The Billionaire's Mistake (Anya and Daniel)



Chapter 241: A panicked Wife

Hazel sat rigidly in the back of the sleek black town car, her knuckles white as she gripped the leather seat. She was being driven to her office building by two of Marcus Green's imposing men. Though Marcus himself wasn't present, his mere name struck fear into Hazel's core.Exclusive content from NôvelDrama.Org.

She didn't dare breathe too deeply, worried these men would sense her panic..

Hazel wanted to open the ground and jump in. How does she always get herself in theses situations?

Hazel had stupidly pretended to be Marcus's wife at the hospital. When she thought about it, everything she did was reasonable according to her circumstances. The only thing off was the person she did it to; Marcus Green. She was not stupid; he was no ordinary businessman. She could not help imagining the depths of his criminal dealings. Now, not only has she gotten herself in his radar, she has also gotten on the radar of his enemies. She felt irritated and frustrated. She wanted an outlet but could not find one.

As the car pulled up to the soaring glass tower that housed the HUG Tech offices, Hazel felt her stomach twist sickeningly. She fumbled for the door latch with trembling hands, giving the guards the barest of nods before practically hurrying out onto the immaculate building.

Hazel didn't even stop at her own office. She hurried down the marbled hallways towards the bathroom, her heels clicking rapidly on the polished floors. Once inside a stall with the door securely locked, she crouched down, pulled out her phone, and frantically typed "Marcus Green" into the search engine.

The limited results that appeared weren't reassuring. Marcus was a wealthy investor with ownership stakes in numerous major corporations, from tech firms to hospitality giants. But of course, no details about his true business which Hazel feared were underworld dealings; drugs, weapons, human trafficking? How would such a thing ever be posted publicly online?

Hazel felt foolish for even trying the search. She knew Marcus was undoubtedly involved in some shadowy criminal empire, running everything from this city's gritty underbelly all the way up to the highest corporate boardrooms. And now, she was caught squarely in his sights.

Or was she overthinking it? Who goes around with that much guards? Now that she thought about it, the doctor at the hospital must have recognized that name, Green. Is that why they had moved him to a separate wing.

Hot tears pricked at the corners of Hazel's eyes as her hands started to tremble uncontrollably. What had she gotten herself into? She couldn't shake visions of being hauled off by Marcus's enemies, never to be seen again. Or worse, images of human bondage and subjugation made her want to retch.

Her frustration only peaked more as she thought about her situation much longer. She wanted to pace, but the stall was too small. She felt the need to bang on something, but she was afraid

if it broke, she would have to pay.

Just then, the bathroom door banged open as a group of giggling young women from the office strode in, chattering away. Hazel immediately stilled, ears perking up as she heard them mention her name in hushed tones.

did you see the text from Amber? Apparently Mr. Reeds wants to take Hazel to meet some big investors this afternoon," one of the girls muttered in a scandalized tone.

"Hazel? Which Hazel?"

"The one on Mrs. Levi's team,

"Really?"

"Oh please," another scoffed under her breath. "We all know that creepy old man just wants to, like, whore her out for cash. Can you imagine?" "Everyone knows this, but no one says anything?" someone asked.

"You want to say something? What if you get fired?"

The two dissolved into snickers until another girl chimed in. "Yeah, besides, I bet Hazel's down for it. She's always been upright but, Mr. Reed's doesn't take people that would get him

in trouble."

"Yes, it must mean she is easy, or has done this before,"

Hazel felt her face flush scarlet as the bathroom filled with raucous laughter. She struggled to keep her ragged breathing quiet, not wanting to give away her presence in the stall.

"Well if any of those rich perverts want a piece, they'll just have to get in line!" one of the girls crowed. "I heard Mr. Reeds planned on sampling the goods himself first, if you know

what I mean."

"His large body? Is he not afraid he will squash her?"

"He will do it standing. How dare he try to lie down, is he trying to commit murder?"

Flames of fury burned in Hazel's eyes as the vicious rumors continued, the young women gleefully describing in lurid detail how she would be pimped out to investors, passed around like some sort of disposable plaything after being "used up" by their lecherous boss.

As they talked she couldn't help but stared video recording. Though she could barely catch their faces through the crack on the door, she could catch their clothes and their voices, very clearly as they talked.

"What if she protests and he gets in trouble for trying to be a pimp?"

One of them asked.

"Do you think it is easy for people to say that someone did something to them? Especially when it was something sexual? These things are taboo." hapur 201: A panirkond Vih

3/8

"True, or else, with how many women Mr. Reed's has sold to some investor, he would have been in prison by now."

"Who would dare say anything? They would be mocked. Why do you think Mr. Reeds is still getting off without much consequences?"

"She will just have to shut up if she knows what is good for her."

By the time their malicious giggling finally faded as they exited, Hazel was absolutely seething, her face burning and chest heaving with rage. She fumbled with shaking hands to put away her phone's video recording app, eternally grateful she'd captured the vile conversation.

They dared mock her? It was as though they were pleased by what Mr. Reeds was doing to innocent people.

Part of Hazel knew she should march straight to Human Resources and file a formal complaint against the cruel rumor-mongers. Let them be fired in disgrace for their despicable words and slandering lies.

But deep down, a nagging thought arose what if there was some kernel of truth buried beneath the gossip? What if HUG Tech's CEO really was involved in some sort of heinous solicitation scheme? Had he tried prostituting his own employees to wealthy investors? The thought made Hazel's blood-run cold.

No...she needed to get to the bottom of what was really going on before taking any actions that could potentially make her situation even worse. Though the vicious words about her had

stung,

Hazel felt a sudden need to screw everyone over. She was not sure what was wrong with her. But when she was angry, it was hard to control herself from wrecking havoc.

But then again, she wondered how Mr. Reed even knew her name. He was the editor of the online segment to their magazine.

As a fleeting thought passed through her mind, she wondered if her wretched cousin Jenny could somehow be involved. Jenny had always been consumed by jealousy towards her, lashing out with cruel pranks and malicious lies ever since they were children. Could Jenny have discovered where Hazel worked and planted those rumors to ruin her life? It seemed possible, no matter how utterly deranged, after all, didn't Jenny now know she was in this city?

With a toss of her head, Hazel stepped out of the stall, her face set in a look of grim resolution. First, she would hunt down the rat who started this vicious rumor and if it was that spiteful bitch Jenny, so help her God...