[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-bl-bound-to-my-enemy-the-billionaire-who-took-my":3,"chapter-bl-bound-to-my-enemy-the-billionaire-who-took-my-bl-bound-to-my-enemy-the-billionaire-who-took-my-chapter-23":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","[BL] Bound to My Enemy: The Billionaire Who Took My Girl",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1735657,2219,"Chapter 23: Interview","bl-bound-to-my-enemy-the-billionaire-who-took-my-chapter-23",23,"\u003Cp>CASSIAN\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stepped out of the bathroom, phone still pressed to my ear, clothes damp from Noah’s wet body pressed against me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worth it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Completely worth it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"... so we need your signature on the revised contract before we can proceed with the acquisition,\" the COO was saying, voice clipped and professional. \"Legal has flagged a few clauses that require executive approval. Specifically the non-compete terms and the severance packages for the outgoing board members.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I moved toward the bedroom door, already mentally sorting through the logistics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Send the documents to my email,\" I said. \"I’ll review them within the hour.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The board is meeting at two, Mr. Wolfe. We need confirmation by then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ll have it by one-thirty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And the severance packages? Legal is concerned about the payout structure... \"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Approve them as is,\" I interrupted. \"If the outgoing board wants to make noise about golden parachutes, let them. We’re not renegotiating at this stage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause. \"Understood, sir.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anything else?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, that’s all for now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ended the call and pocketed my phone, glancing down at my shirt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damp patches where Noah’s body had pressed against mine. His skin still warm from the shower. The way he’d looked... wet, flustered, hard... burned into my memory like a brand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Definitely worth it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pulled out my phone again and dialed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two rings, then: \"Yes, Mr. Wolfe?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of my security detail. Posted downstairs, no doubt keeping the lobby clear of any overly curious hotel staff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I need a fresh suit brought up,\" I said. \"Three-piece. Black. And breakfast. Make it a full spread... eggs, bacon, toast, fresh fruit, coffee. The works.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Right away, sir. Ten minutes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hung up and moved to the window, looking out over the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The interview crew was still set up in the living area. I could hear the muffled chatter, the rustle of equipment being adjusted, the interviewer’s overly bright voice rehearsing questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tedious. All of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My father had insisted I start doing press. \"Good for optics,\" he’d said. \"Shows you’re legitimate. Not just some ex-convict playing CEO.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hated every second of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I played the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A knock at the bedroom door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I opened it to find a hotel staff member holding a garment bag and wheeling a silver breakfast trolley laden with covered dishes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your suit and breakfast, Mr. Wolfe.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took the garment bag and gestured for him to leave the trolley just inside the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded, stepping back, and I shut the door before he could linger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And found Noah standing there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fully dressed now. Hair still damp. Looking like he’d rather be anywhere else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pushed the trolley toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Help yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He eyed the food suspiciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I raised an eyebrow. \"It’s not poisoned, Noah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t respond. Just stood there, arms crossed, staring at the trolley like it might explode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>God, he’s adorable when he’s wary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, he moved. Sat on the edge of the bed. Lifted one of the silver covers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The look on his face... barely restrained hunger, eyes widening slightly at the sight of eggs and bacon and fresh pastries... was priceless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tried to hide it. Failed miserably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned away, biting back a smile, and started unbuttoning my damp shirt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could feel his eyes on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not overtly. He was pretending to focus on the food, picking up a piece of toast with studied nonchalance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I felt it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way his gaze flickered over as I shrugged out of my shirt. Lingered as I reached for the fresh one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced over my shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked away quickly, cheeks flushing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Curious, Noah?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No,\" he said too fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smirked, pulling on the fresh shirt. \"You’re a terrible liar.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m not lying.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mmhm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I buttoned the shirt slowly, deliberately, watching him from the corner of my eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a bite of toast. Chewed. Tried very hard to look uninterested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I finished dressing... vest, jacket, adjusting the collar... and turned to face him fully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The interview should wrap up in about an hour,\" I said. \"Then another fifteen minutes to get them out of here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded, still chewing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So get comfortable while you can.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I winked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face went red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I walked out, leaving him alone with his breakfast and his flustered thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I stepped back into the living area, they swarmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The interviewer... Kate? Karen? I didn’t care... immediately brightened, stepping forward with that practiced smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Wolfe, we’re so grateful you could make time for us today. Business Insight Today doesn’t often get access to someone of your... stature.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mmhm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the crew members adjusted a light. Another fiddled with the camera angle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then there was Lila.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hovering near the edge of the setup, holding a tablet, clearly trying to look busy but watching me with that same desperate energy she always had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stepped forward, hesitant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Wolfe, I... \" She cleared her throat. \"I wanted to apologize. For the other night. At the bar. I didn’t mean to... I mean, I didn’t intend to come across as... you know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at her blankly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She shifted uncomfortably. \"Homophobic. I don’t want you to get the wrong impression of me. I respect... \"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s fine,\" I interrupted, voice flat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her smile faltered. \"Oh. Okay. I just... \"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’re starting in five,\" the director cut in, clapping his hands. \"Mr. Wolfe, if you could take your seat?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I moved to the chair by the window without another word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lila stepped back, deflated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The interviewer settled across from me, smoothing her blazer, checking her notes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright,\" she said brightly. \"Let’s begin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The questions were predictable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Wolfe, you’ve taken over as CEO of XUM Properties and Hospitality at a time of significant growth. What’s your vision for the company moving forward?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I answered smoothly, citing expansion plans, strategic partnerships, market positioning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All rehearsed. All meaningless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your father, Charles Wolfe, built this empire from the ground up. Do you feel pressure stepping into his shoes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t step into anyone’s shoes,\" I said evenly. \"I make my own path.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smiled, scribbling notes. \"And what about the rumors of internal conflict? Some shareholders have expressed concern about the succession plan... \"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shareholders are always concerned about something,\" I said. \"That’s their job. My job is to deliver results. Which I do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She continued smoothly. \"Your half-brother, Preston Wolfe, has been very active in the company’s operations. Some have speculated that there’s tension between the two of you. Any truth to that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1100,"2026-06-06T16:23:43.175Z",1,"novelbin.me","94e25cbb956eef7015d523ccbd344038a50dba0e8718a20bc2b9f00af11312a9","bl-bound-to-my-enemy-the-billionaire-who-took-my-chapter-24","bl-bound-to-my-enemy-the-billionaire-who-took-my-chapter-22",307,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbl-bound-to-my-enemy-the-billionaire-who-took-my-cover.jpg"]