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, his head shaking gently several times. He decided not to continue the conversation as a question crossed his mind.

Aren’t you happy, Farrah?

*

“This Saturday, you actually have an appointment, but if it’s urgent, I’ll cancel it.”

Without hesitation, Garrett nodded. “Cancel it.”

“Very well, sir,” Amber said as she typed on her tablet. “Is there anything else I need to do?”

Amber finished jotting down important notes on the tablet about Garrett’s Saturday cancellation. After leaving Garrett’s office, she would immediately contact several people involved to inform them of the cancellation. And now she needed to know if there was anything else her boss wanted.

Garrett seemed to think for a moment. About five seconds, it seemed. But the answer Amber got was a shake of the head.

“No, you may go.”

“Alright, sir.”

After Amber left, Garrett immediately opened the drawer of his desk. He pulled out a file with Dirk and Dakota’s addresses. Not wanting to forget, he placed the file in his work bag. He would need it later. Of course he would. Right on this Saturday. As he eagerly cleared his schedule.

Not wanting to arouse suspicion when the worst-case scenario was still swirling around in his head, Garrett hid his plans from Daphne. Fortunately for him. If it was difficult for him to find time during the workdays, there was one day when he could free himself. And luckily for him, Daphne would be leaving on that day. Along with Norah and Elice. It seemed as if fate had smiled on Garrett.

Elice was already prepared. Dressed in a knee-length, short-sleeved tunic and jeans. The perfect combination of pastel yellow and black gave her an elegant look.

“How do I look?” Elice asked as she grabbed her purse. “Not too much, right?”

“Not at all.”

This was a visit to the orphanage. Dress and appearance should not be extravagant. But, of course, it should still make a classy impression.

Garrett led Elice, Norah and Daphne into the courtyard of the house. He made sure the three women from different eras got into the car and watched as the four-wheeled vehicle drove off. Slowly it left the gate of the house and disappeared from his sight.

Garrett looked at his watch. But instead of leaving right away, he waited a moment. Half an hour later, Garrett was driving his own car, his first destination being Dirk’s house.

Luckily for Garrett, Dirk was home at the time. Although in reality it wasn’t easy for Garrett to meet the man. But Garrett insisted, until finally Dirk had no choice.

“Sorry to disturb your rest, sir.”

Reaching out for a handshake, Garrett apologized politely. Dirk seemed uncomfortable, but shook Garrett’s hand anyway.

“Please, have a seat.”

Garrett deliberately waited until the housekeeper had finished serving them tea and snacks. When the housekeeper left, Garrett didn’t beat around the bush.

“I’ll get right to the point, sir. The reason for my visit to your house is related to the matter Mrs. Amber informed you of a few days ago,” Garrett said. “And since you failed to attend the promised meeting, I had no choice.”

Dirk looked embarrassed. His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed.

“A meeting? Oh. I apologize for that. I thought I had informed Mrs. Amber at the time.”

Garrett’s brow furrowed slightly. He sensed something was wrong.

“I was indeed unable to attend at that time,” Dirk continued. “There was something urgent. I apologize.”

Of course, Garrett was sure that Amber had tried to find out why Dirk hadn’t been there. He trusted his secretary. Besides, he had already checked it himself.

“I apologize. There may have been a misunderstanding between you and Mrs. Amber,” Garrett said. “But I tried to contact you personally. But you didn’t answer.”

Dirk cleared his throat. “Oh. Maybe I was busy at the time.”

Garrett nodded once and didn’t seem to mind the reason Dirk gave him. Besides, Garrett could be a little grateful now. After all, Dirk welcomed his visit.

“It’s all right, sir. No problem. What matters now is that I can meet with you.”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Dirk forced a smile when he heard Garrett’s words.

“So, I won’t beat around the bush, sir. I’ll get right to the point. The purpose of my visit here is…”

Garrett’s words were cut off. Both Dirk and Garrett suddenly looked at the same source. The electronic device on the table. The device vibrated and rang as a call came in.

Dirk quickly picked it up. But really, Garrett’s eyes didn’t deceive him. He glanced at the name on the screen.

Carolus.

*