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Read Billionaire's Match By Tangy Candy Novel Chapter 2 \u2013<\/p>\n
The maids rushed over at once to help clean her up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPete!\u201d Trey\u2019s face darkened with fury.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Startled, Pete bolted upstairs in a streak of panic.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Trey made to chase after him, but Angela quickly stood and blocked his path.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTrey, he\u2019s just a child. Violence won\u2019t solve anything. Let me check on him.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
As she spoke, her eyes flicked toward Khloe, who was wiping herself clean. She seemed to want to say something more but held it back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Only then did Trey return his attention to Khloe. \u201cAre you alright? Let me see.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She had already wiped herself down, but his hand reached out again, wanting to touch her face.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDisgusting! Don\u2019t touch me.\u201d The words slipped out without thought.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Trey frowned, completely misreading her. \u201cHow could I ever think you\u2019re disgusting? The only thing I feel is terrible that you got hurt. If I\u2019d known Pete would have an outburst like that, I never would have put the burden of raising him entirely on you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Khloe\u2019s lips curled into a mocking smile.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right. If his real mother were here, she\u2019d probably do a much better job. It\u2019s a shame she\u2019s gone, and his adoptive mother clearly doesn\u2019t know what she\u2019s doing.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Trey froze, his expression tightening.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you talking about? Pete is adopted. You\u2019re his mother\u2014the only mother he has, and you\u2019re a wonderful one.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He even reached out to ruffle her hair in a show of affection.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The sudden, intimate gesture made Khloe\u2019s skin crawl.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Back in the bedroom, she immediately locked herself in the bathroom and turned on the shower.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Trey followed shortly after. He hadn\u2019t come to check on her\u2014his real purpose was to resume his campaign to move Angela in.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He called it a \u201cdiscussion,\u201d but Khloe knew her opinion was irrelevant. He and Angela were the real couple; she was just the placeholder.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the company\u2019s IPO, I have no time for Pete, and I need you focused on work. Angela is a child development expert, and you saw how well Pete responds to her\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFine. Whatever you want.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She cut him off, her stomach churning with disgust the longer he spoke.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Trey instantly softened, mistaking her surrender for understanding. \u201cKhloe, I knew you\u2019d be reasonable. You know I only want what\u2019s best for our family.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His eyes melted into a pool of fake tenderness as he stood and moved to put his arms around her waist.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But Khloe turned sharply and held up her phone like a shield.\u00a0<\/p>\n
On the screen was a listing for a modern riverside villa in the city\u2019s financial district\u2014a more prestigious and expensive property than their current home.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTrey, what do you think of this place?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s prime real estate. That area is incredibly valuable.\u201d He frowned slightly, unsure of her angle.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy birthday is next month. I\u2019ve decided I want this villa as my gift.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She smiled sweetly, her voice soft and melodic.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Trey had lied to her for two years. She had lost more than time; she had sacrificed her own career. To save his failing startup, she had dropped out of her graduate program and turned down a prestigious job offer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In just two years, she had turned his business around. Soon, it would go public, making Trey a billionaire.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And she? She would be discarded, used up and thrown away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There was no way she would let that happen.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the past, Trey had always promised her the world. But Khloe had never asked for anything\u2014until now.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Trey hesitated. \u201cWhy the sudden interest in real estate? Isn\u2019t our house good enough for you?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis isn\u2019t just a house, it\u2019s an investment. And once your company is public, hosting clients at a prestigious address like this will give you the status you deserve. It\u2019s for your benefit, too.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Every word was carefully crafted to appeal to his ego and ambition, and she watched his doubts evaporate in real time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In his mind, Khloe was still the selfless woman who couldn\u2019t bear to spend his money on herself\u2014always putting his needs first. A wave of guilt, mixed with a sudden surge of affection, washed over him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t need a new house for status. Having you by my side is all the status I need.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He moved to embrace her again, but she sidestepped his arms.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI told you, it\u2019s my birthday wish. Just humor me. You\u2019re not going to be cheap about it, are you?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her playful tone disarmed him completely. Trey felt a familiar stir of desire. There was something different about her tonight, a new spark that unnerved and intrigued him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHow much is it?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, it\u2019s nothing too crazy. Just seven million.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her smile was radiant.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Trey\u2019s face went rigid. He didn\u2019t want to seem stingy, but the number was a punch to the gut. Still, with the company\u2019s public offering looming, he couldn\u2019t afford to upset her now.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAlright. If you love it that much, it\u2019s yours.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Right then and there, he called the finance department and authorized the transfer while she watched.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That same night, seven million dollars landed in Khloe\u2019s personal account. The memo line was meticulously noted: For Khloe\u2019s birthday villa.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her bank balance skyrocketed from a meager 15,000 dollars\u2014money she had painstakingly saved from part-time jobs and scholarships\u2014to a staggering 7,015,000 dollars.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For the entire two years of their so-called marriage, she had managed the household budget without ever taking a salary for herself, having handed over all financial control to him the day they \u201cmarried.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The next morning, Khloe walked into the dining room and froze.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Trey was wearing an apron, chatting and laughing with Angela as he cooked breakfast. Pete followed them like a happy little shadow, obedient in a way Khloe had never seen.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The picture of a harmonious family shattered the moment Khloe entered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Angela\u2019s hand slipped off Trey\u2019s shoulder at once. He hurried toward Khloe.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re awake! I made breakfast. Come, you have to try it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her eyes scanned the dining table\u2014it was laden with an elaborate spread. On a normal day, the housekeeper prepared their meals, and Trey never set foot in the kitchen. Their usual breakfasts were simple. This feast had undoubtedly been orchestrated for Angela.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A faint, knowing smile touched Khloe\u2019s lips. \u201cAre these all your favorites, Ms. Thompson?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. Trey was so thoughtful,\u201d Angela replied, her voice sweet. \u201cHe was worried I wouldn\u2019t be used to the food here. A man who\u2019s this considerate is a rare find. You\u2019re a very lucky woman, Khloe.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A subtle, superior gleam flashed in Angela\u2019s eyes as they met Khloe\u2019s.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, I know,\u201d Khloe agreed smoothly. \u201cTrey has always been incredibly considerate. Not just to me, but he\u2019s so charming and attentive to all women.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Trey flushed. \u201cDon\u2019t talk nonsense. I\u2019m not like that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her tone was light and playful, but it was enough to make Angela\u2019s smile tighten.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sensing the shift, Pete lashed out. As Khloe reached for the last fried egg, he deliberately splattered dark soy sauce all over it\u2014the liquid splashing onto her hand.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPete! What is wrong with you?!\u201d Trey snapped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Angela quickly handed Khloe a napkin, then bent down to speak to the boy in a gently chiding tone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPete, even if you\u2019re full, that\u2019s no way to behave. And you\u2019ve made a mess of your mother\u2019s hand. You need to apologize.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pete shot a defiant look at Khloe before mumbling a sullen, \u201cSorry.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
After wiping her hand, Khloe studied the scene. The boy\u2019s chin was still held high in defiance, and Angela had masterfully downplayed his aggression as simple misbehavior.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAlright, you\u2019re finished eating. Why don\u2019t you go play in your room?\u201d Angela said, smoothly trying to end the confrontation before Khloe could respond.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWait.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
In one fluid motion, Khloe stood, grabbed Pete by the arm, and pulled him against the wall. \u201cDon\u2019t move.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLet go of me, you witch!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He kicked and struggled, but she twisted his arms behind his back, holding him firmly in place. Then, she plucked a slender, flexible switch from a decorative vase and brought it down sharply on the back of his legs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWAAAH\u2014!\u201d Pete howled, tears immediately springing to his eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKhloe! What are you doing?!\u201d Angela cried, rushing forward. \u201cHe already apologized! Is this really necessary?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMs. Thompson, Pete is my son,\u201d Khloe stated, her voice like ice. \u201cIt is a mother\u2019s duty to discipline her child. Why are you so desperate to interfere? One might almost think\u2026 he was yours.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her strikes did not let up. The switch landed several more stinging blows.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Angela\u2019s face went pale, her nails digging into her own palms. \u201cI\u2026 I just meant he\u2019s still so young. It wasn\u2019t that big of a mistake\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cA small mistake, left unchecked, becomes a major flaw. I\u2019m not well-versed in your gentle parenting methods. If I don\u2019t teach him respect now, he will be uncontrollable later.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her words left Angela speechless.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even Trey was stunned into silence. Khloe had always been strict, but she had never resorted to physical discipline before. Still, Pete\u2019s behavior had been unacceptable\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n
Trapped between Angela\u2019s pleading look and Khloe\u2019s icy resolve, Trey finally stepped forward and caught her arm. \u201cThat\u2019s enough. He\u2019s learned his lesson.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Khloe tossed the switch to the floor. Pete scrambled behind Angela, his sobs now those of genuine shock and pain.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Angela frowned, her lips pressed into a thin line, and patted the boy\u2019s back soothingly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cRemember this, Pete,\u201d Khloe said, her voice cool and commanding. \u201cAs long as I am your mother, you will show me respect. If you don\u2019t learn this lesson, that switch will be much less forgiving next time.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her tone was stern, but a cold smile played on her lips. The effect was so intimidating that even Pete\u2019s sobs quieted to silence.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Trey stood frozen, bewildered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Without another word, Khloe left the dining room.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He instinctively moved to follow her, but Angela clutched his hand, stopping him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTrey\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her eyes welled with tears, full of a deep-seated grievance. For years, she had played the part of the understanding one, secure in his love, always appearing gentle and magnanimous.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But this\u2014this was too much. Khloe was publicly humiliating her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was the old Fox family patriarch who had torn them apart all those years ago. Back then, Trey was just a student, powerless to fight back. Angela had nearly lost her university position and was forced to pivot her entire career to child development.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Out of options, Trey had brought Khloe home as a shield, a beautiful facade to placate his family.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Angela had once asked him why he chose her. He\u2019d been honest. At first, it was her looks\u2014presenting a beautiful wife would satisfy his family\u2019s expectations. Later, he discovered she was an orphan, completely alone, and a brilliant finance talent being headhunted by top firms.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Having her by his side was a strategic move for his career.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But to reassure Angela, he had secretly registered their marriage after only a short time with Khloe. That way, no matter what happened, their assets would belong to Angela as well.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He had promised her that once he solidified his control of the family company, he would make their relationship public.\u00a0<\/p>\n
From the very beginning, Khloe was just a tool.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And now, that tool was daring to fight back? Angela couldn\u2019t stomach it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Of course, Trey\u2019s heart ached for her. But now wasn\u2019t the time to reveal their hand. He pulled Angela into a brief, tight embrace, his brow furrowed in frustration, before finally releasing her and hurrying after Khloe.<\/p>\n
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