CEO of my Heart 34 34

Seeing how the Chens were proud of what little they had held onto, he hadn't wanted to upset Ellie by even bringing up his house or wealth to her. He could have done many things to please her, but such strength he knew would crumble at the sight of her own fragile. It was something he'd seen in his own mother. To bring here here, to be under his protection, was something he had never even considered. He sighed, her impulsive brother, although reckless and stupid in his passion fueled actions, was correct. No matter how difficult the situation could get with her here with everyone milling in his business, he owed it to her. Tabloids set aside. Headlines be damned. As his wife, he should give her the basic courtesies due to her position. In her final days, she should enjoy the finest things in life. This was the least of which he could offer to someone who had helped him in his hour of need.

"Michael," Henry barked loudly with a sullen expression as he stared Nolan down. Michael appeared behind him like he'd been summoned from rubbing a lamp. He must have been standing outside for the whole while listening to their conversation. Henry did not turn to look at him, as he knew where he would be standing. "My Mrs. Wong is outside in the helicopter as we speak. I'm sure as you already know. She is extremely frail and will probably need to be carried to her accommodations, which will be in the Violet Room. It's the only room which will be the most suitable for her."

Michael bowed low before he left. Henry's eyes were blank as Nolan did the same. "My sincerest gratitude to you, Mr. Wong."

As he turned to go, he felt Henry's calloused hand on his shoulder. "I'm not doing this for you, I'm doing it for her." He opened his paperback and handed him the paper he had been using to mark his place.

Curiously Nolan turned it over and realized it was a check.

"I was going to have it mailed to you, but since you are here you can have it while the ink is fresh. Your first paycheck from me of the trust money."

Nolan counted the zeroes. He opened his mouth.

Henry held up the hand. "You don't need to thank me. This is all a part of the deal I stuck."

Nolan raised his eyebrow, "Deal?"

Henry's eyes grew hard. Each word aiming to cut. "I never married your sister because I loved her. I need her so I bought her like I bought you." As Nolan's shoulders shook with rage, Henry continued. "You may enter from the concierge at the first floor whenever you wish, just say you're staying with my name. I'll inform them so all you'll need is a form of id. You're sister's room as a small attached room where I'll have a bed and bathroom made ready for you in two days time. It's in a less trafficked area of the house so it was turned off. You can use it for as long as our attachment persists. Does Ellie have a personal nurse?" When Nolan shook his head, Henry sniffed. "I'll hire someone, including taking on any additional specialists or doctors she may require to ease her transition."

Nolan pocketed the check before raising his finger. "I also did tell her to get here that it was something you did for her. I know she wants a fairy tale and you're far from that, but please until she's no longer with us, don't give her any reason to think otherwise."

Henry's jaw dropped. He nodded slowly. "I'm not you. I would never torment someone I love like that. I may have come upon your sister by chance and wooed her with this bitter thorny rose. But I am not evil, I will not torment her to her dying breath with a fiction you've woven to please her. She's no stranger to men who don't love her I imagine. I will have no part in such a fantasy for someone I respect. Now please, get out of my house."

Nolan made a quick run out of the room before the door slammed closed behind him. The nerve of the man. He knew this marriage was a mirage, but he'd always thought Henry would give Ellie more. Ellie seemed to cherish the idea that she had someone to look after her. While she was racing, she had gone through men like handbags. Stability. Sustenance. Were the things she craved now. He knew he could only brace with the fall that would come when her image of him shattered. But for now, he would smile with her and agree -- the beast was beautiful.

Chapter end

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