Hiding the Twins from Their Billionaire Father

"Gosh!"

Frank Harper gasped as he saw the disheveled state of the girl beside him. The evidence of a wild night was all too apparent.

Still with his mouth gaping, Frank stared at the girl's face. Her lipstick and mascara were messily smeared. Realizing what he had done, Frank rushed to get his cell phone.

"You and those nine bodyguards are useless! Don't you think that I paid you enough?" Frank swore as soon as someone received the call.

"Sorry, Sir. Didn't you tell us to take some rest? You said you wanted to celebrate the anniversary with your fiancee."

"Fiancee? I don't even know this girl!"

Frank glared at the girl with piercing eyes. Hatred had burned his soul.

Every time his fiancee tried to entice him, his control never wavered. But now? How could he ruin his perfect image with a stranger?

"Investigate the bar! Something was not right with my drink last night. And find out where Isabela is now! She never canceled appointment without any information before."

"What about the girl with you, Sir? Do I need to investigate her?"

Frank gritted his teeth. How could the girl still be asleep when a storm was raging inside him?

"I will handle her."

After putting the cell phone on the table, Frank hurried to get dressed. Then, without a shred of hesitation, he dashed a glass of water towards the girl.

"Hmmph!"

Kara spontaneously scooped up her face and got up. As soon as she saw a handsome man with messy hair, she was flabbergasted. "Who are you?"

"I'm the one who should be asking. Who are you?"

Frank raised an eyebrow. His face was not friendly at all. His gray eyes radiated an intimidating chill.

"Wait a minute! This is my room. Why are you acting like this is your room?" Kara replied with a higher tone. She didn't realize that her clothes weren't sticking to her body anymore.

"You don't know who I am?" Frank muttered with one brow pressed against the forehead. A second later, he snorted. "This is my hotel, and this room ... I have specially prepared it for my fiancee. So, stop making it up!"

"You're the one who made it up! My team has rented three rooms at this Harper's Hotel since yesterday afternoon. Look, my suitcase ...."

Kara gasped when she found her clothes scattered near the man's feet. As soon as the memory of last night's dream rose, her eyes widened.

"You ...!" Kara pulled the blanket with a look of horror. "What have you done to me?"

With his hands stuffed in the pockets, Frank stepped forward. "I'm the one who should be hysterical. How could I touch a lowly girl as ugly and mindless as you?"

Leaning forward, he took in every shift in her demeanor. He felt she was overreacting. Those amber eyes trembled too frantically.

"Tsk, even a Samoyed dog is much classier than you."

The man looked at her like she was something utterly beneath him. Kara was lost for words.

"Stop your charade! You must be glad you slept with me. Millions of women yearn for that opportunity. You should be grateful, while I ..." Frank snorted and shrugged. "Last night was the worst nightmare in my life."

"You've clearly taken advantage of me. Now, you think I'm beneath you?"

Kara's tears began to flow. Her frustration had reached its peak.

"You are nothing. You are like a speck in a flawless expensive painting. You don't deserve to enter my canvas. Therefore, forget what happened between us and never come to see me! If I see you outside this room, don't blame me for what I will do to you."

"You think I want to be touched by you? You are the real offender! You have snatched my fiance's rights! You must take responsibility!" Kara rebuked in a trembling voice. Her energy had indeed been drained, but anger forced her to refuse to be silent.

Meanwhile, Frank narrowed his eyes. 'This girl is still clinging to this pathetic act? She even dares to pressure me with demands?' He snorted sarcastically.

"I'm not asking you to marry me," Kara explained swiftly. "You just need to explain your wrong deed to my fiancé."

"Was my message not clear enough?" Frank asked in a displeased tone. Still with his hands stuffed in his trouser pockets, he placed his face a few inches in front of Kara. "I ... don't want ... to deal with you ... anymore."

The man's tone was not kidding. Kara almost shuddered, but she kept her chin up.

Unfortunately, before she could speak up, the man had already pushed her forehead with his forefinger. A second later, he walked away while cleaning his hand with a silk cloth embroided with spun gold.

"Hey!"

Kara rushed in pursuit. However, as she managed to grab the man's arm, he immediately pressed her against the wall.

"You think I'm kidding?" Frank pinned her against the wall, not caring if she was gasping for air.

"I don't want to see this annoying face of yours, let alone endure your touch. Approach me once again, everything you value in your life will be over."

Frank went away. Kara immediately collapsed and coughed. She didn't have the strength to keep up anymore. While clutching the blanket, she could only stare at the door and cry uncontrollably.

Suddenly, a pair of pantofels appeared again. Kara looked up. When she found a man with reddened eyes, she gasped.

"Finnic?"

The man sighed in disbelief. "So, this is how you behave behind me?"

Kara blinked. Her tongue turned stiff. "No .... It's not what you think, Fin."

Gritting his teeth, Finnic tossed a phone. Watching the video on it, Kara's body trembled hard.

"Why are you doing this, Kara? I really love you. You asked me to wait until we get married. I accepted. But you did it with Rolland? A month before our wedding? Are you hurting me on purpose? Or you're getting arrogant because everyone calls you Miss Perfect?"

Kara's throat constricted. Her heart broke seeing Finnic's tears.

"Please ... trust me, Fin. I didn't sleep with Mr. Rolland."

"Enough Kara! Every word from your mouth feels like a thousand needles piercing my heart. You have broken my trust, my dreams, my hopes. From this moment on, I don't want to see you around me, even in our city."

"But-"

"You will regret betraying me! Wherever you go, I'll make sure you suffer. There would be no place that would accept a girl like you."

Finnic slammed the door and stepped out.

"Wait ..., Finnic!"

Kara tried to catch up, but her knees were still weak. She hit the floor again. The only thing she could do was to lament her fate.

At the same day, the dismissal email came. Her social media was flooded with hate comments. Everyone unfriended her. In the blink of an eye, Kara's world had turned dark.

Four and a half years later, the shadows of the past still lingered over Kara. The only reason that kept her going was her family-her mother who never left her, and two little angels she couldn't give up before.

"Louis, Emily! Your mommy is home!"

Hearing her grandmother's call, the eyes of a little girl sparkled. The gray glow outshined the brightest stars. She removed the book from her lap and slumped from the bed. Laughing, she had a quick battle with her brother.

"Mommy's home! Mommy's home!"

Right after Kara put the plastic groceries down on the table, the twins lunged at each of her legs. Seeing those cheerful cuties, her weariness vanished. She smiled and patted the toddlers gently.

"Why are you running so fast? It will hurt if you fall."

Showing his tiny teeth, Louis shook his head firmly. "I can't fall, Mommy. My legs are strong."

"My legs too," Emily said as she flipped her long, thick, wavy hair. She looked exactly like a little Kara. Only their eyes' colors were different, and Kara's hair had just been cut to shoulder-length.

As for Louis ... he was a hundred percent replica of that gray-eyed wolf. Even so, Kara loved them just as much.

"What did you buy, Mommy?" Louis' tiny finger pointed toward the plastic groceries. "Is that why you're late?"

Kara's joy suddenly faded. She had just been fired. Finnic's grudge was still burning. He didn't let Kara work, even as a sales promotion girl.

The manager who had to fire Kara felt sorry. He gave her severance pay from his own savings, and also some gifts.

"Storybooks? Mommy said we have to be frugal. But why did you buy this many, Mommy?"

"Look at this Rubik's cube, Emily! This is the latest release. It must be expensive!"

Kara had to fake a smile. She felt sorry for the twins. Soon, they would turn four and go to kindergarten, but their mother just lost her job.

In her bedroom, Kara sighed as she looked at the numbers on her passbook. There wasn't much left. The severance pay from the manager was enough to sustain life for one month. But, what about next month?

'Should I look for that gray-eyed wolf and demand responsibility? His heart must have melted when he saw the Twins.'

A second later, Kara blinked and pushed the despair out of her mind.

'No. That cruel man would not hesitate to deal with me. Louis and Emily could be endangered.'

"What are you thinking about, Kara?"

Hearing Susan Martin's voice, Kara spontaneously put her passbook into the drawer.

"Mom, I just ... calculated this month's expenses and income. We're safe," she nodded, faking a smile. However, when she found a piece of paper in her mother's hand, she failed to hide her anxiety.

"Don't worry. This is not a bill," Susan sat next to Kara. Her expression was somewhat nervous and tinged with pity. "It's ... Finnic's wedding invitation."

Kara's face immediately darkened. That name never failed to rule her heart. Even after being put down countless times, Kara didn't hold grudges. She was just disappointed and trying to understand him. She once tried to hate Finnic, but failed within seconds.

"He's getting married?" Kara sighed subconsciously.

Before her mother answered, she let out a dry laugh. "That's great. It means he has managed to forget me. He won't bother our lives anymore, Mom."

Susan smiled sadly. Patting her daughter's thin shoulder, she whispered, "Kara, you don't have to be tough all the time. If you want to cry, cry."

"I'm not sad, Mom. I'm actually relieved. Now, all that matters to me are the Twins."

Kara covered the sadness well behind her steady voice. However, her eyes could not pretend. Her mother was in pain to see her gloom.

"Mommy." A small voice suddenly came from the door. Emily was standing there. The new storybook she was dragging almost touched the floor. Beside her, Louis was busy working on his new Rubik's cube. "We have a guest."

"A guest? At this hour?"

"Yes, we heard a knock on the door." Louis nodded briefly before shuffling the Rubik's cube so the colors were messy.

In an instant, Kara was engulfed in worry. Without thinking, she went to the front door.

Peeking out of the window, Kara saw a woman at her mother's age. She was neat and charismatic. Vaguely, Kara could see the twinkling of pearls on the brooch on her left chest.

Behind the woman, two bodyguards stood firmly. They were fully alert, not looking dangerous but still suspicious. Nevertheless, Kara dared to meet her guest.

"Good evening, Miss Martin. I'm Vivian Bell from Savior Group. Would you mind taking some time to chat?"

Kara blinked uncertainly. Her hand was reluctant to let go of the door handle.

Observing the girl's hesitation, Vivian handed her a business card. As soon as she checked it, Kara gasped.

'She's a commissioner? Why would someone in that high position meet me? And isn't the Savior Group a well-known company in the neighboring city? Could this be some sort of trick?

"I actually planned to see you tomorrow afternoon. Unfortunately, I have to return to L City tonight."

Considering her very well-ordered speech and calm demeanor, Kara finally agreed. Even if the woman was a scammer, there wasn't much she could take. Kara's account was dry!

When she entered the living room, Vivian caught a glimpse of the surrounding conditions. She didn't seem bothered by the small size of the room or the simple furnishings. There was no hint of sarcasm or offense. She just looked around, smiled at the children, then started a conversation.

"Savior Group is looking for the best secretary. You might wonder why I stepped in. But, our CEO is very picky. Over the last three years alone, he has changed his secretary fifty times."

"Fifty times?" Kara was startled.

"The CEO must be really annoying. His secretary can't last more than a month," said Louis without taking his eyes off the rubik.

Vivian smiled at that genius toddler. She seemed interested in Louis, but she didn't have much time for small talk.

"Our CEO is a perfectionist. He hates mistakes and does not hesitate to fire employees. Therefore, we need a perfect professional secretary for him."

Kara's eyes moved here and there. The conclusion in her mind was unbelievable. "Are you offering me the job?"

"You are right, Miss Martin. Over the past few weeks, we've done a lot of investigation. We stopped after finding your resume."

"But, I have never been a secretary. Previously, I worked in marketing. My bachelor's degree is low, not a master's or doctoral degree. Is it possible that I am the person you are looking for?"

Vivian didn't change her expression. Her small lips remained curved at a perfect angle. "You succeeded to reaching the position of manager in just one year and ten months after your internship. Miller Corporation doesn't judge employees carelessly, right?"

A second later, Vivian placed a piece of paper on the table. "This is the compensation we offer in the first week if you are willing."

Kara stretched out her head, followed by the twins. When she saw the numbers, Kara was stunned. 'That's enough for a month!'

Suddenly, Vivian put down another paper. "This is the compensation if you can survive more than a month."

Kara's eyes grew wider. 'That's enough for the twins' school fees!'

"And if you can survive for three months, this will compensate for the months to come."

As soon as the last paper was put down, Kara's mouth fell open. She seemed to see a very bright way out.

'I don't have to worry if that amount goes into my account every month. Not only will the twins be prosperous, Mom can also retire from the library!'

"Hey, Emily. How much is that? You're better at math," Louis whispered as he nudged his younger sister's arm.

"I don't know, Louis. I only know that if there are three zeros, that's two thousand. That's four zeros. Is it twenty thousand dollars?"

"Mommy, accept it. There are a lot of zeros," Louis whispered, covering his mouth with one hand. He didn't care if Vivian held her laugh, while his grandmother narrowed her eyes at him.

"If Mommy accepts this job, that means we have to move to another city. Do you guys mind?" Kara asked in a wise tone. She didn't have much time to deliberate in the other room.

Receiving such a serious question, Emily blinked, while Louis looked at Vivian with a curious expression. "How is your city, Madam? Is it safe and fun?"

Vivian spontaneously raised her eyebrows. She didn't expect to get such a question from a very young boy.

"The crime rate tends to be low and it's a cool city. There are more playgrounds and shopping centers there. You can have fun with your mom on the weekends."

"What about the library? Our grandmother is a librarian. We like to help Grandma whenever she works," Emily asked in her charming little voice. It was as sweet as cotton candy. Vivian finally let out a laugh at that.

"What a coincidence, we just built a library. It's a charity project. If your grandmother is willing to work there, we will be happy to welcome her."

While Susan thanked her, the twins folded their arms and looked at each other. They were exactly like Kara who was thinking. After squinting and fiddling with their eyebrows, they nodded together.

"Okay, Mommy. We don't mind."

Seeing the hope radiating from the twins' eyes, the corners of Kara's lips rose by themselves. She no longer needed to ask. Who the CEO was and how annoying he was didn't matter at all. In order to support her two little angels, she was ready to face the perfectionist big boss.

'This golden opportunity cannot be missed.'

***

"Welcome to the Savior Group, Miss Martin. It's a pleasure to see you here."

Kara smiled at Vivian's greeting. She was amazed by her kindness. As far as she knew, there had never been a commissioner who was willing to welcome employees, apart from Vivian.

Not only that, Vivian also invited Kara to visit every floor. From the lowest level to the highest level, her spirit never went out.

In just a short time, Kara already felt familiar with the Savior Group. She felt proud to be able to work there. Her new company was much larger than Miller's.

"And this is your desk. Be careful with that glass because Mr. CEO can see you from his chair." Vivian pointed to the mirror partition that separated the secretary's room from the boss'.

"That's a one-way glass?" Kara whispered, as if she was afraid her boss would hear her.

"That's right. That glass has triggered many dismissals. Your predecessors were careless enough that their mistakes were noticed by Mr. CEO."

Kara swallowed hard. Without realizing it, she pulled her shoulders to stand straighter. Isn't her new boss a perfectionist? The man must demand employees to stand in a perfect manner and give their best look.

Because of that, Kara wore her best blouse and tied her hair in a ponytail. She even wore glasses to add a professional impression, and also ... brown contact lenses to cover up her too attractive eye color.

Kara Martin was ready to conquer the boss and gain praise from him.

"So, what can I do and what can't I do, Ma'am?"

Vivian smiled faintly. After a gentle blink, her gaze fell on the pile of folders near the computer.

"I hope you are a good memorizer, Miss Martin. You have one day to remember all the information."

Kara's face turned frozen. With stiff movements, she pointed her index finger at the folders. "That's all the guidance on being a secretary here?"

"A guide to survive, to be precise."

Before negative thoughts took over her brain, Kara took a deep breath and then exhaled faintly. With steady steps, she picked up the top document.

"Frank Harper?" She read the biodata listed there.

"Yes, that's the CEO of Savior Group. He's still young, but his abilities can't be doubted. This is his sixth year leading the company."

Kara was silent. It wasn't the CEO's age that surprised her, but his last name.

'Harper? Why does it feel familiar? Has Finnic ever worked with them before?'

Suddenly, the elevator doors opened. Nine men in black suits immediately came out and took positions. The east, west, and north corridors were each guarded by two people. The other two were on standby next to the CEO's room door, while one was still waiting at the elevator door.

A moment later, a man in a gray suit came out, followed by another man who looked like a bodyguard. An eerie aura suddenly filled the room. His firm footsteps were able to intimidate anyone who saw them, including Kara. The girl spontaneously lowered her chin and held her breath.

'Why am I nervous like this? Is it because I haven't dealt with important people for too long?'

Kara closed her eyes for a moment, gathering her courage. While catching her breath, she imagined Louis and Emily's cute faces every time they welcomed her home. After taming her own heartbeat, she raised her head again.

At that moment, the CEO stopped right in front of her. When their eyes met, a surge of raw energy broke loose inside her. Kara couldn't hear anything anymore. Her ears were ringing. Her brain failed to work. Her attention was stuck at those cold gray eyes.

'This man .... Isn't he the twins' father? The bad man who ruined everything for me at the Harper Hotel? Harper? Ohh no! Why did I just realize?'

Kara looked like she was dealing with a nightmare. Seeing her expression, Frank Harper furrowed his eyebrows. He didn't like that look, like there was something wrong with his face. In fact, he thought he was perfect.

"Is this the new secretary you told me about, Mrs. Bell?" Frank asked without looking away. His tone was low, but soul-piercing. "Didn't you say that she is professional and intelligent? Why is she glaring like a startled owl? Did she just lose her morals and IQ?"

Kara blinked. She realized that her mouth was slightly open and quickly closed it.

'It turns out he hasn't changed? He is still a cold and heartless, arrogant man! What can I do to repay him for what he did? He's the reason my life suffers!'

'But what if he gets angry and hurts me straight away? The twins will definitely be very sad. Should I run away while this gray wolf hasn't realized my identity yet?'

'Yeah! I must not let the past, or him, hold me back any longer. He has thrown me out of his life. I'll prove that I can survive without a penny of his money.'

"You!"

Kara pointed her index finger right in front of the CEO's nose. Everyone who saw it stared wide-eyed. For the first time, someone dared to confront Frank Harper so bluntly.