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Chapter 8: Secrets in the Shadows
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2024-10-18 01:21:23Related chapters
Bound to the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 9: Temptation and Rescue
Adrian’s POVThe moment I stepped into that room, everything in me went cold. Emily lay crumpled on the floor, drugged and defenseless, her palms were red from banging on the door for so long.And the tears in her eyes."Oh God. That bastard made her cry."Fury boiled in my veins, but I pushed it down. For now, I had one priority: getting her out of here. she didn't look okay and something about the way the sleeve of her dinner dress had fallen off her shoulder was messing my reasoning up.I had taken her shopping and gotten her the best of the best, but knowing that that bastard Nathan had seen her in it, held her in it, made me want to smash his skull.I knelt beside her, my heart twisting at the sight of her glassy eyes and trembling lips. “Emily,are you okay? where did he hit you?” I whispered as I noticed the extra slur in her tone and the way she was breathing like she was gasping for air.Lifting her gently into my arms. Her body felt so fragile against mine, yet the heat of her
Last Updated : 2024-10-18Bound to the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 10: After Last Night, He Is A 10
Emily’s POVI woke to the soft glow of unfamiliar sunlight streaming through the large window, the silken sheets beneath me smooth and cool against my skin. A gentle ache pulsed in my head, the unmistakable remnants of last night’s events. For a moment, I forgot where I was. Blinking against the light, I slowly took in my surroundings—the room, with its sleek, minimalistic design, was nothing like mine. The walls were a cold, soft gray, and the faint scent of expensive cologne lingered in the air.Where am I?And then it hit me—Adrian. The gala. The scene with Nathan. Everything came flooding back in waves, tightening my chest as I pulled myself up. I immediately noticed the soft nightwear clinging to my body, a shiver running through me. I hadn't been wearing this last night.Panic bubbled up. Did we—?I jumped out of bed, my feet sinking into the plush carpet, only to wince at the sudden throb of my hangover. A glass of water and a hangover remedy sat conveniently on the nightstand,
Last Updated : 2024-10-18Bound to the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 11: Uncharted Calls
Emily's POVThe sound of my phone buzzing echoed through the room, jolting me from my thoughts as I made my way upstairs. It was strange. I hadn’t seen it earlier when I’d woken up, and now it sat on the edge of the bedside table, vibrating with an unfamiliar urgency.The ringtone filled the air, “I’m a rockstar, I’m a rockstar, it’s not hype-hype, baby, make you rock-hard,” and I couldn’t help but hum along, swaying my hips slightly to the beat. Lisa from Blackpink, I thought with a small smile. “God, she’s my favorite,” I murmured to myself as I danced to the song for a few more beats, caught up in the moment.Without thinking, I picked up the call mid-chorus, too engrossed in the music to realize what I was doing. The voice on the other end pulled me out of my reverie like a bucket of cold water.“Emily? Oh my God, where have you been? I’ve been trying to reach you!” Claire’s panicked voice filled my ear.My heart stopped, the phone slipping from my hand and bouncing off the bed. Th
Last Updated : 2024-10-18Bound to the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 12 - Don't pick the phone
Emily's POV“I’ll be fine,” I reassured her, even though I wasn’t entirely sure I believed it myself. “Just… promise me you’ll keep this between us.” I needed to assure her more, so I told her more about how Camille might be more involved and how it might be dangerous to fly with her pregnancy and the fact that Camille had more international connections that she possibly did."Man! This is too much. Is it now an offence to marry and trust the man you fell in love with?" She wondered ad remembering her emotional sensitivity because of her pregnancy and the fact that her boyfriend was still in the military made me rush to comfort her."He would never do that. He loves you," I reminded and after a moment of silence, I heard her sigh and mutter a "thanks"Claire cursed under her breath, spitting a few choice words about Nathan and Camille, which almost made me laugh. It was nice to know someone was on my side, even if I couldn’t tell her the full truth. She even offered to dig up whatever
Last Updated : 2024-10-18Bound to the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 13 - One person who really cares
Emily’s POVThe phone clicked silent, but my heart continued racing. Claire’s words lingered in my mind, her fierce loyalty a balm to my frayed nerves. I shouldn’t have picked up. Adrian’s stern warning was still ringing in my ears, but what choice did I have? Claire was like a sister to me, and keeping her in the dark felt wrong.It was like I had to make a decision between my saviour and my friend. It’s a difficult decision to make, so the compromise was very much necessary.My chest tightened as I thought of Adrian’s face when he’d find out I’d disobeyed him.Because as much as I tried to ignore it, Adrian Blackwood was becoming something more than just my protector. I shook my head, trying to dispel the thoughts that made my pulse quicken. No, it was just the situation, the proximity, the danger—nothing more. Or at least, that’s what I kept telling myself.But he was both infuriating and magnetic so I almost can’t help the confusion.With a sigh,I got off the bed and was about to
Last Updated : 2024-10-19Bound to the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 14 - Adrian's Delimma
Adrian’s POVI ended the call with Emily, rubbing a hand over my face. I should’ve known she’d pick up the phone for her best friend. Emily had always been too trusting, too soft-hearted. It was part of what made her so vulnerable, and it was also why she needed someone like me. I didn’t have the luxury of letting emotions cloud my judgment. This was business—nothing more.But despite myself, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. The sound of her voice over the phone, that hint of worry, tugged at something in me. A part I’d long buried. I shouldn’t care, but I did. Last night, when I’d carried her upstairs, my grip around her had been too tight, too possessive. She’d looked so small, so fragile in my arms, but there was a fire in her too, one that was beginning to stir something inside me.A knock interrupted my thoughts. Vincent strolled in, calm but with an edge to his movements. He tossed a file onto my desk, his expression more serious than usual.“More on Nathan,” he said simply.I
Last Updated : 2024-10-19Bound to the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 15 - The Counterattack
Emily's POV The tension in the air was palpable as I sat in front of my laptop, my hands trembling slightly as I typed out the final lines of the exposé. With Claire’s help, we had gathered enough evidence to publicly ruin Nathan. His illicit dealings, offshore accounts, and connections to shady businessmen—everything was laid out clearly, ready to be unleashed into the world.It wasn’t just about revenge anymore; it was about reclaiming my life.Claire had worked her media connections, ensuring that the article would make waves the moment it was published. The clock on the screen counted down the seconds. My heart pounded louder with each tick. This was it.“Nathan’s going to see this and panic,” Claire’s voice buzzed through the speakerphone. “Are you sure you’re ready?”I took a deep breath, closing my eyes to steady myself. “I’m ready. He deserves everything that’s coming to him.”Claire’s excitement was palpable. “Once this hits the media, it’s over for him. I hope you’re watchin
Last Updated : 2024-10-19Bound to the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 16: The Hacker and Gerald Sauveterre
Adrian’s POVThe office was quiet, the ticking of the clock the only sound that filled the room as I leaned back in my chair. I had booked the entire top floor of my building for this meeting. We couldn’t afford any slip-ups. I wasn’t about to let Camille slip through my fingers again.Vincent sat across from me, his arms crossed, his gaze shifting toward the door every few seconds. “You sure about this guy?” he muttered, his brow furrowed. “Hackers aren’t exactly the most trustworthy lot.”I glanced at him, eyes narrowed. “He’s the best there is. I don’t pay for half measures.”Vincent sighed, his fingers drumming against the arm of his chair. “Still, you’re taking this pretty damn personally, Adrian. It’s not just business anymore, is it?”The question grated at me, striking a nerve I hadn’t even acknowledged until now. I stiffened, shooting Vincent a warning glance. “It’s always business, Vincent. Don’t mistake my actions for something else.”Vincent leaned forward, his voice low.
Last Updated : 2024-10-20
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Bound to the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 31 - Larry’s POV
Larry's POVI never saw it coming—the sharp crack of bone that echoed through the room, a sound so foreign yet unmistakably mine. Pain flared up my leg, an incandescent burst of white-hot agony that blotted out thought and breath. I crumpled to the cold, hard ground, gasping, clutching at the shattered limb as if sheer will could piece it back together.“Damn it, Larry,” Vincent’s voice cut through the haze, cold and commanding. “You really should watch your step.”His words were laced with fury and satisfaction, a combination that made my stomach churn as much as the pain in my leg did. I bit down a groan, my breaths coming shallow and fast. Sweat pooled on my brow, and the room spun like a cruel carnival ride.“You didn’t have to do this,” I rasped, the words barely escaping through clenched teeth. My voice trembled, lacking conviction even as I spoke.Vincent crouched beside me, his face a mask of barely restrained rage. “Didn’t have to?” he echoed, his voice low and dangerous. “You
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Vincent’s POVThe moment the hacker delivered the final batch of files, I knew Mirabel’s reign of terror was over. Nine hours was all it took for her carefully constructed image to shatter. Years of deceit, manipulation, and cruelty now sat neatly categorized in front of me—subtle, strong, explosive.I leaned back in my chair, staring at the screen as the weight of the evidence settled over me. Bank transfers tied to bribery. Screenshots of threats she’d sent to assistants she bullied into silence. Even a recorded confession from one of her ex-managers, who detailed the torment she’d put him through before driving him to a breakdown. And then there were the videos.They were the kind of content no PR team could spin, the kind that would obliterate every shred of credibility she had left. Explicit. Damning. Ugly.I should have felt disgusted—or maybe even pity—but all I felt was cold, unrelenting anger.“Vincent?” Claire’s voice pulled me back. She was sitting on the couch, her legs cu
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Claire’s POVExhaustion weighed heavily on me, my body begging for rest, but my mind refused to grant it. My eyelids drooped as I sat on the edge of the bed, my hand resting protectively over my belly. Vincent was pacing in front of me, his phone in one hand, a glass of water in the other. He had been trying to convince me to sleep for over an hour, but how could I close my eyes with so much at stake?“They said ten hours,” I muttered, shaking my head. “Ten hours, Vincent. That’s a lifetime right now.”“You’ll make yourself sick,” he countered, kneeling before me. He placed the glass in my hand and cupped my cheek with his other. His gaze was soft, yet determined. “Claire, please. Trust me. We’re almost there.”I wanted to believe him, but the knot in my stomach wouldn’t unravel. “I can’t. Not until this is over. Not until Mirabel’s lies are exposed, and she can’t hurt us anymore.” My voice cracked, and I hated how vulnerable I sounded.Vincent’s thumb brushed against my cheek, wiping
Bound to the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 28: Mirabel’s POV
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Bound to the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 27 - Claire's POV
Claire's POVThe moment Emily and Adrian left, the tension in the air felt almost suffocating. I was still processing the mess from earlier when something unexpected happened. It started with a faint sound—like the rustling of dozens of people gathering—and then it grew louder. By the time I made it to the window, I could see the crowd forming outside the gates, a sea of reporters, paparazzi, and random strangers pushing forward, trying to get in.I froze. Panic surged through me. I wasn’t sure what to do.Vincent, however, was on it in an instant. His phone rang with the speed of someone who had already anticipated this move. He snapped a few words into it, and within minutes, a team of security arrived. The scene outside was chaos, but it didn’t take long for the reporters to be pushed out of the way.Vincent had everything under control. And somehow, that made the whole situation feel even worse. The idea that I was trapped here—while he was orchestrating everything—only added to t
