Behind the Billionaire's mask!Chapter 10Sophie's POV "Victoria!"Evelyn's eyes narrowed beside me.Victoria's gaze swept over me, her expression a mix of shock and disdain. "Well, well, well. Look at you," Victoria sneered, eyeing my new hairstyle."Quite the transformation. Julian's wife is looking more like a doll."Evelyn stepped forward, her voice firm."Victoria, back off."Victoria smirked."What do you want, Victoria?" I asked, my voice steady.Victoria's smile twisted into a menacing grin. "We need to talk." She said, beckoning me with a curled finger."What do you want to talk to her about?" Evelyn asked. "Wait...were you stalking us? How do you know we were here?""Do you think I have the time to be stalking you?" Victoria spat. "I'm a busy woman."Evelyn looked at her in disgust."What did you want to talk about?" I asked."Let's go to the cafe over there," Victoria said, nodding toward the cosy coffee shop across the street. "Evelyn, you can wait for us in the car."Ev
Behind the Billionaire's mask!Chapter 11Sophie's POV As I stepped out of the car, a sea of flashing cameras blinded me. The sudden barrage of light and sound made my heart race. I felt a surge of nervousness.I walked side by side with Julian, our heels clicking in sync on the pavement. The bodyguards followed closely behind, their imposing presence a reassuring shield against the chaos.As we entered the venue, the din of voices and camera shutters intensified. I gripped my clutch tightly, my palms growing sweaty. Julian's silence beside me didn't help calm my nerves.We navigated through the crowded room, dodging microphones and outstretched hands. The air thickened with anticipation, every eye fixed on us.I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders. My gaze swept across the room, meeting the expectant faces.We reached the podium, and Julian's secretary handed us a microphone each. Julian's eyes scanned the room, his expression commanding attention."Ladies and gentlemen, wel
Behind the Billionaire's mask!Chapter 12Victoria's POV I stormed into my house, my anger boiling over like a pot left unattended. With a sweep of my arm, I sent the vase on the living room coffee table crashing to the floor. The sound of shattering glass was music to my ears. I kicked the couch cushions, sending them flying. The pillows burst open, spewing feathers everywhere.I tore through the rooms, destroying everything in my path. Pictures frames shattered, books ripped from shelves, curtains torn from their rods. The sound of breaking glass and splintering wood fueled my rage.Breathless, I stood amidst the chaos, surveying the destruction. The house now lay in ruins. But the rage still simmered, waiting to erupt again.How dare she called me 'expired'I thought she would have been a piece of cake, but Sophie had turned out to be a formidable foe. Her words cut deeper than any knife. "Expired," she'd said, her voice dripping with disdain. As if I was nothing more than a sta
Behind the Billionaire's mask! Chapter 13 Julian's POV As I stood up, I couldn't shake off the mix of emotions swirling inside me. I didn't know what had come over me, but I knew I had to put Victoria in her place. Despite my best efforts to deny it, the truth lingered: I still had feelings for her. But she had hurt me enough, I wasn't going to let her hurt me again. "Let's go," I said, my voice firm. Sophie looked up at me, concern etched on her face, but she nodded silently. We were headed to my grandfather's house. We entered my grandfather's mansion, and his face lit up with warmth as soon as he saw us - especially Sophie. "Ah, Julian, you've finally brought your better half," he said with a smile, his eyes twinkling with delight. I just rolled my eyes and took my seat. "Welcome, my dear Sophie. Please sit down and make yourself at home." He gallantly offered his hand, helping Sophie into the plush armchair, his mannerisms exuding old-school charm. "Thank you, sir. It'
Behind the Billionaire's mask!Chapter 14Sophie's POV "What are you doing?" Evelyn asked as she joined me in the kitchen."I'm trying to make dinner." I stated while stirring the simmering sauce on the stove top."For my brother?" Evelyn asked. "No!" I said, more like shouting."Oh! So what are you making?" Evelyn asked."Spaghetti Bolognese," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant.Evelyn's eyes widened. "But that's my brother's favourite food.""Really? I didn't know," I lied, attempting to play dumb.I had asked Rose, the cook about Julian's favourite food."Oh!" she said, not believing me."But why is Rose not cooking?" Evelyn asked, looking up at Rose, who was standing beside me.Rose smiled warmly. "Mrs. Sophie volunteered to cook today.""Yes, Evy. I have just been doing nothing in the house, so I decided to cook," I explained.Evelyn leaned toward me and whispered, "You're trying to win my brother over, right?"I didn't say anything and just blushed.I finished cooking, and
Behind the Billionaire's Mask!Chapter 15Julian's POVI woke and saw Sophie sleeping peacefully next to me. The memory of last night came back to me - her lips had drawn me in, and I found myself staring at them, mesmerized. I blinked in shock when I felt my hand reach out and graze her lips. I stared at my hand, wondering when I had done that. I wanted to wake her and tell her to get the fuck off my bed, but something held me back. Instead, I quietly slipped out from under the sheets, put on my clothes, and made my way downstairs, my mind racing. What had I done? How could I have let myself get so close to her? I prided myself on maintaining strict boundaries, just having sex, no deep or passionate moments. So why was I so...unsettled by this woman's presence in my bed? I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. I needed to get a grip to regain control of the situation. Quickly, I walked to the kitchen and poured myself a strong cup of black coffee, hoping the caffeine would hel
Behind the Billionaire's Mask!Chapter 16Victoria's POV"So, he's the bastard that cheated on his girlfriend with an older woman," I said, staring at the pictures Jaxon handed me. The image of Alex, Sophie's boyfriend, smirking beside a woman who looked at least a decade older, burned into my mind."Yes," Jaxon replied."The ex-boyfriend is a fool. He didn’t realize he was pushing his girlfriend right into the arms of a billionaire," I mused, my thoughts swirling with malicious delight. "What if he found out that his ex-girlfriend got married to someone like Julian?"I turned to face him, the corners of my lips curling into a sly smile. "Oh, it would bother him. Especially when he sees those pictures."I moved to the pictures on the table, a picture of Sophie and Julian, I had asked someone to stalk them to report all their moves to me, and he had taken pictures. I’m not ready to lose Julian, not to that poor rat of a woman. If I have to play dirty to keep him, then so be it.I had
Behind the Billionaire's Mask! Chapter 17 Sophie's POV As we walked into the restaurant, a wave of warmth enveloped me. The soft glow of golden chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, casting a romantic shimmer over the elegantly set tables. Each table was draped in crisp white linen. The air was filled with the rich aroma of gourmet dishes being prepared in the open kitchen. I could hear the gentle clinking of fine china and the soft murmur of conversations mingling with the soothing notes of a live pianist in the corner. The atmosphere was intimate yet vibrant, a perfect blend of sophistication and comfort. As we made our way to our table, I noticed the plush velvet chairs that invited guests to linger a little longer, enjoying the culinary masterpieces that awaited them. The walls were lined with tasteful artwork, each piece telling a story of its own. I felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness—this was a world I had glimpsed but never fully entered. As I settled in
Chapter 83Victoria's POVI have a new plan now formed after I killed Alex; I will kill Sophie, go back to California, have plastic surgery, change my name, and come back to claim Julian. Perfect.The next thing on my agenda is killing Sophie. I have everything planned out, but I know it won't be easy. I can't kill her the way I killed Alex because Julian will surely be protecting her, and it would be hard to get to Julian's house without someone seeing me and linking it to the media; now that I'm even on the 'wanted' list, with a good reward for anyone who sights me.Julian really took it far, putting a reward on me. How could he do that? I could have just bribed anyone, but I don't even have up to fifty million dollars right now. Damn it! I'm starting to get frustrated just thinking about it.But how did they know I killed Alex? I didn't leave any hint. I even threw the knife I used away into the bush. Heck. I threw the knife in the same street. Fuck me. Anyone could have seen it. I
Chapter 82 Julian's POV "I checked Victoria's house, and I noticed her car is missing," Jaxon informed me. "Do you know the plate number?" I asked. "No, I don’t. I've searched all of her usual hideouts; she's not there. Could it be that she left the country?" Jaxon speculated. "No, she can't. If she had tried to leave, someone would have seen her. She's likely hiding somewhere close by," I replied, trying to stay calm despite the urgency of the situation. Where are you, Victoria? Just then, my office door swung open, and Marcus rushed in, panting as if he had just run a marathon. "What's wrong?" I asked, instinctively rising to my feet. "Alex was found dead this morning," Marcus managed to say between breaths. "What?!" The word escaped my lips in a shocked whisper. "It's Victoria," Jaxon said, his expression grim. I stood there, speechless, my mind racing with dread. "Where is Sophie?" I asked, suddenly worried about her safety. "She's at home;the guards are at alert," Ma
Chapter 81Victoria's POVIt's been two days since I escaped, and I've been lying low, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. I've been watching the news, and they're still clueless about my whereabouts. Ha! They'll never catch me.I turned on the TV, and the first news that came on was: "It's been two days that Victoria Langley escaped, and no one knows her whereabouts for now, the police are..." I switched it off, laughing to myself. You can never catch me. Never!I got dressed in a sundress, applied a great amount of makeup to disguise myself, and put on a hat and sunglasses. I checked myself in the mirror, and I hardly looked like Victoria Langley. Perfect.I picked up a handbag and my car key, then went into the kitchen and brought a knife, which I put in the handbag. I added a syringe and injection, just in case. Then I got out of the house and went to the garage to pick up my car. I ignited the engine and drove out of the garage.I got to Alex's street and parked my car car
Chapter 80Sophie’s POV"So you mean Victoria escaped?" Isabella asked, her voice low and filled with concern. We were huddled together at a small table in the corner of the restaurant. "Yes," I replied, glancing around to ensure no one else was listening. "I overheard that one of the warders came to serve them this morning and noticed she's missing and now...no one knows where she is." My heart raced as I recalled the moment I had tiptoed behind Julian earlier, straining to catch snippets of his conversation with Marcus.Isabella's brow furrowed. "That means someone definitely helped her out, is it her dad? He could have sent someone to help her escape.""Yeah, i am not sure about that. But someone definitely helped her." i said. "So, what is Julian doing about it?" Isabella asked. "He's tightening the security measures," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I heard him telling Marcus to arrange for a personal guard for me, too.""That's good," Isabella said, her tone shifting
Chapter 79Victoria's POVA DAY AGO"Is it true you'll really release me?" I asked Owen, the warder I had been forced to interact with. We were at the corner of the yard where I had been assigned to cut the grass—a task I absolutely detested."Yes, that's if you will let me have a taste of you," he replied, his voice low and dripping with an unsettling desire. Ugh... the smell of him was repulsive. Smelly brute. I couldn't bring myself to stoop so low as to entertain the thought of fucking mere warder. Nah."Okay, but we can just meet after I am released," I suggested, trying to keep my composure as I stepped back slightly, putting distance between us.He nodded eagerly, his eyes glinting with something I found both pathetic and revolting. I had noticed his wandering gaze since he was transferred here a month ago. It had been a desperate gamble to flirt with him, but now it seemed to be my only chance for escape. "Yeah, but how would we meet?" he asked, leaning closer, his breath mak
Chapter 78 Julian's POV "What?!" I exclaimed, my voice barely containing my shock as my eyes locked onto Sophie, who stood frozen in disbelief. "Yes, boss," Marcus replied, his tone steady but urgent. I quickly removed the phone from speaker mode and pressed it to my ear, unable to look away from Sophie, whose gaze was fixed on the bed where my phone had just been. I noticed her hand instinctively move to her stomach. "How come?" I asked, my heart pounding. "Let me call you back, Marcus," I said, abruptly ending the call as I moved closer to Sophie. "Victoria is back. What if she really succeeded in killing me and my baby this time? What if she hurts you? What if, Julian? What if she—" Sophie's voice trembled, trailing off as tears began to flow down her cheeks. Damn it. Her tears were my Achilles' heel. I gently cupped her chin with my hand, tilting her head up to meet my gaze. "Nothing will happen to you or our baby. I promise I will protect you this time. Victoria can't hurt
Chapter 77TWO MONTHS LATER Sophie’s POVEverything has been going smoothly for the past two months. Julian and I have grown closer than I ever thought possible. He treats me like I’m delicate, like an egg, always careful and attentive, and honestly, I feel pampered in a way that makes my heart swell.Alex has come by countless times, begging for forgiveness, but I’ve turned him away each time. It wasn’t until recently that I finally found it in me to forgive him. As for Victoria, she’s been sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempted murder as a first time offender. It’s a harsh reality, but it feels like the right outcome for everything that happened.Evelyn has returned to school, and I’ve been visiting Julian’s grandfather more often. He’s a charming old man with so many stories to tell. I love listening to him reminisce about his younger days; it brings a warmth to my heart. On top of that, Isabella has been stopping by at least once a week, which has been a bright spot in my
Chapter 76 Sophie's POV I woke up with a start, my heart racing as I looked beside me on the bed and didn't see Julian. Was it all a dream? Was it all a dream that I'm back with Julian? My heart sanked as tears welled up in my eyes. Just then, the door opened, and Julian walked in carrying a tray. "Good morning, milady," he said with a smile, and my heart skipped a beat. He was real, and he was here with me. I rushed to hug him as he dropped the food on the bedside table, tears of relief streaming down my face. "What's wrong?" he asked, concern visible on his voice. "I thought it was all a dream," I said, my voice shaking. "Us being together, I thought it was all a dream." He pulled away from the hug to look at me, his eyes filled with warmth and love. He placed a soft, gentle kiss on my forehead, and I felt my heart melt. Then, he wiped the tears off my cheeks with his thumbs, his touch sending shivers down my spine. "You really should stop being a crybaby," he teased,
Chapter 75Sophie's POV"Why did you not want to stay here again?" I asked Evelyn as we stepped out of the car, and they also got out from the car they had entered. Julian, my love, had been busy planting kisses all over my body during the drive, showering me with affection that made even the driver chuckle at our antics. At one point, Julian had playfully barked at him to mind his business, which only made us laugh harder. Evelyn just said she wouldn't be coming in with us."I want to give the new couples some happy moments together," Evelyn explained, her cute eyes sparkling."No, Evy! I want us to catch up," I pouted, crossing my arms in a mock display of annoyance."I'll still be around for two to three days, and I promise to visit each day," she reassured me. "But for now, I promised Grandpa I would spend a few days with him. You can also visit us; I'm sure Grandpa would be eager and happy to see you.""That's a promise, oo," I said, a smile breaking through my pout. Evelyn nodde