THE BILLIONAIRE STILL WANTS HER!
Chapter 80: In exchange for the position

Chapter 80: In exchange for the position

"Why does he want Angel so badly?" he muttered, his voice laced with both confusion and irritation. "Is there really no one else we could offer in exchange for the position?"

"You were the one who wanted to claim that position, Tryson. I can’t believe that securing it would mean sacrificing your love," Jude said, his voice eerily calm.

Yet, in that moment, something flickered in Tryson’s gaze—a shadow of unease. His expression darkened, his jaw tensed, and when he finally spoke, his voice carried a sharp edge of irritation.

"I do want that position—desperately. I’ve dreamt of it for as long as I can remember. I made a promise to myself that I would achieve it, no matter the cost." He took a deep breath, his eyes burning with an unshakable resolve. "And besides... this might be the only way to bring us closer—as his son. I can’t afford to lose that connection, Jude. I won’t. So I don’t care what it takes. If this is the price, then I’m willing to pay it."

Jude clenched his fists, torn between his instincts to argue and the growing understanding settling in his chest.

He wanted to tell Tryson that he was making a mistake, that there had to be another way—but deep down, he understood.

Tryson wasn’t just any heir to the Bliss family. He was a product of a carefully buried secret—one so dangerous, it had shaped his very existence.

Whatever reason had driven Tryson to chase after Angel, it all traced back to this—this undeniable truth that had unknowingly captured his heart.

"Bro, as much as I want to challenge everything you’re saying, I just hope you don’t end up regretting this decision," Jude said, his voice calm but laced with concern.

"There’s no such thing as a wrong choice in this, Jude," Tryson replied with finality, his tone unyielding.

And with that, he ended the call.

The intensity in his gaze slowly dimmed, the storm within him settling—if only slightly. Taking a deep breath, he exhaled, letting the tension drain from his face before turning toward Angel.

"Angel," he greeted her with a soft smile, settling into the chair opposite hers.

But before the moment could fully take shape, his hand accidentally knocked over the steaming cup of tea resting on the table.

The scalding liquid splashed onto his skin, and he recoiled instantly, his hand jerking back from the burning sensation.

"Tryson?!" Angel gasped, her voice laced with distress as she reached for him.

Her fingers barely grazed his wrist when her eyes caught sight of something—first, the reddening mark of the burn, and then, just beneath it, the unmistakable ink of a serpent curled around his skin.

A tattoo.

"Tryson, are you alright?" Angel asked, her voice laced with concern as she shook off a fleeting thought, momentarily distracted by the idea of the tattoo.

Without hesitation, she reached for his hand, gently blowing warm air over his skin as if her breath could ease the pain.

Her touch was soft yet urgent, her care evident in every movement. A moment later, she waved over the restaurant’s waitress, instructing her to clean up the mess and call for medical assistance.

Tryson, meanwhile, found himself utterly captivated.

His heart fluttered as he watched Angel tend to him with such genuine passion. The way her lips hovered so close to his skin as she blew on it, the way she kept glancing up to check on him, her eyes filled with concern—it made his chest tighten.

He couldn’t help but be completely enamored by her. This side of Angel, so gentle and affectionate, made her look even more adorable than he had ever noticed before.

"Tryson," Angel called out again, pulling him from his daze. By now, the restaurant staff had already begun cleaning up the mess, but his focus was solely on her.

"I’m going to be gentle, just tell me if it hurts too much," she assured him, picking up the ointment with delicate fingers.

As she slowly applied it to his skin, her expression twisted ever so slightly—almost as if she were the one feeling the pain instead of him.

Tryson couldn’t take his eyes off her. Was it possible to fall even harder for someone in just a matter of seconds? Because in that moment, he was sure he just did.

"Are you okay, Tryson?" Angel asked once more, her gaze locking onto his with concern.

This time, Tryson didn’t look away. Instead, he reached out, his fingers brushing against her skin as he gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

A teasing smile tugged at his lips. "You know, it’s kind of adorable watching you fuss over me while applying the ointment," he murmured, amusement dancing in his eyes.

Angel pouted, crossing her arms. "Seriously, Tryson? I thought you’d be uncomfortable with it, but instead, you’re teasing me?" She huffed, preparing to move away.

But before she could, she gasped as Tryson suddenly pulled her onto his lap.

Her heart leaped in surprise. "Tryson!" she squeaked, her cheeks heating up as she instinctively tried to stand.

He didn’t let her.

His arms held her firmly in place, his weight making it impossible for her to escape.

"Tryson, stop! People are watching," she whispered, flustered, her face turning an even deeper shade of red.

Yet, Tryson didn’t seem to care. His intense gaze remained locked onto hers, and with slow, deliberate movement, he reached out, his fingertips grazing her cheek.

"Should I really be afraid of how dangerously cute you are?" Tryson teased, a playful glint in his eyes.

"Tryson," Angel whispered, glancing around anxiously. "You have no idea who might be watching. Someone could take pictures of us, and then it’ll be all over the news."

Tryson let out a soft chuckle, completely unfazed.

"Well," he said with a smirk, "we could always make them take down every story they have—including the ones your dear Arthur came up with."

His tone was light, teasing, yet there was an unmistakable edge of mischief in his voice.