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CHAPTER 90
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-01-06 23:10:06
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Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 91
The suite was quieter than usual, the team absorbing the gravity of Jeremy’s confession. Alex sat in the corner, cross-referencing the information Jeremy had given with Camilla’s data, while Reese paced near the window, her brows furrowed in thought.Maya sat on the couch, her legs curled beneath her, watching Zane. His silver eyes were focused as he reviewed the layout of the east-side warehouse, a plan forming in his mind.“You’re going after her, aren’t you?” Maya asked softly.Zane looked up, his expression softening when he met her gaze. “It’s the only way to stop this.”Maya’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I want to come with you.”“No,” Zane said immediately, his voice firm. “It’s too dangerous.”“You can’t keep shielding me from everything,” Maya said, her green eyes flashing. “This fight involves me, Zane. Helena’s targeting me because she thinks I’m your weakness. Let me prove her wrong.”Zane hesitated, torn between his instinct to protect her and the respect he had for h
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-06Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 92
The morning after the showdown at the warehouse was quiet, almost unnaturally so. The suite was still, the tension that had gripped everyone for weeks finally beginning to ease.Maya sat by the window, cradling a cup of tea as she stared out at the city. The sunlight streaming through the glass felt different today—softer, warmer, like a promise of a better tomorrow.Zane stepped into the room, his silver eyes immediately finding her. He moved to her side, resting a hand on her shoulder. “How are you feeling?”Maya looked up at him, her green eyes reflecting a mix of relief and exhaustion. “Like I can finally breathe again.”Zane nodded, his expression softening. “Helena’s in custody. Her network is dismantled. It’s over, Maya. You’re safe.”Maya leaned into his touch, her voice quiet. “I know. But I still feel like there’s so much to rebuild. Trust. Stability. Us.”Zane crouched beside her, taking her hand in his. “We’ll rebuild it all. Together.”---A Moment of ReflectionThe rest
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-07Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 93
The air was lighter in the suite, the tension that had loomed over them for so long now dissipating. Maya found herself smiling more, even laughing at Reese’s jokes as they packed away the remnants of the dinner from the night before.Zane had left early for a meeting with his legal team, ensuring the aftermath of Helena’s fall was handled smoothly. Maya, however, decided to take the morning for herself, something she hadn’t done in what felt like forever.She stood on the balcony, sipping her tea as the city hummed below her. The crescent moon necklace Zane had given her rested against her collarbone, a constant reminder of how far they’d come.“You look deep in thought,” Reese said, stepping onto the balcony with her own cup of coffee.Maya smiled faintly. “I guess I am. For the first time in months, I’m thinking about the future instead of just surviving the present.”Reese nudged her playfully. “That’s a good thing, Maya. So, what’s the plan? You and Zane jetting off to some tropi
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-07Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 94
The suite was calm the next morning, the kind of quiet that signaled a new chapter in their lives. Maya stood in the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared breakfast. Her hands moved on instinct, flipping pancakes while her mind wandered.The encounter with Jeremy lingered in her thoughts, but instead of anger or frustration, she felt a sense of closure. He was a part of her past, a mistake she had learned from. Now, she could finally focus on the life she was building with Zane.Zane entered the kitchen, his silver eyes softening when he saw her. “You’re up early.”Maya smiled, gesturing to the pancakes. “I thought we deserved something special. No chaos, no drama, just… breakfast.”Zane stepped behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. “That sounds perfect.”---Planning the EscapeAs they ate, Zane brought up the idea of their getaway again.“I’ve been thinking,” he said, sipping his coffee. “A place by the sea. Quiet, private, somewhere we can just… be.”Maya smiled, her gr
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-07Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 95
The Amalfi Coast shimmered under the morning sun, the golden light casting a warm glow over the villa. Maya woke to the sound of the waves crashing gently against the cliffs below, her heart lighter than it had been in months.She turned to see Zane still asleep beside her, his silver eyes closed, his features soft and unguarded. She allowed herself a moment to admire him, marveling at how far they’d come.Zane stirred, his eyes opening slowly. When they landed on her, a faint smile tugged at his lips. “Good morning.”“Good morning,” Maya replied, leaning down to press a kiss to his forehead.“Is it just me, or does this place feel like a dream?” Zane asked, his voice still husky with sleep.“It’s real,” Maya said, her green eyes shining. “And it’s ours.”---Exploring the TownAfter a leisurely breakfast, they decided to explore the nearby town. The narrow streets were lined with colorful buildings, their balconies adorned with blooming flowers. The scent of citrus and freshly baked
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-08Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 96
The mornings on the Amalfi Coast were nothing short of magical. The sunlight filtering through the sheer curtains of the villa’s bedroom was warm and inviting, and the soft hum of the waves was a far cry from the chaos that once dominated Zane and Maya’s lives.Maya sat on the edge of the bed, brushing her hair as she admired the peaceful view outside. The crescent moon necklace Zane had gifted her gleamed faintly against her collarbone, catching the morning light.Zane entered the room with two steaming cups of coffee, placing one on the nightstand beside her. “I thought you could use this,” he said, sitting next to her.She smiled, taking the cup gratefully. “You’re spoiling me.”“I think I owe you a lifetime of that,” Zane replied, his silver eyes softening.---An Unexpected LetterThe peace of their morning was interrupted when a courier arrived at the villa, handing Zane an envelope sealed with an unfamiliar crest.Maya watched curiously as Zane broke the seal, his brow furrowin
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-08Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 97
The drive back to the villa was quiet, but it wasn’t the kind of silence that felt heavy or awkward. Instead, it was filled with reflection and a newfound sense of connection. Zane kept one hand on the steering wheel while his other hand rested on Maya’s, his thumb brushing her knuckles absently.“You’re unusually quiet,” Maya said softly, breaking the silence.“I’m still processing,” Zane admitted, his silver eyes flicking to hers briefly. “Meeting Elena… it’s like finding a part of myself I didn’t know was missing.”“She’s a lot like you,” Maya said, smiling faintly. “Strong, guarded, but kind underneath it all.”Zane chuckled, the sound low and warm. “Guarded, huh? I suppose that’s fair.”Maya tilted her head, studying him. “Do you think you’ll see her again?”“I hope so,” Zane said, his tone sincere. “She’s family, Maya. And after everything with Helena, I’ve realized how important it is to hold on to the people who matter.”---A Quiet EveningBy the time they returned to the vil
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-08Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 98
The jet hummed softly as it soared through the sky, its cabin filled with a quiet tension. Maya leaned back in her seat, her hand resting protectively on her bump, while Zane sat beside her, his silver eyes fixed on the documents Camilla had provided before their departure.“I’ve cross-referenced the threats against Elena with what we know about Helena’s remaining allies,” Camilla had said before they left. “It’s not definitive, but there are still operatives who haven’t been accounted for. If they’re going after her, they might see her as leverage against you.”“Helena’s operatives or not, they’ll regret trying to mess with my family,” Zane had replied, his voice cold and steady.Now, as the miles passed beneath them, Maya reached over, lacing her fingers with Zane’s. “We’ll handle this, Zane. Just like we always do.”He glanced at her, his expression softening. “I know. But this feels different. Elena’s not ready for this world—it’s not fair to pull her into it.”Maya smiled faintly
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-09
Bab terbaru
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
Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 227
It was dark in her study, Maya realized, as she sat at the mahogany desk with her fingers hooked over the side, going in circles. The weight of their decision sat heavy in her ribs, smothering, but also electric. They were heading into a war they had no guarantee of winning. And yet, there they were, opting to attack first.His face unreadable, Zane stood at the window, his silver eyes riveted to the line of the city skyline. He was like a soldier prepped for the fight, his body still, his mind a flurry of adjustments.Maya exhaled. “You really think this is going to work?Zane didn’t turn around. “It has to.”Maya leaned forward, resting her elbows on the desk. “That’s not an answer.”Zane finally looked, and his eyes were keen. “Doubting it before we even get started isn’t either.Maya clenched her jaw. “I’m not doubting it. I’m being realistic. Gabriel isn’t Julian. He’s smarter. More connected. If we falter if we allow even a split in this plan he’ll rip us apart before we can eve
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
