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36 - Unmasking Secrets
Last Updated:
2024-11-01 16:27:22
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A Billionaire's Bargain 37 - Shattered Trust
Zayn's Pov The leather of the steering wheel felt rough against my palm, my knuckles were quickly turning white from the grip I had on it. Last night, I had lay awake for hours, tormented by images of Freya and Caleb together. They twisted like a knife in my gut. My wife and my brother. It was unthinkable, yet here I was, miles from the estate, knowing that everything I thought I could trust had shattered. I dialed Zara, my voice barely contained as she picked up. “Is he still there?” “Yes… Caleb’s here,” she replied, quiet and careful. I didn’t need her caution. I only needed answers. "Is everything okay Zayn?" I hung up without giving her a response, all I needed was for her to shut her mouth and not tell anyone I was on my way there. When I finally pulled up outside the mansion, I took long strides to the door. Inside, I didn’t need to search. Caleb was sprawled out in the living room like he had all the time in the world, his face relaxed, unbothered, as if he had
Last Updated : 2024-11-02A Billionaire's Bargain 38 - Gone
Araceli's Pov The office hummed with activity as I moved from one department to the next, clutching the stack of folders tighter than I needed to. Zayn had practically tossed at me this morning. Not even a second glance. Just a quick "Distribute these" and he was gone, disappearing back into his office with barely a word. I shook my head, pushing the thoughts aside. I have been through worse and learned to keep moving, no matter what. Bills didn’t pay themselves, and I couldn’t let one bad day or his words tear me down. But as much as I tried, my stomach twisted, frustration bubbling up. His voice still echoed, sharp and cold, “You are just a stripper and an employee... You don’t get to tell me how to act.” The words stung, replaying like a broken record in my mind, no matter how hard I tried to silence them. I have never seen him so harsh, so unreachable. And after all we have been through together, the laughter, the late nights, the gentle way he touched my cheek, it fel
Last Updated : 2024-11-03A Billionaire's Bargain 39 - Lines In The Sand
Zayn's Pov A knock sounded on my office door, pulling me from the haze of numbers and projections I have half-heartedly been studying for the last three hours. I cleared my throat, straightened up, and glanced at the clock. Another late night. “Come in.” It was Eric, my project manager, stepping in with a folder tucked under his arm. He gave a quick nod and moved forward, flipping open the folder as he sat down across from me. “So, the Westfield contract?” he started, pointing to a few bullet points on the sheet. “We managed to pull it off despite the competitor's last-minute price drop. They actually tried to undercut us by nearly twenty percent, but they went for us anyway, thanks to the projections Araceli worked on last month. Those figures are solid as hell. I think they just couldn't ignore the ROI, even with a higher price.” I forced a nod, though the mention of her name stung. “Good. And for the PR launch?” “That’s been handed off to the marketing team, just waitin
Last Updated : 2024-11-04A Billionaire's Bargain 40 - A Silent Goodbye
Araceli’s POV “Araceli, are you sure you are ready for this?” Doctor Michael’s voice cut through the silence, his face drawn with worry as he adjusted his black tie, eyes lingering on me with concern. "You can come say your final good-bye tommorow." I looked up, exhaustion dragging down every word I forced out. “Does it matter?” The words came out brittle, rougher than I meant. “She’s gone. Ready or not, today, tomorrow, what difference does it make? This… is all that’s left.” We stood on the funeral ground, a bleak stretch of fading grass and cold headstones under a slate-gray sky. My legs felt like stone, my body slumped with a tiredness I couldn’t shake. I haven’t slept more than an hour in days, and the dark smudges under my eyes felt like bruises against my dull skin. The black dress clung to me, sleeves almost swallowing my hands as I clutched a tissue that had long since gone useless. Doctor Michael shifted beside me, saying nothing at first, but his face gave him a
Last Updated : 2024-11-05A Billionaire's Bargain 41 - Echoes Of The Past
Araceli's Pov "Zayn," I say softly, catching his gaze before he steps out. He's halfway to the door, but he pauses, his hand resting on the handle as he turns back to me. There's a slight frown on his face, like he’s already prepared for whatever I have to say to sting. "Yes?" His voice is low, almost cautious, but his eyes meet mine, searching, like he’s hoping I will offer something other than a polite brush-off. I swallow, fighting the urge to reach for him and pretend everything is fine. "When are you going back? To the state, I mean. Your company, your life... it's waiting for you. It's been a month." He sighs, and a shadow flickers in his gaze. "My life is here," he says, and the words feel heavier than they should. "You and the kids are my life." I force a smile, a small nod, not daring to show the cracks he probably already sees. "I know, but it’s just... this isn’t sustainable. I can manage things with Kamrin and Kamila. I’m used to it. You are staying for us, and..
Last Updated : 2024-11-06A Billionaire's Bargain 42 - A Tropical Truce
Zayn's Pov The air feels lighter somehow, different even as we are still packing up at the house. Kamrin and Kamila are practically vibrating with excitement, their laughter bouncing down the hall as they dart from one room to the next. They are piling random toys and snacks into their tiny backpacks, no regard for what they will actually need. It’s pure chaos. I catch Araceli watching them, her expression soft. I know she’s seen them like this before, but maybe it’s hitting her differently today, like she’s seeing the effect I want this trip to have on all of us, the break we need. For a moment, her gaze settles on me, less guarded, almost… hopeful. I want to believe that look is for me, that she sees the effort I’m putting into this, into fixing the mess I made. She approaches, her gaze flickering to the guards as they load the large bags into the cars, her eyes shifting to the added security measures I have arranged. “Zayn… you are sure this isn’t too much?” she murmurs. I
Last Updated : 2024-11-07A Billionaire's Bargain 43 - A Mole
Zayn's Pov After two months away from the company, the city's sun felt harsh. Any trace of relaxation vanished the moment I entered the office and noticed the uneasy glances aimed my way. Valerie barely managed a tight smile at the reception desk, and even the elevator ride up to my office was tense. I could feel it under my skin, that unsettling sense that something wasn’t right. And it took exactly three minutes after sitting at my desk for all hell to break loose. I leaned back, brows drawn. “Explain that again,” I said, my voice cold, hardly recognizing it myself. The head of finance, Thomas, shifted on his feet, a sheen of sweat on his forehead. “Sir, it appears…your wife, Mrs. Vanderbilt, accessed company funds.” “Appears?" Accessed?” I repeated. Incredulous. “Are you not certain of what you are saying, you make it sound like she may or may have not taken pocket change. How much are we talking?” “Ten million dollars,” he said, barely above a whisper. Ten millio
Last Updated : 2024-11-08A Billionaire's Bargain 44 - Veil Of Deception
Freya's Pov I slid the spare key into the lock, the soft click echoing louder than it should in the silence of Caleb’s house. Inside, the air felt stale, almost deserted. My heels echoed as I walked through the foyer, my eyes scanning the open living room. A few furnitures were missing, there was an odd emptiness in the kitchen area. My gaze fell on a blank wall where a painting used to hang. I narrowed my eyes, looking around. A few framed photos were also gone, and his grandfather’s antique clock wasn’t on the mantle. Was he moving or selling things off without my knowledge? Caleb’s words ran through my mind, over and over again, gnawing at my nerves. “Lay low Freya.” That was all he had said to me after Zayn got to know of our affair, he had brushed me off like I was some temporary problem he needed to brush under the rug. “Are you okay, Freya? We can't be seen together. Has it crossed your mind what Zayn might do to us, we need some time away from each other.” His wor
Last Updated : 2024-11-09
Latest chapter
A Billionaire's Bargain 59 - Finding Her II
Zayn's Pov (Lengthy chapter) After the call, I could not sit still. Araceli's voice stayed in my head. She was scared. The sound of her yelling replayed in my head on loop. She had scream something along the line of her father before the call ended and that's all the clue I needed. That was it, no more guessing. It was not Freya or Caleb. It was Victor, her father. The one she feared and never wanted to speak about. I can still remember the night she woke up after having a nightmare about him. I left my office and walked fast to the security room. My heart was beating hard, and fast. A lingering feeling of fear tried to crawl up my spine but I pushed it back down. When I got there, three men were watching the cameras. "Pull up all security footage from the last three weeks," I said, walking straight in. They all looked up from their monitors. "Right away, sir," said Jerry, the one with the medicated glasses. He always wore them because he had a bad eye from an ol
A Billionaire's Bargain 58 - Finding Her
Zayn's POV "Sir," my P.A called, stretching my phone out to me. "Your phone has been ringing for over an hour now. I think it's really urgent." I took the phone from her. It was my home line. "How many times do I have to tell you? If there's a call from home, no matter what, give it to me right away." "Sorry, Sir. I didn’t want to interrupt." I clicked on the screen and picked the call. "Yes?" The voice on the other end was shaking. "Mr. Vanderbilt, it's Araceli, Sir. She’s gone." I stood still. My heart dropped. "Gone? What do you mean gone?" "She was kidnapped, Sir. We were knocked out. I just woke up. The kids are here, but she’s not in the house." I didn’t wait for more. I rushed out of the room, ignoring the looks and questions. My driver saw me and didn’t ask questions. "To the airport, now." I said. The ride back felt to the airport was antagonizing. I kept calling Araceli’s phone, but there was no answer. It was switched off. When we got to the airpor
A Billionaire's Bargain Miss Me?
Araceli's Pov I opened my eyes slowly. The sun was just rising, painting the room in a soft orange glow. Zayn’s arm was wrapped around my waist, and I could feel his breath on the back of my neck. I didn’t move. I didn’t want to. This moment felt peaceful, like nothing else in the world mattered. He shifted behind me and kissed my shoulder. “You awake?” “Yeah,” I whispered, smiling. “Mmm. Good. I didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye.” I turned to face him. “You are still going?” He nodded. “Yeah, the flight is in a few hours. I have to be at the airport soon.” I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Can’t you cancel it?” He chuckled. “Business doesn’t wait, baby.” I sighed. “Fine. But let me help you pack.” We both got up slowly. I pulled on a robe and tied it around my waist. He walked to the closet, pulling out a few shirts and slacks. I joined him, folding things into his suitcase on the bed. “How many days will you be gone?” “Just four days, mi amor.” “Four days is
A Billionaire's Bargain 56 - Evidence
Araceli's Pov I leaned over Zayn, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. He did not stir. His face looked so peaceful when he slept. I smiled to myself and pulled the covers up around him a little more before tiptoeing out of the room. I checked on the kids first. Kamila was wrapped up in her unicorn blanket, her mouth slightly open as she snored quietly. Kamrin, on the other hand, had kicked his covers off and lay sideways on the bed like he had tossed and turned all night. I shook my head and gently pulled the covers over him. He grumbled a little but settled down. Downstairs, I got started on breakfast. The smell of pancakes and eggs filled the air. "Good morning mummy." I turned to find the twins coming downstairs, sleepy-eyed and smiling. "Good morning my love." I rinsed my hand before drying it with a napkin as I walked toward them. "How did my babies sleep?" "I dreamt of princess Elsa, mummy." Kamila exclaimed, smiling like she was given the biggest candy ever.
A Billionaire's Bargain 55 - Already Mine
Zayn's Pov I stood by my home office window, starring out in the dark. I could see the whole of the estate, the soft glow of the garden lights flickered against the marble pathways, gently lighting up the area. The trees gently swayed as it was not so windy tonight. I ran a hand over my face, exhaling slowly. My jaw clenched as I replayed the conversation from earlier. As much as I would love to turn my back on it, I couldn’t. If that man is serious, Caleb's life might just be hanging on a thin rope. This isn’t the first time I am being dragged into my brother’s mess. It sure as hell wouldn’t be the last. But this time, I was done letting him get it easy. He is a grown up and will be treated as such. A soft knock pulled me from my thoughts. I turned as Araceli stepped inside, already looking at me with that knowing expression. “You are overthinking again,” she murmured, closing the door behind her. You are overthinking again,” she murmured, closing the door behind her. I
A Billionaire's Bargain 54 - Out
Zayn's Pov The day had dragged on longer than I wanted. I was buried in reports, meetings, and a pile of issues I did not give a damn about right now. My mind was elsewhere. It was on the woman and kids I had left at home, on the brother I had spent two weeks trying to ignore, and on the problems that refused to stay buried. Then my phone buzzed. A private number. I frowned, debating whether to answer. I was not in the mood for unknown calls, especially not at this hour. I begrudgingly picked it, muttering something along the line of "this better be important." I exhaled sharply and answered. "Who is this?" A voice came through, steady, cold. "If you care about your brother, meet me at the docks. Warehouse 14. Thirty minutes." I gripped the phone tighter. "Who the hell is this?" I repeated my question. "Someone who knows Caleb better than you do. Someone who knows he is drowning in shit, and if you do not step in, I might be tempted to do something drastic and you will
A Billionaire's Bargain 53 - The Quiet Aftermath
Zayn's Pov I nudged the bedroom door open with my shoulder, carefully balancing the tray in my hand. The scent of basil and tomatoes filled the air as I stepped inside, where Araceli sat propped against the headboard, her laptop on her thighs, her eyes puffy and tired. “Special delivery,” I said, setting the tray down on the nightstand. She glanced at the bowl, her lips quirking into a faint smile. “What’s this?” “Minestrone,” I said, straightening up. “Made it myself. Every chop and stir done with love.” Her eyebrows shot up, and for the first time all day, a teasing glint appeared in her eyes. “With love, huh? Are you sure it wasn’t the chef who made it? Because this looks too perfect to be yours.” I smirked, grabbing the spoon and holding it out to her. “You wound me, mi amor. After all the effort I put in preparing this master delicacy, this is the thanks I get?” She chuckled softly, the sound a little raspy from her earlier vomiting. “I will believe you when
A Billionaire's Bargain 52 - Coffee and Chaos
Araceli's Pov I tugged at the hem of Zayn's sweatshirt, peeking out the window as Rilly’s car rolled into the driveway. She wasn’t even out yet, but I could already hear her loud chatter through the windshield. Can't deny that it's very much needed after everything that had gone down these past few months. The car door slammed shut, and in seconds, my best friend was at the door. I barely managed to open it before she tackled me into a hug. “Look at you!” Rilly said, pulling back just enough to scan my face. “You are glowing. And don’t you dare tell me it’s the tears from last week’s funeral, this is man glow, Ara. Admit it.” I rolled my eyes but couldn’t fight the grin forming on my lips. Rilly always had a sense of dark humor. “It’s moisturizer. Stop making stuff up.” “Yeah, sure,” she teased, tossing her purse onto the couch as she walked in. “That moisturizer sure made you this much of a star. My best friend is hot gossip, trending on every damn media platform. ‘Who
A Billionaire's Bargain 51- A Gift
Zayn's POV Ultra texted earlier. Cryptic as ever, he claimed he had leads on the media circus surrounding Araceli, insisting it had to be discussed in person. Typical. Instead of sending an email or making a simple phone call, he wanted me to drive halfway across the city. But Ultra wasn’t normal. Brilliant? Yes. Strange? Absolutely. And exactly the kind of person I needed in my corner right now. The café was quiet when I arrived. Dim lighting, soft jazz playing in the background, a perfect cover for a discreet meeting. Black shades shielded my face. The media was still buzzing with my name, and I wasn’t in the mood to give them more fodder. Ultra sat at a corner table, his laptop open, blue light illuminating his sharp, almost hawkish features. Surrounding him was an array of gadgets and wires that made his table look like a tech shrine. He didn’t even glance up when I approached. “Mr. Vanderbilt,” he greeted, fingers flying across the keyboard. His voice carried that usual d
