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Chapter 42; A fragile alliance
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2024-11-09 22:40:43Related chapters
Hold on, Mr billionaire. Chapter 43; Unveiling
The days that followed were a whirlwind of damage control and calculated moves on Adrian's part. The storm Monica had tried to create was quieting, yet the questions still lingered, gnawing at the edges of my mind. The text I had sent Adrian back in the thick of things weighed heavily on me, a delicate balance between trust and suspicion.One evening, after the buzz of work had faded and I found myself alone in my apartment, I finally allowed myself to review everything I’d uncovered. The image I’d found in the archives, buried beneath decades of dust and silence, had shifted everything. My father and Adrian’s father, standing together in what looked like a boardroom, their expressions serious, as though they were on the verge of something monumental. They were once business partners, possibly even friends—an alliance that, somehow, had been completely erased from our family’s history.My thoughts wandered back to Adrian’s reaction when I’d hinted at this discovery. He’d dismissed it
Last Updated : 2024-11-09Hold on, Mr billionaire. Chapter 44; Unmasked intentions
The room felt both intimate and heavy with tension. The evening's silence was broken only by the distant hum of city traffic and the soft tick of the wall clock. Adrian’s eyes, softened just moments before, were now watchful, as if bracing himself.“Adrian, I need to know something,” I began, my voice more unsteady than I’d anticipated. I let go of his hand, pulling back slightly to see him more clearly. “Did you… did you know who I was before you hired me?”He seemed taken aback, his brow furrowing slightly. “Bella, I—” His gaze shifted, the truth simmering beneath the surface.“Just tell me, please,” I pressed, feeling the weight of every encounter, every moment shared, hanging in the balance. “Did you hire me because of my father?”He exhaled, running a hand through his hair, and his hesitation told me more than any words could have. “No, not exactly,” he finally admitted. “When I first met you, I didn’t know you were *that* Martinez. But… there are protocols for hiring. We do a bac
Last Updated : 2024-11-09Hold on, Mr billionaire. Chapter 45: The truth we bury
The unexpected knock sliced through the tension between us, snapping us both out of the intimate, fragile moment we’d been sharing. Adrian’s expression shifted from vulnerability to guardedness, his brows knitting as he pulled away. “Excuse me,” he muttered, getting up and heading toward the door with an air of wariness. I watched him go, a thousand thoughts tangled in my mind, a hundred emotions lingering in the space between us.As he opened the door, the sound of a familiar voice drifted in. “Hey, I just wanted to drop off these files for tomorrow's meeting—”Lucas stood there, papers in hand, his gaze shifting from Adrian to me in a flash. A beat of silence stretched uncomfortably. I couldn’t read Lucas’s expression, but there was something in his eyes—a flicker of something I couldn’t quite place, like he was hiding a secret of his own.“Lucas,” Adrian greeted him with a forced calm. “Thanks. Leave them on the desk, I’ll look them over later.”“Of course,” Lucas replied, his gaz
Last Updated : 2024-11-09Hold on, Mr billionaire. Chapter 46: An unwelcome return
I was reviewing final edits on a presentation when my phone buzzed with a message from Grace: *"Guess who I ran into? Ethan!"* I blinked at the name. It had been years since we’d last spoken, and honestly, I’d thought he was well out of my life. But that familiar unease crept in; I remembered all too well the way things had ended, and the reminder was enough to unsettle me. Then came the knock at my door. My pulse quickened as I turned, expecting Diana or maybe even Adrian with an unexpected update. Instead, standing there in a sharply tailored suit, dark hair styled in that effortlessly arrogant way, was Ethan, smiling as if the past didn’t matter.“Bella,” he said, voice smooth as ever, like we were just picking up where we’d left off. “Ethan.” I felt my spine straighten, every professional instinct kicking in. “What are you doing here?”“I’m here on business, believe it or not,” he replied, his gaze drifting around the room before landing back on me with that same cocky glint. “L
Last Updated : 2024-11-09Hold on, Mr billionaire. Chapter 47; one step at a time
The next morning, I arrived at the office early, feeling a strange mixture of excitement and caution. The memory of last night lingered—Adrian’s kiss, the way he held me, the feeling that maybe, just maybe, he saw me as more than just a business partner. But I had no time to savor the memory; I was here early for a reason. Something wasn’t adding up with Ethan’s sudden reappearance, and I wanted to get a step ahead before Adrian found out I was looking into it.I made my way to the archives, where files from the early days of Langston Enterprises were kept. A dim light illuminated the room, casting long shadows across the shelves. I pulled up some of the older files on Adrian’s father’s partnerships and contracts, searching for any record of Ethan’s involvement—or, more significantly, his family’s ties to Langston Enterprises. As I scrolled through digital records and skimmed pages of dusty folders, a name kept coming up that made my stomach twist: *Harold Langston.*Harold Langston,
Last Updated : 2024-11-09Hold on, Mr billionaire. Chapter 48; The Deal
The boardroom was filled with a heavy silence as Ethan set up his presentation. The air felt thick with tension, as if everyone was waiting for the moment when his polished facade would slip. Adrian sat at the head of the table, his eyes sharp and unreadable, while Lucas and Diana took their seats beside him. I settled into my chair, steeling myself for whatever Ethan had planned. The lights dimmed, and Ethan began, clicking to the first slide of a crisp, visually sleek presentation titled *A New Future: Synergy Between Innovation and Tradition.* “Thank you all for taking the time,” Ethan said, casting a wide smile across the room, his gaze landing on me just a moment too long. “Today, I’ll outline the ways our companies can benefit from a partnership.” His voice was smooth, rehearsed; each word polished to convey a blend of opportunity and respect. But something about his tone felt off—a bit too insistent, a bit too eager to convince.He shifted to the next slide, filled with a dia
Last Updated : 2024-11-09Hold on, Mr billionaire. Chapter 49; Shadows and Secrets
Ethan’s proposal lingered over the boardroom like a dark cloud. Adrian’s team had scattered to investigate, each taking their cues from his stormy expression. He was a man on a mission now, determined to unearth whatever secrets Ethan had buried within his sleek, polished presentation. Bella returned to her office, trying to shake off the feeling that her past and present were blurring together in ways she hadn’t anticipated.As she settled back into her chair, Adrian appeared in her doorway, leaning against the frame with a look that was unreadable yet intense. “Busy?” he asked, with a casual tone that belied the tension in his jaw.Bella glanced up, surprised by his sudden appearance. “Just going over some notes. What’s up?”He stepped inside, shutting the door behind him, crossing the room with a quiet determination that made Bella’s pulse quicken. “I thought it might be helpful if we compared notes,” he said, his voice low, his eyes on hers. “There’s something about Ethan’s offer
Last Updated : 2024-12-19Hold on, Mr billionaire. Chapter 50; Lines drawn
Bella stood in front of her closet, torn between two dresses for tonight's event—a sleek black dress that whispered elegance, and a deep emerald one that matched her eyes. Her mind lingered on Adrian’s intensity in their last conversation, his eyes dark with resolve as he vowed to protect her from whatever Ethan was scheming. She wanted to match his energy tonight, to show up as someone who was not easily rattled.Settling on the emerald dress, Bella fastened a gold bracelet around her wrist, feeling the weight of everything that had led her here. Tonight was more than just a company gala; it was a gathering of power players, a space where alliances were hinted at and loyalties were questioned. And after Ethan’s recent reappearance, she was more certain than ever that everything she did tonight mattered.---The ballroom was alive with the hum of quiet conversations and the glimmer of chandelier light reflecting off wine glasses. Bella scanned the crowd, catching sight of familiar fac
Last Updated : 2024-12-19
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Hold on, Mr billionaire. Chapter 61; Fractured Loyalties
Third-Person POV* The Langston Group office hummed with an underlying tension that felt almost tangible. After the morning's whirlwind of press management and corporate maneuvering, things had calmed slightly. But the calm was deceptive—it was the eye of the storm. Bella sat in her office, staring at the blinking cursor on her laptop. The draft for the next public statement was coming along, but her thoughts were everywhere except the screen in front of her. Every time she tried to focus, fragments of her earlier conversation with Adrian crept in. _"I just wanted to protect you."_ His words had lingered in her mind, threading through every thought and emotion. She’d seen the sincerity in his eyes, the cracks in his usually impenetrable demeanor. But there were still too many unanswered questions, too much uncertainty in the air. Her phone buzzed, breaking her reverie. She glanced at the screen: **Oliver**. “Hello?” she answered. “Hey, Bella,” Oliver’s voice came through,
Hold on, Mr billionaire. Chapter 60; Pieces of puzzle
Third-Person POV* The mood in Adrian’s office shifted as Oliver laid the folder on the desk. The contents weren’t just proof—they were ammunition. “This,” Oliver said, tapping the top page, “is the original financial report from one of Monica’s shell companies. And this,” he pulled out another sheet, “is the version submitted to the press. See the difference?” Adrian leaned forward, scanning the documents. “The numbers don’t match. She inflated the figures to make it look like Langston Group made massive payoffs.” “Exactly,” Oliver replied. “Not only that, but I cross-checked the supposed emails between you and Monica. The timestamps don’t align with when those emails were sent on the server. They’ve been altered.” Diana appeared in the doorway, a mug of coffee in one hand and her tablet in the other. “Good news?” she asked, noting the faint tension easing from Adrian’s face. “Potentially,” Adrian replied, holding up the evidence. “But we’re not out of the woods yet.” Di
Hold on, Mr billionaire. Chapter 59; Corporate Sabotage
Third-Person POV* The Langston Group’s sleek glass building glinted in the early morning sunlight, a symbol of power and prestige—or at least it had been until today. Inside, the usual buzz of productivity had been replaced by chaos. Phones rang incessantly, conversations were hushed but frantic, and the atmosphere was charged with tension that no one could ignore. On every major news channel and across social media, a single headline dominated: *Langston Group Caught in Corporate Sabotage Scandal.* The story was damning, laced with alleged evidence of Adrian Langston and Monica Tate’s collusion years ago to bring down a rising competitor in the tech industry. Financial records, private emails, and a supposed whistleblower’s testimony painted a picture of ruthless tactics and unethical decisions. Adrian sat at the head of the executive conference room, his hands steepled as his piercing eyes scanned the room. Beside him, Oliver was scrolling through his tablet, his jaw tighten
Hold on, Mr billionaire. Chapter 58; The Crack
Bella’s POV* Adrian’s words hung between us, heavy and unyielding. The city buzzed faintly in the background, a distant hum compared to the thunder of my heartbeat. “I love you.” It should have felt comforting, but instead, it sent a jolt through my system—a mix of anger, confusion, and something else I wasn’t ready to name. I searched his face for a hint of insincerity, something that would validate my need to pull away, but all I found was raw honesty. “That doesn’t fix this, Adrian,” I said finally, my voice quieter now but no less firm. “I know it doesn’t,” he admitted, stepping closer. The warm scent of him—spicy cologne, faintly mingled with the cool night air—washed over me, stirring memories I wasn’t ready to confront. “But it’s the truth. And it’s all I have to offer you right now.” I took a step back, needing space to think, to breathe. His closeness felt like a magnet pulling me in when I was fighting to hold my ground. “Adrian, love isn’t enough if I can’t tr
Hold on, Mr billionaire. Chapter 57; Fractured Silence
Chapter 57: Fractured Silence *Bella’s POV* The ringing of my phone jolted me awake, cutting through the haze of restless sleep. I didn’t need to check the screen to know who it was. Adrian. Again. It had been three days since our fight, and he’d been relentless—calls, texts, even showing up outside my apartment once. I hadn’t answered, hadn’t given him a shred of acknowledgment. Every message he left only added to the whirlwind of emotions I was trying to suppress. I groaned, throwing the covers off and padding to the kitchen. The early morning light streamed through the windows, the city already humming with life. It was a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside me. My coffee maker sputtered as it brewed, the sound oddly comforting in the silence of my apartment. Silence I had purposely maintained. I needed time to think, to process what Adrian had told me. But every time I tried, my thoughts spiraled back to him—his desperate eyes, his voice cracking as he begged me
Hold on, Mr billionaire. Chapter 56; The hidden silence
Adrian’s POV* The day had started with promise. Bella and I had finally settled into a rhythm—one that felt almost... normal. A word I never thought I’d associate with my life, but somehow, with her, I could breathe easier. This morning, I’d caught her laughing with Diana in the break room. Her smile lit up the drab office like a rare ray of sunlight piercing through gray clouds. For a moment, I had stood there watching her, captivated. She had glanced my way, her laughter trailing off, and that familiar flush crept up her cheeks. “See something you like?” she’d teased, her voice light but carrying a hint of challenge. “Always,” I’d replied, unable to resist. The way her gaze softened in response had stayed with me all day, a warm ember I carried through hours of meetings and decision-making. But that ember had long since died out. Now, the air between us was charged and electric, heavy with tension. Bella stood across the room, her arms folded tightly, her expression a m
Hold on, Mr billionaire. Chapter 55; Unspoken confessions
3rd Person POV* The Langston offices were unusually quiet for a Thursday afternoon. The tension from Ethan's botched proposal had eased, but a subtle undercurrent of anticipation hummed through the halls. The team was already preparing for their next steps, and as usual, Adrian was in control, orchestrating every move like a maestro. Meanwhile, Oliver leaned against Diana’s desk in the executive wing, flipping through a folder. He had that careless charm of his, the kind that made him seem effortlessly capable, even when he wasn’t trying. “You know,” he said, his eyes flicking to Diana, “I still don’t understand how you keep this place running so smoothly. I can barely keep my inbox under control, and here you are managing Adrian, Bella, and Lucas like it’s nothing.” Diana, who had been typing furiously on her laptop, glanced up, her expression a mix of amusement and exasperation. “Unlike you, Oliver, I don’t treat my responsibilities like a joke.” “Ouch.” He pressed a hand
Hold on, Mr billionaire. Chapter 54; More than meets the eye
Adrian's POV* The next morning, I was already pacing my office when Oliver strolled in like he didn’t have a care in the world. He was holding a cup of coffee in one hand and a stack of folders in the other, his usual lopsided grin plastered across his face. “Morning, brother,” he said, his tone annoyingly chipper. “You look like you didn’t sleep.” “I didn’t,” I shot back, stopping mid-stride. “Ethan’s proposal has more red flags than a dictatorship, and I need answers.” Oliver chuckled as he sank into the chair across from my desk. “You always did take things so seriously.” “Someone has to.” I leaned forward, my hands gripping the edge of my desk. “You said you had a hunch about him. Care to elaborate?” The grin faded from Oliver’s face, replaced by something sharper, more calculating. It was a side of him most people didn’t get to see, the side that reminded me he wasn’t just the family screw-up he liked to pretend to be. “I’ve been digging into Ethan’s company,” he sa
Hold on, Mr billionaire. Chapter 53; A thin Line
Chapter 53: A Thin Line** *Adrian’s POV* The second the conference room door shut behind Ethan, I wanted to throw something. Anything. I could feel the pulse in my temples, the barely controlled rage threatening to slip its leash. He strutted out of here like he hadn’t just insulted my intelligence with that laughable presentation, like he hadn’t smirked at Bella one too many times. *Breathe, Adrian.* I ran a hand down my face, forcing the tension out of my shoulders. Losing control wasn’t an option, not here, not in front of my team. Lucas and Diana lingered behind, their quiet conversation filling the heavy silence. Bella was still seated near the far end of the table, her arms crossed, deep in thought. She’d been watching Ethan closely during the presentation, and I could tell her instincts were telling her the same thing mine were—he was lying. But then again, Bella always seemed to notice what others missed. It was one of the many things about her that both fascinated a
