The Billionaire's Mistake

MISTAKE 89

Chapter 89: She Is Married?

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Martin's office breathed old money and calculated prestige, a carefully curated shrine to power and influence. Sunlight filtered through heavy drapes, casting long shadows across the mahogany furniture that had witnessed decades of deals and betrayals. He sat behind his expansive desk, surrounded by sepia-toned photographs of stern-faced ancestors whose eyes seemed to judge his every move. The antique phone before him gleamed with purpose, its brass fittings catching the afternoon light.

The Persian rug beneath his feet had worn thin in places, marking the paths of countless negotiations. Martin traced its intricate patterns with his eyes, gathering courage for the call he needed to make. The grandfather clock in the corner ticked away precious seconds, its steady rhythm a countdown to what he feared would be disaster.

His fingers trembled slightly as he reached for the rotary dial. Each click echoed in the quiet room as he dialed Hugo's number, the sound seeming to bounce off the wood-paneled walls. The weight of what he had to say pressed down on him like a physical thing. "Hugo, my old friend." Martin tried to keep his voice steady, though his free hand clenched into a fist on his desk.

"Martin!" Hugo's voice crackled through the receiver, warm and jovial. "What a pleasant surprise. How are you, old boy? It's been too long since our last golf game."

"We need to discuss the deal between our families." Martin cut through the pleasantries, his throat dry.

"Oh?" The warmth in Hugo's voice dimmed slightly. "What about it? Has something changed?

Martin's free hand gripped the edge of his desk until his knuckles went white. "There's been a complication. Anya... she's already married."

The silence that followed felt endless. Martin could hear his own heartbeat in his ears, counting the seconds until Hugo's response.

"Married?" Hugo's voice had lost all trace of warmth. "To whom? When did this happen?"

don't know," Martin admitted, wiping sweat from his brow with a monogrammed handkerchief. "She did

for a fool? The deal was crystal clear. Anya was to

laugh

please," Martin leaned forward in his chair, desperation creeping into his voice. "I can offer other properties, valuable ones. Prime locations,

why we struck this deal. I want that bidding spot, but I can't take it

silver frame tarnished at the edges. "I have my late sister's

assets-"

person in our

"There must be something."

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Hugo's voice was final. "No, Anya, no deal. It's that

receiver down, his hand shaking with rage. The sound echoed through the room, disturbing the dust motes dancing in the filtered sunlight. Without pause, he snatched up the

do you want?" Anya's voice was cold enough

"Do you have any idea what

"I don't remember being family with you. When did

him off, her tone dripping with contempt. "Lower your voice; the city is sleeping. What does your family's deal have to do with me? Don't sit around calling random people family when

went white around the receiver. "So you're cutting ties with

mockery in her voice was unmistakable. "You stopped being my father the moment you said Emma was missing but hid her from my mother and me; you became less than a stranger." Her voice hardened to steel. "Now you're an

you have nothing left, when you're begging on the streets you once threw us onto, you'll finally understand what being an enemy

married for a long time. I married for love-though I doubt you understand the concept. Love isn't something you can trade