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CHAPTER 22
Last Updated:
2024-12-03 02:56:36
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Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 23
The morning air was crisp, but Maya barely noticed as she made her way through the estate grounds, Alex’s firm strides keeping pace beside her. The note’s ominous message—“Leave or die”—was burned into her mind, pushing her past fear and into a realm of cold determination.She wasn’t running.For too long, she had let others control the narrative, treat her like a pawn in a game she didn’t understand. That ended today.Alex led her to a secluded corner of the estate, away from prying eyes and ears. The small utility building housed security feeds and communication equipment that even Zane didn’t fully utilize.“We’ll start here,” Alex said, his voice low and focused. “Whoever’s behind this note, the cameras might’ve caught something. But this won’t be easy—they’ve been careful.”Maya nodded, her resolve hardening. “Then we’ll be thorough.”The surveillance footage rolled in silence, the timestamps flashing as Alex fast-forwarded through hours of uneventful clips. Maya leaned over his
Last Updated : 2024-12-03Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 24
The Moretti estate was alive with quiet activity the next morning, as Zane’s security team began their meticulous sweep of the household staff. Maya sat at the breakfast table, her appetite nonexistent as she watched Alex speak to a cluster of staff members with a clipboard in hand. Each person was questioned, their credentials scrutinized under the watchful eyes of two armed guards. It should have brought her a sense of relief, but it didn’t. The walls of the estate felt as though they were closing in, the weight of suspicion pressing on everyone. Even the household staff, people she had come to recognize and trust, now felt like strangers. Zane entered the room, his presence a mixture of calm authority and seething determination. He poured himself a coffee, his movements deliberate as his silver eyes swept over her. “They’ll find something,” he said, as if reading her mind. “And if they don’t?” Maya asked softly, her fingers toying with the edge of her napkin. Zane set the cof
Last Updated : 2024-12-04Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 25
The Moretti estate seemed darker that night, its sprawling corridors shrouded in an oppressive silence. Maya sat in Zane’s suite, her knees drawn to her chest as she stared at the flickering flames in the fireplace. The note she’d found earlier burned in her mind, its chilling message looping in her thoughts: *“She’s the key. Break her, and he falls.”* The weight of it pressed down on her. She couldn’t deny it anymore—she was a pawn in a game far more dangerous than she’d imagined. Zane entered the room quietly, his presence a comfort despite the tension lingering between them. He poured a glass of whiskey, his movements deliberate as he joined her by the fire. “You’re too quiet,” he said softly, his silver eyes studying her. Maya didn’t respond immediately, her fingers tightening around the blanket draped over her shoulders. “I keep wondering what they mean by ‘break her,’” she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. Zane’s jaw tightened, his gaze flicking to the fire.
Last Updated : 2024-12-04Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 26
The Moretti estate seemed to hum with unspoken tension the following morning, the air thick with a sense of unease. Maya awoke to find Zane already gone, his side of the bed cold and empty. A note on the nightstand simply read:“I’m handling it. Stay in the suite. Alex will update you.”But staying put was the last thing Maya wanted to do. The message left on her pillow the night before—“You’re running out of time”—had stolen what little sleep she’d managed to find.She couldn’t ignore the warning. Whoever had placed the note was becoming bolder, their presence almost taunting.But the question remained: Was it a direct threat, or a calculated distraction?Despite Zane’s insistence that she stay confined to the suite, Maya found herself wandering the estate once again. There was too much happening for her to sit idly by.She returned to the western wing, retracing her steps to the surveillance room she’d discovered earlier. To her surprise, the room had been emptied. The corkboard, ph
Last Updated : 2024-12-05Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 27
Maya’s hands trembled as she held the photograph, her breath catching in her throat. The image was grainy but unmistakable—a shot of her walking in the estate gardens, taken from a distance. Her heart pounded as she realized the implication.They were closer than she thought.Scrawled across the bottom of the photograph in thick, jagged handwriting were the words:“You don’t belong here. Leave, or the baby dies.”Her knees buckled, and she sank onto the edge of the bed, clutching the photograph like a lifeline. Fear coiled in her stomach, twisting and tightening until she felt like she might be sick.The threats had always felt distant—ominous, but abstract. This one was visceral. Direct.The baby.Her hand instinctively went to her stomach, a protective gesture as she struggled to process the cruel words.She didn’t have to wait long before Zane returned. When he walked into the suite and saw her pale, trembling figure clutching the photograph, his expression darkened.“What happened
Last Updated : 2024-12-05Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 28
The next morning dawned gray and foreboding, the sky heavy with clouds that seemed to mirror Maya’s unease. She sat by the window in Zane’s suite, her hand resting protectively on her stomach as she watched the estate grounds come alive with activity. Security guards moved in coordinated patterns, their presence more visible than ever before.Zane had ordered the heightened measures after last night’s revelations, and while Maya appreciated the effort, it did little to soothe her nerves. The knowledge that Donovan Scott was using her father as a pawn left her feeling more vulnerable than ever.She turned as Zane entered the room, already dressed in a sharp suit that exuded authority. His silver eyes softened when they met hers, but there was an undercurrent of tension in his movements.“Alex is coordinating with a team to keep your father under surveillance,” Zane said, crossing the room to her. “We’ll make sure Donovan can’t use him against us.”Maya nodded, her heart heavy. “Do you
Last Updated : 2024-12-06Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 29
The storm outside had abated by morning, but the tension within the Moretti estate had not. Maya woke to find Zane already gone, his side of the bed cold and undisturbed. She sat up, her hand instinctively resting on her stomach as she tried to calm the persistent knot of anxiety that had taken residence there.She knew the safe house arrangements for her father were already in motion. Zane was meticulous, and Alex’s efficiency was unmatched. Still, a part of her couldn’t shake the image of Charles’s pale, drawn face from the night before.“Everything’s falling apart,” she whispered to herself.Maya hesitated before joining breakfast in the grand dining hall. As she stepped inside, she was greeted by the sight of Helena seated at the head of the table, her expression as cold and composed as ever. Luca sat nearby, casually sipping his coffee with an air of disinterest.“Maya,” Helena said with a thin smile. “You look well-rested.”Maya ignored the comment, taking a seat at the far end
Last Updated : 2024-12-06Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 30
The morning sunlight streamed through the windows of the Moretti estate, painting the elegant corridors with a deceptive warmth. But Maya’s world was far from serene. Each passing hour tightened the noose around her, the weight of the notes, threats, and the looming shadow of Donovan growing heavier.She knew Zane was working tirelessly to dismantle the web of schemes threatening them, but she couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that their enemies were always one step ahead.As she stepped into the dining hall for breakfast, the atmosphere was thick with unspoken tension. Helena sat at her usual place at the head of the table, her sharp gaze flicking to Maya as she entered. Luca lounged nearby, a smug grin playing on his lips as though he knew something no one else did.“Maya,” Helena said with a smile as thin as glass, “you’re looking… thoughtful this morning. I trust you’ve been sleeping well?”Maya didn’t bother with pretense. “As well as anyone can under these circumstances.”Luca
Last Updated : 2024-12-07
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Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 236
Maya gazed out at the city through the window of her penthouse, watching the dawn break over the skyline. It was quiet now, but she knew it wouldn’t be for long. This war with Gabriel was nearing its final act, and by the sunset, one would be left victorious.She turned as she heard the door open. Zane walked inside, silver eyes sharp, movements measured, but she knew enough of him to feel the tautness behind his calm demeanor.“It’s time,” he said simply.Maya nodded. “Then let’s finish this.”Moretti Corp – War RoomThe normal tension in the war room had changed. No longer the vagueness of battle — but the gleam of victory. When Maya and Zane came in, Victor, Luca, and Adrian were already sitting. A huge digital map of the city was projected on the wall, red markers showing Gabriel’s known assets and weak points.Victor reclined in his chair. “We’ve tightened the noose. Gabriel’s financial network is collapsing, his allies are betraying him, and his only remaining political connecti
Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 235
Gabriel Montclair clicked off the television, flinging the remote onto his desk with a muffled thud. He’d seen Maya’s interview from beginning to end, dissecting every word, every motion, every well-chosen pause. She hadn’t merely evaded his strike — she had turned it on him.He breathed out, letting the silence of his study settle over him. He had underestimated her. He could admit that now. Maya Moretti wasn’t merely a fearsome adversary — she was a survivor. Yet if he was going to win this war, he had to adapt.A knock on the door broke him from his musings.“Come in,” he called, his voice steady.The door opened and in stepped Ethan Blackwood. Ethan had been Gabriel’s second for as long as he could remember, a man who worked in the shadows, taking care of the parts of the business that Gabriel didn’t like to touch to keep his hands clean.“You saw the interview,” Ethan said, not even asking.Gabriel sat back in his chair. “I did.”Ethan closed the door behind him and walked ahead,
Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 234
Maya paced her Moretti Corp. office as the weight of the impending war hung heavy on her shoulders. The early-morning sun poured in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the sleek interior in a golden light, but she hardly noticed. The papers on her desk began to fade together and her mind raced through the alternatives.Gabriel had made his move. He had gone after her history, her marriage, the life she had built so painstakingly. And yet she was unafraid — just seething with determination.Her phone buzzed again. Another message from Zane.Zane: We need to talk. Now.Maya let out a sharp breath, suppressing a rising irritation just under the skin. She took her phone and answered.Maya: Meet me in my office. Bring Victor.Nine minutes later, the door opened and Zane came walking in with Victor hot on his heels. Zane’s face was hard to read, but his shoulders were tense. He was angry — but not at her.Victor, always a cool mastermind, tossed a file onto her desk with an air of
Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 233
The day arrived too soon, dragging Maya back into the ice-well of their war with Gabriel. She paced the window at her penthouse, coffee clutched in hand, watching the city below her stir. The weight of last night’s meeting with Philip Marquez was still heavy in her mind. They had won a skirmish, but the war was still in its early stages.Next, her phone vibrated on the marble counter. A message from Zane.Zane: Victor got the first buyouts. Gabriel will be feeling the squeeze soon. Meet me at the office.Maya drank the rest of her coffee and replied by text.Maya: On my way.Her husband, Adrian, had already left for the day. Their marriage was a matter of practicality rather than of love. It was a strategic maneuver — a winning of alliances and of power. Love had never been in the contract.But still, she couldn’t help but ache at the thought of the what-ifs.Brushing the thought aside, she got dressed, putting on the armor of the woman she had become.Moretti Corp – War RoomZane was
Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 232
Maya sat across from Zane in his office, eyes fixed on the latest reports spread across his desk. The tension between them was palpable, though unspoken. She knew that tight-jawed look—something wasn't right. Breaking the thick silence, she said, "Well? Are you going to tell me what has you so troubled, or must we sit here all evening stewing in uncertainty?"Zane didn't look up from the pages. "We lost three major investors this morning. Gabriel is sabotaging us financially just as he tried through his connections in The Order."Maya sighed heavily. "Do you have proof it's him pulling the strings?"Zane tossed the folder aside and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I don't need proof when I know his methods. He wants to crush Moretti Corp and he won't stop until he succeeds."Her eyes narrowed with steely resolve. "Then two can play at his game. If he aims to strangle us through our funds, we'll retaliate in kind."A trace of a smirk crossed Zane's stern features. "Spoken like a true p
Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 231
The tension hanging over the room was palpable, with the weight of their impending choice bearing down on everyone. No turning back now—every action going forward could fortify their authority or shatter it completely.Maya placed her glass down deliberately against the polished table, her keen green eyes locking onto Zane’s. “If we’re moving ahead, it has to be flawless. No errors. No vulnerabilities.”Leaning in, Zane returned her gaze with calculated intensity glowing in his silver eyes. “I agree. We strike where they least anticipate financially, strategically. We take control before they realize what’s transpiring.”Sprawled casually in one of the leather chairs, Victor let out a low chuckle. “You two truly have a way of making corporate warfare sound sexier than shootouts.”Maya arched a brow. “Because it is.”Luca smirked from across the room. “I have to admit, witnessing this side of you, Maya, is unexpected. You appear to be genuinely enjoying the challenge.”Maya exhaled, cr
Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 230
Maya perched at the head of a long glass conference table in Moretti Corp’s executive suite, tightening her grip on the edge of the financial report before her. The numbers did not seem to be adding up. Billions were on the move — just not where they were meant to be.She let out a breath through gritted teeth, forcing the unsettled feeling in her gut to subside. If this was what she suspected it was, they had a much bigger problem then The Order’s politics.Zane wore the endless scruff of a day’s stubble, and as he stood facing the skyline through the floor-to-ceiling window, hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable. That was how he’d been all morning — still, methodical, his mind racing a hundred moves ahead. But Maya knew him too well.He was waiting. For confirmation. For proof. For the moment he was able to flip the game on its head.Maya broke the silence. “We have a leak.”Zane didn’t turn around. “How bad?”Maya swallowed. “Bad. Money is being siphoned off in dribs and
Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 229
In the conference room, everything was polished elegance. In the center was a long, dark wooden table with high-backed leather chairs surrounding it. The quiet hum of brief conversations and the sound of footsteps down the hall indicated the weight that had become almost palpable in the air of the building itself. Helena tapped her fingers lightly on the table as she stared through the window. She was not thinking of the view, or of the empire to which she belonged; she was thinking about the invisible chessboard before her. Today, it wasn’t bloodshed or conquest; today, it was about manipulation, persuasion and control.Her thoughts are broken by the sound of heels snapping against the marble floor. She gazed upward, her frigid eyes meeting the silhouette that walked in.“You’re late,” she said, her tone smooth, though with a sharp edge.“I had some… business to take care of,” Elena said, the smile on her face a little tight, insufficient. She stepped toward the table, each step long
Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 228
“Well I tried.” Maya said calmly, drumming her fingers on the sleek, polished surface of the table. Tall windows poured in the morning light, bathed the skyline in gold. It was nearly serene — if not for the storm brewing deep down.This was an alternate type of battlefield. No guns. No explosions. Only power, strategy and control. And in many respects, it was more perilous than any of the wars they had fought.Zane worked his cufflinks and his cool silver eyes drifted around the room as executives filed in, all advancing a few steps like cats on concrete, gripped by a primal instinct not to step on toes. They’d all heard Curator General’s whispers — about Gabriel, about the fall of The Order’s inner circle, about the man who had scratched and clawed his way to the top with his trademark ruthlessness.Now? They were wondering if he could hold it.Victor stretched lazily in his seat next to Maya, his smirk curling as he leaned in. “Tell me, princess, are you ready to watch your husband
