Chapter Seven:Overnight Billionaire

LAURA'S POV

I lay on the cold floor, shivering and weak. My hope was long gone, as three years had passed by and I am still trapped in this horrible place. I could feel myself letting go of the little hope for life left in me. I am sure I looked like a ghost by now. I laid my head down one last time; the stench hit my nostrils, and I flinched for a second before passing out. I woke up in a bright room; white curtains and white lights shone through. I tried getting up, but I had little strength in me.

"Where am I?" I groaned, trying my best to get up.

"Mr. Styles, she's awake!" the nurse exclaimed, almost like it was a surprise I was awake. I was surprised I was awake.

A tall gentleman walked towards me and held my hand for a minute.

"How are you feeling?" he said. The whole time, I felt confused and drained. The moment I regained my sight, I saw it was none other than Harry Styles, Elijah's business rival. I gasped and lost consciousness again.

I woke up in a big, luxurious room; I had never been in a room this big before. I stretched from the bed and saw I was wearing cute pajamas.

"Who dressed me? And what's going on?" I thought. A beautiful lady walked into the room with a tray that contained some medicine and food.

She did not utter a word but gave me a reassuring smile, which eased my tense nerves. She left as quickly as she came, full of grace and poise.

I read the note on the tray that described the purpose of the medicine. I took a few and ate some food before stepping into the shower. I changed into the most comfortable clothes I could find; I could not recognize myself anymore. My skin was so pale, I had lost a lot of weight, and I could barely see. Prison changed a lot about me.

My mind drifted to my twins, and I felt a tear roll down my cheek. I felt a sharp pain in my chest as my hate for Elijah lingered on.

A knock on the door startled me before it swung open. "Good morning, Laura," a tall, muscular gentleman walked into the room. "Harry Styles! Where am I?" I asked, trembling, not knowing what he might do next. I had heard he was one of the most ruthless businessmen in the country, but Elijah was the most feared. "Relax, Laura, I'm here to help you," he said, raising his hands in the air. "Help me? Why would you help me, Harry? You know I was Elijah's secretary!" I said.

"Before he sent you to prison for a crime you never committed, and you still mention his name? Laura, he never cared about you. But I care," he sighed. "I was notified of your situation and stepped in; we found you had already lost your life, but I made sure you live again," he said with a small frown on his face.

I scanned his face and my surroundings; I realized this man was my savior. I wouldn't be here without him.

"The only thing I need is to give you three of my top companies: manage them and build them for greatness. I am here to help you," he said.

I couldn't help but feel this was too good to be true. "What's the catch?" I said.

"You'd have to pretend to be my wife; we will have separate rooms. I won't come near you or cross my boundaries. I know you want your vengeance, Laura; I can give you just that. Don't you want to see your babies again?" he smirked.

I felt like I had been slapped into reality; my babies were probably with Astrid right now. Getting them back was my target, and Harry was the man willing to help me achieve that goal.

"Fine," I muttered silently. "We'll have it your way."

"You'll stay here for a couple of months until your health is regained, but starting immediately, your companies will be run by a representative until you're ready to take over," he ordered.

I nodded and watched him walk out of the room. At this point, I did not care if I was doing the right thing; I just wanted to get my children back.

*****

A few months later

Reunion at the ball

Mr. Harry and I received an invitation to the annual business ball, featuring the new technical inventions I created. This was the perfect moment to skyrocket my career after achieving seven companies and ten partnerships with the most VIPs all around the world—contracts that no one had secured in years. Thanks to Harry and his mentorship.

I was dressed in a luxurious gown, and Harry wore a black suit. We arrived at the ball, and everyone seemed to be there. I was not nervous; this was nothing compared to the crowds I'd seen before during my career with Harry Styles..

I stepped out of the limo, held my hand, took the lead, and gazed into the ballroom. As soon as we entered, everyone's eyes darted to me. It felt like they had seen a ghost; this was one of the few appearances I would make. I preferred doing my work underground.

"You're nervous?" Harry asked.

"No, I am just surprised that so many people showed up," I said, rolling my eyes playfully.

He chuckled and kissed my hand.

"I'll be right back," he said before disappearing into the crowd.

I strolled to the tables and chose one that I found comfortable; everyone was busy socializing, and I was in no mood to talk to anyone. Everyone settled in their seats, then Elijah was called on stage for a seat. His name no longer had any effect on me. I watched as he gave his speech while Harry scrolled through his phone, fixing my speech. Astrid stood by Elijah's side for the first time in years. I felt nothing. Harry held my hand; he probably thought I'd be affected by this, but I wasn't.

Elijah's eyes trailed straight at me, and I kept a firm expression, unimpressed by his tactics. He looked like he had seen a ghost.

"Uhm, excuse me, everyone," Elijah said as he excused himself from the stage. Astrid saw me and fumed with anger; her rage could not affect me in any way. I was not scared of her shenanigans.

I held my glass of wine as Harry and I talked about business. Elijah could not keep his eyes off me, and I ignored his gaze throughout the night. I walked to the bathroom to ease myself, and a hand pulled me to the side.

I felt my pulse rush through me before realizing who pulled me in the dim corner.

"Elijah!" I sneered, slapping him right across the face; he seemed unaffected as he let out a smirk.

"What do you think you're doing?!" I said.

"Look at me closely, sweetie. I know how you feel about me. Every inch of you is my property; I own you, and if you'd think you're free from me, you're dead wrong" Elijah scoffed as he pinned me against the bathroom door.

I yanked his grip off me before glaring at him, unaffected by his presence which once gave me butterflies.

"Whatever you tried to do out there, don't test me. I can have you thrown back in jail if I wanted" He spat.

"My life has got nothing to do with you!" I muttered.

"Oh it's my business of course, so now you're sleeping with other men to get me jealous right?" he chuckled manacly.

"You left me to die in jail, who I am with is none of your concern!" I yelled back.

"I'm not afraid of you Elijah!" I responded nonchalantly. "Under which grounds? Last time I checked, you don't have the power to do that anymore."

Elijah's face turned red and he held my hand even tighter, gripping my cheeks until I could not move.

"You don't scare me, Elijah" I said despite the quivering of my hands, "not anymore."

"You should be scared!" He huffed.

Before I could respond, the door burst open and Harry walked in, raging with anger.

"Stay away from her, Elijah, or else!" Harry ordered, his voice husky yet lethal.

"Or else what?!" Elijah spat. "We're sorting out unfinished business with my former wife-.... uhm secretary. "

He held my cheeks even tighter.

"Don't try me Reed, don't you dare !" Harry warned.

Elijah looked at Harry with bored eyes before letting me go.

"Don't mess with the person who knows your dirty little secrets." Harry snapped.

"Secrets?" I muttered silently. I felt a wave of shock as Harry escorted me out, leaving Elijah behind, Angry.