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CHAPTER 55

Author: Joe Honey
last update Last Updated: 2024-12-18 00:31:13

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 Calm

The 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
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    The calm before the next storm felt deceptive. Maya could feel it lingering like static in the air, charging every interaction, every silent glance in the Moretti estate. Zane had secured Daniel’s cooperation, but it wasn’t over. Maya knew Helena wasn’t someone who let betrayal slide without consequences.Maya’s instincts told her Helena’s next move would be swift and brutal.Zane’s WarningZane paced the length of the study, his jaw clenched as he spoke to Alex over the phone. Maya watched him, leaning against the desk, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.“I don’t care how you do it, Alex. Double the security around the estate. I want eyes on everyone Helena contacts. She’s up to something, and this time I don’t want her catching us off guard.”He ended the call and turned to Maya, his silver eyes flashing with restrained anger. “She won’t stop. You know that, right?”“I know,” Maya replied quietly. “Helena doesn’t accept defeat.”Zane stepped closer, placing his hands on her sh

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    The next morning, Helena Moretti’s carefully constructed empire was crumbling around her. Headlines filled the media, detailing her smear campaigns, bribery, and questionable dealings. Allies she had once considered unshakable were pulling away, eager to distance themselves from the fallout.But Maya knew better than to celebrate too soon. A cornered animal was the most dangerous, and Helena—proud, cunning, and ruthless—wouldn’t go down without a final fight.The Estate TensionMaya felt the tension in the air as she descended the grand staircase. The staff moved quietly, their expressions wary, as though they too could sense the looming conflict.She found Zane in the sunroom, speaking in low tones to Alex. The two men looked up as she entered, and she could see the tightness in Zane’s shoulders.“What’s happening?” Maya asked, her voice steady despite the growing knot in her stomach.“Helena’s quiet,” Zane said, his silver eyes narrowing. “Too quiet. She hasn’t responded to the pres

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    The Moretti estate buzzed with activity as Zane and Maya prepared their counterattack. The legal and PR teams worked around the clock, combing through records to expose Helena’s lies and dismantle the fabricated narrative she’d unleashed. Maya, though steady on the surface, felt the weight of the battle in every breath. Helena’s latest move had targeted not just her reputation but her family’s name—a calculated strike meant to fracture her resolve. But Maya wasn’t breaking. ***The Media FrenzyBy mid-morning, the headlines had reached a fever pitch. *“Moretti Scandal: Maya Davis and Family Under Fire for Alleged Corruption.”* Paparazzi gathered outside the estate, their cameras flashing incessantly at anyone who entered or left. The media frenzy fed on itself, spinning Helena’s fake documents into a storm of speculation and suspicion. Maya sat with Reese in one of the smaller sitting rooms, scrolling through the endless stream of articles. Her best friend leaned against the sof

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    The calm that settled over the Moretti estate felt unnatural, like the eye of a hurricane. Maya had begun to relax, her trust in Zane’s strength and their shared resilience solidifying. But the quieter things became, the more she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was brewing, just out of sight.Helena had gone silent, and that alone was unsettling.A Ripple in the CalmMaya was in the garden, the crisp morning air offering a rare moment of peace. She ran her fingers along the petals of a white rose, letting the simplicity of the moment steady her nerves.Reese appeared at her side, her presence comforting as always. “You seem lost in thought,” Reese said.Maya glanced at her friend and smiled faintly. “Just trying to enjoy the quiet while it lasts.”Reese smirked. “With Helena in the picture, quiet never lasts long.”Maya’s smile faded as her fingers paused on a thorn. “Do you think she’s really done? That we’ve beaten her?”Reese sighed. “Helena’s too proud to let this go. If

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    The tension in the Moretti estate had shifted from a smoldering undercurrent to an oppressive weight, heavy with anticipation. Every member of the household seemed to move more carefully, their steps quieter, their gazes more cautious. Helena’s message had rattled everyone, but Zane refused to let it take root.For Maya, the stakes had never been higher. It wasn’t just about her reputation or her place in the Moretti family anymore. Helena’s grasp on her father’s company was a new kind of leverage—one that threatened the fragile stability Maya’s family had managed to maintain.Helena’s Shadow LoomsTwo days later, Alex brought news that made Maya’s heart sink.“We’ve confirmed Helena’s ties to the DeLuca family,” Alex said during a meeting in Zane’s study. “The connection is subtle—hidden behind multiple layers of shell companies and intermediaries—but it’s there. She’s aligning herself with them for financial backing and influence.”Zane sat behind his desk, his silver eyes blazing w

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  • Bound by the Billionaire's Claim   CHAPTER 61

    The silence in the Moretti estate was deceptive, a brittle veneer over the storm brewing beneath. Despite Zane’s reassurances and the work his team was doing to counter Helena’s schemes, Maya couldn’t shake the tension that clung to the air. Helena’s alliance with the DeLuca family, once a vague threat, now loomed over them like a shadow.Maya sat in the suite, her hands wrapped around a cup of tea that had long gone cold. Reese was beside her, scrolling through the endless cycle of headlines and updates that seemed intent on spinning lies into truth.“They’re doubling down on this narrative,” Reese said, her voice sharp as she handed Maya her phone.Maya read the latest article, her stomach twisting.“Marriage of Convenience? Maya Davis’ Desperate Bid to Secure Power in the Moretti Family.”The insinuations were relentless, each one crafted to chip away at her character, her family’s name, and her marriage to Zane.“I can’t believe people are buying into this,” Maya murmured, her voi

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    The following morning dawned with an unnatural stillness that settled over the Moretti estate like a thick fog. Maya awoke to find Zane already out of bed, his side cool to the touch. She found him in his study, the faint glow of his computer screen illuminating his sharp features.“Couldn’t sleep?” Maya asked, leaning against the doorframe.Zane looked up, his silver eyes meeting hers. “Something’s coming. I can feel it.”Maya stepped closer, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Helena won’t stop until she’s torn everything apart. We need to be ready.”Zane nodded, his jaw tightening. “We will be.”A Disturbing RevelationBy mid-morning, Alex arrived with news that sent a chill through the room. He laid a thin folder on Zane’s desk, his expression grave.“This just came in from our contact in Europe,” Alex said. “Helena’s alliance with the DeLucas is deeper than we thought. She’s been using Moretti Corps assets to funnel money into their operations. But it’s not just financial.”“What el

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    The jet hummed softly as it soared above the Atlantic, its sleek interior a stark contrast to the tension that filled the cabin. Maya sat by the window, her fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns on the armrest. Across from her, Zane and Alex were locked in conversation, their voices low but firm.Reese, seated beside Maya, leaned closer. “You doing okay?”Maya nodded, though the knot in her stomach told a different story. “I’m just trying to focus. This feels bigger than anything we’ve dealt with before.”Reese offered a reassuring smile. “You’ve been through worse, Maya. And you’ve come out stronger every time. Don’t let Helena get inside your head.”Maya managed a small smile, but her thoughts drifted to the challenges ahead. Naples wasn’t just a city—it was a battleground.Arriving in NaplesThe team landed under the cover of night, their arrival carefully planned to avoid attention. Alex had arranged for transportation, and they were swiftly whisked away to a discreet hotel near

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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

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    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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    “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

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