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Chapter 43
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Contract Marriage Between Mr C.E.O & Kleptomaniac Chapter 44
Selena’s POVStanding in front of those who once ostracized me, regret gnawed at me. I shouldn't have listened to Hillary. Right now, I should be in bed, lost in dreams, or facing my own problems, not this. And at the heart of it all was Rose.When Dan, our old class representative, approached to confirm my presence, I should've turned and fled. It was unbelievable that none of them recognized me, except for Rose. Her smirk and glare were a strange mix of defiance and amusement. How did she maintain such composure?"I must be in the wrong room," I stammered, wanting nothing more than to escape this humiliating situation. I pivoted on my heel, but a voice stopped me."Are you sure?" Rose asked, her voice laced with something I couldn't decipher.I turned back to the table, facing a battery of curious stares. They scrutinized me as though recognition hinged on a deeper inspection of my face. Rose seemed prepared for any reaction. Did she not realize that if my secret were to be exposed,
Contract Marriage Between Mr C.E.O & Kleptomaniac Chapter 45
Jake’s POVI wasn't sure if I should be happy I came to the reunion or furious. Here I was, discovering I'd been lied to. Why? It floored me to learn Selena attended the same high school, even befriending Rose – we were all classmates!The way they were talking to her – "thief," "cheat" – sent chills down my spine. Could she have been the girl the girls always complained about back then when Rose was absent? How could I have missed it? Back then, I was laser-focused on studying, obsessed with being top of the class.Why hadn't Selena said anything? She must have known who I was from day one, yet she kept it a secret. Why? Did she think I was a fool? Or was this all some elaborate plan – running into me, agreeing to marry me so suddenly?She must have gotten a kick out of toying with me, laughing behind my back. The guys tried to reason with the girls, but Rose had them on her side. They were relentless. Finally, I stepped in, pulling Selena away when she seemed frozen. I let them know
Contract Marriage Between Mr C.E.O & Kleptomaniac Chapter 46
Selena's POVAfter a restless night, I woke up early, showered, and decided to go back to bed for a few more hours. However, my grumbling stomach had other plans.And what was that noise from the living room? I tiptoed out of my room and peeked into the living room, only to be confronted by a furious Mrs. Marino. She marched towards me, and I genuinely thought she was going to attack.Jake must have thought the same thing because he rushed to his mother's side, trying to restrain her in case she did have plans of assaulting me. "What are you doing here so early in the morning?" I sputtered. "You look...dressed for battle."She must have planned this overnight, but what on earth was going on? Mrs. Marino yanked open her bag and dramatically pulled out a magazine, which she flung at my face. It landed with a thud at my feet."Is this what you've been hiding?" Mrs. Marino snapped angrily, her face flushed with rage.I bent down to pick up the items. There was a newspaper and a magazine.
Contract Marriage Between Mr C.E.O & Kleptomaniac Chapter 47
Jake's POVI waited for Selena's response, but she remained silent for a while. She worried her lips, her face etched with sadness and tear stains. Finally, she met my gaze."Funny, I don't even know where my family is," she said softly.What? What did she mean? Did she lose them somehow? "But you have an aunt," I pointed out."I do," she murmured. "She took care of me, but she never tells me anything about my family." She looked genuinely downcast. If she was telling the truth, I couldn't imagine the pain of not knowing your family's whereabouts.Was it possible her family didn't care about her? "Why not ask your aunt for information?" I suggested. "Where is she?"Selena shrugged. Suddenly, her phone in her jeans pocket rang, startling her. She calmed herself enough to take it out and glance at the screen before looking back at me with trepidation.Her hand holding the phone dropped limply to her side. "Why aren't you picking up?" I asked, concerned."I... I can't talk right now," sh
Contract Marriage Between Mr C.E.O & Kleptomaniac Chapter 48
Hillary's POVI finished the laundry, relieved that Max was still at his friend's sleepover. He'd be back that morning, though, so I used the time to be productive.Walking past my canvas and paints, I yearned to spend an uninterrupted hour just painting. But a glance around reminded me of my priorities. Before laundry, I'd cleaned my apartment. If I finished before Max arrived, I even planned to help Selena clean hers.Thinking about her now, worry gnawed at me. My gut feeling told me she was struggling with something she wasn't sharing. It saddened and frustrated me that she didn't trust me enough to confide in me.Getting married without my knowledge, and to the Marino family of all people! How did she end up entangled with them? I knew nothing about her background, and she didn't much associate with that crowd, except for Rose.And now she was pregnant for a husband I was sure she didn't truly love. The only thing I could offer was my support. I wanted to be a shoulder to cry on,
Contract Marriage Between Mr C.E.O & Kleptomaniac Chapter 49
Jake's POVI should have been focused on the file in front of me and what my employee was discussing, but I was lost in thought. There had been whispers about the scandal, but the conversation ceased whenever I entered the room.The whole company was likely buzzing, but thankfully, sales hadn't dropped. At least the news wasn't painting me in a bad light. Selena was bearing the brunt of it all. Honestly, it was her fault for not being upfront about her family. Even with everything swirling around her, she hadn't said a word to me.Reporters were hounding me about my wife, but somehow, they hadn't gotten a hold of her yet. She must be good at staying hidden in these situations.Suddenly, I heard a voice calling my name from afar, and I felt a hand on my arm. I jolted back to reality. Jeff was giving me a questioning look."Mr. Marino?" the voice called again. "Is there a reason you're not responding?"I turned my attention back to the presentation. The head of the administration depart
Contract Marriage Between Mr C.E.O & Kleptomaniac Chapter 50
Rose's POVI stormed into the Marino holding company, determined to confront Jake. He hadn't bothered to explain or apologize for leaving abruptly at the reunion, and our friends were furious. The guys, however, blamed us ladies for being too harsh on Selena.While I secretly wanted to savor her humiliation, Jake had ruined it. Back in high school, I'd always protected Selena, defending her from our friends. Now, she had the audacity to make me look like the bad guy, and to top it off, Jake supported her! It made me wonder if they even knew they were high school classmates.Anyway, I marched in demanding answers from Jake, but fate had other plans. I bumped into Kelvin, who assumed I was there to see him. He looked so genuinely happy and hopeful that I couldn't bring myself to burst his bubble."Surprise to see you here! Not here for Jake, are you?" Kelvin chuckled.I wanted to retort, "If you knew that, why'd you stop me?" but held my tongue instead. "Actually, I wanted to see you," I
Contract Marriage Between Mr C.E.O & Kleptomaniac Chapter 51
Jake's POVThe call with Selena ended, and I straightened as Ms. Cassie joined me at the table. She flashed a sweet, flirtatious smile before settling into her seat and adjusting her short skirt."Hello, Mr. Marino," she began, her smile unwavering. "May I call you Jake?""I'd appreciate it if you addressed me as Mr. Marino. This is a business meeting," I clarified, establishing a professional boundary."You're late," she observed."I needed to ensure I was presentable for our meeting," I replied evenly.She frowned playfully. "This isn't a date?""Whatever you say," I conceded, wanting to keep the focus on business. "Can we order now? I'm famished."She signaled for a waiter and placed her order. I followed suit. Once we were alone again, she sighed contentedly, leaning back in her chair."Ready to discuss business?" I inquired."Not quite," she countered, suggesting we finish our meal first. She took a sip of the red wine the waiter had poured before leaving. The lingering effect of
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Contract Marriage Between Mr C.E.O & Kleptomaniac Chapter 131
Epilogue || Selena's POVI thought I'd be able to sleep in today, given that yesterday was as hectic as it gets with the kids' birthday party. It was a fun-filled and fantastic day; the kids were showered with gifts from every direction.They even received some gifts they won't be able to use until they're maybe 19 years old. Their aunt Nancy went overboard with the planning and every other detail of the day.It turns out the kids don’t just have one godfather, but two—Austin and Justin also blew the kids' minds.And their grandmas? Well, I'm at a loss for words about them. Even my aunt came with a gift; she gave each child a book titled “Italian for Beginners.” Wonderful, right?The kids completely ran out of energy yesterday, so I'm baffled as to how they're up this early.By mistake, we forgot to close the bedroom door last night. Before I could get out of bed to bolt it, the door swung open, and they bounded in. I pretended to still be asleep, hoping they would bypass me and go str
Contract Marriage Between Mr C.E.O & Kleptomaniac Chapter 130
Selena's POVIt's been five months now, and looking back, I find it hard to forget everything that happened after my wedding.Glancing down at my wedding ring, I kissed the tiny diamond that always reminded me of Jake. With a smile, I looked at the calendar on my desk—his return was just around the corner.I had moved the company headquarters to Italy, and surprisingly, my mother had agreed to relocate as well. She bought a new house that could accommodate 20 people, claiming she was tired of living small.She decided to keep our house in New York as is, suggesting it could serve as a venue for family gatherings.Hillary stayed behind in New York; apart from taking care of her son, she had started seeing someone, which was exciting news for everyone.The whole family rejoiced when Mr. Marino finally woke up from his long unconscious state. He was recovering well, much to Mrs. Marino's joy.The kids were adored by everyone, especially by their Aunt Nancy. Everyone was doing well.Howev
Contract Marriage Between Mr C.E.O & Kleptomaniac Chapter 129
Jake's POVI entered the house, searching for my family. Voices echoed from a nearby room where I heard Selena asking Nancy how they had managed to set up the nursery so quickly. “Dada!” a little voice called out. I turned to see Jada rushing toward me, her small form barely visible beneath the layers of her adorable outfit. Bending down, I scooped her into a tight hug as she began chattering nonstop, sharing everything she thought I needed to know.Holding her close, she peppered me with kisses.“Hey,” Selena greeted with a wave.“Welcome, Sophia,” I said, placing a kiss on Selena’s forehead. She seemed eager to hear about my meeting at the station.Later that day, we gathered for dinner. The kids sat on Selena’s and my laps, stubbornly refusing their high chairs. My mother had certainly gone all out with the meal.It was heartwarming to see both families getting along well. As the evening wound down, the kids began to warm up to my mom and Nancy, who tempted them with an array of
Contract Marriage Between Mr C.E.O & Kleptomaniac Chapter 128
Selena's POVA stroll on the beach and a picnic with the one I love—that was the plan after crafting a new one this morning. But here I am, driving to the airport.Mom always has her own way of doing things. I knew I hadn't been entirely open about what was happening here, but I never expected her to bring the whole family down.They even took the company jet. She must not know how to manage boarding four people. Shaking my head, I turned into the private sector of the airport.I called my mother for their location, and she directed me. The first thing I heard were the excited voices shouting, "Mama!""Mama!" Jadon ran toward me, his focus unswayed by the crowd.I dropped to my knees with open arms to welcome my beloved son. His small body fit perfectly against mine, his baby scent warming my heart. I buried my face in his soft hair, showering him with kisses.He seemed taller. Pulling back, I kissed his face. "My sweet boy, how I've missed you.""Mama, I miss you," Jadon said.I hugg
Contract Marriage Between Mr C.E.O & Kleptomaniac Chapter 127
Jeff's POVThe fury within me was seething; I felt an overwhelming urge to lash out at something, or better yet, someone—specifically, the person right in front of me.I might have managed a clean getaway if Kelvin hadn't botched things by getting caught. Perhaps if I'd demanded the money sooner, I would have gained a crucial head start in my escape plan. It was Kelvin’s blunder that had left me trapped in this forsaken country.If only I had expedited my fake passport, I might have made a successful escape by sea, but the relentless police were already on my trail. They had effectively banned me from leaving the country, but I was aware of other, illicit means of escape.I refused to let anyone revel in seeing me rot in jail. And why on earth was Jake Marino here? My only recourse was to taunt him with everything I had managed right under his nose.“How did my father cause the death of your father?” Jake inquired.He seemed genuinely clueless about the connection to my father, but th
Contract Marriage Between Mr C.E.O & Kleptomaniac Chapter 126
Jake's POVWe had planned to spend the day just to ourselves, and I was thrilled with the idea. Selena walked around the house, filling the picnic basket she found in the kitchen. Eventually, we found ourselves in the bedroom, Selena rifling through her packed bag in search of something suitable to wear.Although it wasn't particularly sunny outside, we were eager to enjoy the day together, hoping for a bit of sunshine as we forecast while we were at the beach.Just then, her phone began to ring. I hoped it wouldn't be a call that might dampen our spirits. She dived into her pile of clothes, searching for the phone, and resurfaced with a frown. "It's my mom," she said, her tone a mix of resignation and concern. I knew how deeply she missed the kids, avoiding calls to stave off their tears and pleas for her return.I felt a pang of guilt, aware that my needs had kept her away. My own phone started ringing, and I glanced at the caller ID before showing it to her. She sighed and gestured
Contract Marriage Between Mr C.E.O & Kleptomaniac Chapter 125
Selena's POVThe morning light flooded the room when I opened my eyes, a reminder that we'd left the windows open again. I yawned and stretched, feeling the protest of my bones. The hard night at the station hadn't done me any favors. Feeling the empty space beside me, I realized Jake wasn't there. I missed waking up in his arms, but lately, our mornings had shifted; either he rose before me or vice versa.When would we find the peace we so desperately sought? As I lay there, my mind wandered back to the phone call from last night. I hadn't caught any of the conversation, only the ringing that had pierced the late silence.Was it something important? I got out of bed, went through my morning routine in the bathroom, and dressed for the day, hoping it wouldn't be spent at the police station.With Kelvin in custody, the assassin apprehended, and Diego held by New York police pending cooperation with the investigation, the immediate threats seemed contained. He would be released after th
Contract Marriage Between Mr C.E.O & Kleptomaniac Chapter 124
Jake's POVI still find it hard to believe Kelvin could do such a thing to his own family. He had embezzled a significant amount of money from the company and had been deceitful in his dealings.He had several accounts, estates, and properties in his name, yet he still craved more. Wasn't he satisfied with what he had already taken?The detectives were on the hunt for someone named Mr. K, who had been collaborating with Kelvin. Since Kelvin denied any involvement with the attacks on me and the kidnapping on my wedding day, they believed there was another conspirator out there. I hoped that with Mr. K's capture, the chain of attackers would end.Looking over at the bench, I saw Selena asleep in an awkward position. I wished we could wrap up here and leave so she could get some proper rest. She had been tirelessly working the phones, to the point where her phone had run out of battery.We hadn't been able to speak to the kids, and it was clearly affecting her mood."Who do you suspect m
Contract Marriage Between Mr C.E.O & Kleptomaniac Chapter 123
Kelvin's POVIn my office, I mulled over the unsettling shift in public sentiment that had started favoring Jake. Oddly enough, I had uncovered that Selena was no ordinary person; she was from a wealthy family. Yet, when I sought more information, I found no news articles about her—only a brief mention that she had two children and had once been married to someone named Diego Lorenzo.This Diego was the same individual who had contacted me months ago, offering information to undermine Jake when Mr. K mysteriously vanished.Clearly, something was amiss, and my instincts told me it wasn't good. I was about to stand up when my phone rang with a call from an unknown number.I answered, and Mr. K's voice came through. "Hello, I have something you desperately need," he said, his timing uncanny."Will it finish my brother?" I asked."Yes, but before that, you need to transfer €500 billion euros to the account I will send you.""What?" I exclaimed, incredulous. "For what information?" I deman
