MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE

(ARIELLE'S POV)

When I arrived at the club nearly 40 minutes later, Dwayne's subordinate, Claire, was already waiting for me at the entrance. As usual, she was imposing and had a stern expression on her face.

"This way, please," she said politely, but firmly. Safely guiding me through the crowded club, and expertly navigating through the body of partying people.

I silently thanked Dwayne. He always had my back, even in situations like this.

We walked past the bar, where a bartender was mixing all manner of drinks, ranging from the ones with weird colors to the ones that caught fire, and people flanked him on all sides, downing glasses upon glasses.

As we continued walking, I couldn't help the feeling of unease that was increasingly crawling under my skin. The club was dimly lit, but bright enough to make out anyone. It was the kind of a place where anything could happen, and I couldn't help but grow even more worried for Ashley.

Then, unexpectedly, I bumped into someone I never thought I'd see here.

"Madam?"

"Oliver?"

It was Jared's PA. I froze, cursing the moment I locked eyes with him. If he was here, then it could only mean one thing: Jared was here too.

From the way his brows furrowed, it was evident he was as surprised to see me, as I was.

Oliver's brows furrowed in disbelief, his surprise matching mine. "Miss Arielle," he said, taking a step closer, as if trying to confirm it was really me. "I didn't know you were a fan of this kind of establishment."

I ignored his comment, not wanting to indulge him. But he pressed on.

"Are you here to catch Mr Jared's supposed affair?" He asked.

A surge of frustration and confusion bubbled up inside me, but I bit my tongue. Instead of responding, I gave a sharp nod to Claire. She immediately moved toward him, her expression so threatening it made Oliver take an instinctive step back. He immediately backed away, raising his hands in surrender. "Easy there, I meant no harm."

I nodded at Claire again, and we continued on our way. We finally arrived at the box where Ashley was working, and I felt a great sense of relief at seeing her safe and sound.

Claire nodded at me, and then turned to leave. "I'll go find Dwayne," she said.

I nodded in return, then turned to face Ashley. She looked utterly shocked to see me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, keeping my voice low and calm, though my mind was racing.

She looked up at me, her eyes already full of apology. "I'm working, Arielle," she said quietly. "I need the money. I didn't tell you because I know you wouldn't support me. But why are you here?"

I took a deep breath, my temper cooling slightly. At least she knew she wasn't doing the right thing. Still, this club wasn't a safe place for her to be working.

"Save the excuses Miss Ashley. I know you need the money, but what if something happens to you?" I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "What if you run into the wrong people-people who could hurt you?"novelbin

She sighed, her tone resigned. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. But I'm an adult Ari! I can handle myself. And if things get bad, I can always use the back exit."

My concern skyrocketed as I glanced around the crowded club, the flashing lights and loud music only making me more anxious. What kind of people could Ashley be exposed to in a place like this?

"Look, I came because Dwayne saw

you. You're a young, beautiful

woman in a place like this-you're too obvious," I said, my voice rising with urgency. "Dwayne was here for a business meeting and only brought one guard. Think about that! Someone like him needs security just to visit. What money is worth risking your life for, Ashley? We need to leave now."

"But... I haven't closed yet."

"Does your boss know you're working here? Does McFadden establishment allow part-time jobs like this?" I asked, my voice low.

Her eyes widened in alarm as she took a step backward, her eyes darting around nervously, like her boss could appear in the club any minute from now. "No," she murmured.

I raised a brow. "So, you're risking your job for this?"

She sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "Fine, you beat me girl," she said. "Let's go."

I nodded, relieved. "Good choice," I said, as I turned to lead her out of the club.

As we turned to leave, three men suddenly appeared in front of us, blocking our path.

"Excuse us," I said, my voice sharp, my frown deepening.

But they didn't step aside. Instead, they closed in, surrounding us with a suffocating presence. The rancid smell of alcohol hit me hard, and my pulse spiked. Drunk. They were drunk, and their leering, predatory

gazes made my stomach twist.

I could feel the fear clawing at my throat as one of the men grinned, his smile crooked and unsettling. "Well, well, well. What do we have here?" He slurred, stumbling closer to me. Instinctively, I took a step back, crashing into Ashley, who looked as frozen as I felt.

"Oh, don't be scared, pretty," another man said, his voice thick with mock sympathy. "We just wanna play..." His grin widened, his hand reaching for me, too close.

My body went stiff with anger and

fear. They were circling us like animals, and no one around us seemed to notice. People were too wrapped up in their own worlds, too

busy to hear our distress. We were

alone.

I turned to Ashley, her face pale with terror, which only fueled my anger. I couldn't let this happen. Not to her. Not to us.

My hand moved instinctively to my pocket, fingers brushing my phone. I had to call for help, I had to-

But one of the men saw me reach for it. Without warning, he kicked my phone from my hand, sending it skittering across the floor with a sharp, sickening crack.

I flinched, my heart sinking as the screen shattered into pieces, but I didn't have time to dwell on it. I turned to run, but the men were too quick, their hands grasping for us, pulling at our arms.

We fought back, punching and kicking, but we were no match for the three masculine men. In the midst of the chaos, and when it seemed like all hope had been lost, I spotted him, Jared!

I froze, my heart pounding as he stepped out of a nearby box, Oliver at his side, a woman I didn't recognize trailing behind them.

Jared? He's really here?

At that point, I was at a loss on whether I should call for his help or not. Still contemplating, Ashley turned in their direction and spotted them.

And out of panic and before I could even stop her, she yelled out his name.

"Jared!!!"