The Billionaire's Promise
Chapter 229: Rumors About Him

Chapter 229: Rumors About Him

George Lee who was standing on the terrace of his mansion, watched as his grandson and Marlon walked toward a black Maybach parked near the gate. Erik’s back was erect and no longer hunched and his footsteps seemed to be light and lively.

A smile appeared on the old man’s wrinkled face. He has not seen Erik look so happy after a long time.

He let out a deep breath. He decided to no longer interfere in his grandson’s married life. He learned a painful lesson a few months ago when Aryana Jones disappeared. He did not expect that it would cause such a terrible blow to his grandson. He was happy that there was someone who made a move on Arayana first. What if it was him? Wouldn’t Erik hate him to death?

His grandson was just like him. He does not fall in love quickly but when he does, it is deep and he is a loyal person. As far as he knew, Erik only loved two women in his life, Cassie and Aryana. Cassie was his first love but he loved Aryana more. So even if Aryana was of lowly background, he was inclined to accept him into the family.

"What am I saying? Didn’t Marlon say that Aryana was the granddaughter of the Chairman of the Mu Conglomerate? Her background is no longer ordinary." The Lee patriarch muttered to himself as he went back inside the living room while humming a song.

...

Erik and Marlon went straight to Midnight Club after having dinner with George Lee. Alex and Franco were already in the private room when they arrived. It has been a long time since this group of friends gathered for a drink.

"How are you and Julia, Franco?" Alex asked. "I am really curious how you made her give up her obsession with Erik?" Alex cast a sideways glance at Erik who seemed to be in a good mood as he picked up a glass of wine.

Alex insisted on having wine tonight instead of their usual tequila or whiskey. He worried about Erik’s stomach ulcer. At least wine has lesser alcohol content.

"Maybe, I satisfy her in bed? Or maybe because she thought I was more handsome and richer than Erik?" Franco blew a ring of smoke to Alex. Alex coughed after inhaling the smoke.

"Huh? More handsome than Erik? You’re dreaming." Alex retorted.

"Then, do you agree that it is because I am good in bed?" Franco chuckled.

"How would you know? Has she ever bedded Erik?"

Franco threw Alex a sharp glance.

"Of course not!" Erik hastily aired his side. "Well, isn’t it good that Franco and Julia are getting along well? Franco has liked Julia since high school."

"Don’t sell me out, buddy. I used to like her, but now it is she who likes me. I don’t have to pursue her. She is the one pursuing me." Franco said gloatingly.

Franco and Alex became silent as they studied Erik. He seemed to be in a good mood. There was no trace of the gloominess and coldness on his face that made him look unapproachable.

The two men looked at Marlon with raised eyebrows. Marlon has not spilled the beans to them. He wanted Erik to tell it to them himself.

"Why are you two looking at me? Ask him." Marlon pouted his lips and pointed it in the direction of Erik.

"Buddy, you seemed to be in a good mood. Can you share with us what made you happy?" Alex asked. He placed his glass on the table while waiting for Erik’s answer.

"I am going to be a father soon." Erik blurted out.

Franco who was drinking, spewed out the wine. Marlon who was in front of him was so angry as he wiped the colorless liquid that sprayed on his face.

"Damn! What’s wrong with you?" He shouted angrily.

Franco not only spewed but he also choked as some of the liquid entered his throat. He was coughing hard to the point that tears formed in the corner of his eyes. Alex stood from the couch, went behind his back, and patted it gently.

"Did you hear what Erik said? Did I mishear him just now?" Franco asked after his coughing calmed down.

"He said he is going to be a father soon," Alex repeated Erik’s words. "What?" His eyes widened in disbelief.

Franco chuckled. "I wonder why you did not react. You did not understand. You are really so slow. How did you become a doctor?" He mocked his friend.

"Is it a one-night stand? When did it happen? Is it that young model who has a resemblance to Aryana? Have you moved on from Aryana? I can’t believe it. Nevertheless, I am happy for you Bro." Franco was like a machine gun spewing words nonstop.

Marlon laughed hard. He had not anticipated the funny reaction of his two friends.

"What are you saying, Franco? I found Aryana. She is alive and pregnant with our child." Erik’s voice was filled with happiness.

Franco and Alex looked at him with a blank expression on their faces. Then they looked at Marlon.

"Yes. We found Aryana. She is in China but she lost her memory."

"You mean, she does not remember Erik and she is pregnant?" Franco asked.

Marlon nodded.

Franco looked at Erik in the eye. He could clearly see the joy in them. He understood that Erik was happy just knowing that Aryana was alive. But if she did not remember him and Arayana was pregnant, then...

"Let me guess. The man who found her deceived her and made Aryana believe that he was her husband, that’s why she got pregnant?" Franco’s imagination really ran wild.

Everyone felt that the temperature in the room suddenly dropped. Erik looked at Franco coldly.

"What nonsense are you sprouting?" He turned to Marlon and asked. "Didn’t you tell them what happened in China?"

"No. You only instructed me to share it with Grandpa." Marlon said defensively.

"Aryana was pregnant before she disappeared. She had a checkup and her pregnancy was confirmed the day before she took that cruise." Erik narrated.

"Bro, how did you know that Aryana had a checkup?" Marlon asked.

"You of all people have to ask that? Of course, I asked someone to check after I learned that she was pregnant." A memory flashed before Erik’s mind. It was of Aryana telling him that she had something to share with him. Now he realized that it must be about her pregnancy, but that night she saw that unfortunate incident.

"Erik, it must be a miracle for Arayana to survive that tornado. We are very happy to know that she is alive. But how did she survive?" Alex asked. He was truly happy to learn that Aryana did not die. He has a good relationship with her and he was also sad when he learned that she went missing and assumed dead.

"She was found by a relative. Indeed it was a miracle for her to survive." Erik did not want to explain but these were his friends who stayed by him and comforted him when he was at his lowest.

"Why did you not bring her back?" Alex and Franco asked at the same time.

"It is not the right time yet. She has not recovered her memories and besides it is inconvenient for her to travel."

"What if she does not recover her memories?" Franco who always acted as the devil’s advocate raised this question.

"She will!" Erik said confidently.

Franco did not say anymore. If Erik said that she would recover her memories then so be it. He always trusted his friend’s instincts.

"What’s with the new model of CoChi? There are rumors that you are dating her." Franco heard this gossip from Julia and he could not help but ask.

"What rumor? Who spread that rumor?" It was Marlon who asked back.

"There are photos of you two all over the internet."

Marlon took out his phone and checked the internet. There were a few photos of Erik and Aliyah but those were taken during the recent product launch of CoChi’s latest fashion series. It was taken a day before Erik and Marlon left for China. No wonder Marlon did not notice these rumors.

"Don’t mind them. These are official photos. You know that Erik is taking care of Aryana’s company so he needed to show his presence during the product launch." Marlon did not take those matters seriously.

"I’m just worried that someone is behind these rumors and wants to smear Erik’s reputation. Geaya Corporation’s stocks have just stabilized and they might use this against Erik." Franco shared his thoughts.

Erik did not take it to heart. He has been through hell. This small matter was nothing at all.

"I don’t even remember the name of that model. She does look like Aryana. I think she underwent plastic surgery and wore a contact lens to increase the resemblance between them but she can never be Aryana."

Franco did not say anymore. It looked like he was overthinking. Now that Erik seemed to be back to his usual self, why would he worry? He should now focus on the businesses that these three rascals entrusted him to manage.

Unbeknownst to Franco, his business empire would soon be threatened.

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