YOKED TO A BILLIONAIRE BY VENNEH LISAH

Still dripping with water, Davon's tanned skin was a sight to behold under the blue light. There was a long scar slanted across his waist that gave off the illusion of cutting his waist in half.Under the scar was a tattoo.

Right as Violla was about to find out what the tattoo looked like, Davon grabbed her by the hair and forced her to look at his enraged face.

"You..."he snarled.

Before Violla could say anything, Davon took her lips into his kissing her .Like a beast on its prey, he kissed her like he was giving her a vindictive punishment. The soul snatching kiss made her so close to suffocating.

In her panic, Violla struggled, but she was trapped in his arms, unable to defend herself.

His kisses engulfed her just like how a thunderstorm would, and the movements of his hands were getting wilder and wilder.

Just as he was about to break through the last of her defenses, she widened her eyes, full-blown panicking.

"Mr. Roman, we have news from Mr. Clyde..." A voice reported from behind him, but it stopped halfway.Evidently, the man was stunned by the scene in front of him, and he promptly shut his mouth.

Reluctantly, Davon let go of Violla before he cupped her cheek with one hand and glided his thumb past her lips. "Remember never to infuriate me again."

Violla panted, panic evident in her eyes. Like a frightened doe, she trembled.With a quick jump, Davon easily left the pool and covered himself with his bathrobe.Meanwhile, Violla clambered ashore and scurried off.

"We have an hour before it's nine," Davon muttered his reminder in a gloomy tone. Violla shuddered as she recalled the promise she made to him.

It was already eight . She wondered if Leila had reached the City on time.She quickly searched for her phone, only to realize her phone was by the edge of the pool, soaked in water.In a hurry, she grabbed the phone and fled the scene.

Davon stared at her panicked movements as his lips curled into a smirk.He only averted his gaze long after Violla had disappeared from his view. In a deep voice, he queried, "How's Clyde doing?"

"It was a failure," the subordinate carefully replied. "Your Aunt Diana is hoping that you'll go…"The man then trailed off, fearing to continue.

"Tell Clyde to come back." Davon seemed to have no reaction to the news.

"Yes, Mr. Roman."

After returning to her room with her phone, Violla realized she had two missed calls from Franklin She tried calling him back only to find out that her phone was malfunctioning; she could not make any calls.

Alarmed, she quickly wiped the phone dry before trying again. However, her efforts were to no avail.Anxious, she was about to borrow a phone to call Franklin when her phone rang with the caller ID showing her that it was none other than Franklin.

Violla tried multiple times to accept the call, and finally, right before the call ended, she succeeded. It had been a tough task, so by the time she answered the call, her hands were trembling from agitation.

"Frank." she started.

"Veeh, I've gotten the necklace, and I am on my way. I'm just worried that the Roman family's guards won't let me in."

"That's great news. I'll tell Davon right away to let you in." She was ecstatic.

"All right. Wait for me." Frank said.

After ending the call, Violla clenched her phone, thrilled, and was about to look for Davon but right then, Davon walked by her room, barefoot and wrapped in a bathrobe.

Violla darted to him. "I need to talk to you."

"It's at night, you're soaked, and you've rushed into a man's room. What are you planning to talk about?" With a burning gaze, Davon swept his eyes up and down her body.

Droplets of water were still dripping from her soaked clothes, and the fabric was sticking to her skin, displaying her perfect figure. Her flawless, fair skin seemed to shine under the artificial lights, and it tempted him.

"We've gotten the ruby necklace, and Franklin is on his way to deliver it here. As long as the guards let him pass, he'll be able to deliver it before nine…"

"Isn't he a capable man?" Davon interrupted as he turned and sat on the couch. "Let him think of a way to enter this place then."

"You...." Violla's face flushed with rage. "You're deliberately making this difficult for us."

Instead of denying it, Davon shrugged. He then poured himself half a glass of wine and savored it slowly.

"Why are you doing this?" Violla was close to exploding in fury. "Do you have a grudge against my father? Is that why you're toying with me?"

Hearing those words, Davon paused and looked at her. "Did someone say something to you?"

"Why? Are you feeling guilty?" Violla questioned. "Does my father's company's bankruptcy have something to do with you?"

That was the question she wanted the answer to the most. Although it was risky to voice it out, she had no other options.

After all, she lacked the ability to investigate him. So she might as well be direct with him.

"Who told you that?" Davon narrowed his eyes dangerously.

"Seeing that you're not denying it, does that mean it's true?" Violla did not want to accept this as her reality, but with how he reacted, it seemed like that was the truth.

Instead of answering her questions, Davon asked, "Was it Franklin?"

"He has nothing to do with this," Violla hurriedly drew the line between Franklin and the matter. "Tell me. Did you acquire my father's company with malicious intents and caused the bankruptcy of Milan Corporation?"

"Very well." Davon swirled the wine in his glass. "When he pleaded for mercy earlier, I decided to let him off. But, since he's pulling dirty tricks on me now, I guess all that's left for him is to perish."

With that, he took out his phone and made a call. "Cease Stanley Group's project."

"Don't....." Violla tried to stop him, but Davon had already ended the call. She anxiously explained, "This has nothing to do with him!"

"Do you feel bad for him?" The corner of Davon's lips curled upward as he cast a mocking gaze on her. "Why don't we make a bet then?"

"What do you mean? What are you trying to do?" Panic had overtaken Violla's mind. All she knew then was that the man in front of her was terrifying.

Leisurely, Davon lit his cigar. Right then, a call came in. "Mr. Roman, Franklin Stanley's car is parked at the greenway. He says he's here to deliver something to you."

"Let him in," Davon ordered.

"Yes, Sir." After ending the call, he looked up at her, and she could see an evil glint in his eyes. "So? Will you bet with me?"

"What are you trying to do?" A sense of foreboding rose in Violla's heart.

"Give it a second, and you'll find out." Davon glanced at her translucent, soaked clothes before ordering, "Tidy yourself up in the bathroom."

It was only then that Violla realized she was soaked and dripping all over the floor. She was about to return to her room when she heard the noises of a car outside. Franklin had arrived.

In her panic, she entered Davon's bathroom instead.

While she was tidying herself up, Franklin's meek voice came from the outside. "Mr. Roman, here's your ruby necklace. My deepest apologies. My wife is not the most sensible woman. I apologize to you on behalf of her for offending you."

"Why are you still standing outside? Come in and have a seat." Davon sounded polite.

"Thank you." Franklin walked into the room.

It was then Davon ordered in the direction of the bathroom, "Come out."

Violla shuddered in fear, but she steeled herself and walked out.

Her hair was still damp, and she was wrapped in a bathrobe too large to be hers.Franklin halted in his tracks. Emotions flashed across his eyes when he looked at her, including shock, sadness, and disappointment.

"He delivered this here for you. Why aren't you thanking him yet?" Davon pointed at Franklin with the cigar between his fingers.

Violla furrowed her brows but remained silent.She knew Franklin had misunderstood the scene.

With the way things were between them, even though she had no need to explain to Franklin anything she was doing, it still did not sit well with her to have stepped into a trap.

"Mr. Roman, please take a look at the necklace. If there are no problems, I'll be taking my leave." Right as Franklin was speaking, he received a message on his phone. When he read the message, his face ashen, and he cried out, "Mr. Roman, why did you stop my project?"

"Because you're sticking your nose into where it doesn't belong." Davon shot an icy glare at Franklin.

"I…" Franklin stood transfixed for a moment before he blurted out an explanation, "I'm giving this necklace back because of my wife's mistake. It has nothing to do with anyone else."

"Do you mean you're not doing this for her?" Davon pointed at Violla.

"No." Franklin dropped his head, not daring to look at Violla.Hearing his response, Violla knitted her brows, an uneasy feeling crept within her.

She knew Franklin was saying those words to protect himself, but to look at how meek he had become sent indescribable feelings to her heart.

"Tell me then, what does the bankruptcy of Milan Corporation have to do with me?" Davon questioned.

Franklin shuddered as his face paled further.

"He's not the one who told me about it," Violla explained. "This has nothing to do with him."

"Speak!" Davon roared.Shuddering again, Franklin stuttered, "I-I-I don't know."

Instead of shouting again, Davon kept his glacial gaze fixed on the man.

"What are you doing?" Violla quickly jumped to Franklin's defense. "Why are you dragging others into our problem?"

"Hmm, you're right." Davon suddenly changed his tone as he smiled. "Mr. Stanley, don't be afraid. I was just asking."

Like Violla, Franklin frowned in confusion.

"It's just a necklace worth a hundred million. There's no need for you to deliver this to me personally." Davon then threw the ruby necklace to Franklin as though he was rewarding money to a beggar. "Here. Think of it as my investment and use it to start the project."

"Do you mean…" Franklin trailed off, bewildered. "I can restart my project?"

The necklace was a symbolism of the opportunity Davon was giving to him.

"Of course." Davon leaned back on the couch as he swayed his glass gracefully. "However, that item can only have one value. Whether you use the ruby necklace to start your project or to buy her freedom is up to you."

Hearing Davon's words, the hair behind Violla's neck stood up. 'So that's the bet he was talking about. The bet is about Franklin's choice.Will he choose the company, or will he choose me?He can only choose one…' Violla contemplated.

Violla knew how crucial the project was to the Stanleys for Franklin to plead meekly with Davon.

Now that the Blacks and Roman Corporation were pressuring them, if the Stanleys could not carry out this project successfully, bankruptcy would be waiting for them.

It was impossible for Franklin to give up on his last chance in a situation like this.However, if he chose family, he would be giving up on her once again.It would be a reenactment of what happened four years ago.

That being said, a lot of things had changed since four years ago. As such, even if Franklin chose to abandon her for his family again, Violla would no longer feel the same disappointment and grievance she once felt.She had long since let go of those feelings of hers.

He was the only one who still held onto those feelings.What Davon was doing now was to drive a wedge between them, forcing Franklin to let go of his feelings. From then on, he would then be too ashamed to continue clinging to Violla.

At the same time, Violla would finally give up the last shred of hope she had for him.After all, human nature had always been cruel.They could forgive and understand, but that did not mean there would not be any hard feelings left.

"Women have nothing to do with business. Why do you have to involve her in this?" Franklin panicked. "Mr. Roman, if you aren't satisfied with the terms I've mentioned earlier, we can..."

"There is nothing to discuss," Davon cut him off. He then stated, "You have a minute to make your decision. Her, or your company." With that, he stood up and headed to the bathroom.

He was giving space for Franklin and Violla to talk things out.The entire time, Franklin's fists were clenched tight, and his eyes were reddened. His emotions were threatening to spill over.

Violla looked at him with pity in her eyes. Countless words bubbled in her heart, but none came out of her mouth.She knew she could never escape Davon. At the end of the day, she was destined to be his plaything.

Franklin was caught in a dilemma. It was as if two hands were tugging his heart in two different directions, threatening to shred him into pieces.

He wanted to protect Violla, but he could not endanger his company.Even if he knew this was Davon's trap, he could not do anything about it.

"Frank…" Violla finally spoke, breaking the silence of the tense atmosphere. "Don't think too much about it, just go with your heart."

"Violla, I don't want to let you down like I did four years ago," Franklin croaked. "But I can't just let my company die. Stanleys Group is founded upon the blood, sweat, and tears of three generations of the Stanleys."

"I understand." Violla plastered on a stiff smile. "This isn't like the past. Your company is the only thing you should be responsible for now."

"But what about you?" Franklin breathed.

"He won't do much to me," Violla replied with feigned casualness. "You don't need to worry about me."

"He won't do much to you?" Franklin looked at the bathrobe on her as several emotions flitted across his eyes. "You had always been a proud person who held firmly to your morals and principle, but now....."

Franklin could not continue speaking. His knuckles had long since turned white from how hard he was clenching his fists, and she could see the helplessness and a hint of stubbornness in his eyes.

Franklin knew he must have misunderstood the situation, but she could not be bothered to explain to him.

All she did was put on a bitter smile. "You're right. But do you know what made me turn into this?" Her words caused the atmosphere to turn tense again.

If the Stanleys had not trimmed their sails back then and broke off the engagement with the Milan family the moment they found out about the bankruptcy, she would not have stepped into Leila's trap. All those things would not have happened, and she would not have ended up in this way.

Therefore, Franklin was mainly responsible for what she had become.

"I'm sorry." Franklin lowered his head in guilt.

"So? Have you made up your mind?"Just then, Davon's arrogant voice traveled to their ears.

"Mr. Roman, I think we should have a private talk." Franklin was not about to give in just yet. He still wanted to protect both his company and her.

"I don't have time to talk to you." Davon sat down on the couch and crossed his legs. "I'll give you ten more seconds. Either take her, or take it." He pointed at the ruby necklace with his toe. "Pick one."

"I...." Franklin had more to say when his phone rang. He quickly walked to the side of the room and picked it up. "Hello? What?"

"Dad, don't panic. I'm thinking of a way. I know, I know. I'll call you back later."

Ending the call, Franklin hurriedly begged Davon "Mr. Roman, can't you spare us? Why did you stop the entire project? This is too great of a loss for us to bear."

"So?" Davon lifted a brow and sneered.

"I…" Franklin was at loss for words. Now, Davon was the man who was pulling all the strings. Whoever he wanted dead would be dead in the next second.There was no room for discussion.

"You have three seconds left." Davon lifted his fingers and started counting down. "Three…"

"Mr. Roman...." Franklin panicked.

"Two…" Davon snarled .

"Mr. Roman, please..." Franklin begged.

"If you keep this up, you won't even get to choose." By now, Davon was frowning in impatience.

"I…" Franklin glanced at the ruby necklace before turning to look at Violla as he struggled with his choice.Just then, his phone rang again.Sweat rolled down his temples, and his eyes were bloodshot.

Unable to watch him any further, Violla was about to take the ruby necklace for him.Almost at the same time, Franklin reached out to take the ruby necklace.

The pendant glided across the back of Violla's hand, and she subconsciously raised her head to look at him.The two locked eyes in silence.

Although she could understand the reason for his choice, and she supported his decision, she was still stunned by how eager he was to take the necklace in the end.

His decision to pick the necklace was like a dagger that stabbed deep in her heart, sending her waves of agony.

"Veeh I....." Franklin was panicking. He realized Violla had wanted to make the choice for him, but he was quicker than her by one second.

Just like that, everything he said to her earlier meant nothing now…