My Stone-Hearted Billionaire Husband

Kourtney’s blood immediately ran cold on hearing Sebastian’s brazen proposal.

“Uhh?” she asked, still in doubt of the extent of his demands.

“You heard me,” he replied proudly.

His face was completely straight and unreadable now, which meant he was super-duper serious.

Kourtney shrugged.

‘Why does he always have to make everything so difficult… so complicated?’ She thought to herself, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

This man… he always had to push boundaries!

Naked in the shower… With him?

How can he be so shameless?

She had known Sebastian was a shameless fad, but this was a whole new level of absurdness.Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

Ridiculously Unreasonable!!!

She knew what he wanted, what he always seemed to want from her. Yet, she could never grow accustomed to his insane demands.

“You.. can’t you just be reasonable and less vulgar for once?”

“Well…Where’s the fun in that?” Sebastian replied smugly, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her knees weak.

“He knows exactly what he’s doing. Playing with me like a puppet on his strings,” Kourtney mused internally.

Outwardly, she put on a brave face, her words laced with defiance while pouting her lips like a child, “Fine. Deal.”

She knew she couldn’t back down now, not if she wanted to protect her family from this man’s impending storm.

With HIM, there were just no shortcuts or easy way out!

The power dynamics between them were one-sided and uneven, with him always holding the upper hand, always calling the shots.

She had made her bed, and now she had to lie in it.

On hearing her reply, Sebastian smirked. He loved it when things fell into place for him.

The stars… align with his wishes.

Just the way he liked it!

His mind wandered to the dirty fantasies he had been harboring, envisioning the steamy encounter awaiting him in the shower with her. The thought of Kourtney’s soft skin against his, her gasps mingling with the sound of the running water, was thrilling!

What else could a Man ask for?

Just as he was lost in his lustful thoughts, Kourtney’s hopeful voice pierced through his daydreaming, bringing him back to reality.

“Umm… Hubby, do you mind if they stay over for lunch?” she asked meekly, referring to her family.

Sebastian blinked at the woman.

Her whole demeanor now was that of a gentle, soft, and submissive wife- a stark contrast to her usually stubborn and sassy nature. She timidly asked for permission for her family to stay over till lunch, a small request at that, but she made it seem so… huge.

He couldn’t help but let out a dark chuckle.

“What’s funny?” Kourtney raised an eyebrow, confused at his sudden laughter.

“Nothing at all!”

Feeling generous, he granted her small request without hesitation. “It’s up to you if they can stay or not. But I won’t be joining your little brunch. I have some work to do in my study.”

“Whatever. Thanks!” Kourtney nodded.

As she turned to leave, she could almost feel his smugness behind her. The man probably thinks he’s won this round so smoothly.

But this time, she had a trick up her sleeve.

“He always gets what he wants, doesn’t he? I won’t let him win this easily,” she resolved silently as she descended the stairs back to her family.

She had entered his world, his realm of power and control. Can she navigate these treacherous waters, or will she drown in its depths?

***********

The Serenity Villa kitchen bustled with activity as Kourtney and her servants fluttered around, fetching ingredients, setting the table, and ensuring that everything was perfect down to the last detail.

Kourtney’s hands moved with grace and precision, effortlessly transforming simple ingredients into works of art fit for a royal feast.

Her skills in the kitchen were impeccable, sharpened through her brief yet intensive training at a prestigious culinary school where she had attended summer classes in France three years ago.

Back then, her relationship with Brandon was still fresh, but she was willing to go the extra mile to prove she could be worthy of being his wife… being the Smiths’s young mistress.

Sadly… it ended badly.

But at least she gets to keep her cooking skills and use them for…

Never mind!

Adorned in a floral apron, she floated around with an air of confidence and grace, her long brown locks cascading down her back. Her mother, Margaret, bustled around her, trying to keep up with Kourtney’s swift movements and make the dishes faster.

“Kourtney, honey, let me help you with that,” Margaret offered, reaching for a cutting board.

Kourtney smiled warmly at her mother, “Oh, Mom, you know I’ve got this. Why don’t you go relax in the living room with the others? I’ll call you when lunch is ready.”

Margaret hesitated for a moment before relenting, knowing Kourtney’s prowess in the kitchen. She retreated to the luxurious living room where the rest of the Allen family lounged, sipping on champagne and chatting merrily as they waited for lunch to be served.

Soon enough, lunch was served, and the family gathered around the table, exchanging lively banter and sharing stories of days gone by. The atmosphere was warm and positive, a notable change from the icy tension earlier on.

“Kourtney, my dear. Thank you so much for hosting us. This brunch is delightful! You’ve truly outdone yourself,” Grandma Florence praised happily amid a mouthful of her favorite fish dish- Parmesan-crusted baked Salmon with Crispy Potatoes, a delectable blend of flavors that danced on her taste buds.

Kourtney had also added a blend of lemon myrtle, native herbs, and a hint of finger lime for that extra tang, served alongside a colorful array of roasted vegetables and a side of creamy macadamia nut sauce which her Grandmother loves so much.

She beamed with pride, her heart swelling with satisfaction at the appreciation. She had made this particular dish specially for Grandma Florence and to her taste.

The table was packed, and the sound of cutleries clinking created a warm, lively atmosphere. Yet beneath the surface, tension boiled like an unattended pot on the stove.

Kourtney observed her relatives with a keen eye. She was sitting close to her Grandma at the head of the table, so it was easy to get a glimpse of everyone.

Kathlyn and Aunt Denise, her two formidable adversaries, or should we say… “biggest ops” from her family, shot her icy glares every now and then.

She could feel their piercing and bitter gazes coming her way, but she remained composed, choosing to focus on the positive energy that she hoped would eventually outweigh the negative.

Aunt Denise, especially, tried to mask her pain with fake smiles, but she was dying on the inside.

That Kourtney gets to enjoy this!

All this!

This uncountable number of servants serving her…

This insane amount of luxury… served on a platter of gold…

That the niece she despised so much gets to live like a princess in such a magnified villa…

She couldn’t stop her thinly veiled sneers from forming, and she barely touched the sumptuous meal in front of her, devoid of any appetite…..

Meanwhile, as the meal progressed, Kourtney noticed a shift in her grandmother’s demeanor. The wrinkles on Grandma Florence’s face seemed to have deepened, and her eyes lost their earlier sparkle.

Concerned, Kourtney leaned in and asked, “Grandma, what’s wrong?”

“Oh, dear. It’s nothing, really. Just the weight of old age catching up with me,” Grandma Florence attempted to brush off Kourtney’s inquiry, but she just wasn’t convinced.

Kourtney knew her grandmother all too well to dismiss this change in behavior. “Come on, Grandma. You can tell me. What’s on your mind?”

Grandma Florence sighed heavily before responding, “Oh, my dear Kourtney. I was just thinking… Even if your husband helps to lift us back from the industry’s blacklist, our family corporation would only go back to its former state – still in teeters and on the edge of collapse.”

Kourtney’s heart sank. “We… we’ll figure this out, Grandma.”

“There is nothing to figure out, my dear. The Allen Corporation is dead, gone, and buried! Our enemies won!” Grandma Florence added dramatically.

“Why are you giving up so easily without a fight? You built this from scratch with Grandpa, and we’re not going to let it die. We’ll find a way to save our family’s business,” Kourtney pointed out with newfound determination.

“Oh, my dear, I wish I could have your level of faith. But it isn’t forthcoming at all. Except….”

“Except what, Grandma?” Kourtney inquired cluelessly.

But the rest of the family at the table all exchanged knowing glances at each other. They all knew what the Old Woman was driving at….

Grandma Florence hesitated before continuing, her aged voice laden with sadness as she sniffed out the words. “Except… Except that… There’s a piece of land called the ‘San Bora.’ It is located in the heart of Melbourne. Us being in possession of that land… it could do wonders for us. Obtaining it could stabilize our situation, but we are in no position to do so.”

Kourtney’s mind raced. The mention of the “San Bora” land caught her attention. This was the same land her father talked about at the restaurant.

‘Was it really that important?’ she pondered.