BETRAYAL.

CHAPTER 5

Malvern let out a deep sigh as he stretched, taking in his surroundings. He was in his apartment, his room, but he had no recollection of how he got there. "What happened yesterday?" he groaned, feeling exhausted.

Memories came flooding back, and he recalled texting Wynter. "No, no, no..." He grabbed his phone from the table, intending to delete the message, but it was too late – she had already viewed it. "What have I done?" he asked himself, distressed.

"Come on, don't beat yourself up. Isn't this what you wanted?" Bonnie teased, walking into the room.

"I don't get why he's so stressed," Harrison added, following Bonnie.

Malvern shot them a disgusted look. "What are you guys doing here? Did you both sleep over?"

"Coming from someone we saved from sleeping on the streets last night," Bonnie retorted.

Harrison nodded in agreement. "I'm starting to think we should've left him there."

Malvern's face twisted in annoyance. "You guys are unbelievable..." He rolled out of bed and stood up, heading to the bathroom.

As he walked away, Harrison asked, "So, Malvern, who's Wynter?" A sly grin spread across his face.

Malvern's face flushed with embarrassment. He tried to play it cool, not wanting to admit his mistake. "What are you talking about? Who's Wynter?"

Bonnie chimed in, "You kept repeating that name last night."

Malvern shrugged it off. "It's nothing."

He quickly exited the room, leaving Bonnie and Harrison exchanging amused glances.

•

Malvern hurried into the grand Archer's Mansion, its sleek lines, floor-to-ceiling windows, and stunning stone façade taking his breath away. Lush greenery and vibrant flowers surrounded the property, complementing the mansion's elegant architecture.

"Malvern, sweetheart, you're here!" Mrs. Archer exclaimed, descending the stairs to greet him. Malvern flashed a bright smile as she hugged him.

"Good morning, Mom. How are you?" he asked.

Blord, clad in shorts and a towel draped around his neck, swiftly retreated as he watched them from behind.

"I'm doing great, always fine," Mrs. Archer replied, cupping Malvern's face.

Malvern gently removed himself from her arms. "So, where's Dad?"

"He stepped out this morning, but he'll be back by noon," she explained.

"Alright, and what about you, Mom? Any plans?" Malvern asked.

Mrs. Archer smiled. "Actually, I didn't have any plans, but now that you're here, I do."

Blord's eyes narrowed in disgust. "So, you now have plans, old woman?" he thought to himself.

Malvern smiled nervously. "Actually, Mom, I just came to grab something. I'll head back immediately."

"No, you can wait. I'll be done in no time," Mrs. Archer said, trying to persuade him.

Malvern ignored her and headed for the stairs. As Blord heard Malvern's ascending footsteps, he quickly slipped back into his room, closing the door silently.

But he soon heard a knock on the door and realized Malvern was heading to his room.

"How did he know I'm here?" Blord wondered, hastily pulling on a shirt.

"Come in, who's there?" Blord replied calmly.

"It's me, Malvern," Malvern said from outside, opening the door.

"Hello Malvern, what brings you here?" Blord's tone shifted to a warm one as they exchanged handshakes.

"I actually came to see you," Malvern replied, taking a seat.

"You could have just called me; no need to stress yourself by coming all the way here," Blord said, his voice laced with concern.

"It's nothing, really," Malvern said.

"So, what's this about? Let's get straight to the point," Blord pressed.

"It's about the Filament Organization. I saw you rejected their offer, but I think we should accept it. I believe it's a good opportunity," Malvern explained.

"How is it a good offer?" Blord asked calmly, though his inner rage was simmering.

"I don't think I can explain right now, Blord, but I just think it's best we accept it," Malvern replied.

"Yeah, of course, I will... since it's coming from the President," Blord said with a brief, mocking laugh, which Malvern joined.

"Alright, thanks, and one last thing: before you reject any contract, make sure to reach out to me first," Malvern added before stepping out of the room.

As soon as Malvern was out of earshot, Blord's demeanor changed. He grabbed a glass cup from the table and hurled it across the room, punching the wall in anger, which left him bleeding.

"That son of a bitch! I'll make him and his family pay!" Blord seethed, his anger boiling over.

A secret that could change everything was hidden in plain sight: Malvern Archer was the real president of Pinnacle Holdings.

•7:00 PM

Tyler arranged items at the counter, stealing nervous glances at Wynter, who was stocking shelves. Wynter had been noticing Tyler's suspicious behavior all morning.

"If you have something to say, spit it out before you pass out!" Wynter suddenly snapped, catching Tyler off guard.

"M-me? No... I was just admiring how beautiful you look today," Tyler stuttered.

Wynter wasn't buying it. "That doesn't sound like you, Tyler."

Tyler realized she couldn't keep her secret hidden forever and decided to come clean.

"Wynter, I know you'll be mad at me, but I just can't hide it anymore...." Tyler said, her voice trembling.

Wynter sighed heavily. "Of course, you can't keep it forever. Tell me."

Tyler took a deep breath before confessing, "Some guy asked me for your number, and I gave it to him."

Wynter's eyes widened in shock. "What did you just say?" she asked, her voice rising in anger.

"I couldn't help it; he begged me a hundred times, and I couldn't just say no," Tyler explained.

Wynter's face twisted in rage. "Fuck you, Malvern!" she spat, storming out of the store.

•

Beads of sweat dripped down his face as his breathing quickened. He felt it again - that overwhelming sensation that sent shivers down his spine and arousal coursing through his veins.

Malvern had been trying to reach Wynter using the phone number Tyler had given him earlier, but she wasn't picking up.

"I'm sure she has no idea it's me," he sighed, struggling to catch his breath while his body yearned for relief. Malvern was sitting in his car, parked outside the mall where Wynter worked. He had intended to call her to meet him outside, but his cravings had gotten the better of him.

He watched his dick stand upright, from his pants , begging to burst out !.

"Damn it, can't you just stay calm for one day?" he snapped at himself, popping two calming pills into his mouth. Just then, his phone buzzed with an incoming video call from Wynter. He answered hastily, but didn't turn on his camera, unsure of how she'd react if she discovered he was outside her workplace.

As soon as Wynter picked up, Malvern saw that she was already outside, standing beside a guy she was hugging. "Listen up, dude. I don't know what you said your name was, and frankly, I don't care. I want you to stay away from me. This is my boyfriend, and my man , we're planning our future together... so stay away from me!" she warned, hanging up on him.

Malvern's jaw plummeted, his eyes frozen in utter disbelief. The guy Wynter claimed was her boyfriend, the one she was clinging to with an air of possessiveness, was none other than Blord - .