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Chapter 24 ~ Eric Black
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2024-11-03 00:49:58Related chapters
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 25 ~ Cloaked Path
~~~~~While Ms. Nora Black spoke sharply into the phone, documents clutched in one hand, I found myself silently admiring the clean streets outside. For some reason, we had switched cars, and now she was sitting next to me in the backseat while a different driver took the wheel.As we moved from the quiet lane onto the bustling highway, Ms. Black finally looked up, a practiced smile slipping into place. "Oh! Sorry about that, just had to make a few calls," she said smoothly."It’s fine," I replied."We have a lot of ground to cover—starting with the hair salon, then makeup, and shopping. We’ve got our work cut out for us."I blinked, glancing at her styled hair. It looked perfectly fine to me. "Your hair seems fine, ma’am. Why do you need to go to the salon?"She gave me a stunned look, as if I had spoken an alien language. "I was talking about you, dumb girl," she said, her tone slicing through the air."Oh." I forced a smile, ignoring the insult. "But my hair looks fine.""To whom?"
Last Updated : 2024-11-04Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 26 ~ Dance of Lies: Faithless Encounter
~~~~~As the plane touched down in Austria, I could barely keep my legs steady from the nerves. Mrs. Black glanced over and sighed, "No need to look like someone about to face the firing squad, Mary. The marriage won’t happen right away. You still need to meet my son and discuss a few things. So, try to look a bit more alive."Easy for you to say, I thought, but managed a strained smile. "O...kay," I replied. "So, where are we heading now?""To the Black Estate. My son is expecting us there," she said, signaling to someone nearby. Almost instantly, a pristine white SUV pulled up in front of us.I mumbled to myself, “Wow, it must be nice to have this kind of money.”Mrs. Black turned with a curious look. “What was that?”"Nothing," I quickly replied, smiling.“Good. Now, get in the car.” She climbed inside, and I followed, bracing myself as we drove off.To be honest, from the airport to the Black Estate, I kept asking myself why on earth I agreed to this kind of arrangement. For the f
Last Updated : 2024-11-07Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 27 ~ The Wedding Arrangement
~~~~Eric sighed in frustration as he glanced at his reflection, the veins in his neck visibly pulsing.He felt an overwhelming urge to strangle the person responsible for his current predicament. "What on earth is 'virginal hair'? This is absurd." Despite his intense anger, he had no choice but to endure the situation; everything had already been set in motion, and canceling now would be a tremendous hassle.***Alone in the spacious sitting room, I couldn't contain my laughter. It was an uncontrollable fit, one I hadn’t experienced before. The expression on Eric Black's face was absolutely priceless.I continued laughing until Mrs. Nora entered, holding a steaming cup of coffee in one hand. I quickly stifled my laughter, not wanting her to suspect anything. She settled down beside me, and I smiled, extending my hand to receive the coffee. However, the look she gave me made me retract my hand.After a moment, she sipped her coffee and asked, “What did my son say?”“Oh, nothing much.
Last Updated : 2024-11-10Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 28 ~ Pre - Wedding Jitter
~~~~~It was finally the long-awaited wedding day, and I couldn’t shake the nerves gripping my stomach. It had been two weeks since I last contacted my family, and that weighed heavily on my heart.As I stared at my reflection in the mirror, I thought, “This is supposed to be the happiest moment of a woman’s life, but because of this situation, it’s the worst for me.” Who would have imagined that my first wedding would turn out to be a sham? If my parents found out about the path I had chosen, they would be furious and might even disown me.No matter the circumstances, I couldn’t bring myself to explain my choices to them. It would devastate them. My family was devoutly religious, adhering to a strict moral code. They would never compromise their principles, even if it meant their own destruction.So, to preserve my family’s happiness and unity, I had to keep this part of my life a secret. Once the six months were over, I planned to leave it all behind.Yet, despite my resolve to keep
Last Updated : 2024-11-16Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 29 ~ The Breaking Point
~~~~~Eric Black woke that morning seething with frustration, his irritation only fueled by his mother’s constant involvement. Though his family had arranged this marriage, he was far from thrilled.The woman he truly wanted to share his vows with had turned him down, not for his affections but because of underlying reasons he couldn’t change. How could he have known that, had he made his intentions clear earlier, she might have accepted him? But he’d waited too long, leaving her to wrestle with her commitment issues on her own.Everyone in his family knew about his love for Diana, and he was determined to make her his—truly his, in front of the world, not just in whispered words or stolen moments. But to get there, he’d have to endure this ordeal.Fully dressed, Eric paused outside the room where his so-called “bride” waited. The anger bubbled within him, just thinking about marrying someone who wasn’t the
Last Updated : 2024-11-17Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 30 ~ The Faux Wedding
~~~~~~~Inhaling deeply, I scanned the altar and the despicable man standing there, waiting my arrival with a deceitful, radiant smile plastered on his face.As the chief bridesmaid gracefully scattered white flower petals on the ground, I couldn't help but notice the unfamiliar faces in the crowd, all wearing forced smiles.The orchestrator of this charade, was gazing at me with approval, and the relentless media capturing every moment with their cameras, The entire affair was frustrating beyond measure.I felt an overwhelming urge to slap those counterfeit smiles off their faces with the bouquet of red roses I held tightly.Gripping the flowers tightly, I reluctantly made my way closer to the altar, each step seeming more grueling than the last.***Under the scorching sun, Eric, too, stood waiting for his supposed wife, pretending to be happy. His jaw began to ache, and the marriage hadn't even commenced yet.However, he couldn't deny that the woman who was to be his wife looked st
Last Updated : 2024-11-29Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 31 ~ The Newly Wed
~~~~~Eric turned and tossed in his bed, unable to sleep. Frustrated, he stood up, made himself a cup of hot coffee, and moved to admire the night sky over New York.He sighed tiredly. It had only been two weeks since his arranged marriage, and already he was inundated with calls from various magazines and entertainment outlets, clamoring for interviews. On top of that, long-lost friends and distant relatives were breathing down his neck, demanding he reach out.His half-brother was no different, always looking for a chance to con Mary—either threatening her or offering her a hefty sum of money to reveal the truth about their marriage. The first time he caught James in the act, he saw him scribbling on a piece of paper and handing it to Mary. She just stared at the paper, then at him, unmovable. When it looked like James was about to force her hand, Eric confronted him.It was surprising that she didn’t take the offer; I mean, you give a sum of 2.5 million to a street girl, and you th
Last Updated : 2024-11-29Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 32 ~ A Trip to Canada
~~~~~That morning, Eric woke up feeling unusually excited. Today was the day he would meet Diana in Canada, and he could hardly contain his anticipation. Fully dressed, he stepped out of his room, hoping to find his so-called wife ready and waiting. Instead, he encountered his butler.“Good morning, sir,” the man said, offering a weary smile despite his age.“Morning,” Eric replied, distractedly adjusting his suit.“Your luggage is already in the car, sir,” the butler informed him.“Ah… I see.”“But I’m afraid the madam has not yet woken up,” he added.Eric raised an eyebrow, momentarily confused. “My mother isn’t coming with us, if that’s what you mean.”“Oh, no, sir. I’m not talking about Mrs. Nora,” the butler clarified.“Then who are you referring to?” Eric asked.“I’m tal
Last Updated : 2024-11-29
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Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 38 ~ Continuation
Continuation...There’s no way I’m letting someone like her bring me down. I smiled at her—but it wasn’t the kind of smile that warms hearts. Not by a long, short.“I’ve heard stories about you—the journalist who stops at nothing for a scoop. Once you latch onto a story, you hold on tight. I have to admit, I respect your commitment, but I can’t stand people like you who take pleasure in tearing others down.” I scanned the room, the cameras still focused on me. “You’re meant to bring truth and life into focus, not to shatter families or lives. Your constant invasion of privacy has devastated countless lives, leaving them unable to recover. Actors can’t truly be themselves; they can’t love freely or chase their dreams because they live in fear of what you’ll publish about them.” I snapped. “All for a damn paycheck. Maybe I should grab a camera myself, thanks to m
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 38 ~ Checkmate in Red
~~~~But the media wasn’t the only one on edge; Eric and Nora Black were perched on the edge of their seats as they each watched the big screen from their respective homes. They knew that if the world were to find out about what they had done, it would spell disaster for their family for generations to come.The moment the press asked Mary about her marriage to the Blacks, Nora felt her heart leap into her throat. “No… I can’t watch this,” she said, pushing herself up from her seat. “Or I’ll die of a heart attack. I can’t believe I trusted her enough to choose her. I thought she was different. How could she do this to me?” she cursed. “I’m going to ruin her,” she swore, storming over to the bar. Pouring herself a drink—one that was high in alcohol—she muttered, “If this whole thing doesn’t kill me, I hope this wine does,” before downing the entire bottle.In Ca
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 37 ~ The Spinning Wheels
~~~~~I laughed, relishing the sound of his anger on the other end. “Woo, brother, calm down. No need to shout,” James said, his voice taunting. “See, that’s where you’re wrong. I didn’t kidnap or drag her as you’re thinking—she came with me of her own free will.”A long silence stretched from the other end. “Nonsense… My wife would never—” Eric’s voice started, but James cut him off.“Wife?” James laughed the sound sharp and mocking. “Please. You and I both know she’s not really your wife. She admitted it to me, and now, soon enough, the whole world will know.”Another silence, but this time there was a tension in it. Eric’s voice, wary, asked, “What are you talking about, James? What do you mean the whole world will know?”Bastard, I cursed inwardly as I yanked the phone from James's ear. “What he means, assho
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 36 ~ Continuation
Continuation****James pushed the car to its limits, speeding through the empty streets to make it to the press conference on time. His phone buzzed relentlessly, but he refused to let it break his focus. He glanced at the caller ID—Eric, of course—but ignored it. When he did answer briefly, he remained silent, waiting for Eric to give up before the line went dead.Beside him in the passenger seat sat Mary, his brother's so-called wife, quiet and unreadable. He cast a quick look at her, thoughts churning. She’d agreed to help him, and for that, he was grateful—or maybe just lucky. But how far could he actually trust her? Once the truth came out, she’d be useless to him. She’d already sold Eric out without a second thought; he wondered, with a bitter smirk, how quickly she’d turn on him too if the price was right. He could see her for what she was—a hustler, someone born from the streets, loyal only t
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 36 ~ Calculated Vengeance
~~~~I pulled on black leather pants, a fitted turtleneck, and high-top black sneakers. My hair hung loose down my back as I made my way downstairs, feeling nothing but a cold emptiness. I handed James a slip of paper with my bank details. “Here’s my account number. You said five times the pay, right?”“Right.” He gave me a questioning look. “So, does that mean I was right about everything?”I let out a low laugh. “I don’t know, James… why don’t you find out? But before we go anywhere, I want my account filled. Now.”He smirked, but I could see the flash of annoyance in his eyes. “Fine. I’ll pay you ten billion dollars—half now, half when you’re done.”Ten billion. If he could casually throw out that amount, I knew he had much more stashed away. “Fifteen billion,” I said, meeting his gaze without flinching. “And I want the full amount upfront. I don’t trust you.”He gritted his teeth but nodded. “Fine. But we need to leave now.” He looked around, nervous, as if someone was watching.“
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 35 ~ Deception: The Double-headed Sword
~~~~I wasn’t thinking of anything as I made my way down the hall. My head was foggy, my mind blank. What was there to think about? Eric and I didn’t like each other; we could barely tolerate one another’s presence. I had been hired to play the part of his wife, and now that he’d told me to quit, I was ready to walk away. Sure, I might not find another gig that paid this well, but the money they owed me would help me get started for a while. Maybe I’d even try my hand at acting for real. It wouldn’t be easy, but it would be a start.Hurrying back to my room, I felt hot tears streaming down my face, and I couldn’t stop them. Why did it hurt so much? His words shouldn’t have affected me; they shouldn’t have meant anything. But they did.I collapsed onto my bed and cried my eyes out. From that moment on, everything changed between us. We barely spoke, didn’t eat together, and avoided looking each other in the eye. I stayed holed up in my room, only venturing out for fresh air. This silen
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 34 ~ Bound by Deception: The First Break-up
~~~~We arrived at the room Mrs. Lola had recommended, and just as she said, it was better—spacious, airy, and filled with natural light.“It’s good. I like it,” I commented, taking in the room’s elegance.“I’m glad, ma’am,” she smiled warmly. “What would you like me to prepare for dinner?”“Dinner?” I glanced at the wall clock; it was barely past 4. “Nothing, I’m not hungry, maybe later. But right now, all I need is a bath and then straight to bed.”“As you wish, ma’am, but if you change your mind, just let me know.”“Sure. Thank you,” I replied.“You’re welcome, ma’am,” she said before slipping quietly out of the room.After unpacking, I indulged in a hot bath, letting the warmth melt away every bit of tension from the day. Soon after, I slipped into bed, and as my head hit the
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 33 ~ The Quiet Storm
~~~~~Finally, they arrived in Canada, and just as Eric had commanded, the jet touched down on the grounds of the penthouse. Like his other properties, this one was breathtaking, complete with a swimming pool on one side, a bar on the other, and a stunning fountain—it was truly a sight to behold.While the guards and maids busied themselves with our bags, I took my time, soaking in the extravagant view of the penthouse. As I approached the staircase leading inside, Eric suddenly pushed past me, nearly knocking me off my feet without so much as a “sorry.”“Hey, watch it! Are you trying to get me killed, is that why we are here?” I demanded, but instead of an apologetic look, he shot me an indifferent glare.“Asshole,” I murmured, shaking my head as I climbed the stairs again.When I reached the top, the driver was waiting alongside an elderly woman who smiled warmly at me. I returned her smile, feeling a bit
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 32 ~ A Trip to Canada
~~~~~That morning, Eric woke up feeling unusually excited. Today was the day he would meet Diana in Canada, and he could hardly contain his anticipation. Fully dressed, he stepped out of his room, hoping to find his so-called wife ready and waiting. Instead, he encountered his butler.“Good morning, sir,” the man said, offering a weary smile despite his age.“Morning,” Eric replied, distractedly adjusting his suit.“Your luggage is already in the car, sir,” the butler informed him.“Ah… I see.”“But I’m afraid the madam has not yet woken up,” he added.Eric raised an eyebrow, momentarily confused. “My mother isn’t coming with us, if that’s what you mean.”“Oh, no, sir. I’m not talking about Mrs. Nora,” the butler clarified.“Then who are you referring to?” Eric asked.“I’m tal
