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CHAPTER 18:

Penulis: CupidValerie
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-11-14 20:11:30

ETHAN'S POV:

I wasn’t used to feeling this... restless. But the closer I got to her, the more it gnawed at me. Something about the way she moved—calm, cool, like she knew exactly how to make me wait for her. She wasn’t the kind of girl who needed to rush. She was making me chase her, which, to be honest, I hadn’t planned on.

But fuck, I liked it.

Her steps were measured, deliberate, like she was savoring the space between us. Each click of her heels against the stairs was like a countdown. I could hear her breathing, even if it wasn’t heavy. And I wondered—just for a second—if she was feeling the same way I was.

But I wasn’t about to ask. That wasn’t how I played.

We reached the top of the stairs, and she stopped right before turning the corner, just long enough for me to catch up. The hallway stretched out in front of us, dimly lit, the air thick with something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

She turned toward me, her eyes meeting mine. No words. Just that look. The kind of look t
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  • THE BILLIONAIRE HIDDEN TRIPLETS.   CHAPTER 19:

    Ethan’s POV.I wake up with the weight of a headache slamming through my skull. It’s the kind of pain that feels like someone’s taking a sledgehammer to the inside of my head, but I don’t bother complaining. It’s nothing new. I get up, slowly—my eyes flicker to the mess of sheets beside me. A faint trace of her perfume still lingers in the air, mixing with the sharp tang of whiskey. I’m not sure why, but it’s the first thing I notice.The night with her wasn’t planned, but then again, nothing I do ever is. The problem is... I can still smell her. Her scent is all over me, in the air, in the corners of the room, like a ghost that won’t leave. And God help me, I don’t hate it.I drag myself to the bathroom, splash some water on my face, and stare at my reflection. A man who’s got everything, except maybe a clue about why I’m still thinking about her. My hand runs through my hair, slicking it back. Gotta look sharp today. I can’t let some damn woman distract me.I pull open the closet, s

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-18
  • THE BILLIONAIRE HIDDEN TRIPLETS.   CHAPTER 20:

    Ethan's POV: Ethan’s DilemmaI stare at my father for a long moment, the words hanging in the air like smoke. He’s calm, as always—too damn calm for my liking. The old man has this way of making everything seem like it’s already set in stone, like I don’t even get a say. He’s the one who built the empire, who carved out a legacy that I’m supposed to carry on, but sometimes I wonder if I’m just the heir to his plans, not a man in my own right.“Who is she?” I ask, my voice low, not bothering to hide the frustration I can’t quite keep down.He leans back in his chair as if he's been waiting for me to ask that question. Of course he has. “Her name is Sophia Greenwood.” He says it like it’s supposed to mean something to me.Sophia Greenwood. I’ve heard the name. Her father’s got his fingers in a lot of pies—real estate, tech startups, and a few other things I won’t get into, but he is ranked Number one (1), in the world and I’m guessing that’s why my father wants to partner with him, for

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-18
  • THE BILLIONAIRE HIDDEN TRIPLETS.   CHAPTER 21

    As I stepped into Ethan's office, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness about our upcoming trip to Italy. Earlier that morning, I had shared the thrilling news with my closest friends, Mia and Alex, about the monumental project that would take me abroad. "I'm telling you, guys, this is a game-changer for my company," I explained over coffee. "We're on the cusp of going global. Our brand will be recognized internationally, and our reach will expand exponentially." Mia's eyes sparkled with amusement. "I hope you won't forget about us little people when you're a global mogul." I chuckled, feeling grateful for their unwavering support. "Of course not, Mia. You'll always be my go-to crew." Alex, ever the practical one, asked, "So, how long will you be away?" I hesitated, considering the timeline Ethan and I had discussed. "Not too long, I promise. I'll be back before you know it." Mia and Alex exchanged a knowing glance, and I could sense their quiet pride in m

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-21
  • THE BILLIONAIRE HIDDEN TRIPLETS.   CHAPTER 22

    By the time we arrived at the De’Lanor Hotel, the streets of the small Italian town were bathed in the soft glow of midnight. The boutique hotel was as elegant as I had imagined, its classic façade adorned with ivy and softly lit lanterns. Ethan and I walked into the sumptuous lobby together, both feeling quite weary after the arduous trip.The receptionist smiled at us with an exhausted but gracious mouth. "Good evening. Welcome to De’Lanor Hotel. May I have your name, please?"Ethan Gray," he answered (his tone steady into the night of the hour)," he said.The receptionist entered into her computer and then frowned a little. "Ah, yes. We have your reservation here, Mr. Gray However..."Ethan’s brows furrowed. "However?"She glanced up, a hint of embarrassment on her face. "It seems there was an error in the booking. We only have one room reserved under your name.""What?" Ethan and I said in unison, our voices rising slightly"I deeply apologize for the inconvenience," she continued

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-21
  • THE BILLIONAIRE HIDDEN TRIPLETS.   CHAPTER 23

    lThe morning breeze drifted through the hotel’s dining terrace, carrying the scent of fresh pastries and espresso. Rachel and Ethan sat at a table overlooking a charming courtyard, where vines climbed the walls and birds chirped softly. It was serene, far from the chaos of the previous night but Rachel’s mind was already racing with business ideas. "Alright," Rachel said, pulling out her tablet and stylus. "We can use this time to finalize the presentation. I also want to review the designs again and.." Ethan held up a hand, cutting her off mid-sentence. "Rachel," he said firmly, "we’re not diving into work today." She blinked, surprised. "What do you mean? This is why we’re here, Ethan. We have so much to prepare for " Ethan leaned back in his chair, sipping his coffee leisurely. "And we will. But first, we’re taking three days to enjoy Italy before the madness begins." Rachel frowned, clearly taken aback. "Three days? Ethan, we don’t have time for a vacation!" “We do,"

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-21
  • THE BILLIONAIRE HIDDEN TRIPLETS.   CHAPTER 24

    Ethan slammed the door of their hotel room behind him. He tossed his phone on the table and paced the room. Rachel pulled out her laptop, her fingers trembling as she opened the video call app. I quickly sent out a text message. "We need everyone on this call. Now," she said, her voice sharp. ‘Who would have done thatEthan stopped pacing and leaned against the wall. "Do you think it’s someone on the team? That doesn’t sit right with me, Rachel." Rachel didn’t look up. "What else could it be? Designs don’t leak themselves, Ethan, especially when it's your team." The laptop screen blinked to life as Danny's face appeared, her expression already filled with concern. "What’s going on?" "Someone leaked our designs," Rachel said bluntly. Danny gasped. "What? How is that even possible?" "That’s what we’re trying to figure out," Ethan cut in. "Could it have been a hack? Or maybe someone accidentally forwarded something?" Liam joined the call next, his face groggy. "It’s three

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-22
  • THE BILLIONAIRE HIDDEN TRIPLETS.   CHAPTER 25

    Rachel sat at the small desk in their hotel room, her laptop open. The screen displayed their immediate team in a grid of video call windows. Ethan stood behind her, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. “I don't think why my team will betray me now," Ethan said as the call kept ringing Rachel looked exhausted, her hair tied up messily. Ethan's face was tense, his jaw clenched. The IT manager, Greg, had just joined the call, blinking sleep from his eyes. Rachel wasted no time. "We’re not here to point fingers, but we need answers. Someone accessed the prototypes without authorization. We need to know who, how, and why." Greg adjusted his glasses nervously. "I’ve been reviewing the server logs since Danny alerted me. The unauthorized login came from an IP address in Europe. It wasn’t from anyone on the team... at least not directly." "Not directly?" Rachel asked, narrowing her eyes. Greg cleared his throat. "It could’ve been someone using stolen credentials. Or... someone

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-23
  • THE BILLIONAIRE HIDDEN TRIPLETS.   CHAPTER 26

    Rachel stood frozen in front of her laptop, staring at the breaking news headline splashed across the screen: “Star design set to reveal their latest project online" The color drained from her face as she read the subtext: Rumored to feature their prototype of the design. “Unbelievable,” she muttered, slamming the laptop shut. Ethan leaned against the hotel desk, arms crossed, his sharp gaze fixed on her. “This is it. They’ve taken the bait and want to claim it as theirs.” Rachel rubbed her temples, her mind racing. “They’re going to flaunt our work. And worse, they’ll beat us to the market. Everything we’ve worked for is gone.” Ethan straightened, his expression calm but determined. “Not if we outdo them.” Rachel turned to him, her tone biting. “And how exactly do we do that, Ethan? The launch is in a week. We’ve lost our key designs, and now you want to know what? Start over?” “Yes,” Ethan said simply, his confidence unwavering. Rachel gaped at him. “Do you hear you

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-23

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  • THE BILLIONAIRE HIDDEN TRIPLETS.   CHAPTER 83:

    Rachel sat at the dining table and watched as the children dug into their pancakes, syrup dripping down their little hands, their giggles filling the room like a soothing melody that momentarily quieted the storm raging in her mind. Events of the past days had shaken her, but it was moments like these that made her feel back on solid ground. She absent-mindedly scrolled through her phone with one hand and sipped her coffee with the other, hoping to be distracted.Then she saw it-a headline with her name. Her heart dropped. Her fingers froze mid-scroll before she gained the courage to tap the link. Much to her surprise, the page came up blank. She refreshed it once, then twice. A wave of relief washed over her when she realized the content had been removed, no doubt due to Ethan's work. She inhaled deeply, but the weight in her chest didn't completely lift.Mom," Daniella's tiny voice broke into her thoughts, tugging at her sleeve. Rachel looked up at her daughter, who stared at her w

  • THE BILLIONAIRE HIDDEN TRIPLETS.   CHAPTER 82:

    Ethan sat opposite the lead investigator at the police station. His fingers tapped impatiently on the edge of the desk, while his face screwed tightly, his jaw clenched down, and a thin furrow set between his eyebrows. A fact that Ethan had hardly slept well for days was aptly reflected in the dark circles hanging like bruises beneath his eyes."Mr. Carter," the officer started, his voice even but threaded with frustration, "we questioned every single protester. None of them met anyone directly. All they got were private messages-anonymous, untraceable."Ethan's eyebrows shot upwards while his lips pursed into a thin line. "Anonymous?" he repeated, his voice sharp. "You are telling me that somebody out there is running this whole mayhem from behind the scenes and you can't tell who?" The officer leaned back in his chair with steepled fingers. "Whoever is behind this knows what they are doing, and they covered their tracks well.Ethan blew heavily and massaged his temples. His face r

  • THE BILLIONAIRE HIDDEN TRIPLETS.   CHAPTER 81:

    Above, fluorescent lights hummed softly above the police station-a very soft hum that did nothing to drown out the tension in the room. Ethan sat forward on the chair, his jaw clenched, his fingers tapping impatiently on the cold metal armrest. Across the table, a knot of protesters slumped, bravado drained from earlier posturing. They shifted under the officers' sharp gazes, their guilt across slouched postures and darting eyes.Ethan leaned forward, his dark eyes boring into them. "Who put you up to this?" he demanded, his voice low and steady, laced with steel.The protesters shifted uneasily, eyes darting about, their feet scuffling the tiled floor. Finally, one of them spoke-a young man with a scraggly beard-his voice quavering. "We don't know who it was. Somebody sent us money. Told us to, uh. show up and, you know, cause a scene."Ethan's brow furrowed, his lips pressed into a thin line. "And you didn't think to question it?" he snapped, frustration bubbling over. “You didn't

  • THE BILLIONAIRE HIDDEN TRIPLETS.   CHAPTER 80:

    Rachel adjusted her blazer, the fingers trembling, as she stepped out of the cab. The soft click of her heels against the pavement was drowned by the chaos ahead: the normal entry building of her company now was a battleground. Protesters crowded the front entrance, their faces twisted in anger. Chants echoed through the street, accompanied by the sound of eggs splattering against the glass doors. Rachel froze for one second, her heart sinking as it finally registered. Her shoulders stiffened, but she forced herself to take a steady breath. “ You built this company from nothing,she reminded herself”. “You’re not going to let it crumble now.” Keeping her head low, she circled to the back entrance, her steps quick and purposeful. Her chest tightened with each step, the echoes of the protesters’ angry cries trailing behind her. As she slid into the building, the usual warmth of her office felt eerily cold. Donna, her secretary, was waiting at her door. Her face was white and her

  • THE BILLIONAIRE HIDDEN TRIPLETS.   CHAPTER 79

    Morning sun poured in through the windshield through the driver's side at times from the windshield when Rachel steered the car onto the street. They were in the back of the car and their discussions filled the car. Rachel smiled softly, glancing at them through the rearview mirror. Her chest filled with love, while listening to the song, as Daniella hummed, while Damian and Dante shared a secret in hushed tones.“Mummy, our class teacher told us that we are going to have parents day in school soon" Dante tells her after gossiping with his brother.“Really!" Rachel smiled as she stared at them through the mirror.“Yes" the voice of Damian filled the car with his joyful tone. “So you want me to come?" She asked them “Yes mama" Damian shouted.“Alright, don't strain yourself Damian" she said softly as he settled down quietly.When they got close to the school, Rachel observed a black SUV in close shadow behind her. She frowned, checking her rearview mirror again. Soon, another car joi

  • THE BILLIONAIRE HIDDEN TRIPLETS.   CHAPTER 78:

    The plush red velvet booth of the high-class restaurant cradled Sophia's back as her fingers absently traced the rim of her wine glass. The low hum of chatter and the clinking of cutlery filled the room, blending with the faint melody of a pianist playing in the corner. Dim, ambient lighting drenched the room with a golden glow, but Sophia's face was cold, and her hard eyes were glued to Michael across from her. “As you can see in the news, I am now being referred to as the clingy, rude, spoiled princess that can't handle her prince charming breaking up with her" Micheal let out a smug smile trying to press the laughter budding from him. “I don't get the fact on how your father couldn't control the media narrative until it was too late" Sophia looked at him, her eyes burning from anger remembering the disgrace she had to pass through and the fact she couldn't go anywhere till the new died. “I want them to pay with their life and their blood. You can't imagine the disgrace I went th

  • THE BILLIONAIRE HIDDEN TRIPLETS.   CHAPTER 77:

    Ethan leaned back, watching Rachel as her sobs began to subside. She was pale and fragile-looking, clinging to the edge of the table for dear life. The tension in her shoulders cut through his chest like a knife. "Rachel," he said softly, leaning forward. "You can't keep doing this to yourself. Please, talk to me."Rachel shook her head, quivering lips. "There's nothing to talk about, Ethan," she stammered, not looking up at him. "There is something to talk about, Rachel. Your behavior today isn't normal. You aren't like this, and I want the strong, determined Rachel back" Ethan spilled out.Rachel glared at him, her heart pounding from the fears of the message and a thought of somebody already sending the same message to him. How is he going to react? Is he going to be happy or sad? Different thoughts and narrations run through her head. Her thoughts were interrupted by Ethan growl.Like I said before, this is not your family or your life and I don't think there is something to tal

  • THE BILLIONAIRE HIDDEN TRIPLETS.   CHAPTER 76:

    Rachel held the steering wheel tight, the knuckles pale against the leather as she pulled up to the school gates. She wasn't supposed to be here this early-school hours weren't over yet-but her nerves had driven her here without thought. The nanny approached her in surprise, "Ma'am, is everything okay? School isn't over yet"I didn't ask for your opinion," Rachel snapped, cutting her off. Her voice came out sharp, and her eyes blazed with an irritation she couldn't explain. "Mind your own business. I don't owe you an explanation. Remember, I pay your salary, not the other way around.”The nanny recoiled but didn't say anything, her gaze going down to the floor. The heart of Rachel somersaulted with guilt, but she brushed it aside as she ushered the children with her. As they hiked up into the car, Dante, her oldest, swung toward her, furrowing his brows. "Mom, that wasn't nice. Why did you speak with her like that?Rachel breathed in deeply and clutched the wheel. "I don't know, Da

  • THE BILLIONAIRE HIDDEN TRIPLETS.   CHAPTER 75:

    Rachel readjusted the strap of her handbag, kneeling before her children as her voice turned firm but soothing. "Listen, sweethearts. Today, no talking to strangers, all right? And remember, I'll be the one picking you up after school." Her voice softened, and her eyes shone bright as she looked into the innocent eyes of her children. "Promise me you'll be good?The three of them nodded, their small faces serious. Rachel forced a smile, leaning in to kiss each of them on the forehead. Her youngest clung to her for a moment longer, and she squeezed her tightly before standing. Turning to the nanny, she lowered her voice. "If anything happens, call me directly. No one else."The nanny nodded, taking in the urgency in Rachel's voice. With one last wave at her kids, she walked toward her car. The starting of the engine felt heavier than usual inside her chest. Something didn't feel right today, but she decided to brush the feeling aside and drive towards Ethan's company.---As she arri

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