One Night With A Mysterious Billionaire (The Heiress's Revenge)-Chapter 77: everyone wants Lena

"Did I ask you to stop talking?" I asked coldly.

The young man giving the presentation froze instantly. The entire meeting room went silent, the air turning thick and suffocating. No one dared to breathe too loudly.

"I’m sorry, sir... I’ll continue right away," he stammered nervously, quickly flipping back to his slides.

I leaned back in my chair, my attention drifting back to my phone. She called me herself... what exactly does she want to discuss?

My mind wandered unwillingly.

I remembered the conversation I had with my grandfather that night. He had been insistent, annoyingly so, that I was in love with Lena. According to him, that was the only explanation for why I felt so miserable without her.

And the worst part?

Everyone else seemed to think the same thing.

Damon and I had been at odds ever since the last time we saw each other. Our conversations now were nothing but tension and sharp words. Liam, on the other hand, had outright refused to hang out with me unless it was strictly work-related.

It was ridiculous.

Because of that, I had flown back to New York City, hoping the distance would help me clear my head. At the same time, I needed to personally oversee several ongoing projects.

But even here... there was no escape.

The house was still filled with Lena’s scent. Every corner held traces of her, small, insignificant moments that now felt unbearably heavy. It was like she had left pieces of herself behind just to haunt me.

Bertha had refused to come with me this time. She was still angry, and honestly, I didn’t blame her.

I glanced out the window at the bustling city. used to feel like a place of ambition, of power. Back then, everyone was willing to follow me here, my team, my friends.

Now?

They were all gone. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

And it was all because of one woman.

"You said the waterfall has to be hidden, and the sensors would control the water flow at intervals, correct?"

My voice cut through the room suddenly.

The presenter paused mid-sentence, clearly shocked. The rest of the team exchanged glances. They must have assumed I wasn’t paying attention.

"Yes, sir," he replied quickly. "Since the waterfall will be a key visual feature of the hotel, we wanted to create something different from the Starlight and Hyacinth hotels. A hidden waterfall would give it a unique, mysterious atmosphere. We are planning to build this project in Vegas City."

I nodded slightly.

"So you intend to use Miss Smith for the structural design, I presume?"

"Yes, sir. She’s the best choice," he said confidently. "Ever since Banana Island was developed, the sales of each unit have skyrocketed every week.

The completed units are already sold out, and even the ones still under construction are being purchased in advance. The revenue generated from tourism alone is overwhelming."

He paused briefly before continuing.

"That’s why we thought it would be best to collaborate with Smith Enterprise for this project."

"I see."

I tapped my fingers lightly on the table, my expression unreadable.

"You can send her an email after finalizing the draft," I said calmly. "But I also want proposals sent to other companies."

Their expressions shifted slightly.

"The success of Banana Island wasn’t just because of its design," I continued. "It was because of the entire process, the competition, the publicity, the anticipation. Everything was broadcast online. People were involved from start to finish."

I leaned forward slightly, my gaze sharp.

"If we hand everything to Miss Smith directly, it becomes predictable. She already has a name. There’s no excitement in that."

Silence filled the room as they listened carefully.

"We need something bigger," I added. "Something that will make the entire world stop and watch when this hotel is built."

I straightened back in my chair.

"And don’t touch the contract. I’ll handle it myself."

"Yes, sir," they all responded in unison.

I exhaled slowly, suppressing my irritation.

Of course, every single one of my companies wanted to poach Lena.

It was almost laughable.

No matter where I went, no matter what I did... I couldn’t escape hearing about her.

***********

After my call with Raymond, I decided to stay home and rest.

I had just been discharged from the hospital, and the last thing I wanted was to faint again, or worse, put my baby in danger.

The thought alone made me instinctively place a hand over my stomach.

My phone suddenly began to ring.

At first, I ignored it. The number was unknown, and I wasn’t in the mood for any unnecessary conversations. But after a moment of hesitation, I picked up the call.

"Hello?"

"Lena... please don’t hang up. I’m begging you, just hear me out."

My breath caught instantly.

"Papa...?"

"Lena, I’m so sorry," he said, his voice breaking.

"I’m sorry for everything, for all the pain I caused you."

I froze, unable to speak.

Then I heard it.

He was crying.

That alone made me uncomfortable.

"It was that wicked woman... and Ashley," he continued. "They manipulated me. They made me do those terrible things to you."

My fingers tightened around the phone.

"Since I left that house, I’ve been living alone," he went on. "And I’ve had time to think... to reflect. I realize now how wrong I was. I sincerely want to apologize."

Tears began to well up in my eyes.

"If you’re sincere," I said softly, my voice trembling,

"why didn’t you apologize earlier? Why now?"

"I wanted to," he admitted. "But I was ashamed. What I did to you... it was vile. I’m not proud of any of it."

His words hit me harder than I expected.

"I remember how much I loved you when you were little," he continued. "And then I think about how I treated you as you grew older... it makes me sick.

The things Selena and Ashley made me do... they were unimaginable."

I couldn’t hold back anymore.

Tears streamed down my face.

"Papa... are you telling the truth?" I whispered.

"Have you really changed?"

Memories of my childhood flooded my mind, the version of him who loved me, who protected me.

"I promise," he said firmly. "I’ve even divorced that woman. I have the papers to prove it."

My sobbing slowed.

"Really?" I asked, shocked.

"Yes," he replied. "Why don’t you come out? I can show you."

I hesitated.

"Are you in Vegas City?" I asked cautiously.

"Yes. I’ll leave immediately once I see you."

My brows furrowed.

"How did you know I was in Vegas?"

"I’ve been going to your company every day," he said with a sigh. "Begging to see you. They wouldn’t let me in, so I stayed outside. Eventually, one of them told me you were here."

There was a pause.

"It was worth it," he added quietly. "Even if I only get to see you once before I die... I’ll be satisfied."

My heart clenched.

"Papa, are you sick?" I asked anxiously.

"No," he chuckled weakly. "But I’m old. Death can come anytime."

I exhaled in relief.

"Okay... we can meet," I said finally. "But it has to be in a public place. And I’ll choose the location."

"Of course," he agreed immediately. "Anything you want. I just want to see you."

That was enough for me.

After ending the call, I quickly got up and prepared myself. My heart felt lighter than it had in a long time.

Maybe... just maybe... I could have my father back.

When I arrived at the restaurant, he wasn’t there yet.

I checked the time.

Maybe he was running late.

I sent him a message and ordered some food since I was already hungry.

Minutes turned into an hour.

I finished eating.

Still no sign of him.

I tried calling him, but the line wasn’t going through.

A small frown formed on my face.

Maybe he got lost... he’s not familiar with Vegas City after all.

"Don’t worry, baby," I murmured softly, rubbing my stomach. "We’re going to meet your granddad today."

I looked around the restaurant, hoping to spot him walking in at any moment.

But as time passed, the sky outside began to darken.

The hope in my chest slowly faded, replaced by a heavy sadness.

Maybe he never came.

Maybe this was all a prank.

Or worse... something had happened to him.

Either way, I couldn’t just sit there any longer.

I needed to leave.

Standing up, I grabbed my bag and made my way

outside.

The moment I stepped out, a strange dizziness hit me.

It came suddenly, and intensely.

My vision blurred.

"What’s happening...?" I whispered, trying to steady myself.

Panic rose in my chest, but I try to keep my calm.

I quickly waved down the first taxi I saw, silently thanking God that it stopped in time.

If I had stayed out there any longer, I might have collapsed right on the road.

The moment I got into the taxi

Darkness swallowed me whole.