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CHAPTER 28
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-03-17 21:54:44
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RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 29
By the next morning, the damage control operation was in full swing.Brent had compiled a detailed report of our remaining assets, while Chelsea had managed to set up an emergency meeting with some of our most powerful investors.The board might have doubted me, but I wasn’t about to let this company collapse under my leadership.I stood at the head of the Perez Group executive conference room, dressed in a sharp black suit, my chin lifted in defiance.The air in the room was thick with tension.Seated before me were some of our biggest stakeholders, investors who had trusted me with their money. Investors who, after the billion-dollar loss, were now questioning whether that trust was misplaced.I refused to let them see how much their doubt shook me.If I wanted to fix this, I had to show them confidence, even if I didn’t fully feel it myself.*****"Ladies and gentlemen," I began, my voice clear and steady, "I won’t stand here and make excuses for what happened. Perez Group has suff
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-18RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 30
I met Lorenzo at an exclusive lounge in one of his high-end hotels.The moment I walked in, he was already waiting for me, his signature smirk in place, a glass of whiskey in his hand."You're late," he said, his tone laced with amusement.I ignored him and sat down across from him."Let's get to the point," I said coolly. "I need investors. You have connections."Lorenzo leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "And what do I get in return?"I swallowed, already knowing what was coming."Partnership," I said reluctantly. "A seat at the table. Limited control."His dark eyes gleamed with interest. "Limited?""I’m not handing over the company, Lorenzo," I said firmly.He chuckled. "Oh, Demi. That’s what I love about you." He swirled his drink before taking a sip. "You walk into the lion’s den, but you still think you can tame the beast.""I can," I shot back, refusing to let him see my hesitation.Lorenzo leaned back, studying me. "Alright. I'll consider it."It wasn’t a yes, b
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-19RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 31
Every fiber of my being screamed no.Jeff Ortega was the last person I wanted to be tied to again.But I wasn’t just Demi Perez anymore.I was the chairwoman of Perez Group.And right now, my company was drowning.I sucked in a breath, ignoring the way Jeff's smirk made my skin crawl.“What exactly does this ‘partnership’ entail?” I asked, keeping my voice steady.Jeff leaned forward, his dark eyes gleaming. “Simple. You and I run the merger together. Equal shares. Equal power. No buyout, no takeover—just you and me, like old times.”I almost laughed at that.Like old times?The old times where he manipulated me? Lied to me? Betrayed me?I hated him.But I hated losing even more.And if I refused…Lorenzo Cruz would win.I refused to let that happen.I exhaled sharply and lifted my paddle.“The Perez Group accepts your offer,” I said.The room erupted.***I felt Chelsea stiffen beside me.She turned, her eyes wide. “Demi… are you sure?”No.But I had to be.Jeff grinned like the bast
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-21RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 32
I needed coffee.And maybe a stronger escape route from my reality.The past few weeks had been absolute hell. The company was still recovering from the losses, the board was breathing down my neck, and Jeff Ortega was slithering his way into every aspect of my business, just waiting for the perfect moment to tighten his grip.So, when Chelsea got called into an urgent meeting and I found myself with an unexpected break, I did the first thing that made sense—I ran to a café nearby.The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the soft hum of background chatter were a much-needed distraction.I exhaled, stepping in line.Finally, a moment of peace.And then, his voice cut through the air.“Didn’t expect to see you here, cariño.”I froze.Of all the places in this city, of all the cafés in this block—why the hell was Jeff Ortega here?I turned slowly, my gaze locking onto his smirking face.“Great,” I muttered under my breath. “Just what I needed.”Jeff stood just a few feet away, hands casua
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-22RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 33
I sat there for what felt like an eternity, staring at the spot where Jeff had just been, my mind tangled in a web of disbelief.What the hell just happened?A part of me wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it all—Jeff Ortega, the man who had once thrown away our marriage like it meant nothing, was now offering me a deal that required me to move in with him again.Why?What was his real angle?I curled my fingers around my coffee cup, trying to steady myself. My heart was pounding, and my emotions were swinging between anger, confusion, and something else I refused to name.Jeff wanted me back under his roof?The same man who had once signed the divorce papers without hesitation?The same man who had walked away as if I had been nothing more than a passing chapter in his life?I clenched my jaw.It didn’t make sense.And the worst part?I didn’t want to ask him why.Something about that question—about admitting my curiosity—felt too dangerous.I didn’t want to give Jeff the satisfacti
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-23RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 34
I had barely gotten any rest in the past few days. Between my father’s condition, the chaos at Perez Group, and Jeff’s relentless interference, I felt like I was suffocating.As I sat beside my father’s hospital bed, I watched his peaceful, sleeping face. He looked so frail, a far cry from the powerful businessman I had always known him to be. Seeing him like this made my heart ache.I reached for his hand, gripping it gently.“Dad,” I whispered, my voice trembling, “I know you’d probably scold me if you were awake right now. You’d tell me I should be at the company instead of hovering over you. But… I just don’t know what to do anymore.”The weight of my failures pressed down on my shoulders like a boulder.The company was crumbling. Investors were pulling out. Lorenzo Cruz was circling like a vulture, and Jeff… Jeff was forcing me into a corner I never wanted to be in.And now, I was running out of options.Just as I was lost in thought, my phone buzzed violently in my hand. I sighe
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-24RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 35
I sat in my office, staring blankly at the document in front of me, but I wasn’t reading a single word. My mind was elsewhere.Nolan’s offer replayed over and over in my head.“I don’t want anything in return. Just trust me.”It sounded too good to be true.I had spent years surrounded by men who only helped when they had something to gain—whether it was control, power, or even me.And yet, here was Nolan, offering me a way out without asking for a single thing.It didn’t make sense.Was he playing some long game I wasn’t seeing? Did he have a hidden agenda?I wanted to believe he was different. That maybe, for once, someone was actually looking out for me.But I also wasn’t naïve.I knew better than to trust people at face value.A knock on my office door made me flinch. “Come in.”Brent stepped inside, his expression tense. He shut the door behind him before walking toward my desk.“You’re thinking about it, aren’t you?” he asked, crossing his arms.I sighed. “You already know the a
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-25RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 36
The next few days were absolute chaos.Despite my best efforts to stay focused, the pressure was crushing.Lorenzo wasn’t slowing down. If anything, he was accelerating his takeover plans. More investors were pulling out. More rumors were circulating. And every time I thought we had a moment to breathe, another headline would appear, twisting the knife deeper.But through it all, I waited for Nolan.I had no idea what he was planning.I hated that.I hated sitting in my office, staring at my phone, waiting for a call that might never come.Brent and Chelsea were both wary of the situation. Brent especially.“You’re relying on a man we barely know, Demi.”I knew that.But at this point, what choice did I have?Finally, on the fourth day, Nolan called.“Meet me.”That was all he said before hanging up.I grabbed my coat and left.***I found Nolan at a private lounge in one of the city’s most exclusive hotels.He was sitting in a leather chair, sipping whiskey like he had all the time i
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-26
Bab terbaru
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 60
I didn’t look back.Not at Jeff.Not at the mess we were leaving behind.Not at the blood on the floor.If I let myself hesitate for even a second, I’d start questioning everything—again.And I was done with that.Nolan matched my stride as we stepped out of the warehouse, the cold night air hitting me like a slap. The city stretched beyond the docks, its glow distant but constant, like a heartbeat. A reminder that the world kept moving, even when mine had just crumbled.“You sure you want to do this, sweetheart?” Nolan asked, his tone as casual as if we were discussing dinner plans.I didn’t answer.Because I wasn’t sure of anything anymore.Except one thing.I wasn’t going to be their pawn.Not Jeff’s.Not Nolan’s.Not The Syndicate’s.I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. “I need a plan.”Nolan let out a low chuckle. “Well, lucky for you, I happen to be an expert in getting out of impossible situations.”I shot him a glare. “That’s funny. I thought you were an expert
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 59
The gunshot shattered the silence like a thunderclap.I didn’t think—my body reacted before my mind could catch up.Move.I dove behind a stack of rusted crates as the shot echoed through the warehouse. My breath came fast and sharp as I pressed my back against the cold metal.Another shot rang out, this one sparking against the concrete floor near Nolan’s feet.I peeked out just in time to see him move—his body twisting as he pulled his own gun from his jacket. He wasn’t running. He wasn’t hiding.He was aiming.At who?I couldn’t tell.The warehouse was too dark, the shadows stretching long and deceptive. The only light was the flickering bulb above us, offering nothing but disorientation.Footsteps.More than one set.Who the hell else was here?Nolan fired a shot in return, his expression calm—too calm for someone who had just been ambushed.I didn’t trust him, but I also knew one thing for certain.Whoever was shooting at us wasn’t working for him.Because if they were, I’d alrea
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 58
I should have walked away.Should have turned my back on Victor and whatever game he was playing.But I didn’t.Because his words were still echoing in my head."He wasn’t hiding it from you. He was hiding you from it."And I needed to know what the hell that meant.I forced myself to meet Victor’s gaze. “Then tell me. If Nolan and Lorenzo aren’t running this, who is?”Victor smirked, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “That’s the right question. But you already know the answer, don’t you?”A slow chill crept up my spine.No. No, that wasn’t possible.I shook my head. “If I knew, I wouldn’t be standing here asking you.”Victor’s smirk faded. He studied me for a beat, like he was weighing something in his mind. Then he took the folder, flipped it open again, and pulled out a single page.I felt my stomach drop the second I saw the name printed at the top.My father.My hands curled into fists at my sides. “What does he have to do with this?”Victor let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head.
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 57
My heartbeat pounded in my ears, a frantic rhythm of anger, fear, and something I refused to name.Lorenzo's words settled over me like a vice, tightening with every second of silence."This has always been about you."I forced my breathing to stay even, controlled.Nolan didn’t move.Didn’t speak.Just stood there, watching me with that impenetrable gaze, like he was waiting.Like he was gauging my reaction.I hated that.I hated that he still had power over me, even now.I took a slow step back, distancing myself from them both. “What the hell does that mean?”Lorenzo smiled, slow and knowing. “Exactly what it sounds like.”I turned to Nolan.He owed me this.After everything, after all the lies, I deserved the truth.But Nolan—Nolan just sighed, rubbing his temple like this conversation exhausted him.Like I exhausted him.“Demi—”“No.” I cut him off. “No more stalling. No more vague bullshit. Tell me the truth.”A flicker of something passed through his expression.Something like
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 56
I didn’t have to wait long.Jeff replied almost immediately.Jeff: That was fast. Have a change of heart, sweetheart?My fingers tightened around my phone.Demi: Where are you?Jeff: Somewhere fun. Want to join?I didn’t have time for his games.Demi: I’m serious, Jeff. Where?A pause. Then:Jeff: My place. Half an hour. Come alone.I had no intention of obeying that last part.But I was going.Because if I wanted to destroy Nolan, I needed a new ally.Even if that ally was a snake.Jeff’s apartment was exactly what I expected—expensive, sleek, and deliberately impersonal.The kind of place a man like him never really called home.He was waiting for me, sprawled lazily on his couch, a whiskey glass in one hand and a smirk already in place.“Demi,” he drawled. “That was quicker than I thought. What changed?”I didn’t sit.Instead, I pulled out my phone, opened the screenshot I’d taken of Nolan’s text conversation with Lorenzo, and tossed it onto the table in front of him.Jeff picked i
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 55
I gripped the flash drive so tightly that the edges dug into my palm. The weight of it felt heavier than it should, as if the truth it carried had already begun pressing down on me before I even plugged it in.I didn't go straight home. I couldn't.Instead, I drove around aimlessly, my fingers tapping against the steering wheel, my mind spinning with possibilities.Jeff was a liar. A manipulator. But so was Nolan.I didn't trust either of them, but I needed to know what I was up against.Eventually, I pulled into the underground parking lot of my apartment building, shutting off the engine. My stomach churned as I stared at the device in my hand.I had a choice.I could throw it away and pretend this meeting never happened. Pretend Jeff never reached out. Pretend that I was still in control.Or I could plug it in and open Pandora’s box.I inhaled sharply, grabbed my bag, and stepped out of the car.By the time I reached my apartment, my hands were trembling. I locked the door behind m
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 54
Nolan leaned back in his chair, his smirk lingering as he watched me.“Go on,” he said, steepling his fingers together. “What’s on your mind, sweetheart?”I ignored the endearment, keeping my expression neutral.“We need to set some boundaries,” I said. “Rules.”His brows lifted slightly, amusement flickering in his dark eyes. “Rules?”“Yes.”I took a steadying breath, forcing myself to remain calm. I had spent the whole night thinking about this—about what I could control in a situation where I had already lost so much.If I had to play this game, I needed to be clear about my terms.“No unnecessary public displays of affection,” I said firmly. “Nothing more than what’s required to sell the engagement.”Nolan hummed, tapping his fingers against the desk. “You do realize we’ll need to be convincing, right?”I met his gaze without flinching. “Convincing doesn’t mean excessive.”His lips twitched like he wanted to argue, but instead, he just nodded. “Fine. What else?”“No unannounced vi
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 53
The gala was a blur of expensive suits, designer gowns, and the clinking of champagne glasses. Laughter echoed around the grand ballroom, but it was all a carefully constructed illusion—just like everything else in my life.I smiled when I was supposed to. Laughed at all the right moments. Nodded along as people talked about stocks, mergers, and the latest scandals.But inside, It felt like I was drowning.Chelsea hovered nearby, keeping an eye on me like she always did. I appreciated her concern, but there was nothing she could do to fix this.Nolan was here somewhere.I had yet to see him, but I could feel his presence.And then—A hand brushed against my lower back.I stiffened, my breath catching in my throat.“You look stunning,” a deep voice murmured.I turned my head, my heart pounding.Nolan.He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, his tie crisp, his posture effortless.And his eyes—they held that same dark amusement, like he knew something I didn’t.I swallowed hard
RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE EX-HUSBAND CHASED ME BACK CHAPTER 52
We left the warehouse in a convoy of black SUVs, Nolan’s men securing every angle as if Lorenzo might try something last-minute. My father was weak but stable, his head resting against the seat as he exhaled heavily. I held his hand, my fingers gripping his like a lifeline.The drive back was silent.I kept replaying the night in my head—Lorenzo’s threats, Nolan’s calculated control, the way the power shifted so quickly. My mind was spinning, trying to process what it all meant.But one thought stood out among the chaos.This isn’t over.Not by a long shot.We pulled up to a private estate—one of Nolan’s, no doubt. The moment we entered, medical staff was waiting for my father. They whisked him away into a large, well-equipped room that looked more like a high-end hospital suite than a bedroom.Chelsea was already there.She rushed forward the second she saw me. “Oh my god, Demi—”I barely had time to react before she pulled me into a tight hug.“You’re okay,” she whispered, her voice
