A Billionaire In Disguise

Chapter 40

Without even realizing it, the morning had become noon, and Rome was still stuck on trimming the

brushes to perfection.

The afternoon sun was hot, and his body was drained with his sweat. But he kept going, and every now

and then he would gaze at Catherine, standing a few steps away from him with a water bottle and towel

in her hand.

“I can't believe she is actually in that blazing heat with him.” Richard said, taking a sip of his tropical

juice.

Gazing away from the umbrella covering her, Chloe pulled down her shade off her face, stared at the

pool before glaring at Rome and Catherine a few distances away from the pool yard.

Then she rolled her eyes and said, “That right there is the definition of ‘stupidity.’ It's not a surprise

though. She took it from her weak father.”

“True! Edward is aways at the heel of our fathers because he's such a goodie-two-shoes.” Charles

said, rubbing sun cream on his arm.

For a moment, none of them spoke. Then Charles set the bottle on the table and asked, “Where's

Jeff?”

“Working after a project that doesn't belong to him.” Chloe mumbled, wearing her shade as she laid

back on the chair.

Hearing the coldness in her voice, Richard let out a nervous laugh and mumbled, “I'm not excusing his

behavior, but I know my brother, and he didn't rat you out to Hanson.”

“As his younger brother, you are always kissing up to him. Doesn't that get tiring?” Chloe mumbled,

shutting her eyelids.

“I wouldn't be talking on his behalf if I did believe that he was the one who did it. But Jeff doesn't leave

bread crumbs that lead back to him when he does something.”

“So, let me get this straight, you want me to believe that Mr. Richmond got the information about my

suspension out of the wind, and magically decided to give it to your brother?”

“Well, when you put it that way, it does sound fishy.”

“Good, I'm glad you finally cure your stupidity and see the truth that no one else has the motive to do

this except your brother.”

It grew silent for a while. Then Richard scratched the back of his head and nervously mumbled, “What

do you intend to do to him?” ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“What I plan for your brother doesn't concern you. But you can try to warn him to step back, or else, no

one should blame my ruthlessness.” Chloe mumbled with not a hint of remorse in her tone.

Swaying his gaze from her, Richard stared at Charles and said, “Come on, guys. We are all blood.

Can't we just let this one slide.”

“Don't get me involved in this. I'm only here to see the outcome of this fight and not get myself entangle

in a battle that doesn't concern me.” Charles mumbled, relaxing on his seat as he crossed his one leg

over the other.

With a hint of fear in his eyes, Richard rested his back on the pillow and thought, ‘Well, you are on your

own bro. I hope you have a defense mechanism in place for Chloe’s attacks.’

After a while, Rome finally trimmed the last leaf of the brushes. Then he smiled at Catherine and

cheerfully said, “Done.”

Keeping his eyes on hers, he walked towards Catherine, and then stopped a foot away from her,

breathing heavily.

“You did well.” Catherine whispered, drying his face with the towel.

“Did I?”

“Of course. Not even Tony could do what you just did.”

In a split second, Rome pulled her into his arms and mumbled, “My wife is so sweet.”

“And sweaty. Let me go.” Catherine cried, trying to break free from him.

“So am I. Should we wash up together?”

“Uh?”

With her ears red, she pushed Rome off her, put his phone into his hand, and said, “Go wash up by

yourself.”

When he stared at his phone screen, the words in his head got stuck in his throat as fear beams in his

eyes.

“One-fifty? That old man is going to kill me.” Rome mumbled beneath his breath.

“What?” Catherine mumbled.

Without replying to her, Rome rushed into the house, heading straight for their room.

When he arrived inside, he hurried into the bathroom, came out a few minutes later, and got dressed.

Then he picked his phone off the bed and his jaw dropped as he stared wide-eyed at the number, “two-

fifteen” on his screen.

“I'm dead.” Rome mumbled, strolling through his call log.

Then he called Mr. Ford's number and rested the phone against his ear as he rushed out of the room.

“Come on. Pick up.” Rome mumbled, walking quickly down the hallway.

“Who should pick up?” Catherine asked as she stood in his way.

After canceling the call. He placed his phone into his trouser pocket, gazed at her, and mumbled, “My

dad.”

“You are going to meet with him?” Catherine asked with excitement in her eyes.

“Yes. I have to go now.”

Feeling a bit nervous, Rome took in a breath and thought, ‘Or he's coming here.’

“Can I tag along?” Catherine mumbled.

“I'm sorry. He's expecting me now, and well, you're coming with me…”

“Will make you late. I understand. Just extend my greetings to him, please.”

Even though she tried to hide her disappointment, Rome could hear it in her voice, and without a

second thought, pressed his lips against hers and kissed her.

“See you later, wife.” Rome mumbled, gazing at her shock expression.

“Umm… okay. Bye.” Catherine mumbled with a red cheek and a soft smile.

Then she slowly stepped aside and allowed Rome to walk past her.

After Rome arrived outside the fence a few minutes later, he started walking down the road with his

phone pressed against his ear.

Finally, when a few more seconds had gone by, his call got answered, and Rome was about to ask for

the uber driver to pick him up, but then he paused as he watched a black car, driving towards him.

“Dad?” Rome mumbled when the vehicle came closer.

“Sorry, I'm not your father. I'm just a twenty-five years old cab driver. But I hope you find your father.”

The uber driver's nervous voice echoed from the speakers.

Before Rome could clarify things with him, the call got canceled, and he pulled the phone from his ear.

“Honk!!”

“Honk!!”

“I'm coming!” Rome angrily mumbled, hurrying towards the vehicle.

Then he got into the backseat and slammed the door shut.

“What do you think you are doing!” Rome mumbled, glaring at his father.

“Keeping a promise, unlike someone who doesn't know how to do that.” Mr. Ford said, scowling at his

son.

“I was busy.”

“Yeah, busy being the gardener to the Barlow’s family. Is that what my heir has become? A mere

gardener!”

“Dad, please...”

“What! Do you want me to sit back and allow them to continue humiliating you! You are ‘Rome Ford,”

my only child.”

Frowning at his father, Rome clenched his fist and said, “I know who I am.”

“Do you!” Mr. Ford asked, sounding disappointed.

“Yes! Can you let this be.”

“Forgive me if I'm not leaping for joy about you being looked down upon by people who should be

beneath you!”

“Dad, I hold all the cards in my hands, and no one, I mean, no one is above me in that house, so can

you let me handle this my way.”