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Chapter 49
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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
Contract Marriage Between Mr C.E.O & Kleptomaniac Chapter 52
Selena's POVI went back to the apartment, I was once again grateful for having kept it. With the penthouse swarming with paparazzi, it would have been a disaster without somewhere to hide. I had another shocking piece of news, entirely different from the garbage circulating in the media. The only person I could confide in was Hillary. Making sure I wasn't followed, I pulled into the apartment parking lot and parked in my designated spot. Stepping out of the car, I felt lightheaded, my feet ached, and my stomach rumbled. Now I understood the reasons, but the doctor's surprise mirrored my own.Hurrying to the elevator, I waited for an empty one and pressed my button. Two others joined me, paying me little attention. They might have recognized me, but perhaps they weren't interested in the news, just my aunt.As if mentioning her cursed my luck, my phone shrieked to life, startling me. My companion shot me a curious look, and I offered a sheepish smile and apology for the disruption.P
Contract Marriage Between Mr C.E.O & Kleptomaniac Chapter 53
Jake's POVShe clearly wasn't expecting me. Shock painted her face as she opened the apartment door. "Well, surprise," I announced, stopping the door before it slammed shut and pushing my way in as she retreated.Fear flickered in her eyes as she backed away. Her gaze darted around the room, searching for an escape, but there was nowhere to run with me in the same space. "What the hell, Selena!" I shouted, raising my hand in frustration.She must have misinterpreted the gesture because she flinched, dropping to the floor and covering her face. What the hell? Did she think I was going to hit her? Disgust churned in my stomach.Taking two steps back, I watched her tremble. Goodness, I hadn't even touched her, and I never would. When her shaking subsided, she peeked up and saw the distance I'd put between us. Her face was flushed, tears glistening in her silver eyes.Fake tears wouldn't work on me. I wouldn't be manipulated. Slowly, she rose to her feet, her posture a little stiff. Somet
Contract Marriage Between Mr C.E.O & Kleptomaniac Chapter 54
Selena's POVTears streamed down my face, each one a fresh stab of pain in my chest. He didn't believe me, didn't believe a word. He never cared. The ache in my heart spread as I realized he didn't care about me, or my family. I looked down at the ring on my finger, a mindless choice from our shotgun wedding.The sound of the door opening and closing again jolted me. Did he leave? "Why the hell are you back here for?" I screamed, eyes squeezed shut. "Adding salt to the wound?""Selena?" A confused voice, so much like Hillary's, spoke up. I opened my eyes to see her standing at the living room entrance. That's when the dam broke, and the flood of tears and pain spilled out.I poured my heart out to Hillary. I couldn't hold it in anymore. I needed to tell someone, and who better than her? "It hurts so much, Hill," I cried, gasping for breath. "My heart is aching, I'm in so much pain.""Okay, okay, breathe," Hillary soothed, holding me close and rubbing my back. "Think about the baby."
Contract Marriage Between Mr C.E.O & Kleptomaniac Chapter 55
Hilary's POVI took Selena's car to the address she gave me earlier. Reporters milled around outside, but I was a nobody to them. I parked the car, got out, and walked freely past them to the elevator, pressing the button for the penthouse.Riding up was strange. I'd never been to a penthouse before. Reaching my destination, I entered the password and stepped inside. My jaw dropped in amazement. Twirling around, I tried to take it all in at once.The place was spotless, almost all surfaces gleaming glass. Following Selena's instructions, I found her room. Opening the door, I groaned. The apartment was immaculate, but Selena's room was a different story. Clothes littered the floor and the bed remained unmade.I started by picking up clothes, putting them away, making the bed, and cleaning the floor. Then, I grabbed one of her suitcases and began packing: clothes, toiletries, whatever I could find. I searched for important documents, collecting her passport, jewelry box, and anything els
Contract Marriage Between Mr C.E.O & Kleptomaniac Chapter 56
Selena's POVSpotting my aunt from afar, I nudged Hillary and we quickened our pace. A tense silence hung between us. We'd dropped Max off at a friend's place to avoid raising suspicion about my movements.My aunt sat comfortably on a bench with only her handbag. Clearly, she wasn't planning on an extended stay. She spotted us approaching, and her face creased into a frown as soon as she saw me. She gave me a quick once-over before we stopped in front of her."Aunt," I said, removing my sunglasses but keeping my hat on for extra disguise."Selena," she replied coolly."This is my friend, Hillary," I introduced. "My aunt.""Hello, ma'am," Hillary offered, unsure of what else to say. The tension and animosity between my aunt and me were palpable."Nice to meet you, Hillary. You seem sensible," my aunt remarked."That's not very polite, Aunt," I countered. Her gaze snapped back to me."Teaching me manners now? You went and got married, look what you've done – you're pregnant!" She jabbed
Contract Marriage Between Mr C.E.O & Kleptomaniac Chapter 57
Jake's POVUnable to concentrate on anything business-related, I kept Jeff working overtime. He pulled articles, fielded reporters with the help of security, yet Selena hadn't contacted me.What was she waiting for? I had offered a press conference to settle things, but they wanted both of us present. Unfortunately, my wife was currently in hiding.Every call to her went unanswered, her phone perpetually off."Here," Jeff said, placing a piece of paper on my desk. I had requested Selena's neighbor's contact information. I quickly dialed the number.On the third ring, a woman answered, mid-conversation with someone in the background."Hello?" I asked, unsure if the call had connected."Hello, Hillary speaking… Max, put that down!" She pulled the phone away from someone, likely her son. "This is Jake Marino," I introduced myself."What? How can I help you?" she finally focused on the call."I haven't been able to reach Selena. Have you seen her by any chance?""Have you checked her apar
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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
