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CHAPTER 22

Penulis: Tellachino
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-01-25 06:01:49

The Luna Café wasn’t exactly what Darwin had expected. Nestled in a quieter corner of Bay City, the small coffee shop radiated a cozy charm that felt at odds with the high-stakes conversation he was about to have. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the faint hum of conversation, and the sunlight streaming through the large windows softened the atmosphere.

Darwin adjusted his tie as he entered, his sharp eyes scanning the room for Elena. Fiona followed close behind, her steps hesitant. Despite Darwin’s insistence that she stay at the estate for her safety, Fiona had refused. She wanted to hear whatever Elena had to say firsthand.

“There,” Fiona whispered, nodding toward a secluded booth in the back. Elena was seated, a steaming cup of coffee in front of her, her posture calm but alert.

Darwin took the lead, his expression unreadable as he approached the table. Elena looked up, her green eyes flickering with recognition and something that resembled relief.

“You came,” she s
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  • Falling For My Surrogate Mistress    CHAPTER 23

    The air in the car was thick with unspoken words. Fiona stared out the window, her mind replaying every detail of their meeting with Elena. She could still hear the faint tremor in Elena's voice, the way her eyes darted around the café as if she were expecting William to appear at any moment.Darwin’s grip on the steering wheel was tight, his knuckles white. The flash drive in his pocket seemed to burn with the weight of its secrets. For a man used to control, the uncertainty of their situation gnawed at him. Every decision carried the potential for disaster.“Do you think she’s really trying to help us?” Fiona asked, breaking the silence.Darwin’s jaw tightened, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. “People don’t usually help others without expecting something in return. But her intel lines up with what we already know about William. We’ll need to verify it before we act.”Fiona nodded, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her blouse. “If this information is real, it could be our chance

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-25
  • Falling For My Surrogate Mistress    CHAPTER 24

    Fiona awoke to the faint glow of morning sunlight filtering through the heavy curtains. Despite her exhaustion, sleep had been fleeting, broken by vivid dreams of shadowy figures and whispered threats. She sat up slowly, her heart heavy with the weight of the previous day's revelations.A soft knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts.“Come in,” she said, her voice hoarse.Thalassa peeked her head inside, her expression a mix of concern and determination. “Morning, sunshine. Darwin called me last night. I’m your bodyguard for the day.”Fiona managed a small smile. “I appreciate the effort, but I’m not exactly a damsel in distress.”“No, you’re not,” Thalassa agreed, stepping fully into the room. “But it doesn’t hurt to have backup, especially with everything going on. Besides, you’re my best friend. You think I’m going to let you deal with this mess alone?”Fiona sighed, pulling the blanket tighter around her shoulders. “Thanks, Thalassa. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”“

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-26
  • Falling For My Surrogate Mistress    CHAPTER 25

    The tension in the study lingered long after Fiona left to join Thalassa upstairs. Darwin remained seated, his thoughts consumed by William’s cryptic threats. The phone call had been more than a warning—it was a challenge, a clear indication that William was ready to escalate their battle. Darwin’s fingers drummed on the edge of his desk as he reviewed the situation. William’s obsession with revenge was dangerous, but it was the subtlety of his tactics that made him a true threat. Unlike the typical corporate rival, William was calculating, using every vulnerability he could find to strike where it hurt most. And now, Fiona was in his crosshairs. Darwin picked up his phone and dialed Marcus. The line connected almost immediately. “Marcus, I need a complete report on William’s recent movements,” Darwin ordered, his voice steely. “Every meeting, every call—anything that could give us insight into his next move.” “I’m already on it,” Marcus replied. “But I should warn you—William’s

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-26
  • Falling For My Surrogate Mistress    CHAPTER 26

    The following morning dawned with an eerie stillness, as though the city itself was holding its breath. Fiona awoke to the sound of soft murmurs coming from the hallway. She sat up, her heart pounding, and strained to listen. The voices were low, urgent—Darwin and Marcus, deep in discussion.Curiosity got the better of her. She slipped out of bed, pulled on a robe, and padded to the door. As she cracked it open, Darwin’s voice reached her.“We can’t underestimate him,” he was saying. “William’s moves are calculated. He doesn’t take risks unless he’s confident of the outcome.”Marcus replied, his tone grim. “He’s leveraging something big. The journalists he’s been meeting with aren’t just tabloids—they’re reputable. If this story breaks, the damage won’t be easy to contain.”Fiona’s stomach churned. She knew they were talking about her, about the storm William was orchestrating. But what could he possibly have on her that would cause such a stir?Deciding she couldn’t remain in the sha

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-27
  • Falling For My Surrogate Mistress    CHAPTER 27

    The drive back to Darwin’s penthouse felt agonizingly slow, even though his driver navigated the streets with urgency. Fiona sat rigidly in her seat, clutching her phone in a vice grip. Her thoughts raced. Thalassa was more than a best friend—she was family, her unwavering ally in the storm of chaos that had become Fiona’s life. If William was targeting her, it meant he had crossed a line that even his conniving games hadn’t breached before.Darwin sat beside her, his jaw clenched in silent anger. He reached for her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “We’ll protect her, Fiona. Whatever he’s planning, we’ll stop it.”His words were comforting, but the pit in her stomach didn’t ease. “I can’t lose her, Darwin,” she whispered.“You won’t.”---When they arrived, Marcus was waiting in the penthouse, his face grim. “Thalassa called,” he said without preamble. “She said she’s fine for now but wanted you to know someone’s been following her for the past two days.”Fiona’s heart leapt into

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-27
  • Falling For My Surrogate Mistress    CHAPTER 28

    The recording circulated rapidly, its contents analyzed, dissected, and speculated upon by media outlets and online commentators. In the span of a few hours, it became clear that William's strategy wasn’t just to ruin Fiona’s reputation; he wanted to isolate her completely.Darwin stood at the penthouse’s panoramic window, staring at the city lights while gripping his phone tightly. Marcus had left to mitigate the fallout, leaving Fiona, Thalassa, and Darwin to process the turn of events.Fiona sat curled up on the couch, watching the endless stream of updates with growing despair. The narration over the video painted her as a manipulative woman orchestrating a scheme to trap Darwin, with Eleanor’s involvement spun as further evidence of her duplicity.“This is worse than I thought,” Thalassa muttered, sitting beside her. “He’s not just attacking you—he’s trying to destroy every shred of credibility you have.”Darwin turned, his gaze sharp and unyielding. “He’s playing dirty, and we’l

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-28
  • Falling For My Surrogate Mistress    CHAPTER 28

    The air in the penthouse grew thick with tension as Marcus explained the latest development.“William isn’t just silencing Alan Wright through threats or bribes. He’s activating his full arsenal. Alan’s name is already being scrubbed from public records, and I wouldn’t be surprised if a manufactured scandal surfaces to ruin his credibility entirely,” Marcus said.Darwin leaned against the edge of the desk, his jaw tight. “How long do we have before Alan’s entirely untouchable?”Marcus checked his phone. “At the rate William’s moving? A day. Maybe less.”Fiona, seated on the couch, wrapped her arms around herself. “If William discredits Alan, won’t that weaken our case? It’ll be our word against his.”“Exactly,” Darwin replied. “That’s why we need to get to Alan first.”Thalassa, sitting cross-legged in an armchair, raised an eyebrow. “And what’s the plan? It’s not like we can just knock on his door and ask him to hand over evidence.”Darwin exchanged a look with Marcus. “We don’t have

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-28
  • Falling For My Surrogate Mistress    CHAPTER 30

    The morning sun filtered through the windows of the penthouse, but the atmosphere inside was anything but bright. Fiona paced the living room, her fingers knotted together in agitation. Darwin stood at the kitchen counter, his eyes glued to the screen of his tablet as he read the transcript of William's press conference.The television in the corner played the press event on a loop. William Newton stood confidently at the podium, his expression one of practiced outrage.“These baseless accusations against me are the work of desperate individuals,” he declared. “Darwin Solomon and Fiona Woods have conspired to fabricate evidence in a malicious attempt to tarnish my reputation and derail my business endeavors.”The soundbite was chilling in its simplicity, its venom disguised as righteous indignation.Darwin tossed the tablet onto the counter and rubbed his temples. “He’s good. Twisting the narrative like this—it’s exactly what I expected.”Thalassa, perched on the arm of the sofa, shoo

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-29

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  • Falling For My Surrogate Mistress    CHAPTER 105

    A Meeting with Shadows Fiona stepped into the dimly lit lobby of the Kingston Grand Hotel, a five-star establishment known for hosting the city’s elite. The marble floors gleamed under soft golden lighting, and a faint scent of expensive cologne and freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air. Her heels clicked against the polished surface as she moved toward the elevator. She had dressed carefully—professional, poised, but not ostentatious. A fitted black blazer over a deep emerald blouse, paired with sleek trousers. It was a subtle armor, one she had learned to wear when facing men like Andrew Lennox. Her grip tightened around her clutch as she stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the twenty-second floor. Lennox had chosen a private suite for their meeting. That, in itself, told her everything she needed to know—he wanted discretion. The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, revealing a plush hallway lined with dark wood paneling and gold accents. A waiter

  • Falling For My Surrogate Mistress    CHAPTER 104

    Morning Stillness For the first time in years, Fiona woke up without the weight of uncertainty pressing against her chest. The city was still blanketed in the soft glow of dawn, streaks of gold filtering through her curtains. The world outside was moving, but for once, she wasn’t scrambling to keep up. She lay still, listening to the steady rhythm of her own breathing. It was a simple thing, yet it felt so foreign—to wake up without fear dictating her every move. No crisis to solve. No threats lurking just beyond her sight. The scent of coffee drifted through the air, rich and inviting, pulling her from her thoughts. She turned over and saw Darwin standing by the kitchen, his sleeves rolled up, his hair still slightly messy from sleep. He looked at home in her space, as if he belonged there. The sight sent a warmth through her, one she wasn’t sure she was ready to name. “You’re making a habit of this,” she murmured, stretching her arms above her head. He glanced over his should

  • Falling For My Surrogate Mistress    CHAPTER 103

    A New Routine Fiona had never imagined what a normal life would look like for her. For so long, every day had been about survival—dodging enemies, escaping traps, and planning her next move before the past could catch up to her. Now, for the first time in what felt like forever, she woke up in the same bed for more than a few nights in a row. It was… strange. Her new apartment was modest—far from the luxury she had grown accustomed to during her time with Darwin, but that was exactly why she had chosen it. Tucked away in a quiet part of the city, it was the kind of place where people minded their own business, where she could be anonymous for once. No grand mansions, no security guards, no constant looking over her shoulder. Just her. Well, and Darwin. “You keep staring at your coffee like it holds the meaning of life,” he commented from across the small kitchen table, a smirk tugging at his lips. Fiona blinked, realizing she had barely taken a sip. “Maybe it does,” she mutte

  • Falling For My Surrogate Mistress    CHAPTER 102

    Unfinished Conversations The city stretched out before them, glittering under the night sky. Fiona had spent so many nights staring at these lights, wondering if she would ever feel like she belonged. Tonight, for the first time, she wasn’t wondering—she was certain. She wasn’t running anymore. She belonged here. Darwin swirled the whiskey in his glass, watching her carefully. “So what now?” Fiona sighed, leaning back in her chair. “That’s the second time you’ve asked me that in the past week.” “And I’ll keep asking until I get a real answer,” he said. She looked at him, studying his face. There was something different about him. Less guarded, more open. Darwin had always been a man of control, but now? Now he seemed… willing to let go. Maybe they both were. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “For the first time in years, I don’t have a plan. I don’t have to survive. I just have to… be.” Darwin smirked. “You make it sound like a bad thing.” “It’s not,” she said quickly. “It’s j

  • Falling For My Surrogate Mistress    CHAPTER 101

    A Step Into the Unknown Fiona and Darwin didn’t speak as they left the airstrip. The weight of everything that had happened—the fights, the betrayals, the victories—still clung to them. But for the first time, it wasn’t a burden. It was a reminder. A lesson. They had survived. Now, they had to figure out how to live. The ride back to the city was quiet, the hum of the engine the only sound filling the space between them. Fiona watched the world blur past the window, her thoughts tangled. A fresh start. She had said those words, had meant them, but starting over wasn’t as easy as just saying it. What did a fresh start even look like for her? She had spent years pretending to be someone else, living under false names, running from shadows. Who was she without the fight? Without the need to constantly look over her shoulder? Darwin’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. “We should talk about where we go from here.” Fiona turned to him, searching his face. “You mean us?” He nod

  • Falling For My Surrogate Mistress    CHAPTER 100

    The End of an Empire The sun had barely risen when the news broke. Every major network, every headline, every online feed carried the same story— ALEXANDER GREAVES: EXPOSED. CAPTURED. DESTROYED. For years, he had been an untouchable force, weaving his web of power through corruption, fear, and control. But now, that empire had crumbled. The man himself was behind bars, facing an unprecedented list of charges. The charges alone read like a novel—embezzlement, fraud, conspiracy, bribery, racketeering, obstruction of justice. It was a miracle he had stayed in power for as long as he did. But in the end, justice had caught up to him. His empire was in ruins, his allies either in hiding or cutting deals to save themselves, and his name was being dragged through every news cycle. Fiona sat at the safe house, staring at the screen in quiet disbelief. It was over. Truly over. She had spent so many years fighting to expose the truth, uncovering every secret, dodging every attempt to s

  • Falling For My Surrogate Mistress    CHAPTER 99

    The explosion had sent shockwaves through the city. The media was already reporting Alexander Greaves' apparent death, but Fiona didn’t believe it for a second. Not until she had proof. She stood on the rooftop, staring at the smoldering wreckage of the helicopter, her mind racing. If there was one thing she knew about men like Greaves, it was that they always had a backup plan. Darwin stepped beside her, his jaw tight. “We should go before the authorities get here.” Marcus had already hacked the security feeds to wipe out any trace of their presence. Bella and Thalassa were watching their backs. But Fiona couldn’t move. Something about this felt wrong. Too easy. It's too staged. Greaves had orchestrated some of the most elaborate schemes in modern history. Would he go out in a fiery explosion with no failsafe? No. He was still alive. Somewhere. And she was going to find him. --- The Escape The team moved fast. They exited the estate through a hidden tunnel Marcus ha

  • Falling For My Surrogate Mistress    CHAPTER 98

    The moment the files hit the Pandora Network, the world exploded. News stations scrambled to verify the leaks. Social media erupted with outrage. Governments and corporations descended into chaos, trying to contain the fallout. For years, Alexander Greaves had operated in the shadows, pulling the strings of industries, politicians, and power players. But now, the truth was out. The carefully crafted empire he had built on lies, extortion, and manipulation was crumbling before the world’s eyes. Fiona sat in front of the screen, watching it unfold in real time. It was working. They had delivered a crippling blow to Greaves. But the victory felt hollow. Because he wasn’t going to go down without a fight. --- The First Strike Darwin’s phone buzzed. Marcus glanced at the caller ID. His face went pale. “It’s an encrypted signal.” Darwin answered, putting it on speaker. A low, calm voice filled the room. Alexander Greaves. “I must admit, you’ve impressed me.” Fiona’s fingers

  • Falling For My Surrogate Mistress    CHAPTER 97

    The moment the plane touched down in London, Fiona knew they weren’t safe. Not yet. The heist had been successful—too successful. They had everything they needed to take down Alexander Greaves, but they had also just declared war on a man who never lost. Fiona tightened her grip on the armrest as the jet taxied to a halt. “Stay alert,” Darwin muttered beside her, his gaze flicking toward the window. “Greaves isn’t the kind of man to let this slide.” Marcus unbuckled his seatbelt, already typing furiously on his laptop. “I’ve been monitoring his movements. He’s gone dark.” Thalassa raised an eyebrow. “That’s not good.” Bella let out a bitter laugh. “No, that’s terrifying. It means he’s planning something.” A heavy silence settled over them. Then, Darwin stood. “We move fast. We need to analyze the files and expose him before he gets the chance to wipe us off the map.” Fiona nodded, forcing down the unease twisting in her gut. They had started this fight. Now, they had to f

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