The Billionaire Who Saved Me

The car carrying Daphne, Norah, and Elice pulled up to the Morales’ gate almost at the same time as the sun was setting. It was not quite night yet, but the evening was already creeping into the dim light. The soft colors of twilight were fading, more than enough to signal that the day would soon lose all sunlight. It was also a sign that the three women had been out of the house for most of the day.

It was clearly an event that consumed a lot of time, filled with a number of agendas that forced them to drain their energy. All the way home, Daphne, unable to contain her fatigue, slipped into unconsciousness.

“Nana, we’re home.”

Slowly, and trying not to startle her mother-in-law, Elice woke Daphne. Accompanied by the gentle shaking of her hand, she tried to rouse the old woman from her unconscious state.

A faint moan was heard. Daphne blinked, showing a tired look in both eyes. She saw Elice smiling.

“We have arrived. Later I’ll ask Regina to help you freshen up, Nana.”

Daphne took a long breath. She did not say much at the moment. Just nodded.

“Yes.”

Getting out of the car, Elice immediately called for Regina. She asked the young girl to help Daphne. Eagerly, Regina led Daphne to her room.

“Mom, you look tired too,” Elice said to Norah. “A warm bath might help refresh her.”

Norah nodded. The image of warm water massaging her body was already in the middle-aged woman’s mind. She touched Elice’s hand.

“You too. Take a bath and rest for a while before dinner.”

After Norah left, Elice took the time to intercept a housemaid who happened to be passing by. She inquired about her husband’s whereabouts, as the house seemed empty.

“Sir seems to be in his study, madam.”

Reflexively, Elice lifted her head. Pointing upstairs, even though she clearly could not see anything.

“Thank you.”

Elice moved immediately. Climbing the stairs one by one, she made her way to Garrett’s study. She knocked on the door once and then opened it immediately.

There was Garrett, smiling to greet her arrival. He looked fresh and enthusiastic when he saw Elice approaching. Quite the opposite of Elice’s tired appearance. Even blinking seemed to be extremely tiring for her.

“I thought you weren’t coming home today.”

Garrett’s hands reached out as his chair turned. He grabbed Elice’s waist, pulling her closer, and Garrett could see the weariness on his wife’s face.

“I didn’t think I was coming home today either,” Elice said wearily. But strangely, she still managed to give him a playful peck. “We’ve done so much; I thought I was going to faint.”

Garrett’s hand rose, caressing Elice’s cheek and pushing back a few strands of her wavy hair that had fallen there, tucking them behind Elice’s ear to better see her beautiful face.

“I thought this was just a normal orphanage visit. Nothing until this afternoon and you were tired.”

“I thought so too. But I really didn’t expect this to be the real life of the people around you.”

Garrett’s forehead wrinkled when he heard Elice’s words. He took a deep breath.

“And I also thought a CEO wouldn’t be so busy,” Elice continued, glancing at Garrett’s desk filled with papers while his laptop was on. “At first I thought a CEO only had to give orders to his subordinates.”

Those who were not directly involved might have the same thoughts as Elice. But in reality, Garrett had plenty of experience running his own company, Apex Builders and Co., all along. So, in a way, he already knew what his job would be like. He even had a sense of how heavy the load would be. Something that honestly influenced Garrett’s rejection a few years ago.

“It would be very pleasant if that happened.”

Garrett took a long breath. He glanced at the wall clock. It was almost half past seven.

“Dinner will be ready soon.”

Following Garrett’s gaze, Elice nodded. “You’re right. I should take a shower.”

Garrett just nodded in agreement.

*

Even though she knew her body felt extremely tired right now, Daphne could not resist contacting Carolus. As soon as she entered her room, while Regina was preparing everything, she did not wait any longer. She immediately dialed her personal assistant’s number.

“Meet me right after dinner.”

As soon as Regina emerged from the bathroom, Daphne ended the call. Her personal assistant smiled and approached her.

“Come, madam.”

Regina led Daphne, helping her clean up and get ready until she could sit at the dining table in time.

After enjoying her meal, Daphne hurried back to her room. Alone without Regina, she was obviously waiting for Carolus to arrive. The man arrived some fifteen minutes later. Preceded by a knock, he opened the door and entered.

“Good evening, madam.”

Daphne, who was already sitting on the sofa waiting for Carolus, gave only a brief nod in response to the polite greeting. She did not beat around the bush. Just saying good evening, or even asking how he was, was clearly not Daphne’s style at all.

“So, how did it go?”

Instead of beating around the bush, Daphne got right to the point, which was characteristic of her. Not at all surprising to Carolus.

“I took care of everything, madam,” Carolus replied. “I have made sure that neither Mr. Dirk nor Mrs. Dakota will say anything to Mr. Garrett.”

Daphne nodded weakly. For a moment, her face was lowered, a vacant look in her eyes. Then, looking back at Carolus, she let out a long breath.

“To be honest, I was surprised when I got your call earlier.”

*