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Dangerous Paths
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2024-12-25 07:44:54Related chapters
THE ABANDONED CHILD BECOMES THE BILLIONAIRES ONLY HEIR. Breaking Points
Chapter 22: Breaking PointsMelissa leaned against her cracked kitchen counter, her fingers clutched the phone. The line had gone dead moments ago, but her heart still pounded in fear. Emma would deliver the message, she had to. Rico needed to know how close he was to stepping into the same trap Lydia couldn’t escape.But Melissa wasn’t sure if the warning would be enough. Rico has showed that he wasn’t the type to back down.The safe house felt smaller tonight, its shadows stretching longer than usual. She forced herself to breathe, pushing back the weight pressing against her ribs. She couldn’t afford to fall apart now. Not with everything she’d seen in those files.The screen of her laptop blinked again, showing the last transaction, the listed date was only three days earlier, money had exchanged hands, large sums moving through shell companies tied to both the Hawthornes and Alex. Melissa’s name appeared under “liabilities.” Her stomach knotted.A sharp knock at the door snapped
Last Updated : 2024-12-26THE ABANDONED CHILD BECOMES THE BILLIONAIRES ONLY HEIR. Shattered Trust
Chapter 23: Shattered TrustMelissa stood at the edge of the abandoned church yard, her pulse increasing as shadows stretched along the cracked pavement. She held unto the pepper spray in her pocket, her nerves tingling. Rico was late.She hated waiting; it gave her too much time to think, too much time to doubt.The old wooden door creaked open, and Rico stepped inside, his physique against the dim light. Melissa’s fingers twitched. He looked too calm, too steady. That only made her more uneasy.“Did you come alone?” she asked, stepping back.“Yes,” Rico said his voice low but steady. “You didn’t give me much choice.”Melissa’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t trust you completely at this point.”“Good,” Rico said, stepping closer. “Because I don’t trust anyone at the moment.”Melissa swallowed hard. His words cut sharper than she expected. She had hoped he’d be softer, desperate for answers. But this Rico, this sharp, calculating version, reminded her too much of the people who had tried to
Last Updated : 2024-12-27THE ABANDONED CHILD BECOMES THE BILLIONAIRES ONLY HEIR. More Trouble
Chapter 24: More TroubleMelissa stood outside the poorly lit café, her eyes moving around toward the entrance as if expecting trouble. Rico had insisted on meeting her here again, but the longer she waited, the more uneasy she felt. The encounter in the abandoned church had left her shaken, Rico’s grief, his anger, and the undeniable guilt in his eyes still lingered in her mind.The door creaked open, and Melissa tensed up, but it wasn’t Rico who stepped inside.Her breath caught. “Justin” she saidHe looked different, sharper, and older, as if the weight of the world had settled on his shoulders. But the eyes were the same, piercing and unreadable.“Melissa.” His voice was low, steady.She stepped back instinctively. “What are you doing here?” she asked“Relax.” He raised his hands. “I just want to talk.”“How do you know I was supposed to be here?” she asked“I kind of eavesdropped on Rico, I am sorry” he said“I don’t have anything to say to you.” She turned, but he caught her wr
Last Updated : 2024-12-28THE ABANDONED CHILD BECOMES THE BILLIONAIRES ONLY HEIR. One Step Ahead
Chapter 25: One Step AheadMelissa leaned against Rico’s car, her arms crossed as Justin paced about in the parking lot. The night air felt heavier than usual, these past few months had taking a toll on her but today felt heavier, she didn’t trust Justin, but for now, she had to tolerate him as she also tried to believe that he means well.“We need answers,” Rico said, breaking the tense silence. “Justin, start talking.”Justin stopped pacing and looked at them. “The Blackwood’s, the Hawthornes, and Alex Montgomery, they’re tangled in this mess deeper than you realize.”Melissa scoffed. “We already know that. Give us something we can actually use.”Justin’s jaw tightened. “I’ve been working for the Blackwood’s for months now, watching their moves, gathering Intel. But what you don’t know is that Evelyn Hawthorne is already planning something bigger. She’s tired of waiting for Alex to clean up his mess.”Melissa’s eyes narrowed. “Bigger? Like what?”Justin hesitated, but Rico stepped f
Last Updated : 2024-12-29THE ABANDONED CHILD BECOMES THE BILLIONAIRES ONLY HEIR. Survival
Chapter 26: SurvivalMelissa’s hand trembled as she tightened her grip on her phone as the ominous text lingered on the screen.“You’re running out of time.”The words kept repeating in her mind, sharp and unrelenting. She looked up at Justin, her pulse quickening.“What aren’t you telling us?” Her voice cut through the silence.Justin opened his mouth, but Rico stepped in front of him, his expression hard. “No more games. Either you talk, or you’re out.” Rico saidJustin’s shoulders tensed. “I didn’t send that text if that’s what you’re thinking, I am here and I haven’t touched my phone.” He said“I know, we are watching you, but something tells me you know who did so who did?” Rico demanded.Melissa’s eyes darted between them, her instincts screaming that this wasn’t random. “It’s a warning,” she said quietly. “And whoever sent it knows more than we do.”Justin exhaled sharply. “It could be one of Evelyn’s people, but if it is, we’re already being watched, maybe they are even outsid
Last Updated : 2024-12-29THE ABANDONED CHILD BECOMES THE BILLIONAIRES ONLY HEIR. Point Of No Return
Chapter 27: Point Of No Return.Melissa sat at the edge of the couch, her thoughts spiraling as Justin’s words lingered.“If we don’t act fast, we’re all dead.”The weight of his statement pressed down on her. She studied Justin, searching for cracks in his calm demeanor, but he only stared back, his jaw tight.“Fine,” Melissa said finally, her voice steady. “But this doesn’t mean I trust you.”Justin smirked. “You don’t have to.” he said Rico paced by the window, his sharp gaze flickering toward the street below. “Let’s focus,” he said. “We contact Evelyn, but we need a plan for what comes next. Buying time only works if we use it.”Melissa nodded, her fingers tapping against the phone screen as she began drafting the message. But even as her hands moved, her mind wandered, to Elisa, lost and terrified, and to the shadow that Evelyn has casted over all of them.“We have what you wouldn't want the media to see.”She hesitated before adding the final line.“If we die, the truth comes
Last Updated : 2024-12-30THE ABANDONED CHILD BECOMES THE BILLIONAIRES ONLY HEIR. The Clock is Ticking
Chapter 28: The Clock is TickingMelissa stared at the message glowing on her phone screen.“You have 12 hours.”Her fingers tightened around the device, her pulse racing. The poorly lit room felt and look way smaller now, the walls felt like they where closing in.Justin leaned against the desk, arms crossed. “We need to act now or not, is either now or we wait for the time to elapse.”Rico paced near the window. “Twelve hours isn’t enough time.”Melissa shot him a sharp look. “It has to be, our lives depend on it, Not you though, she wouldn't touch a Blackwood, she still need your family alliance.” She turned to Justin. “What’s Evelyn’s next move? You know her better than anyone.”Justin hesitated, "I have studied her, I don't know her" his usual arrogance dimmed by something closer to fear. “Evelyn doesn’t bluff. If we don’t give her what she wants, she’ll hit us where it hurts.”Melissa swallowed the feeling of fear forming in her throat. “Then we hit first.” she said.Rico stopp
Last Updated : 2024-12-31THE ABANDONED CHILD BECOMES THE BILLIONAIRES ONLY HEIR. Reflections
Chapter 29: ReflectionsHow did I get here? Evelyn though as she leaned back in her chair, the soft creak of the door echoing through he quiet room, her fingers lingered on the glass of her desk, tracing the edge of the empty tumbler in front of her. She had a lot on her mind, but there was one thing she couldn’t shake: the increasing pressure from all sides.She glanced up as the door creaked open, and Alex stepped into her office, his usual confidence absent. She studied his face. The past few days had been rough for both of them. He looked exhausted, worn down by something more than just the usual business dealings.She was in an unusually calm mood“Long day?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.Alex gave her a tight smile but didn’t sit. “You could say that, you’ve been quiet, too quiet, even for you.”Evelyn didn’t respond immediately, instead taking a slow sip of her drink, letting the silence hang between them.“What’s on your mind?” Alex asked again, leaning against the doorframe.
Last Updated : 2025-01-01
Latest chapter
THE ABANDONED CHILD BECOMES THE BILLIONAIRES ONLY HEIR. Bloodlines and Solidarity.
Chapter 36: Bloodlines and Solidarity.The Blackwood estate was shrouded in the warm glow of dusk, but inside Evelyn’s private study, the air was cold and calculating. The sharp click of her heels echoed as she paced before the wide oak desk. Standing before her were her twin children, Adrian and Alexis, poised and unflinching under their mother’s penetrating gaze.Adrian, tall and sharply dressed in a tailored navy suit, exuded precision and control. His movements were measured, his posture a mirror of his mother’s authority. Beside him stood Alexis, her raven-black hair pulled into a sleek ponytail, her dark eyes gleaming with cunning. Unlike Adrian’s reserved demeanor, Alexis radiated a quiet intensity, her confidence palpable.“I’m giving you both an opportunity,” Evelyn began, her voice low but commanding. “Alex has proven to be a disappointment, and I need someone capable of cleaning up the mess he’s left behind.”Adrian smirked faintly. “Cleaning up after Alex is hardly a chall
THE ABANDONED CHILD BECOMES THE BILLIONAIRES ONLY HEIR. Shadows in Motion
Chapter 35: Shadows in MotionMelissa kept her steps measured, her head low, as she slipped into the poorly lit café nestled in the heart of a foreign city. The bustling chatter around her offered a strange comfort, a disguise for an important meeting. Her plain clothes and dyed brown hair transformed her into someone unremarkable, blending seamlessly into the crowd. She scanned the room briefly before settling in a corner booth.When the waiter approached, she barely glanced up. “Black coffee,” she murmured.Minutes later, a figure joined her, sliding into the seat across the table. Vale looked as casual as ever, but the tension in his jaw gave him away.“You’re late,” Melissa said flatly.Vale smirked. “You’re the one who staged your death. I figured you’d appreciate unpredictability.”She frowned. “This isn’t a game, Vale. Evelyn thinks I’m dead, and I need it to stay that way.”Vale leaned forward, his voice lowering. “Do you know how many people want you gone? Evelyn isn’t the on
THE ABANDONED CHILD BECOMES THE BILLIONAIRES ONLY HEIR. Mirrors and Smoke
Chapter 34: Mirrors and SmokeMelissa pressed her foot harder on the gas pedal, her heart hammering as the headlights behind her grew closer. The narrow alley ahead offered no escape routes, only darkness and desperation. She veered sharply to the right, tires screeching as she slipped into a side street and killed the engine. Her breath came fast, her pulse loud in her ears. She gripped the steering wheel, forcing herself to think.She couldn’t outrun Evelyn, not forever. If she wanted to survive, she had to disappear completely. Not just off the grid, but out of existence.Vale’s words echoed in her head from their last meeting. “If you want to win this war, you have to die first.”She hadn’t understood then, but she did now. Evelyn needed to believe she was gone. Only then could Melissa move without eyes on her every move. She fumbled for her burner phone and typed out one last message.“I can’t fight anymore. I’m sorry. Don’t look for me.” she wrote.She hit send and tossed the ph
THE ABANDONED CHILD BECOMES THE BILLIONAIRES ONLY HEIR. Turning Tides
Chapter 33: Turning TidesThe dim glow of Melissa’s laptop illuminated her face as she scrolled through the encrypted files Vale had sent earlier. Her fingers tapped impatiently against the desk, the weight of Evelyn’s threats still lingering in her mind. Evelyn had rattled her, but Melissa refused to let it show. Not to Rico, not to Justin, and especially not to Evelyn Hawthorne.She replayed their conversation in her head, Evelyn’s taunts cutting deeper than she wanted to admit. The mention of her past, her struggles, her mistakes, was not something Melissa was proud of. But she’d fought her way out of that life, fighting for every opportunity to get where she was. No one, especially not Evelyn, would drag her back.Her phone buzzed.Unknown Number: "Clock’s ticking. Decide where you stand."Melissa slammed the laptop shut and stood. She couldn’t let Evelyn control the narrative. She needed leverage, something Evelyn wouldn’t see coming. And if she had to dig deeper into the Hawthor
THE ABANDONED CHILD BECOMES THE BILLIONAIRES ONLY HEIR. Fractures and Fears
Chapter 32: Fractures and FearsThe meeting point was an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. The flickering lights barely cut through the shadows, adding to Melissa’s unease. She stood near the entrance, her arms crossed tightly as Rico and Justin waited in the car nearby, ready in case things went south, they also had back up plan Incase Evelyn decide to try to murder her.The heavy clang of metal doors echoed as Evelyn Hawthorne entered. She wasn’t alone. Two men followed her, their expressions blank, but their movements screamed trained professionals, ready to kill on order.Melissa squared her shoulders. “You didn’t come alone, scared of little me?” she said as she giggled dryly.Evelyn smirked. “Did you expect me to? You’re brave, I’ll give you that. But bravery doesn’t mean much when you’re outmatched.”Melissa kept her voice steady. “You’re not out of reach, Evelyn. I have enough to make you fall and me being alive saves you from so much.”Evelyn tilted her head, as t
THE ABANDONED CHILD BECOMES THE BILLIONAIRES ONLY HEIR. Desperate Moves
Chapter 31: Desperate MovesThe tension in the poorly lit hideout was suffocating. Rico paced back and forth, his fists clenching and unclenching as Melissa and Justin worked frantically at the table cluttered with papers, laptops, and USB drives. The clock on the wall ticked loudly, reminding them that time was slipping away, only three hours left, and they had nothing concrete.Melissa slammed her laptop shut. "No one’s talking. I’ve contacted every informant, every scared insider I could find, and not one of them is willing to come forward."Rico stopped pacing and turned to face her. "We need something, anything. She killed my sister, Melissa. We can’t let her walk away from this."Justin rubbed his temples, his voice grim. "We’ve got dirt on Evelyn, but it’s not enough to take her down completely. And even if it was, who’s going to stand up to her? The Hawthornes practically own the police and the courts."Melissa’s eyes flickered with determination. "We’re out of time. I’m not a
THE ABANDONED CHILD BECOMES THE BILLIONAIRES ONLY HEIR. Deeper Secrets
Chapter 30: Deeper Secrets.The Blackwood estate loomed in the poor evening light, The pillars casting long shadows across the polished floors. The atmosphere inside was stiff, heavy with unspoken words and tension, Rico stood in the center of the living room, fists clenched, his eyes burning with unrelenting anger.Karen sat primly on the edge of the couch, her shoulders trembling, while Ray leaned against the fireplace, his hands gripping the mantle as though steadying himself. Maya leaned by the window, her fingers tugging nervously at her bracelet, her face pale.They had given all their staffs, a day off, to be ensure this conversation stayed strictly within them.Rico’s voice cut through the silence like a whip, “Are we just going to sit here and act like nothing happened?, I am sick and tired of you behaving as though Lydia was not a member of this family!”Karen flinched, but Ray’s gaze remained fixed on the flames. Rico took a step closer, his words dripping with venom.“Lyd
THE ABANDONED CHILD BECOMES THE BILLIONAIRES ONLY HEIR. Reflections
Chapter 29: ReflectionsHow did I get here? Evelyn though as she leaned back in her chair, the soft creak of the door echoing through he quiet room, her fingers lingered on the glass of her desk, tracing the edge of the empty tumbler in front of her. She had a lot on her mind, but there was one thing she couldn’t shake: the increasing pressure from all sides.She glanced up as the door creaked open, and Alex stepped into her office, his usual confidence absent. She studied his face. The past few days had been rough for both of them. He looked exhausted, worn down by something more than just the usual business dealings.She was in an unusually calm mood“Long day?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.Alex gave her a tight smile but didn’t sit. “You could say that, you’ve been quiet, too quiet, even for you.”Evelyn didn’t respond immediately, instead taking a slow sip of her drink, letting the silence hang between them.“What’s on your mind?” Alex asked again, leaning against the doorframe.
THE ABANDONED CHILD BECOMES THE BILLIONAIRES ONLY HEIR. The Clock is Ticking
Chapter 28: The Clock is TickingMelissa stared at the message glowing on her phone screen.“You have 12 hours.”Her fingers tightened around the device, her pulse racing. The poorly lit room felt and look way smaller now, the walls felt like they where closing in.Justin leaned against the desk, arms crossed. “We need to act now or not, is either now or we wait for the time to elapse.”Rico paced near the window. “Twelve hours isn’t enough time.”Melissa shot him a sharp look. “It has to be, our lives depend on it, Not you though, she wouldn't touch a Blackwood, she still need your family alliance.” She turned to Justin. “What’s Evelyn’s next move? You know her better than anyone.”Justin hesitated, "I have studied her, I don't know her" his usual arrogance dimmed by something closer to fear. “Evelyn doesn’t bluff. If we don’t give her what she wants, she’ll hit us where it hurts.”Melissa swallowed the feeling of fear forming in her throat. “Then we hit first.” she said.Rico stopp
