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CHAPTER 47
Dernière mise à jour:
2024-12-14 05:49:54
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Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 48
The following morning, the Moretti estate was unusually quiet, a deceptive calm that only heightened Maya’s unease. She could feel the tension in the air, as though everyone was bracing for the next move in the dangerous game that had enveloped the family.Luca’s threats, Helena’s cryptic warnings, and the note left in her suite were all fragments of a storm she knew was about to break. Maya was determined not to be caught unprepared.Helena’s Calculated MovesMaya found Helena in the sitting room, seated gracefully with a newspaper folded in her lap. The older woman’s composure was as immaculate as ever, her sharp eyes lifting to meet Maya’s as she entered.“Maya,” Helena said smoothly. “What an early start for you. Planning something?”Maya forced a polite smile. “Just preparing for the day. There’s a lot to think about.”Helena arched a brow, her smile faint. “Indeed. Preparation is key in our world. But sometimes, no amount of planning can account for unexpected… complications.”M
Dernière mise à jour : 2024-12-14Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 49
The Moretti estate felt like it was holding its breath, the calm before the inevitable storm. Maya moved through the halls with a newfound determination, her resolve hardened by the knowledge of Helena and Luca’s schemes. Zane had always been her anchor, but now she was determined to be his shield as well.Whatever happened next, she wouldn’t falter.Helena’s Subtle TestMaya found Helena in the conservatory, her presence as poised and commanding as ever. The older woman was tending to the orchids, her every movement deliberate.“Maya,” Helena greeted, her tone smooth. “I was wondering when you might stop by. Care to join me?”Maya hesitated, then stepped closer. “Of course.”Helena gestured to a nearby chair, her gaze sharp despite her pleasant smile. “You’ve been keeping busy lately. I do hope you’re not overexerting yourself. The stress of family matters can be… taxing.”Maya met Helena’s gaze evenly, refusing to show any sign of weakness. “I’m managing just fine. In fact, I find t
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The aftermath of Luca and Donovan’s arrest sent shockwaves through the Moretti estate. News spread quickly, both within the family and beyond. Zane’s decisive action had left no doubt about his power and control, but Maya knew the victory was far from complete.Helena, unshaken by the events, was already laying the groundwork for her next move.Helena’s Thinly Veiled ThreatsMaya found herself face-to-face with Helena the next morning in the estate’s grand library. The older woman was standing by the window, gazing out at the grounds with an air of calculated calm.“You’ve been busy, Maya,” Helena said without turning around.Maya approached cautiously, her voice steady. “I’ve been protecting what matters.”Helena turned, her sharp eyes meeting Maya’s. “You think you’ve won, don’t you? That removing Luca and Donovan from the picture solves everything.”“It’s a start,” Maya said firmly.Helena’s lips curved into a faint smile, though it carried no warmth. “A start, perhaps. But this fa
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The next morning, the air in the Moretti estate was heavy with anticipation. Maya could feel the shift—an invisible crack in the foundation of Helena’s once-unshakable power. With Victor Laird’s documents in their hands, the evidence against Helena was damning, and Zane’s determination to expose her was unrelenting.This time, the battle was on their terms.Zane's Calculated StrategyZane’s office became a war room as he and Alex pored over the documents Victor had provided. Maya sat beside Zane, her nerves taut but her resolve steady.“Helena’s deal with the LaRossa family is all here,” Zane said, his silver eyes scanning the papers. “Bribes, secret payments, and the betrayal that got her former business partner killed. If this gets out, she’ll lose everything.”“But how do we release it without blowing up the family?” Maya asked.Zane leaned back in his chair, his jaw tightening. “We do it strategically. Quietly feed the information to the right people—the press, law enforcement—and
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The fallout from Helena’s scandal sent ripples through the Moretti estate and beyond. News outlets were relentless, dissecting every detail of her connection to the LaRossa family. The once untouchable matriarch of the Moretti empire now found herself at the center of a public storm.Maya watched it all unfold from the suite, the television muted as headline after headline flashed across the screen. She couldn’t help but feel a mix of triumph and unease.“We’ve won this round,” Zane said, standing behind her with his hands on her shoulders. “But Helena won’t take this lying down.”Helena’s CounterattackHelena’s rage burned like wildfire. She locked herself in her study, her mind racing as she plotted her next move. The calls from her former allies had stopped, replaced by silence—a death knell in the world of power and influence.But Helena was far from defeated.Her private investigator returned that evening, presenting her with the results of his work: evidence of financial irregul
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The Moretti estate buzzed with an undercurrent of tension. Despite Maya’s successful interview, the scars of Helena’s attack lingered, and everyone knew that Helena wasn’t finished.Maya sat in the suite, her laptop open as she sifted through articles and social media posts. Reese’s idea to get ahead of the story had worked, but the damage Helena had inflicted on Charles’ reputation had left a bitter taste in her mouth.“Helena’s playing a long game,” Maya said to herself, her resolve hardening. “But so am I.”Helena’s Next MoveHelena sat in her study, her fingers steepled as she contemplated her dwindling options. Maya’s public response had been stronger than she anticipated, and it had rallied public sympathy in her favor.Her phone buzzed, and she answered it without hesitation.“Helena,” the voice on the other end said, low and conspiratorial, “we need to talk. I’ve got something you might find useful.”“Go on,” Helena said, her tone sharp.“There’s someone from Maya’s past. A jo
Dernière mise à jour : 2024-12-18Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 54
The air in the Moretti estate felt heavier after Maya’s meeting with Daniel Cooper. While she had managed to sow doubt in the journalist’s mind, Maya knew better than to think Helena would let him walk away so easily.Helena always had a contingency plan, and Maya braced herself for the next blow.Helena Tightens Her GripIn her study, Helena sat with a glass of wine, her sharp eyes scanning a dossier provided by her contact. The fallout from her previous attacks hadn’t been enough to unseat Zane and Maya, but she had learned one invaluable lesson: Maya wasn’t invincible.Her phone rang, and she answered it with a practiced calm.“Is everything ready?” she asked.“Yes,” her contact replied. “We’ve planted enough to make her look like she’s hiding something. When the media catches wind of it, the pressure will be on her to prove her innocence.”Helena smiled faintly. “Good. And Daniel?”“He’s wavering,” the contact admitted. “But we’ve made arrangements to ensure his cooperation.”“Per
Dernière mise à jour : 2024-12-18Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 55
The rumors spread like wildfire. Maya’s name trended on social media, accompanied by vague accusations and speculation about her past. Though nothing substantial had been released yet, the damage had begun. Doubt had a way of creeping in, even without evidence.Maya stood in Zane’s office, her hands clenched as she stared at the headlines on his computer screen.“Who Really Is Maya Davis? Whispers of a Hidden Past Resurface.”“They’re relentless,” Maya muttered, her voice trembling with anger. “Helena’s playing with fire.”Zane’s silver eyes hardened as he closed the laptop. “This ends now.”An Uneasy CalmThe following morning, Maya braced herself as she descended the grand staircase. The estate felt quieter than usual, as though everyone was watching and waiting for her reaction.She spotted Helena in the sitting room, sipping her tea as though she hadn’t turned Maya’s life into a public spectacle. Their eyes met briefly, and for a moment, Maya thought she saw the faintest flicker o
Dernière mise à jour : 2024-12-18
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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“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
