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Chapter 38: Puppet
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Ascension of Billionaire's Ex-wife Chapter 39: Meet again
I leave him in the living room, the air thick with the scent of his cologne and the weight of his disapproval. I don’t want to argue with him anymore. The futility of it all weighs heavy on my chest. I walk upstairs to the room, the dull thud of my footsteps echoing in the quiet mansion. I find Athena sitting on the bed, her face pale and drawn.“What are you carrying?” she asks, her voice laced with a mixture of suspicion and anger.“A suit,” I reply, holding up the garment bag. “I’m going to the party.”“What party? “She asked.“CLN victory party. It’s Celine’s company,” I replied.Her eyes narrow. “Celine’s party?”I nod, my throat dry. “Yes, it’s for her company’s success. I need to be there, Athena. It’s important for business.”The words hang in the air between us, heavy and charged. Athena rises from the bed, her face twisted in a mask of fury. “You’re going to her victory party? What the hell are you thinking, Franco? Do you want to be with her again?!”“Athena, please,” I ple
Ascension of Billionaire's Ex-wife Chapter 40: Proposal
CELINE POVAs I turned around, I nearly gasped. There, standing before me in a tailored suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and long legs, was Franco. My treacherous ex-husband, the man who had betrayed me in the most unimaginable way, was now the picture of success and confidence.A wave of pain and anger swept through me, but I refused to let it show. I'd spent years building an impenetrable wall around my heart, and I wasn't about to let him break it now. I straightened my spine and introduced myself as the CEO of CLN, as if I barely knew him.“Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Winston,” Franco said, his voice smooth and devoid of any hint of recognition. His piercing gaze met mine, but I held his stare defiantly.“Likewise, Mr. Jackson,” I replied, my voice cold and distant.For a moment, an awkward silence hung between us. The air seemed to crackle with tension as we both tried to gauge the other's intentions.“So, Celine,” Franco began, breaking the ice, “how have you been since..
Ascension of Billionaire's Ex-wife Chapter 41: Rejection
Franco frowned. “One hundred billion? Celine, that’s a lot of money! It’s too much.” “Ms.Winston! Be careful with your words. You are talking to the CEO of CLN, the Rising company,”I boasted. His voice, usually smooth and charming, wavered with a hint of uncertainty. My lips curled into a triumphant smile. I had him. “I’m just telling the truth, Ms.Winston. 100 billions is too much,”Franco insisted. “My company is not a cheap operation,” I said, leaning forward, my eyes piercing his. “We are earning over 500 billion dollars every week. You can’t underestimate CLN. We’ve come a long way since you left me, Mr.Jackson. We’ve built something extraordinary, something that you clearly want to be a part of.” He hesitated, his gaze flickering between me and the throng of guests celebrating our success. “I’m just saying… it’s a significant investment,” he mumbled, his confidence faltering. “It will be a significant return on your investment,” I countered, leaning back in my ch
Ascension of Billionaire's Ex-wife Chapter 42: Unrevealing
A cold shiver ran down my spine. Had he found out about Connor? I had to keep him as far away as possible.“Mr.Jackson” I called out, my voice trembling. “What are you doing here?”He turned around, his expression a mixture of longing and regret. “Celine, I need to talk to you.”“There's nothing to talk about,” I said, trying to sound firm. “I'm on my way home.”“Please, just a moment,” Franco pleaded. “I need to talk to you please!.”I shook my head. “I already declined your proposal!”“I know but it's not about it. It’s about something important. You and me, Celine,” Franco said, desperation evident in his voice. “What are you talking about, Mr.Jackson?!" I said, my heart heavy. “I have moved on.”“But you can't just erase the past,” Franco argued. “And I need to know if you are Connor’s mother? Connor is also living here.”My heart raced, and my hands shook with nervousness at his question. Connor? What should I do? I couldn't let Franco know that Connor was my son. I forced a tre
Ascension of Billionaire's Ex-wife Chapter 43: Discovery
FRANCO'S POV“I’m sorry, “I’m sorry for everything,” I apologized.This time, I need to convince her to accept my investment in her company but she suddenly hung up the phone. I told myself I will never give up. I tried to call her again but I can’t reach her number anymore. I took a deep breath while thinking what should I do to connect with Celine again and convince her to accept my proposal to invest in her company.A few seconds, I think of calling Harvey because he knew the detailed address of Celine. I need his help despite the fact that he like Celine very much and he wants to pursue her, I need to be neutral. It’s not about me and Celine’s past but it’s all about business partnership with her who is the CEO of CLN company. I know Harvey won’t be happy about this, but this is the only chance I have.“Hey, Harvey, it’s Franco.” I said to him.“Hey, man, what’s up?” he replied.“I need your help. I need to see Celine.” I said, my voice filled with desperation.“I thought you alre
Ascension of Billionaire's Ex-wife Chapter 44: Connor's Father
CELINE'S POVI felt a pang of guilt wash over me. I had told him that he was forbidden from seeing Franco, but he confronted me despite his tender age.“He's not your Uncle Franco, sweetie,”I said, trying to sound gentle. “He's...”“He's my friend!” he exclaimed. “He's the one who played with me and treated me an ice cream!”I hesitated for a moment. '"I know, honey, but...""But what, mom?"he asked, his eyes pleading."He's... not a very nice person," I said finally."That's not true!" he protested. "He's kind and funny and he always makes me laugh."I sighed. I knew that my son was too young to understand the full truth, but I couldn't bring myself to tell him that Franco was his father."I'm sorry, honey," I said. "But you can't see him anymore."He looked at me with tears in his eyes. "Why not, mommy?"he asked."Beca
Ascension of Billionaire's Ex-wife Chapter 45: Deprived
Connor and I went to the park with Martha at the back of us, the crisp autumn air filling our lungs as we walked. The leaves were turning, a fiery tapestry of reds and oranges, mirroring the emotions swirling within me. I saw the sadness in his eyes, the longing that mirrored the gnawing emptiness in my own soul. He was yearning for Franco, the man who used to be his friend. Little did he know that Franco is his father.The sun beat down on our backs, the warmth a stark contrast to the chill settling in my bones. His laughter, usually a symphony of pure joy, was muted today, a mere wisp of sound escaping his lips.As I watched him, the familiar ache in my chest intensified. I knew what was lurking behind his wide eyes, the unspoken longing for Franco. “Mommy, can we go to the swings?” Connor's voice, a whisper, broke the silence. His hand tugged at mine, his innocent plea pulling me back from the abyss of my thoughts. “Of course, sweetheart,” I replied, forcing a smile.The swings
Ascension of Billionaire's Ex-wife Chapter 46: Never again
His eyes, so innocent and filled with love, pierced my heart. I had never intended to hurt him, to make him feel like he was less worthy of love because of his father's absence. But in my pain and anger, I had forgotten the most important thing: my son's well-being.“No, Connor, I'm not talking about your father. I'm talking about Martha's father,” I said, trying my best to sound calm.But Connor was insistent. “No, mommy, you said you were talking about my father. I heard you,” he protested.I knew I couldn't lie to him anymore. Not when his eyes were filled with such hope and longing.This 5 year old boy of mine is so very smart to insist what he heard.“Okay, Connor, I admit that I said something about your father, but it's not what you think,” I began, struggling to find the right words.“Mommy, I want to know him. I want to meet him,” he said in a desperation tone of his voice.I know I am so very desperate to keep him away from Franco.My boiled at what I heard from him so I coul
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Ascension of Billionaire's Ex-wife Chapter 175: Happy together
Connor burst into the room, his laughter infectious. “Mom! Can we have a picnic in the backyard later?”Celine smiled, her heart swelling at his enthusiasm. “Absolutely! We’ll make it special.”Franco appeared in the doorway, a soft smile on his face. “I can help with the picnic,” he said, stepping into the kitchen. The warmth between them had been growing, and she could feel the connection rekindling after all they had endured.As they prepared for their little picnic, Celine felt a flutter of anticipation. She caught Franco glancing at her, his eyes filled with admiration. The memories of their past—the hurt, the struggles—began to fade, replaced by a shared understanding and a desire to move forward together.Once they were outside, they spread out a blanket beneath the shade of a large oak tree. The afternoon was bright, and the world felt vibrant around them. Celine watched as Connor played,
Ascension of Billionaire's Ex-wife Chapter 174: Stick together
The sun peeked through the curtains of Celine's small living room, casting a warm glow over the room. It had been a week since they had escaped the warehouse, and the world felt a little brighter. The shadows of Harvey and his men still loomed large, but justice had been served. Harvey was behind bars, facing serious charges, and Celine felt a weight lift from her shoulders.As she watched Connor play with his toys, Celine couldn’t help but smile. He was starting to heal, laughter returning to his voice. Franco had been a steady presence since their ordeal, never leaving their side, supporting them both as they adjusted to a new sense of normalcy.“Can I help you with anything?” Franco asked, entering the room with a freshly brewed cup of coffee for Celine. His gaze was steady and sincere, filled with the determination to mend the fractures in their relationship.“Just keeping an eye on him,” Celine replied, motioning to Connor, who
Ascension of Billionaire's Ex-wife Chapter 173:Rescued
The adrenaline from their escape quickly faded as Celine, Franco, and Connor found themselves stumbling through the dark woods. Each crunch of leaves beneath their feet felt like a reminder of the danger still lurking behind them. They needed to find safety, but every shadow seemed to whisper of Harvey’s reach.“Are we far enough?” Connor’s small voice broke the tense silence, his eyes wide with fear.Celine glanced back, her heart heavy. “We need to keep moving, sweetheart,” she said, her voice steadier than she felt. “We can’t stop until we’re sure we’re safe.”Franco led the way, his expression grim. “We should find a place to hide,” he suggested, scanning their surroundings. “If Harvey’s men are still after us, we need to stay off the main paths.”Just as they pushed deeper into the trees, a chilling sound echoed through the night—a distant shout that
Ascension of Billionaire's Ex-wife Chapter 172: Warehouse
Celine's world spun as she fought against the hands gripping her arms, but she was outnumbered. The chaos of the struggle turned into a blur, voices merging into a cacophony of shouts and grunts. Connor’s terrified face was imprinted in her mind as she was dragged away from him, but there was no time to think; they were all in danger.“Franco!” she cried, her voice strained as she was pulled further away. Despair flooded her as she caught a glimpse of him grappling with one of Harvey's men. The chaos twisted in her gut as she was shoved into a waiting van, the cold metal biting into her skin.Franco’s eyes met hers for just a moment, a fierce determination in his gaze. “Celine! Connor!” he shouted, but another man lunged at him, blocking his way. The last thing she saw was his struggle as the van doors slammed shut.The van jostled as it sped away, the sound of tires crunching on gravel filling the air. Celine sat in the darkn
Ascension of Billionaire's Ex-wife Chapter 171: Hunted
Celine’s heart raced as she and Connor dashed deeper into the woods, the shadows closing in around them. Each step felt like a lifeline, but the distant shouts of Harvey’s men echoed through the trees, a haunting reminder of the danger that lurked behind them.“Mom, I’m so tired!” Connor panted, his little legs struggling to keep up.“I know, sweetheart. Just a little further,” she urged, fighting to keep her own panic at bay. They needed to find a safe place to hide. Her mind raced through options, each one fraught with uncertainty.As they rounded a thick cluster of trees, Celine suddenly spotted an old hollowed-out log. “There!” she whispered, pointing it out to Connor. “Get inside!”He climbed in quickly, and she crouched beside him, holding her breath as she listened for the sounds of their pursuers. The shouts grew louder, closer, and she felt the weight of dread settle over her.
Ascension of Billionaire's Ex-wife Chapter 170: Stay Close
The sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple as Celine, Franco, and Connor settled into their makeshift hideout. Laughter and lighthearted chatter filled the air, pushing aside the worries that had weighed on them for so long. Celine felt a warmth in her chest, a sense of belonging that had been missing for too long.But as the shadows grew longer, a heavy tension settled over the clearing. Celine’s instincts kicked in, her earlier happiness slipping away. She glanced at Franco, who seemed to feel it too; his smile faded as he scanned the woods around them.“Let’s head back,” he suggested, his voice low. “It’s getting dark, and we don’t want to be out here when we can’t see.”“Can we play for a little longer?” Connor pleaded, his eyes bright with excitement.“Just for a few minutes,” Celine said, hoping to ease her son’s disappoin
Ascension of Billionaire's Ex-wife Chapter 169: Secret Fort
The sun peeked through the gaps in the wooden slats of the cabin, casting warm stripes of light across the room. Celine stirred awake, the comforting weight of Connor’s small body pressed against her side. Franco was still asleep in the chair nearby, his face softened in repose. For a moment, Celine simply watched them, her heart swelling with a mix of gratitude and uncertainty. The memories of their past—the pain, the distance—haunted her, but the warmth of the present was undeniable. They were together, fighting for their family. As she shifted, Connor stirred, blinking sleepily up at her. “Morning, Mom,” he mumbled, rubbing his eyes. “Morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?” He nodded, stretching like a cat. “Can we play again today?”Celine smiled, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. “Of course. Maybe we can explore the area a bit. There’s a whole forest out there.”“Can we find a secret fort?” he asked, eyes bright with excitement.“Definitely,” she replied, her hea
Ascension of Billionaire's Ex-wife Chapter 168: Hide and seek
The car bumped along the rough dirt road, the trees closing in around them like a protective barrier against the world. Celine glanced at Franco, who sat in the front passenger seat, his jaw set and eyes alert. She felt an unspoken connection between them growing stronger amidst the chaos, a tether forged in the fire of their shared struggle.“Are we almost there?” Connor asked from the backseat, his voice a mix of exhaustion and anxiety.“Just a few more minutes, buddy,” Franco replied, turning slightly to give their son a reassuring smile. Celine noted the warmth in Franco's eyes, a glimmer of hope amid the darkness.“Can we play a game when we get there?” Connor asked, attempting to lift the mood.Celine couldn’t help but smile, her heart swelling with affection. “Absolutely. What do you want to play?”“I want to play hide and seek!” Connor exclaimed, a bright spark lighting up his face.Franco chuckled softly, glancing back at Celine with a hint of pride. “I think we can manage th
Ascension of Billionaire's Ex-wife Chapter 167: Safe Place
The truck rumbled down the uneven logging road, its headlights cutting through the darkness like a beacon of hope. Celine sat beside Connor, her heart still racing as the trees blurred past. The sound of the engine filled the silence, but her mind was a whirlpool of anxiety.“Are we almost there?” Connor asked, his voice small and tired.“Just a little longer,” Celine replied, forcing a smile. She glanced at Franco, who was focused on the road, brow furrowed with concentration. “Keep an eye out for any signs,” Elias said, scanning the sides of the road. “We need to find a place to lay low.”They drove in tense silence, the weight of their situation pressing heavily on all of them. Celine felt the pulse of fear in her veins, a constant reminder that they were being hunted. Suddenly, Franco slowed the truck as they approached a clearing. “There’s the town,” he said, pointing to a cluster of dim lights in the distance. “We should park a little ways out and approach on foot.”“Good idea
