Their Villain, The Mogul's Beloved novel Chapter 22

Chapter 22

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The couple was shocked. “That guy looks decent, but he’s actually so heartless.”

After saying that, they comforted Alexei, “Don’t worry, young man. Everyone in the neighborhood is keeping an eye out. We’ll definitely help you chase him away.”

Alexei smiled humbly. “Thank you all so much. It’s our luck to live alongside such great neighbors.”

Handsome and sweet–talking–the couple instantly felt their past assumptions about Alexei being hard to approach were just misunderstandings. Their resolve to protect the young couple’s relationship grew even stronger.

Right then, the old lady took out her phone and sent in the neighborhood group chat. [Confirmed. The guy downstairs is a homewrecker trying to steal Alexei’s girl.

[He even has a wife in the hospital. The girl already rejected him, but he still lurks around, probably plotting something shady.]

[Wait, what? He looks so handsome. Who knew he’d be so morally bankrupt? Is he a creep?]

[These types are the best at acting. His wife probably ended up in the hospital because of him.]

[What? That guy downstairs is an abusive psycho?]

[Wait, there’s a stalking serial killer downstairs?!]

The rumors snowballed, getting wilder with each retelling. Soon, Lucas found himself surrounded by the neighborhood’s self–appointed justice squad.

“Quick! Grab him!”

“Where’s security? Call security!”

“Why bother with security? Just call the cops. He’s been stalking, and we’re all witnesses.”

Lost in painful memories, Lucas was suddenly slammed onto his car hood by a few burly men. Some women even took the chance to kick him.

Never humiliated like this before, Lucas turned livid. ‘What’s wrong with these people?!‘

To be fair, he was unlucky. Even though he’d been Natasha’s official boyfriend for three years, no one in the neighborhood actually knew him.

This apartment was something Natasha had just saved up enough to buy this year, and she hadn’t lived there long.

As her first home, it held special meaning.

1/5

Chapter 22

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Natasha had put a lot of effort into preparing a first meal in her home, inviting the only two people she was close to, her boyfriend Lucas and her best friend Sadie.

But that day, Olivia had a really important performance match, so Lucas bailed last minute to go support her. Sadie was so mad that she cursed him out while eating.

Later on, there was always one reason or another that kept him from coming, and their relationship took a nosedive over the

year.

Counting it up, he’d been here less than five times, and always kept a low profile.

He even had less presence than Alexei, the injured guy Natasha occasionally took out for walks.

Now, Lucas kept insisting that the owner of 1601 in Building 2 was his fiancée, but of course, no one believed him.

Especially those in the group chat who’d gotten intel from the old lady, they were convinced he was delusional.

To them, the young couple was doing just fine, and this guy was just spouting nonsense. So they started hitting him even harder.

Lucas, caught in this unexpected disaster, felt nothing but frustration…

*****

Meanwhile, Natasha, munching on a strawberry cake while waiting for her Mr. House–Elf to cook, heard the commotion downstairs and perked up. “Huh? What’s going on down there?”

She immediately wanted to lean over the balcony to check it out.

Because Lucas had been popping up unpredictably, she’d been going out for walks less often these days. What a buzzkill.

Alexei, who was slicing fish in the kitchen, walked out and subtly blocked her path. “Natasha, pour me a glass of water.”

For the guy cooking her meals, Natasha was happy to oblige on small requests like this.

But after drinking the water, Alexei grabbed her again as she tried to rush to the balcony. “Weren’t you hungry? Come help me out.”

Natasha blinked, really wanting to say she wasn’t that hungry and could wait till after checking out

the drama.

But under Alexei’s threatening gaze, she had no choice but to trudge after him into the kitchen like a dejected little duckling.

Luckily, she mostly just served as a mascot and didn’t take much effort to help out.

2/5

4:29 pm P

Chapter 22

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By the time they finished cooking and eating, the commotion downstairs had long since died

down.

Thinking about all the noise earlier, she couldn’t resist opening the neighborhood group chat she usually never checked.

Alexei sat down next to her with a plate of washed fruit, scrolling through the messages with her.

Gossip is meant to be shared, so Natasha didn’t mind, even holding her phone closer to him. “The group says there was a creep in the neighborhood today. Everyone was about to drag him to the police station, but he drove off.”

The residents were still discussing it heatedly.

[That guy got a call as he was leaving–from the hospital. He looked super panicked, so maybe his wife really was in the hospital.]

[Let’s remember his face and call the cops next time we see him.]

[Ugh, what a waste of a handsome face.]

[C’mon, folks, stop eyeballing the packaging! These days? A pretty face can hide a killer. Seen too many wolves in sheepskin.]

[That face might even be fake? Haven’t you seen the news about murderers getting plastic surgery to start new lives?]

[What horror story are you guys telling? I won’t be sleeping tonight.]

[Black Belt Mike at your service! Personal bodyguard—not $998, just $9.99. Limited time offer, DMs open.]

[Dude, you look all righteous, but you’re slick. Saw your chance to flirt, huh?]

The chat spiraled into nonsense, getting wilder and weirder.

Natasha giggled uncontrollably, thinking, “These normies next door? Secret soap opera stars!‘

Since she was sharing the gossip with Alexei, they sat close. Leaning back against the couch, Alexei let her upper body nestle into his arms as she leaned in.

Her hair fluttered when she laughed, a few strands brushing against his chest, her unique scent lingering on him.

Glancing at the messages, Alexei absentmindedly played with her long hair, a faint smirk curling his lips.

*****

3/5

4:29 pm

Chapter 22

EX 20 vouchers

The next morning happened to be the weekend. While Natasha was still asleep, the neighborhood group chat exploded with messages again.

[Did you guys get it?!]

[Yup, yup! My hubby’s changing clothes and washing his hands, gonna open it super reverently.]

[Lol, not me. I’m snapping pics like crazy. Gotta flex at least 10 posts on my feed.]

[Pic pls]

[Pic pls, too]

A newly awakened resident was totally lost. [What’s the riddle this early? What did y’all get?]

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