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CHAPTER 34
Huling Na-update:
2024-12-09 00:21:32
Kaugnay na kabanata
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
Huling Na-update : 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
Huling Na-update : 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
Huling Na-update : 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
Huling Na-update : 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
Huling Na-update : 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
Huling Na-update : 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
Huling Na-update : 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.
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-11
Pinakabagong kabanata
Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 226
Maya’s pulse raced as Luca’s words hung above the group like a heavy smoke. Gabriel Laurent.It wasn’t one of those surprises that should have caught her off guard. The Order was not about cleanliness. There was nothing trustworthy about its leaders. But to hear Luca say it so casually—as if it were the most natural thing in the world—knotted her stomach.Zane reclined in his seat, his silver eyes shrewd, calculating. He wasn’t responding, which meant he was getting creative.Luca smirked. “You look like a man trying to ascertain if I’m lying.”Zane exhaled. “That’s because I am.”Luca let out a low chuckle. “And?”Zane’s fingers rapped the table slowly and deliberately. “And you’re great at misdirection.”Luca clutched a hand to his chest, mock-offended. “That hurts, brother. Truly.”Maya clenched her fists. She hated this. The games, the deceits, the endless mind games where everyone was deceiving, and the only way to live was by out-lying everyone else.She exhaled sharply. “If Gab
Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 225
Maya couldn’t sleep.She lay in bed, watching the ceiling, hearing the tick-tock of the clock up on the wall. And it was late — too late — but all that had transpired kept her awake.Her father was gone, at least from the world. For now, the Order had been fooled. But Gabriel’s warning was still ringing in her ears.“If I discover that you are lying, I will put a bullet between your eyes myself.”Maya sucked breath between her teeth, rolling onto her side. They were playing with fire. One wrong move and not just her life would be at stake — Zane’s, Victor’s, Elara’s.How the hell had these gotten here?A knock at the door roused her from her thoughts.She sat up, heart beating a little fast. “Come in.”The door creaked open; Zane stepped through a moment later, his silver eyes bright even in the pallid gloom. He was still wearing his dress shirt, sleeves rolled up, tie looser. Also, he looked like he hadn’t slept.Maya sighed. “You too?”Zane smirked slightly, shutting the door behind
Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 224
Zane twisted through the empty roads, the lights of the city twinkling in the distance, their brilliance brought into contrast by the blackness of the sky. Sitting next to him, Maya’s thoughts were full of what they had just gone through. Her father was dead — dead to the world but still somewhere breathing in the mountains.It should have been a relief. It wasn’t.Zane’s silver eyes glanced at her momentarily. “You’re thinking too much.”Maya rolled her eyes, studying the view through the window. “And you’re under thinking simultaneously.”Zane smirked. “On the contrary. I am thinking the right amount.”Maya breathed out, pushing her fingers against her forehead. “This was the easy part, right?”Zane waved his hand, eyes on the road ahead. “Now comes the part where we sell The Order on the idea things went according to plan.”Maya sighed. That was the piece that made her terrified.Neither spoke for a moment, silence echoed in the space between them. At last, Zane spoke up. “How long
Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 223
The deal with Charles should have brought relief, but didn’t. Maya felt weighed down with what they were going to do heavy as a vice, tightening every second. There was no going back at this point.She took a slow breath, her eyes fixed on her father’s. “We have less than a twelve hours to make this work.”Charles turned his head, and something unreadable filled his sharp blue eyes. “And if it doesn’t work?”Zane leaned on the desk, silver eyes placid but stern. “Then you’re dead. Either way.”Charles laughed, but it was dry, humorless. “Comforting.” He turned to Maya. “And you? What do you think?”Maya took a deep breath and crossed her arms. “I think if we don’t do this right, The Order isn’t just going to kill you — they’re going to come for me, too.”Charles watched her closely, his face unreadable. “And Moretti? Do you trust him?”Zane smirked, responding before she had a chance. “She don’t gotta trust me. She just has to know I’m better at this than you are.”There was a subdued
Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 222
The name on the paper stared back at her, clipped and brutal. Charles Davis.Maya sensed time slow around her, the meeting buzzing with a dull range that faded into the background. Her father.She wasn’t that close to him — not really. Charles Davis was a cold man, a man who saw business as a series of transactions, one after another, with no loss and no emotion, and he had used that machine to build his empire. He was never the warm, doting type. But he was still her blood.And The Order was out to kill him.She fought her body to be still, to keep her face blank while Zane peeled back the paper, reading it with the same dead cold calculation he applied to every kill order that came before this. But Maya knew him too well.He wasn’t unaffected.His jaw was slightly too tight. He flexed his fingers to see their utility and set the paper back down. And when his silver eyes darted to her? It was a knowledge there.Gabriel smirked, taking both of them in with interest. “I expect this won
Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 221
The weight of the death of Julian Devereaux still hung in the air, heavy and oppressive. His body crumpled on the cold marble, a propensity for bloods to trickle in slow, measured tendrils around him. The man who thought himself above the law was down, not in a blaze of glory, but with a single shot and a round thud.Maya looked at the body a second too long, not of regret but calculation. What they had done at that moment altered everything.Zane was now sitting upon the throne that Julian had abandoned, and that made him next目标.Gabriel Laurent straightened his cufflinks, strolling over Julian’s corpse like stepping over a fallen tree branch. “Well,” he drawled, his voice smooth and untroubled, “that was cleaner than I expected.”Victor let out a low whistle. “Yeah? What were you expecting? Some Shakespearean monologue before he dropped dead?”Gabriel smirked. “I was expecting begging.” A narrow-eyed look was cast to Zane. “And now, Moretti, it’s the time for the real work.”“Zane h
Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 220
For his entire life, Julian Devereaux had thought he was untouchable. A king in a world of pawns. He had gone through life pulling power plays, making people jiggle like puppets on some invisible string. Until now.She could see this in his eyes: the flicker of doubt, the unspeakable fear. This was not how things were supposed to turn out for him. He was the one in control, the one moving the pieces, but now? He was the piece now, and Zane Moretti was about to remove him from the board.Zane smoothed the cuffs of his suit, silver eyes alight with what seemed to be boredom. “You seem uncomfortable, Julian.”Julian’s jaw set, his shoulders went tight. “You think this will all end with me?Zane smirked. “No, but it starts with you.”Camille, still tied to the chair, released a shaky breath, but her eyes blazed. “For once in your life, Julian, just stop pretending you’re invincible.”Julian gave her a hard look, but this time Maya saw something else in his eyes. Not anger. Not calculation
Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 219
The SUV barreled down the darkened street, the city's blinking lights fading behind it as they drove toward the outskirts. The estate where, Julian claimed, he was holding Camille was remote, fortified and precisely the sort of place where a man like Julian would stow someone whose fate he was unsure of.The backseat occupant, Maya, adjusted her gun, in and out in crescent movements. Her hands were steady, her mind a razor. There wasn’t any hesitation, any second-guessing. Camille was leverage, but she was also a test — Julian’s way of demonstrating that he still had the upper hand, that they were the ones who responded to him.That was about to change.Zane was next to her, silent, his silver eyes on the road ahead. He had said little since they pulled away from the safe house, but what Maya knew better than to interpret as anything other than controlled restraint. He was already formulating his plan for disassembling Julian.Victor was at the wheel, one hand guiding the car, the oth
Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 218
Maya’s blood turned to ice. The safe house had been compromised. Camille was still there — guarded, vulnerable. They had expected Julian to go to battle to regain her. Instead, he had turned the game back on them.Her fingers twitched toward her gun, but Julian’s smirk just broadened. He had planned this.Zane’s silver eyes were unreadable, but Maya could see the way his jaw clenched tight, the way his finger curled, just so slightly, at his sides. He wasn’t shaking but he was recalibrating.Julian took a breath, angling his head. “I mean, I have to admit, I didn’t think you would play this so well. Most people who come after The Order die before they understand that they’re being hunted. But you?” He chuckled. “You really made me see you as a threat.”Zane smirked. “I would have been offended if I wasn’t.”Julian sighed dramatically. “And yet, clever as you are, you had one flaw. You assumed I would panic.” His blue eyes twinkled with humor. “You assumed I would choose.”Maya tighten
