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CHAPTER 34
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2024-12-09 00:21:32
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Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 35
The Moretti estate was alive with its usual elegance, but beneath its polished surface, tension simmered. Maya could feel it in the air—the sharp glances, the veiled comments, the way conversations seemed to stop when she entered a room.At breakfast, Helena sat across from Maya, her expression cool and unreadable. Zane was absent, caught up in yet another meeting to handle the fallout of Luca’s betrayal. The table felt far too large and quiet for two people.“Maya,” Helena began, her voice smooth. “You’ve adjusted well to life here, considering the circumstances.”Maya set her coffee cup down carefully, already bracing herself for whatever was coming. “I’m doing my best.”Helena’s lips curved into a faint smile. “It’s admirable, truly. But I wonder if you’ve considered how… tenuous your position here is.”Maya frowned. “What do you mean?”Helena tilted her head, her eyes sharp. “This family requires strength, resilience, and loyalty. And while Zane may be… infatuated, those feelings
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-09Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 36
The following day dawned with a strange stillness, as though the Moretti estate was holding its breath. Maya spent the morning pacing the suite, trying to distract herself with small tasks, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the previous day.Luca’s words about Cocona. Helena’s veiled threats.The cracks in the Moretti family were widening, and Maya could feel the weight of every fracture pressing down on her.By midmorning, she decided she couldn’t stay idle any longer. She needed to take control of something—anything.Helena’s Subtle StrikeMaya found herself in the sunroom, a quiet corner of the estate where she could think. She didn’t expect Helena to join her, but when the older woman entered, she braced herself.“Maya,” Helena said, her tone light but her eyes sharp. “I’ve been thinking about our conversation yesterday. It’s clear to me that you’re… determined to find your place in this family.”“I am,” Maya replied evenly.Helena sat gracefully on a nearby chair, folding he
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-10Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 37
The following day, Maya awoke with a renewed sense of determination. The manipulations swirling around her had shaken her, but they wouldn’t break her. If she was going to survive in this family, she needed to stop reacting to every provocation and start taking control.As she dressed for the day, Zane was already on the phone, his voice firm and commanding. Even when distracted, he exuded confidence and authority, a constant reminder of the stakes they were fighting for.Maya left the suite quietly, her steps purposeful as she sought out the one person she knew could help her navigate the minefield of the Moretti estate.A Strategy with AlexMaya found Alex in the security wing, his eyes glued to a bank of monitors. When he noticed her approach, he straightened, his expression neutral.“Maya,” he greeted. “What can I do for you?”She glanced at the screens, the images of guards patrolling the estate reinforcing the fortress-like atmosphere. “I need your help,” she said, her voice ste
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-10Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 38
Maya woke to a strange quiet. The estate always felt imposing, but today the stillness unnerved her. She slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Zane, and padded across the room. Pulling aside the heavy curtain, she glanced out at the estate grounds. The guards were in their usual places, the lush garden bathed in early morning light, but something felt off.Her thoughts lingered on the tangled web of manipulation that surrounded her. Helena’s calculated words, Luca’s insinuations—both were designed to make her question everything. And while she’d held her ground, doubt was an insidious enemy.She glanced back at Zane, still lost in sleep, his usually tense features softened. For all his strength, he carried the weight of their world on his shoulders. It was time she eased some of that burden.Helena’s Quiet ThreatsAt breakfast, Helena sat in her usual seat, her presence a cold, commanding force. Maya hesitated as she entered the room, but with a deep breath, she took her place at th
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-10Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 39
The Moretti estate bustled with activity the next morning, but Maya felt the weight of every glance and whispered words as though they were aimed directly at her. She had resolved not to let Helena or Luca’s manipulations shake her, but the strain of constant conflict was wearing thin.Still, she pushed forward. She had a place in this family, whether they accepted it or not.Maya spent most of the morning in the nursery, arranging the baby’s things. The soft pastels and tiny clothes offered a small reprieve from the chaos, a reminder of the life she and Zane were building.But even here, peace was fleeting.Helena’s Subtle PushHelena appeared in the doorway, her expression unreadable as she surveyed the room.“Maya,” she said smoothly. “May I join you?”Maya hesitated, then nodded. “Of course.”Helena stepped inside, her sharp eyes scanning the neatly arranged shelves and folded blankets. “Preparing for the future, I see. That’s wise.”Maya forced a polite smile. “It’s important to
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-10Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 40
The tension in the Moretti estate had settled into a suffocating rhythm. Every day felt like a new battle, a subtle war of whispers, manipulation, and carefully chosen words. But Maya had made a decision: she wouldn’t sit idly by anymore.If Helena and Luca wanted a game, she would play to win.The dining room was alive with quiet clicking as Helena, Zane, and Maya sat around the large table. Zane’s attention was buried in a document, his silver eyes scanning the pages as he ate mechanically.Helena, on the other hand, was all too aware of Maya’s presence. Her piercing gaze swept over Maya like a hawk.“You’ve been quiet this morning, Maya,” Helena said, her voice smooth.Maya looked up, her face calm. “Just thinking.”Helena smiled faintly, her fork hovering above her plate. “About?”Maya met her gaze evenly. “How to be an asset to this family.”The words hung in the air, drawing Zane’s attention. He set the document aside, his brow furrowing as he looked between them.Helena’s smile
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-11Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 41
The morning came with an oppressive heaviness, the Moretti estate quieter than usual, as though everyone was holding their breath. Maya’s mind was still reeling from the night before—the discovery of Donovan’s connection to Moretti business dealings and Zane’s insistence that it was in the past.But was it really?As Maya dressed for the day, she resolved not to let the doubt consume her. If she wanted the truth, she would have to search for it herself.Helena’s CalculationsMaya entered the dining room to find Helena already seated, sipping her tea with an air of regal detachment. Her piercing eyes flicked to Maya as she approached, her smile faint and unreadable.“Good morning, my dear,” Helena said smoothly.Maya forced a polite smile as she took her seat. “Morning.”Helena set her cup down, her gaze sharp. “I heard you’ve been spending time in the library. Researching family history, perhaps?”Maya’s chest tightened, but she kept her expression neutral. “Just trying to understand
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-11Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 42
The estate’s tension had reached a fever pitch by the next morning. Maya could feel it in every strained interaction, every clipped conversation. But this time, she wasn’t content to sit back and wait for the next blow to land.She had decided to fight back, and she would start by understanding the battlefield.A Search for AnswersMaya spent the morning in the library again, combing through records and documents. She needed to know more about the Moretti family’s tangled web of alliances, betrayals, and power plays.Her search was interrupted by Alex, who appeared in the doorway, his expression cautious.“You’ve been busy,” he said, stepping inside.Maya closed the folder in front of her and looked up. “I need to know what I’m up against, Alex. Helena, Luca—they’re playing games, and I can’t fight them if I don’t understand the rules.”Alex hesitated, then nodded. “I can’t give you everything, but I can tell you this much—Helena’s not just trying to undermine you. She’s testing you.
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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
