The Billionaire's Promise
Chapter 102: Subtle Attack

Chapter 102: Subtle Attack

The days after Aryana’s scalding incident, photos of her with the foreigners started appearing randomly on the internet. Photos of her and Antonio together were also gaining popularity. It seemed as if an unseen hand was trying to paint a picture of her dating multiple men at the same time.

Aryana was busy recuperating at the hospital and did not think much about a few random photos of hers that appeared in the internet.

Antonio visited her at the hospital. He timed his visit when Erik was in the office. He came on the pretext of discussing the details of their next project. He brought his agent with him.

Aryana hasn’t taken a full shower since she was admitted in the hospital as the burn on her back was not allowed to touch water. She was very uncomfortable and she did not want to receive visitors at all but can do nothing about it.

Antonio studied the frail woman before her. Her face was devoid of make up but she didn’t seem bothered at all. She doesn’t seem to care about her appearance. Her face still looked lovely without makeup. Though she looked pale, her lips were naturally pinkish. Her hair was a little messy and carelessly tossed at her back, resulting into a rugged look.

"Are you getting better?" Antonio handed her yet another fruit basket which Aryana reluctantly accepted.

"Yes. I will be discharged in the next two days. I guess." Aryana replied briefly.

"You must be bored. Why not look into these projects? Let me know what you think." He handed her a stack of paper. Aryana has to admit that indeed she was bored. Antonio was right. Maybe she can use the time to look at projects that he was pestering her.

"Your new jewelry series is good." Aryana gave her honest assement. Antonio was pleased. An idea came to his mind.

’Maybe I should give her a ring. I can tell her it is a token of the collaboration. And then later on, I can make a hype and tell that it is an engagement ring.’ That was how the gears in his head were turning.

At Gaeya Corporation, Erik received a message from one of the bodyguards that Antonio Lopez was visiting Aryana but they seemed to be talking about business. He received series of photos. When he checked on the photos, it looked like they were indeed simply talking about business though Antonio would sometimes lean closer to Aryana when he was showing her something.

Antonio stayed for an hour at the hospital. Aryana heaved a sigh of relief when he finally said he was leaving. When he exited her ward, there was a commotion at the corridor.

"What is happening outside Amy?" Aryana asked.

"There are a few reporters and they are talking to Antonio." Amy was peeping at the door.

Aryana sighed. He must have arranged these reporters so he will look good visiting a patient in the hospital.

She checked the internet and she saw photos of her and Antonio inside the ward talking. The angle that the photos were taken showed that Antonio was sitting very close to Aryana.

’Damn. Erik will be furious!’ She silently cursed.

...

In the afternoon, Aryana was so bored she asked the bodyguard for a wheel chair and requested Amy to bring her to the hospital’s garden to get some fresh air.

She frowned when she saw someone familiar. Aryana could tell that a disaster was about to happen by the way the wheelchair of the middle aged man was tilting forward.

Aryana stood from her own wheel chair and steadied the wheel chair of the man before her. She proceeded to lock the wheels.

"Mister Ham, why are you here alone?" Aryana asked in a worried tone when she saw him sitting by himself.

"Oh, it is you Aryana. What a small world. We are confined in the same hospital." He said breathlessly.

"You have to calm down." Aryana urged him. He seemed to have difficulty breathing.

"My room felt stuffy so I escaped for fresh air." He added.

"What happened to you?" Aryana asked.

"I had chest pain earlier and was brought here." Gram Ham said matter of factly.

"Dad, why did you leave the room without informing anyone." A flustered Clark came rushing together with a nurse and a bodyguard. He paused when he saw Aryana. "You are also here Aryana."

"I am having some fresh air as well." She said smiling lightly.

"I’ll take you back first Dad. You still need to undergo some tests." Clark glanced at Aryana. "Thank you for helping Dad with his wheel chair earlier." He said before pushing his father back to the hospital.

"The CEO of Galaxy Entertainment is a filial son and very handsome " Amy said with dreamy eyes. "He looked very worried about his father."

Aryana just hummed. It has nothing to do with her.

Amy frowned. ’She just hummed? No reaction from her? I have to work harder to build a good image of my boss to her.’

...

Erik arrived at her ward at 7pm. He brought her a food box from yet another famous restaurant.

"I heard from the bodyguard that Antonio visited today?" He arranged the food box on the table and pulled a chair for Aryana.

"Yeah. He discussed another project with me. I sent the the proposal to your email. I think this project looks good. What do you think?" She scooped some food and put it on her mouth.

Erik opened his mail and did a cursory glance on the proposal.

"Yes. It looks good." He said. "Now, let’s have our dinner. I am starving."

"Oh, by the way, I saw Gram Ham in the hospital today. We bumped into each other in the garden earlier. "You should visit him as your partner."

"Why do you I feel that you care about that old man?" Erik was jealous again.

"It is what you call caring professionally. He is your important partner after all!" Aryana protested.

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