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Chapter 14: A Taste of Vulnerability
Huling Na-update:
2025-03-12 14:36:45
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Claiming the billionaire ceo genius baby Chapter 15: The Chains of Fate
Alistair's voice pierced the quiet, low and merciless, "I told you to stay out of it." The words came out as a directive, as though he expected her to turn in. "Your battle is not this one." Though Belle's heart accelerated, she refused to turn around. His comments lacked the ability to terrify her any more. He had no say on what she might or could not do. "I'm not afraid of you, Alistair," she responded, her voice firm but somewhat rebellious. Though she could sense his wrath boiling behind her, she would not be intimidated. Alistair's breath stopped, and in the dark corridor there was just the sound of their breathing momentarily. He trailed just a few feet behind her, his weight nearly stifling. You should be, he said softly. But Belle wanted no more fear. She was not the lady he had sought to break or the one he had fled years ago. No, she would stay her ground this time. Whether he was chilly, remote, or enraged, she didn't give a damn. She turned to meet him. Though his sil
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-12Claiming the billionaire ceo genius baby Chapter 16: A Trap Set in Gold.
Sitting around the table, the board members watched her; some were curious, some dubious. Seated at the head of the table, Alistair looked not upward. His expression as impenetrable as always, his posture was stiff. She was not here for him though. She was here to convince herself she belonged. She could go above the murmurs that trailed after her every stride, the uncertainty hovering over her action. She offered her idea, a creative approach to increase the online portfolio of the business. Belle spoke with assurance, every statement deliberates, every concept more interesting than the next. Except for the sporadic tapping of pens against paper as the board members took down notes, the room was quiet. There was a moment of astonished quiet just before she finished. The board members then turned one by one, their expressions moving from incredulity to appreciation. Belle's suggestion was wise. The concepts were original, audacious, exactly what Kensington Enterprises needed to keep
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-14Claiming the billionaire ceo genius baby Chapter 17: Secrets in the Shadows
She almost ran into a man in basic navy shirt and pants as she turned the bend. Dark-haired and with a quiet professionalism, he was shorter than Alistair. Still, his eyes revealed another picture. Behind them was something strong, something not fit for this modern, polished edifice. "Mrs. Madrigal??" The man spoke in a low, almost quiet voice, as though he may be overheard. Certainly? Belle hesitated, perplexed by his abrupt presence. He looked unlike one of the security guards, and his casual clothes stood out from the neat suits of the Kensington personnel. "I'm Julian," he said, his face inscrutable. "My line of employment is IT. From looking over your file, I understand what happened. He looked over his shoulder to be sure nobody else was listening. "Miss Madrigal, someone put those files there. And you were not among them. Belle felt her pulse speed up. "What?" Are you sure? Julian nodded sadly. Though I lack all the specifics, I have been running server log diagnostics. Th
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-14Claiming the billionaire ceo genius baby Chapter 18: A Glimpse of the Past
"Miss Madrigal," he said softly but urgently. "You shouldn't depart yet." Belle stopped dead still, glancing about naturally. "why? What do you imply?" The butler's gaze flicked uncomfortably over his shoulder then he moved forward. "The Kensingtons cover things. Events darker than you are aware of." Her pulse accelerated and a cold crawled down her spine. Her voice tight with discomfort, she questioned, "What are you talking about?" He bent in, his breath hardly audible as he whispered. "Do you find out what happened to Alistair's sister?" Her heart skipped. Such a person was unheard of to her. Isla Alistair's mother had always seemed to be the matriarch; her influence was overwhelming. A sister, though? The riddle grew more complex, and the butler's eyes clearly showed worry. "What happened to her??" Belle pressed, now driven by a terrible curiosity. The butler hesitated even though his lips parted as if he wanted to speak more. Then he replied, in a voice hardly above a whis
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-14Claiming the billionaire ceo genius baby Chapter 19: An Old Flame Returns
"Belle," he said, his voice low and silky. It has been far too long. She battled to keep her calm and swallowed. "What are you doing here, Bernard? " Her voice came out more steadily than she had anticipated, but as it swept a lock of hair off her face, her hand trembled. Bernard's lips curved into a known smile that had once melted her heart. Belle, I have been searching for you. I never paused. She felt the words strike her like a stomach-punch. Searching for her, he had been Why exactly now? Once all these years have passed? A harsh voice sliced across the room before she could reply. So, oh, well. Look who's returned; Evangeline stood at the doorway grinning smugly on her face. Her eyes furrowed as they passed between Bernard and Belle. Belle straightened; her back straight as she turned to meet Evangeline. She felt the usual sense of rivalry flickering inside her; she had not seen this tension still present. But the fact that Bernard was back worried Evangeline more than he
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-14Claiming the billionaire ceo genius baby Chapter 20: A War of Hearts
Alistair, you ought never to have kissed her. With narrowed eyes and a deadly smile curling her lips, Evangeline stood at the threshold. Her voice clearly carried malice, and the strain between them was strong enough to cut right through. When Belle saw Evangeline, her stomach turned like a sharp knife pressed to the incision Alistair had just opened in her heart. "You'll regret this," Evangeline said in a whisper but with great force. Alistair stiffly stood; his jaw tightened. "It's not your concern, Evangeline," he shot, his voice slicing across the room like a razor. You never will and you do not own me. Alistair's voice was frigid, meant for Evangeline rather than Belle at this point, yet the words hung thick in the air, as though he were attempting to persuade himself more than anybody else. Anger, uncertainty, frustration, a tsunami of feeling, pounded Belle through. She had never felt this exposed, this vulnerable in front of anyone, and most definitely not in front of Alis
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-14Claiming the billionaire ceo genius baby Chapter 21: A Close Call
Icy spoken, he said to the executive, "Excuse me." We will have to carry on with this later. A jolt of fire rushed through her shoulder, robbing her breath. The agony was acute, perhaps too acute. Her breath seized and for a little moment she couldn't even grasp what had occurred. The only thing she could sense was the excruciating heat sweeping across her body like wildfire. Her eyesight wavered, her legs turning to jelly under her, and she gasped. Her knees gave way. Unable to prevent herself from falling, she slowly fell to the ground. Her fingers sought for anything to grasp, but the glossy marble floor was too far. The jagged edge of the floor gnawed into her skin as her body fell like a ragdoll. Though there was something more awful, something different, the bullet's agony was blinding. The chill of the floor penetrated her, but it was not strong enough to dull the suffering gnawing at her head. Gasping and fighting for breath, her chest heaving with the strain and her pulse
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-31Claiming the billionaire ceo genius baby Chapter 22: A Life in the Balance
"She's stable for now," the doctor stated gently, meeting his gaze. The bullet wound is serious, though. She has bled a great deal. The larger issue, then, is her pregnancy. Alistair's gaze grew wide. The infant? The word strange, his voice breaking, like if it didn't belong to him. The doctor shook his head gravely. "She's in danger. We cannot be sure the infant is still viable given the major trauma. Though her situation is serious, we are doing all we can. The room appeared to tilt under him, and he grabbed the wall, the truth of the circumstance crashing over him like a tidal wave. His heart ached like if his actual chest was too tight to contain the breath he was fighting to inhale. His words hardly came out as he said, "Can she... can she survive?" The doctor's expression grew more serious. We are trying our hardest. But at the moment, it's touch and go. She might lose the baby… or worse. Every stride was quick as he took out his phone and down the corridor he strolled. Di
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-31
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Claiming the billionaire ceo genius baby Chapter 30: The Hunt Begins
"Bernard?" Her voice shook and she hardly identified it as her own. Emerging from the darkness into the cabin, he replaced his normal serenity with a jaw stiffness. He was aware of what she lacked. "They've found us," Bernard murmured quietly, almost as if speaking it out loud would make it more real. Showing no signs of panic, he swiftly and methodically collected their belongings. Belle's breath became shallow and her chest constricted. Are you certain? Moving his attention to the little pack in his hands, Bernard ignored her. But his voice was strong. They are approaching closer. We have to go right now. Belle's gaze on the cabin door sent a shiver down her spine. Her thoughts raced: was it Alistair's team or someone else pursuing them? She believed she had purchased enough time. But suddenly, as the sounds of motors got closer, the dread she'd been hiding for so long erupted like a dark tide, rising to consume her whole. Panic made her pulse race. Could she outpace Alistair'
Claiming the billionaire ceo genius baby Chapter 29: Alistair's Awakening
She had left. The sheets twisted about his legs as Alistair leapt out of bed. His chest constricting, he breathed quicker. Stumbling out of the bedroom and into the corridor, his head spun. He had to locate her right now. He had to understand why she was missing, what had occurred. He didn't even recall when she departed, undetected slipping from his side. The memories of their last moments together were a muddle, the drunken haze of the night before still clouding his mind. But down inside, something primitive knew. She was gone; he was to blame. Rushing down the corridor, his eyes searching every corner and every shadow, his heart raced with eagerness as if expecting her to materialise out of nowhere. But there was no one. There was no one in the house. A voice crackled over the intercom just as he got to the stairs. "Sir, we found her car. She is no longer here. He felt a sinking in his gut. The words suffocated him, hanging in the air. She had fled. She had truly run. A floo
Claiming the billionaire ceo genius baby Chapter 28: The Disappearance
"It's time," he replied gently, his voice steady. Come in. Belle gazed out the window, her face reflected in the glass, but her mind was far else. Was this the correct option? The query made her heart hurt. She had abandoned everything, the house she always dreamed of, her relationship to Alistair, the life she had lived. The idea alone seemed like a betrayal, but she realised she couldn't remain. She looked at Bernard, his face unreadable as he concentrated on the highway. "I don't know whether I can do this," she said softly, her voice almost inaudible. "I don't know whether I can ever forgive him." Though he remained silent for a long time, Bernard's hold on the wheel grew stronger. His hands were constant, his will obvious. At last, he stated in a gentle but strong voice, "You're doing what you have to do." No one can decide this for you. Alistair is not even close. His remarks hurt more than she had expected. Alistair had let her down, using her as a pawn in a power struggl
Claiming the billionaire ceo genius baby Chapter 27: The Plot to Escape
"You're here," he whispered quietly, moving forward to greet her. Low and heavy with their shared secret, Bernard spoke. Rugged with a sharp jawline and dark eyes that always seemed to be judging the world around him, he was a man in his forties. He had always been faithful to her, but now more than ever, his deeds would show whether that loyalty stretched deeper than simple obligation. Belle said, her voice strained with stress, "I had no choice." Though the dread of being found still ate at her insides, she had been getting ready for this day for weeks. I am prepared. You claimed you could assist me. Bernard nodded, his eyes darting anxiously to the passage's dark shadows. Everything is set up. You must believe me. That is the only approach. Belle was unsure. Bernard had been there when no one else had, therefore she wanted to trust him. But after hearing what she had from Rosalie, the fear of treachery was like a darkness hanging over every choice she made. Could she now genuine
Claiming the billionaire ceo genius baby Chapter 26: The Deal
"No, Father," Alistair's voice was sharp with a frigidness that made Belle shiver. I will not act foolishly. But after the kid is delivered, we will make her gone. No one will ever know she lived. Belle's breath caught and her heart raced in her chest. She didn't dare to shift. She was unable to. His father's voice, harsh and unrelenting, said, "Alistair, the empire comes first." Any vulnerabilities cannot be allowed to appear. Though it is regrettable, the agreement with her is required; once it fulfils its goal, we may get rid of it. You will once more have power over everything. Belle's throat constricted as the room spun with understanding of the words. Regulate. For Alistair, that had always been all. His father had always viewed her as a tool, a means to an end, a pawn in their game. She was now on the verge of being thrown away once the infant came. Belle felt a rush of queasiness from Alistair's frigid, icy voice. I get it. Just do it. I will not allow emotion to cloud my
Claiming the billionaire ceo genius baby Chapter 25: The Dark Past
"I was never allowed to love anyone," he said again, his voice dropping and a hint of remorse seeping into his words. Not even you. Belle sat quietly, taking in Alistair's admission's gravity. Every statement echoed through her, distorting her view of the guy she had known, the man she had loved. His face contorted with sorrow and rage as she observed him intently. Raw and exposed, devoid of the control he clung to so fiercely, this was a side of him I had not seen before. "My father... he never gave me a choice," Alistair said, his voice strained as if the words were fighting to break free. Fighting the overpowering wave of feeling threatening to engulf him, his hands became white-knuckled fists. He ordered every aspect of my existence. The business, the marriage, the individuals I could rely on... all of it was his design. His might. Belle's heart sank. She had always understood that Alistair carried a weight, that the empire he built came at a great cost, but hearing him talk of
Claiming the billionaire ceo genius baby Chapter 24: A Warning from Gabrielle
Gabrielle's voice, quiet but forceful, shattered the stillness: "Belle." I have to talk to you. Belle hesitated, fingers gripping the hem of her dress, but she nodded and came closer. There was something about Gabrielle that always made her uneasy, something too keen, too aware. The unspoken words hanging between them like a dense cloud, the tension in the air, she could feel as she came closer. Belle replied, her voice cautious but interest beginning to grow in her heart, "I'm listening." Gabrielle's eyes moved across the garden, absorbing the surrounding loveliness before looking back to Belle. "Alistair is dangerous," she murmured, her words slicing through the quiet like a dagger. You are only a pawn in his game; he is domineering and manipulating. Belle's heart raced. The words struck her more than she had anticipated. Gabrielle wouldn't let her talk so she opened her mouth to answer. Gabrielle said in a low whisper, "Don't pretend you don't see it." "You have already experi
Claiming the billionaire ceo genius baby Chapter 23: A Night to Remember
Gabrielle's voice sliced through the stillness like a sharp knife. You are wrong. Alistair tensed, his mouth clenching at her comments. Wordlessly, he turned to confront her, his eyes black with unexpressed anger. His voice tight, he said, "I'm doing what has to be done." I will locate who caused this. I will see to it that they suffer. Gabrielle moved nearer, her face a blend of worry and annoyance. Alistair, do you really believe this fanatical quest will give you peace? Though her voice softened, her comments struck more forcefully than any charge. You're just digging your own grave. Her gaze never left Alistair, Gabrielle studied him intently. Tall and imposing as always, he stood there, but the fissures in his normally impenetrable front were obvious. Belle's illness was weighing on him, the guilt driving him crazy; she could tell he was coming apart. Haven't you always believed that control was the solution? Though sharp, Gabrielle's voice was steady. But see where it has l
Claiming the billionaire ceo genius baby Chapter 22: A Life in the Balance
"She's stable for now," the doctor stated gently, meeting his gaze. The bullet wound is serious, though. She has bled a great deal. The larger issue, then, is her pregnancy. Alistair's gaze grew wide. The infant? The word strange, his voice breaking, like if it didn't belong to him. The doctor shook his head gravely. "She's in danger. We cannot be sure the infant is still viable given the major trauma. Though her situation is serious, we are doing all we can. The room appeared to tilt under him, and he grabbed the wall, the truth of the circumstance crashing over him like a tidal wave. His heart ached like if his actual chest was too tight to contain the breath he was fighting to inhale. His words hardly came out as he said, "Can she... can she survive?" The doctor's expression grew more serious. We are trying our hardest. But at the moment, it's touch and go. She might lose the baby… or worse. Every stride was quick as he took out his phone and down the corridor he strolled. Di
