Share

CHAPTER 62

Author: Joe Honey
last update Last Updated: 2024-12-22 01:32:45

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 Revelation

By 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
Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App
Locked Chapter

Related chapters

  • Bound by the Billionaire's Claim   CHAPTER 63

    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

    Last Updated : 2024-12-22
  • Bound by the Billionaire's Claim   CHAPTER 64

    The darkness in Naples felt oppressive as Maya stared out the hotel window. The streets below were alive with the hum of nightlife, but inside the room, the atmosphere was tense, every shadow a potential threat.Behind her, Zane paced, his phone pressed to his ear as he barked orders to Alex. Maya couldn’t hear the other end of the conversation, but Zane’s clipped tone was enough to tell her it wasn’t good.“They’re moving the secondary shipment,” Zane said as he ended the call. “Helena’s trying to bury us before we can expose her.”Maya turned, her pulse quickening. “What does that mean?”“It means we need to act now,” Zane said, his silver eyes blazing. “If she moves that shipment before we release the evidence, she’ll erase the trail connecting her to the DeLucas.”The PlanMinutes later, Alex arrived at their suite, his demeanor grim.“I’ve tracked the shipment,” Alex said, spreading a map across the table. “It’s being loaded onto a private freighter tonight. If we can intercept i

    Last Updated : 2024-12-23
  • Bound by the Billionaire's Claim   CHAPTER 65

    The evidence they’d secured felt like a victory, but Maya knew it was just a step in a much larger war. Back at the hotel, the air buzzed with tension as Alex worked furiously on his laptop, uploading and encrypting the data they’d retrieved from the freighter.Zane stood by the window, his silhouette sharp against the glow of the city lights. Maya sat at the small table with Reese, her mind racing as she tried to process everything that had happened.Reese broke the silence, her tone edged with concern. “We need to go public with this as soon as possible. The longer we wait, the more time Helena has to spin her narrative.”“She’s right,” Maya said, looking up at Zane. “If we don’t act now, she’ll bury this.”Zane turned, his silver eyes steady but cold. “We’ll release the evidence. But not yet. If we move too quickly, we risk exposing our source and tipping Helena off to how much we know.”Maya nodded, though the weight of the delay gnawed at her. Every moment they waited felt like g

    Last Updated : 2024-12-23
  • Bound by the Billionaire's Claim   CHAPTER 66

    The morning light filtered through the hotel room’s curtains, casting soft rays across Maya’s face as she stirred awake. She blinked against the brightness, taking a moment to remember where she was. The tension of the previous days had left her drained, and the promise of another battle loomed heavy.Beside her, Zane was already awake, his silver eyes scanning the tablet in his hands. The sharp lines of his face were softened by the light, and for a moment, Maya allowed herself to just look at him.“Morning,” she murmured, her voice still thick with sleep.Zane glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Morning.”Maya sat up, brushing her hair back as she yawned. “Already working?”“Helena doesn’t take weekends off,” Zane said dryly, setting the tablet aside.Maya chuckled softly. “Maybe she should try yoga or a spa day. It might make her less... evil.”Zane’s laugh was low and warm. “I’d pay to see that.”The light moment between them eased the tension in th

    Last Updated : 2024-12-24
  • Bound by the Billionaire's Claim   CHAPTER 67

    The next morning, the atmosphere in the suite was tense but focused. Zane, Alex, Maya, and Reese gathered around the table, reviewing the evidence they’d retrieved and planning their next steps.Zane’s silver eyes scanned the documents in front of him, his jaw tight. “We have enough to prove Helena’s connection to the DeLucas and the smuggling operation. But Luca’s involvement complicates things. He’s not just running errands for her—he’s building his own game.”Maya frowned, her fingers tracing the edge of the table. “What could he possibly gain from this? If Helena goes down, won’t he go down with her?”Alex leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. “Not if he’s planning to betray her. Luca’s always resented Zane for being named the head of Moretti Corps. Aligning with Helena might be his way of destabilizing Zane’s position, but turning on her at the right moment could give him the leverage to take control himself.”Reese scoffed. “So, he’s playing both sides. Typical sn

    Last Updated : 2024-12-24
  • Bound by the Billionaire's Claim   CHAPTER 68

    Helena sat in her villa, the golden light of sunset streaming through the large windows. A glass of wine sat untouched on the table in front of her as she stared at the screen of her tablet, rage flickering across her face.The news was everywhere. Zane Moretti had released a damning report, complete with financial records and internal memos, exposing her connections to the DeLucas and the smuggling operation. It was a masterpiece of strategy—precise, detailed, and impossible to dismiss.“Helena Moretti Exposed: Smuggling and Corporate Espionage Tied to the DeLuca Family.”“Zane Moretti’s Counterattack: A Crushing Blow to the Former Matriarch.”Helena’s phone buzzed, and she snatched it up, answering without looking at the caller ID.“Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” Alessandro DeLuca’s voice was cold, his fury barely contained. “This report ties my family to your incompetence. Do you realize what this means for us?”“Calm down,” Helena said, though her voice trembled slightly.

    Last Updated : 2024-12-25
  • Bound by the Billionaire's Claim   CHAPTER 69

    The Moretti boardroom was a place Zane had come to command with authority, but today, the air was different. Tension crackled like static, each board member shifting uneasily in their chairs as they waited for the meeting to begin.Maya watched from a private viewing room just outside, her green eyes narrowing as she took in the anxious faces of the people who held Zane’s fate in their hands. Beside her, Alex and Reese monitored the live feed, their expressions grim.“She timed this perfectly,” Alex muttered, his jaw tight. “The board was already uneasy with the fallout from her smuggling operation. Now she’s trying to tip them over the edge.”Maya glanced at him. “What’s in the envelope she sent them?”Reese snorted. “Probably another pile of lies. The woman’s entire strategy is built on fabricating evidence and creating chaos.”Maya clenched her fists, her chest tightening with frustration. “Zane can handle this. He has to.”Helena’s BombshellInside the boardroom, Zane stood at the

    Last Updated : 2024-12-25
  • Bound by the Billionaire's Claim   CHAPTER 70

    The streets of Naples were quiet as Maya and Zane left the Moretti board meeting. Their private car wove through the city, the distant hum of the city’s nightlife a backdrop to the tense silence between them.Maya sat close to Zane, their fingers intertwined, but the weight of what had just transpired lingered heavily in the air. She broke the silence first.“They’ll come around,” she said softly, glancing at Zane.He stared out the window, his silver eyes reflecting the city lights. “They’ll have no choice once the audit proves our case. But Helena’s playing a different game now. She’s going to escalate.”Maya’s grip on his hand tightened. “Then we escalate too.”Zane turned to her, his gaze softening. “You’re starting to sound like me.”She smirked faintly. “Maybe I’ve been spending too much time with you.”Reese’s RevelationBack at the hotel, Reese was pacing the living room when they returned, her phone pressed to her ear. She ended the call abruptly when she saw them, her expres

    Last Updated : 2024-12-26

Latest chapter

  • 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

Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status