Billion dollar adventure: Meeting Mr arrogant

Chapter 7 : The Hidden Room

But as she delved deeper into the documents, Lucy's initial excitement turned to dread, her heart pounding as each page revealed more of Mr. Arrogant’s true nature. The business transactions she had expected were not just unethical—they were criminal, with a level of depravity she hadn’t anticipated. Fraud, embezzlement, and tax evasion were only the tip of the iceberg. As her eyes scanned the neatly typed lines, she found herself descending into a dark web of corruption that reached far beyond her husband’s lavish penthouse.

Her hands began to tremble as she unfolded a letter with cryptic instructions involving offshore accounts, secret transfers of immense wealth, and coded names. Lucy had heard whispers of her husband's shady dealings before, but this was irrefutable proof. She swallowed hard, her throat dry as she realized the extent of Mr. Arrogant’s operations. He wasn’t just a ruthless businessman—he was the puppeteer behind an empire built on intimidation, blackmail, and sheer ruthlessness. Anyone who dared oppose him didn’t just face financial ruin. They disappeared.

As Lucy continued reading, she came across names she recognized—powerful people, politicians, and corporate leaders, all entangled in Mr. Arrogant’s schemes. The documents detailed how he had used these connections to manipulate the system, bending laws to his will while building an impenetrable wall around his empire. Worse yet, there were detailed records of bribes paid to police officials, judges, and even journalists. It became clear that Mr. Arrogant hadn’t just protected himself with money; he had built an invisible fortress of fear, using people’s darkest secrets as weapons. He controlled them all like pieces on a chessboard, sacrificing anyone who became a liability.

Lucy's heart pounded as her fingers leafed through more pages, each one worse than the last. She had known her marriage was a farce, a gilded cage from which she desperately wanted to escape, but now the stakes were so much higher. Escaping wasn’t just about reclaiming her life—it was about survival. If Mr. Arrogant ever found out she had these documents, he wouldn’t hesitate to destroy her, just like the others.

In the back of the drawer, Lucy's fingers brushed against something different—a thick manila folder labeled *Confidential: Eyes Only*. Her pulse quickened. She hesitated for a brief second before pulling it out and flipping it open. Inside were photographs, surveillance images of various people. Some of the faces she recognized—business associates who had mysteriously vanished, enemies who had crossed her husband and disappeared without a trace. There were candid shots of men and women, some in public places, others inside their homes, all taken without their knowledge. Her blood ran cold as she realized the extent of his reach—no one was safe, not even in their most private moments.

Among the photographs was a name she never expected to see—her own. A chill crawled up her spine as she saw images of herself, taken without her knowing. They were recent, some from within the penthouse, others from places she had visited in secret. Mr. Arrogant had been watching her, tracking her every move. A nauseating wave of fear gripped her stomach as she realized that she had never been free, even in her quiet moments of rebellion.

Her breath quickened as panic surged through her. She had to leave. Now. But she couldn’t just walk away empty-handed. She needed to gather enough evidence, something she could use to not only escape but to bring him down for good. But how? Her hands trembled as she grabbed her phone from her pocket, fumbling to snap photos of the most damning documents, the ones that could serve as her lifeline. Time was slipping away; she had no idea how long she had before someone realized she was in here. Mr. Arrogant had cameras everywhere. What if he already knew?

Suddenly, a soft creak echoed through the room. Lucy froze, her blood turning to ice. The sound was faint but unmistakable—the door behind her, the very door she had entered through, had shifted ever so slightly. Someone was outside. She could hear a muffled voice, maybe two, speaking in low tones. Were they looking for her? Had they noticed the door was ajar? Her heart raced, adrenaline flooding her veins as she quickly glanced around the room for a place to hide or an alternate way out. There were no windows, no other exits.

She stuffed the documents back into the drawer, frantically but as quietly as possible. Her mind raced. Should she hide, pretend she had never been here? Or should she stand her ground, bluff her way out if it was just one of the house staff? But what if it wasn’t? What if Mr. Arrogant had sent someone to check on her, to ensure she hadn’t overstepped her bounds?

Her body felt frozen in place as the voices outside grew louder, more distinct. They were speaking in hushed tones, but she could make out fragments. “…if she’s in there… can’t let her see…” Her throat tightened. They were definitely looking for her. This wasn’t some innocent passerby; this was someone sent to check on her.

She scanned the room desperately, her eyes falling on the large wooden desk in the center. It was the only potential hiding spot, but it was a long shot. There was no time to think. She darted toward it, dropping to her knees and sliding beneath the heavy wood just as the door slowly creaked open. She pressed her body against the back panel, her heart pounding so loudly in her chest she was sure they could hear it.

Two figures entered the room, their footsteps echoing in the confined space. Through the small gap between the desk and the floor, Lucy could just make out their shoes—polished, expensive leather, the kind Mr. Arrogant favored for his most trusted associates. They moved purposefully, like men with a mission. One of them walked directly toward the filing cabinet she had been rifling through moments before.

Lucy held her breath, her mind racing. If they opened that drawer, it would be obvious someone had been there. She silently cursed herself for not being more careful, for not thinking ahead. One of the men knelt down, his fingers brushing against the cabinet handle.

“What’s taking so long?” a voice hissed from the door. Another figure entered, this one taller, his voice carrying an authority the others didn’t possess. “You two are worthless. Hurry up before he finds out.”

The man at the cabinet quickly stood up. “Nothing here, boss. It looks untouched.”

Lucy closed her eyes, her body trembling as they moved toward the door, their footsteps retreating. For a moment, she thought she was safe, but then the tallest man stopped.

“Check the desk,” he ordered, his voice cold.

Lucy’s heart stopped. She could feel the blood drain from her face as one of the men turned back. She pressed herself tighter against the back of the desk, her entire body shaking as she prayed they wouldn’t look beneath. A hand landed on the surface above her head, fingers drumming against the wood as the man surveyed the room.

“Nothing here either,” he finally said, though his tone was skeptical.

The tall man hesitated for a long, agonizing moment. Then, with a grunt, he turned and left the room. Lucy remained frozen beneath the desk, barely daring to breathe until the sound of footsteps faded completely.

When she was certain they were gone, she crawled out from her hiding spot, her legs weak and trembling. Her mind was spinning. She had been seconds away from being caught—and worse. She had to move quickly, but now, more than ever, she knew that getting out wouldn’t be easy. She had no allies, no one to trust. If she was going to bring Mr. Arrogant down, it would have to be on her own.

With her heart still racing, she grabbed the phone again, taking the final few photos of the documents before tucking them back in place. Then, with one last look at the room, Lucy slipped out the door and into the shadows of the penthouse, determined but terrified. Her time was running out, and she knew that if she didn’t act fast, she might never make it out alive.