Share

Surprise?

Author: K.B
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

Ditch the Ex, Date the Billionaire

.

Chapter 12: Surprise?

.

*Isabella*

Archibald stared at me expecting me to at least say something.

“Um .. .” I started nervously before shaking my head. “Just forget about it, it’s nothing.”

A frown immediately found its way to his face as he regarded me. “I know it’s not nothing. It has to be something because it’s making you cry, it has to be something for Warren to step in. Isabella, what happened?.”

“Just .. .” I pause a little thinking of how to phrase what happened. “Just a little work issue but don’t worry Warren had it settled.”

But he wasn’t budging.

He arched an eyebrow. “And why did Warren had to step in exactly? Was the situation that important?.”

“I was being bullied, I think.”

“You think?.”

“I don’t know.” I softly groaned not knowing to put this. “It’s just— I had to do something today, take some very important papers and then fill the information off them onto my system but then I was sent out for another job that’
Locked Chapter
Continue to read this book on the APP

Related chapters

  • Ditch the Ex and Date The Billionaire    Spoiled

    Ditch the Ex, Date the Billionaire . Chapter 13: spoiled . *ALAN* I stared at the strip, my heart racing. “You have got to be kidding me.” I muttered. “You must be joking, tell me you are joking.” “Joking?.” She scoffed in response. “I certainly am not, Alan. I’m serious about this, that’s why I’ve been trying to reach you, you idiot. I went to the hospital because I’ve been getting some symptoms and then they ran tests.” Chantelle stood there crossing her arms as if daring to me to talk back. “The tests came back positive?.” I blurted out, unable to contain my fear. “Yes it did. What’s your problem?.” “My problem?!.” I sneer. “You are the one who barged in here giving me unpleasant news. Why the fuck are you pregnant in the first place?.” “Oh gee, I don’t know Alan, maybe because we had sex.” She responded sarcastically. I roll my eyes. “Don’t give me that bullshit. You are not the first girl I’ve had sex with. Are you sure what you are saying is the

  • Ditch the Ex and Date The Billionaire    Time for Emmys

    Ditch the Ex, Date the Billionaire . Chapter 14: Time for Emmys .*ARCHIBALD* I walked into my father's office with a mix of nerves and determination. This was it, the moment I had been waiting for—to convince him that I was ready to take back my position as CEO of the company. I had spent countless hours pouring over the reports, analyzing every detail, preparing my case. "Dad," I said as I entered the large office, my voice steady despite the flutter of anxiety in my chest. "I need to talk to you about the company."My father glanced up from his desk, his expression unreadable. “My son decides to step into the company for the first time, I am greatly surprised.” I resist the urge to roll my eyes at his sarcasm. “Dad I need to talk to you.” “What is it, Archibald? I'm quite busy."“That’s the reason I booked for time with you. I knew you were going to say that you were busy so I had to book a meeting with your secretary.”And he paused, finally looking at me. “Archibald, fo

  • Ditch the Ex and Date The Billionaire    CEO title?

    Ditch the Ex, Date the Billionaire .Chapter 15: CEO title? . *BANCROFT VILLA* At the dinner party, Alan's family and Chantelle's family gathered around a long, polished oak table, adorned with flickering candles and gleaming silverware. The room was alive with the buzz of conversation and the clinking of glasses.Alan's mother, Janette Bancroft, a poised and elegant woman with auburn hair swept into a bun, leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I think the company’s 60th anniversary is the perfect opportunity to announce Alan and Chantelle's partnership at the company," she suggested, her voice carrying across the table.Chantelle's family nodded in agreement, her father, Mr. Normal, a distinguished gentleman with a warm smile, chiming in, "It would be a double blessing indeed. I mean, what better than to announce a profitable partnership while celebrating 60th anniversary.“You are right, Mr. Norman.” Alan’s grand father chimes in as he takes a pause from eating

  • Ditch the Ex and Date The Billionaire    Contracts

    Ditch the Ex, Date the Billionaire . Chapter 16: Contracts . *BANCROFT VILLA* As Isabella prepared to make her escape from the traumatizing dinner party, Archie's father's booming voice cut through the chatter, calling for a private family meeting. Isabella hesitated, her hand already refusing to let go of Archie’s, but she couldn't ignore the summons.As the rest of the guests filed out of the room.Isabella sighed as she leaned against the dining chair. This was a traumatizing dinner event because she had to be in the same space with her father who didn’t love her, who never loved her, her step mother who has always despised her from day one and wanted her downfall, her half sister who detested her.She was on edge throughout but she just had to swallow her anxiety down because of Archibald. She didn’t want him worrying over her because he had been stroking her hand throughout attempting to calm down.Isabella felt loved and every time she found something to love about Arch

  • Ditch the Ex and Date The Billionaire    Affections

    Ditch the Ex, Date the Billionaire . Chapter 17: Affections . *NORMAN VILLA* "Isabella, you look beautiful!" exclaimed Dara, her eyes lighting up with admiration as she put the final touches on my outfit. I smiled gratefully at her, feeling a surge of confidence. "Thank you, Dara. You're the best!" Dara grinned back, her hands fluttering around me like a butterfly. "Oh, stop it, you're making me blush. But seriously, you're going to dazzle everyone tonight." As Dara adjusted the folds of my dress and smoothed down my hair, I felt a sense of excitement bubbling within me. Tonight was the company party, and I was determined to make a good impression.I don’t know if Archie’s father was actually going to go ahead and introduce us to everyone but I just had to dress the part just in case. I didn’t want the case of a surprise sprung on me. And tonight, I was going to be Archibald’s date and I seriously couldn’t wait. We’ve been closer after the family dinner night that we ha

  • Ditch the Ex and Date The Billionaire    Mine

    Ditch the Ex, Date the Billionaire . Chapter 18: Mine . *Isabella* “Dara, I think that’s enough makeup you’ve put on.” I say cautioning her. She shook her head not listening to me. “No I have to dress the part, there will be a lot of hot billionaires and millionaires at this party.” “You have a boyfriend!.” I remind her outraged she would say that. She chuckled glancing away from the mirror to look at me. “Well who said I can’t be in a relationship and be a sugar baby at the same time?.” I don’t even have the time to address what she said as she immediately grabbed her bag after reapplying her lipgloss for the tenth time. “Okay I’m done!.” “Finally.” I said exasperatedly. “Why are you in such a hurry?.” She asked as we left my room. “You don’t even like parties like that, I think I saw you in the last one looking like you were forced to be there.” “That’s because I was forced to be there.” I remembered the Bancroft company party last year. My father had forced me

  • Ditch the Ex and Date The Billionaire    A New Addition

    Ditch the Ex, Date the Billionaire . Chapter 19: A New Addition .You can do this, Isabella. You can do this. I try to motivate myself from not getting too nervous as Archie squeezed my palm to help me. As Archie and I made our way through the crowded room, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the sea of faces surrounding us. Even when I usually attended events when I was still living and abiding by my father’s rules, I still couldn’t just adjust to this lifestyle.It’s just so overwhelming. Being in a room full of people that are better than you. People that know that they are better than you. Makes one self esteem low. And I already have a low self esteem to begin with. But it seemed like my experience at this particular anniversary party was going to be different because people were smiling and greeting us warmly, their voices blending into a cacophony of sound. I clung to Archie's arm, seeking comfort in his reassuring presence.He sensed my unease and leaned in c

  • Ditch the Ex and Date The Billionaire    Attention, everyone

    Ditch the Ex, Date the Billionaire . Chapter 20: Attention, everyone . As I sat at the table with Archie's family, I found myself surprisingly at ease, thanks to the lively chatter of Archie's niece. We giggled and shared secrets, talking about boys and girly stuff as if we had known each other for years. It was a welcome distraction from the tension that hung in the air, and I found myself genuinely enjoying the moment.“Okay okay but wait I have to tell you about the time Uncle Archie was being an absolute rebel to grandfather, that was the most hilarious moment of my teens.” Aileen said as she giggled while taking a sip of her drink. Archie groaned, obviously having had enough with our gossiping. “I’m sure no one wants to hear about that, Aileen.”“Hmm I don’t know.” I shrugged giving her a wink. “It seems like a very interesting story.” I say and we both throw a fit of laughter again. I honestly didn’t expect to feel at ease while sitting with Archibald’s family. Wha

Latest chapter

  • Ditch the Ex and Date The Billionaire    CH 143

    Ditch the Ex. Date the Billionaire .Chapter 143: .It happens by accident.Archibald’s out of town again for work but tries to call in the evenings when he can and Isabella, consequently, does her best to be available despite the three-hour time difference. Dara can roll her eyes all she wants — and does — but keeps her smart remarks, if not to a minimum, then to an average.(“It’s part of our arrangement!” Isabella protests noisily as if the forty-five minutes she spends holed up in her bedroom have anything at all to do with those initial terms of their relationship and aren’t simply because she misses the man like a limb when he’s gone.Dara makes an unflattering snort and digs her elbow into Isabella’s side, stealing a pretzel out of her bag while she’s distracted.“Uh-huh,” she says, “Is that what we’re calling it now, Ms. Codependent?”“I don’t think I like you anymore.”Isabella, among other things, is a liar. A bad one.)It happens by accident because Isabella’s bundled up

  • Ditch the Ex and Date The Billionaire    CH 142:

    Ditch the Ex. Date the Billionaire .Chapter 142: .See, if Isabella’s life was a movie, this is where it would end.A great romantic conclusion tied up with a neat little bow, roll credits, and scene.But this isn’t a movie, and this isn’t where it ends.“I’m thinking about going back to school,” Isabella says one afternoon during a lunch date. She doesn’t stop stirring anxiously at her gelato until Archibald reaches out to physically stop her before it turns to soup, and she won’t like it as much.“I think that’s a good idea,” he replies.Isabella is still basically unhireable, further blacklisted professionally by the drama that came out of her father’s quick but messy trial that put him in jail for years and ruined any good reputation any of them might have had.(The man left a single furious, frothing voicemail on Isabella’s phone that could be summed up as three straight minutes of death threats that included everyone from Isabella herself to the cat to the goldfish that had o

  • Ditch the Ex and Date The Billionaire    CH 141:

    Ditch the Ex. Date the Billionaire .Chapter 142: .“You know, I almost broke up with you last night.”Archibald’s steady calm, the largest holdover from last night, holds up even as he nods in agreement. “I know.”Isabella scowls at him.“How’d you know? I barely knew until I’d decided not to.”“Because I know you. You’ve been given precious few people in life who haven’t broken your trust, and I did that by going behind your back. It would have been an understandable reaction, and I wouldn’t have begrudged you—“Isabella slams that ocean blue tumbler down on the table with a clatter. Her eyes are bright with emotion, and her lips are turned down in an irritated scowl.“Maybe you wouldn’t,” she snaps, “but I’d sure as shit begrudge you if you just, what, let me break up with you without so much as asking me not to? What the fuck, man.”“You are an adult who can make your own decisions—““Yeah, but that doesn’t mean I want you to just let me go when I’m about to do something stupid!

  • Ditch the Ex and Date The Billionaire    CH 140

    Ditch the Ex. Date the Billionaire .Chapter 140:.There is coffee, kept hot in the kind of insulated tumbler that costs too much and coordinates with the beachy colors of the house. Isabella has a suspicion that it was bought specifically for her, because Archibald is a crazy person who thinks about that kind of stuff. It doesn’t stop her from drinking it.“Tell me what you did,” Isabella orders before she can talk herself out of it and in spite of the very large part of her that doesn’t actually want to know. “Something something something about buying out the board?” she elaborates with a pointed stare. Because Chantelle, of all people, wouldn’t be bailing unless the ship is sinking. The ship might already be sunk if she’s that willing to abandon what she sees as her birthright. A birthright that she’s always seen as a competition, even though she’d won right out the gate and Isabella’s so stupid that it took literally being disowned to see that she never stood a chance.“Oh, th

  • Ditch the Ex and Date The Billionaire    CH 139

    Ditch the Ex. Date the Billionaire .Chapter 139: .Isabella and Alan had settled many a disagreement with an angry tussle in bed that was worth the drop afterward for being able to get a little of her own back, to feel seen and heard. Except that Archibald already makes her feel seen and heard, and right now Isabella just sort of wants one of them to hurt, and she’s not sure who.“Stop, stop, enough,” Archibald orders, kinder than Isabella deserves, and wipes the beginnings of tears out of the corners of Isabella’s eyes before she even realizes that she’s about to cry. “I know, baby. I know.”“You don’t know anything.” It comes out way less cool and way more pathetic when Isabella’s voice cracks on what is definitely an overtired, strung-out sob. “You don’t know anything.”“I know that you’re exhausted and running on fumes and that you’d rather have the kind of sex that’s not good for you and that you don’t even want than get what you need,” Archibald tells her. “I’d say I know pl

  • Ditch the Ex and Date The Billionaire    CH 138

    Ditch the Ex. Date the Billionaire .Chapter 138: .The only tears Chantelle’s ever shed have been of the crocodilian variety, as purposeful a tactic as any insult. Even after she’d forced herself to learn how to stop, she’d never managed to wield emotion like a weapon. At times like this, Isabella sort of wishes that she had.Isabella trembles and wraps her arms around herself, chilled even underneath the blanket. The edges are getting wet with saltwater and crusted with sand, and she would bite anyone who might try to take it from her.Archibald doesn’t touch her, but Isabella can feel him practically vibrating with the way he wants to. Right now, Isabella would be happy to bite him, too.“I don’t think you’re stupid.”“Well, it sure feels like it.”Archibald literally wrings his hands in open distress, and even now, it doesn’t feel remotely like a win. Isabella’s gotten exactly what she’s asked for—space and someone else being the one to hurt, but it doesn’t lessen her own, not e

  • Ditch the Ex and Date The Billionaire    CH 137

    Ditch the Ex. Date the Billionaire .Chapter 137:.It's still pitch black outside, but Isabella finds herself at the edge of the water anyway. The ocean doesn’t give a damn about Isabella’s battered foundation and rolls happily up the night-cooled sand, leaving only foam and bits of seashell behind.Isabella sits at the shoreline and tucks her knees up under her chin.She wonders, miserably, where Chantelle plans to go.God, she hopes her sister gets as far away as she can.Isabella's spent her whole life loyal, but Chantelle? She’s fanatical to a degree that Isabella could never quite manage, and she wonders if putting her loyalty into a cage match with her relentless drive to protect herself finally did what nothing else could—crack that fanaticism. She’ll never know; it’s not her place now, and even if it was, Chantelle would never let her.God, she hopes Chantelle got as far away as she possibly can.Mai, with much derision, refers to it as Isabella's "better place theory." Mom

  • Ditch the Ex and Date The Billionaire    CH 136

    Ditch the Ex. Date the Billionaire .Chapter 136: .“Oh, please. Because your boytoy just woke up and bought half our board and their corresponding shares out from under us for some weekend summer fun? I didn’t think you had it in you, but I guess you had to grow a spine sometime.”Isabella’s brain goes blank. Chantelle’s words land with all the delicacy and grace of anvils, pinning her down under their weight like a butterfly in a box.“I didn’t—you’re wrong,” she protests.“Sure, okay. Keep telling yourself that. Anyway, don’t bother saving this number; I’m ditching the phone once my plane boards. Congratulations on your win, Izzy. We always knew you’d ruin the family, but I didn’t think it’d be like this. Have a good rest of your life, I guess.”There’s a click and then a dial tone. Isabella tries to call back, but it goes straight to a generic voicemail that she knows won’t ever be checked. At best it’s a burner phone; at worst it’s Chantelle’s regular phone that she’s willing t

  • Ditch the Ex and Date The Billionaire    CH 135

    Ditch the Ex. Date the Billionaire .Chapter 135: .There’s the temptation after breakfast to go back to bed and find another way to entertain themselves, but Archibald shuffles her to go shower instead.“It’s about ten miles to get into town,” he says when Isabella protests in an appropriately dignified manner, definitely not pouting at having to put pants on. “You’ll like it.” Isabella does pout, then, and is rewarded for her bad behavior by being hoisted up onto the bathroom counter and thoroughly kissed until she’ll say yes to just about anything. And she does say yes, eventually, and delays the inevitable by about ten minutes by sticking her hands down the back of Archibald’s pajamas.Isabella’s never had this kind of domesticity in a relationship before, and it should feel strange but it doesn’t, just scaffolds its way up the norms built in by months of getting to know each other. It doesn’t feel weird at all for Isabella to snag Archibald by the wrist and tug him into the sho

DMCA.com Protection Status