[{"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-40":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},1735674,2219,"Chapter 40: Pretty Cage","bl-bound-to-my-enemy-the-billionaire-who-took-my-chapter-40",40,"\u003Cp>I stopped myself before that thought finished forming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My brain, traitorous as ever, launched straight into fantasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In one version, Alexander noticed me during a meeting and asked my name, genuinely interested. In another, he handed me a coffee during a break and asked if it was my first time in Spain. In another, I made a mistake and instead of punishment, he helped me fix it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew I was building him up in my head. I knew it. But still, he seemed kind. Accomplished. Attractive in a way that did not feel dangerous. And most importantly, he did not look like someone who would blackmail another person into sexual compliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That alone felt like a miracle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at his photo again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three weeks might not be so bad after all. Maybe this was exactly what I needed. Proof that not everyone with power was cruel. That there were still good people in the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was smiling. Actually smiling. For the first time since this nightmare trip had begun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you smiling about?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice cut through my thoughts instantly. Cold. Sharp. Familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I jerked upright, nearly dropping the tablet as Cassian stared at me from across the aisle, his expression unreadable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing. I fumbled, holding the tablet tighter. \"Just reading about the project.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes narrowed. \"The project specs are making you smile?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s impressive,\" I said quickly. \"The scope. Very impressive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said nothing. Just watched me for several long seconds, like he was peeling layers off my thoughts one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Focus on the work, Bennett. We land in twenty minutes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, sir.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I dropped my gaze back to the tablet and forced myself to look busy. Professional. Composed. Absolutely not thinking about kind billionaires with warm smiles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could feel Cassian’s attention linger before he finally looked away. I exhaled slowly, waited, then sneaked one last glance at Alexander’s photo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three weeks. I could survive three weeks. Especially if there was someone actually good waiting on the other side of this trip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The plane began its descent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hotel was exactly what I should have expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five stars. Probably six if that was a thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The SUV pulled up to an entrance so pristine it looked like it had been power-washed five minutes ago. Marble columns. Gold accents. Doormen in uniforms that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both doormen straightened immediately when they saw the SUV.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them opened Cassian’s door before we’d even fully stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Wolfe, welcome.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassian stepped out with the same fluid grace he did everything, adjusting his cuffs once before striding toward the entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I scrambled out after him, nearly tripping over my own feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one held the door for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I caught it just before it closed in my face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, the lobby was... intimidating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>High ceilings. Marble floors so polished I could see my reflection. Modern art on the walls that probably cost more than my student loans. Everything was white and gold and aggressively elegant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no check-in counter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man in an impeccable suit appeared within seconds, moving toward Cassian with the kind of speed that suggested he’d been watching the entrance like a hawk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Wolfe.\" He smiled, warm but professional. \"Your suite is ready, sir. Everything as requested.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassian didn’t break stride. \"Good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager practically bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a full bow... this wasn’t a period drama, but his posture dipped, shoulders curving forward in deference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I followed Cassian through the lobby, feeling distinctly out of place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He moved like he owned the building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hell, maybe he did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We reached an elevator bank at the far end, separate from the main elevators, tucked away behind a subtle marble partition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elevator led us straight into to the suite that occupied the entire top floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, sunlight pouring in and turning everything into a golden glow. Minimalist furniture, white, black, chrome. Clean lines. Nothing unnecessary. Spotless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Living area with a sectional couch that could seat twelve people. Dining area with a table I could’ve done yoga on. A full kitchen that looked like it had never been used.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And a bar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fully stocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s definitely been used.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stood in the entrance, frozen, trying to process the sheer space of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassian walked past me like this was normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because for him, it probably was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your room is down the hall,\" he said without looking back. \"Second door on the left.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I blinked. \"My room?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you think you’d be sleeping on the couch?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t thought about it at all, actually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I walked down the hallway he’d indicated, passing what was clearly Cassian’s suite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door was open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I caught a glimpse: king-sized bed with stark white linens, an attached office visible through another doorway, floor-to-ceiling windows leading to a private balcony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course he has a private balcony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My room was smaller.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Obviously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But still nicer than my entire apartment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>King bed. Pristine white sheets. En-suite bathroom with a rainfall shower. A desk with a lamp and outlets. Windows overlooking the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it felt like a cage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Close enough to be summoned easily. Far enough to maintain hierarchy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I understood immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m accessible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m owned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is a pretty cage, and Cassian holds the key.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I set my bag down on the bed and walked back out into the living area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassian was already working.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laptop open on the dining table, phone pressed to his ear, speaking rapid Spanish in a tone that sounded like he was giving orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stood there awkwardly, unsure what to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that’s when I noticed them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing so still I’d almost missed them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dark suits. Earpieces. Hands folded in front of them. Eyes scanning the room with the kind of alertness that screamed security.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither of them looked at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when Cassian moved, both of their gazes tracked him immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’re here for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m just furniture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I walked back to my room, closed the door, and sat down on the edge of the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pulled out my phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seventeen missed calls from my mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned it off and lay back, staring at the ceiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could survive this...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right?\u003C\u002Fp>",1054,"2026-06-06T16:23:43.175Z",1,"novelbin.me","086a7663e79978f83a0bfb88138694055e4b99a7f38ab69c272f2f689b041402","bl-bound-to-my-enemy-the-billionaire-who-took-my-chapter-41","bl-bound-to-my-enemy-the-billionaire-who-took-my-chapter-39",307,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbl-bound-to-my-enemy-the-billionaire-who-took-my-cover.jpg"]