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CHAPTER 46: The Garden of Secrets
Huling Na-update:
2025-01-27 07:26:04
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THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 47: A Trip to Paris
“What just happened here, Zac?!” Bella demanded, her voice sharp as she glared at him.She had marched into the courtyard, with so much fury in her eyes—a blend of frustration and urgency. She had hoped to confront the woman standing next to Zac, but to her surprise, Mia was already gone.“Excuse me?” Zac raised an eyebrow. “Wait, what the heck are you even doing here anyway?”She didn't speak a word. Instead, her eyes shifted beyond him, focusing on the path Mia had taken.Without hesitation, she started toward the path, but Zac’s hand shot out, gripping her wrist.“Let go of my hand,” Bella demanded, her voice sharp as she looked at him.Zac’s grip didn’t loosen. Instead, his eyes darkened as he warned, “Don’t you dare, Bella. Or else… I’ll make you regret it.”There was a cold finality in his tone as he released her. She yanked her hand back, twisting her face in rage.“Really? Because of… that woman? Who is she? What’s her family name, anyway?” Bella spat, her voice dripping with
Huling Na-update : 2025-01-28THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 48: The Scandal
Mia paused, her gaze still fixed on Zac, uncertain whether to believe him. Then, out of nowhere, Zac’s expression shifted. His lips twitched before he burst into laughter. “You should see the look on your face,” Zac said, his voice light and amused. Mia blinked, her mouth slightly open. “That’s… not funny, sir,” she replied, shaking her head, though a hint of a smile crept onto her lips. Zac chuckled and pulled a second key from his pocket. “Relax. I was just kidding.” She exhaled sharply, finally allowing herself to smile. “What a bad joke,” she muttered. Zac grinned, unfazed, as the hotel porters approached with their luggage. They moved efficiently, unloading the bags and arranging everything for their respective suites. When the porter led Mia to her room, she followed with curious anticipation. Zac's suite was certainly luxurious, the finest that the hotel could provide. However, when she entered her own room, she was astonished. The suite was much more lavish than she ha
Huling Na-update : 2025-01-28THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 49: Threads of Deception
Back in New York, Charles Cornell sat in the living room, staring at the blank wall. A cup of green tea sat on a table, cold and forgotten. The room was eerily quiet, save for the soft ticking of the clock. His face was stoic, but his mind churned with relentless thoughts that never reached his expression. The door creaked open, and Seth stepped inside. His gaze swept the room before settling on his father. A sly smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “Father,” Seth said, breaking the silence with a mockingly casual tone. “Don’t tell me you’re still dwelling on Zac’s cheating scandal.” The old man didn’t turn, his gaze fixed on the wall. “I still can’t believe it,” he muttered. “We need to clear this up immediately. How can Zac be so careless about something this important?” Seth poured himself a glass of whiskey, taking his time. “Careless?” he echoed, his tone sharp with sarcasm. “Father, that’s an understatement. I warned you. Zac’s not ready. He hasn’t even taken over the
Huling Na-update : 2025-01-29THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 50: A visit to Xiang
The return flight to New York was silent—nearly too silent. Zac sat across from Mia in the plush leather seat of the private jet, his focus entirely on the iPad he was holding. The low hum of the engines filled the space, yet Mia’s racing thoughts overshadowed it. She kept stealing glances at Zac, observing his clenched jaw and unreadable expression. He didn’t seem upset, but he also wasn’t acting like himself. The flight should have been relaxing—luxurious, even—but it wasn’t. Something had shifted. The warmth they once shared had vanished, replaced by a distance Mia couldn’t bridge. Yes, Zac had every reason to suspect her, but he was wrong. She knew the truth, but proving it to him before it was too late felt impossible. As the plane landed, the car pulled up near the jet. Mia stepped out, trailing behind Zac as they approached the sleek black vehicle waiting to take them back to the city. The heavy silence lingered until Zac came to a sudden halt. Mia stopped a step behind
Huling Na-update : 2025-01-30THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 51: Shackles That Bind
“It’s not over yet,” he added, leaning back against his desk, watching her like a predator sizing its prey. Mia froze, her chest tightening. “What?” she asked, disbelief heavy in her voice. “I’ve done everything you’ve asked, what more do you want?” “You’re not done until I say so,” Xiang replied coldly. “And you’re not leaving this city until I’m satisfied.” Her voice rose, barely masking the tremor beneath. “What do you mean? I’ve worked my ass off for over four years. In a month, it’ll be five. You promised—” “I promised nothing,” he cut her off, stepping closer. “This is business, Mia. Promises are meaningless. The numbers are what matters.” Her hands balled into fists. “That last job—didn’t you get paid? I’ve covered my part!” His smirk vanished, replaced by a cold glare. “And do you think your part even scratches the surface of what you owe? The costs of running this operation—logistics, training, cleaning up your messes—do you think any of that comes for free?”
Huling Na-update : 2025-01-31THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 52: Love or Escape
The moment Zac arrived from France, he didn’t bother stopping by his home or office. Instead, he headed straight to his grandfather’s mansion. The old man had been relentless, sending message after message, each one more urgent than the last. Zac could already guess why. His grandfather must have seen the headlines, heard the rumors swirling around. Of course, he would want an explanation. When Zac stepped into the mansion, the air felt heavy, almost suffocating. The grand living room, with its dark wooden furniture and gold-accented decor, carried an oppressive weight. Taking a seat on the soft leather couch, he found himself face-to-face with the man who had built their empire. His grandfather’s sharp gaze cut through the silence, the kind of look that made Zac feel like a teenager caught in a lie. “Who is she, Zac?” Charles’s voice was calm but carried an edge of authority that demanded an immediate answer. Zac exhaled, resting his elbows on his knees as he rubbed his palms t
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-01THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 53: A Contract Marriage
“What’s expected of me as your… wife? That’s if I agree to this,” Mia asked, folding her arms and narrowing her eyes at Zac. “Nothing much,” Zac said casually, leaning back in his seat. “You’d basically need to show up at a few events. For now, meet my family, and then we’ll get married in court. It’ll be simple—just a small, quick process.” “Like, just sign the papers?” Mia raised an eyebrow. “And after that?” “Yes,” Zac responded smoothly, as if it was the easiest thing in the world. “Once the marriage is registered, we make a few public appearances together, smile for the cameras, and that’s it.” Zac sat up straighter. “Oh, and we would also need to live together as a couple.” “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Mia exclaimed, her hand gesturing in front of her. “Wait a minute.” A moment ago, you were practically accusing me of leaking those photos, and now you’re totally comfortable marrying me? Even if it’s just a contract?” Zac's demeanor eased, and for the first time in a long while, he
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-02THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 54: I’m not your Pawn—not anymore
When Mia arrived back at the apartment, the entire space was eerily quiet. She made her way to Samantha’s room, where the rhythmic clanking of a keyboard broke the silence. Samantha was seated at her desk, her sharp focus on the glowing screen as lines of code scrolled rapidly. A series of tabs and tools cluttered her workspace—debugging programs, encryption tools, and a web page she seemed to be building from scratch. Mia sighed, dropping onto the edge of Samantha’s bed. She leaned back slightly, rubbing her temples as the weight of the day bore down on her. She had just finished explaining everything that happened at the office—Zac’s unexpected offer, the details of the arrangement, and how surreal it all felt. Samantha paused her work, taking her focus off the screen. She turned her chair toward Mia, raising a brow as a small smirk played on her lips. “So… what’s stopping you from saying yes?” “Everything,” Mia frowned, crossing her arms. “The fact that this whole thing is s
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-03
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THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 115: After the Fall
By the time Angelo got to the tech corner behind the stage, Jonathan was already there—his face red with panic. He was yelling at the tech crew, who were hunched over a console blinking with error lights.“Take it down!” Jonathan barked. “Get the damn video off the screen! Now!”“We’re trying, sir!” one of the tech guys snapped, fingers flying over the keyboard. “It’s not responding—system error keeps flashing. It’s like a virus or something, an override! The damn thing won’t shut down!”Jonathan cursed, then stepped back with wild eyes. He grabbed a thick cord running to the display hub. He yanked at the wires, pulling one loose.A small spark flew, and the large screen in the main hall went dark.A collective gasp echoed from the hall, but the damage had already been done.An alarm started to wail in the distance—soft at first, then louder. Security teams moved in with accuracy, their earpieces crackling. VIP guests were already being ushered out a side exit, leaving the remaining g
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 114 – The Glitch in the Spotlight
It was the day of the product reveal.Mia was already dressed—flare black trousers, a tucked-in blouse, and her red Zandawoo lipstick perfectly set. Her face was bare but glowing, hair pulled into a sleek low ponytail.She moved around the condo with quiet focus, checking her bag again, even though she’d already packed everything twice.Zac sat at the kitchen island in his loose lounge pants and a white tee, sipping coffee with one hand, scrolling through emails with the other. He looked up when she walked past with her coat draped over her arm.“You’re leaving already?” he asked, brows pulling together.Mia paused at the door, her clutch in hand. “Yeah. The hotel’s closer to the venue. I just want to settle in there before everything kicks off.”“And Angelo?” Zac’s raised a brow.She gave a short nod. “He’ll pick me up from there.”Zac looked down at the coffee in his hand. “Right. Makes sense.”“See you around,” Mia said, offering a small smile. “And don’t be late.”“Wait,” he said
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 113: The Distance Between Us
It had been days since the studio incident, and they hadn’t had any more fights—just existing in silence.Zac hadn’t tried to provoke her since. He kept to himself, stayed in his lane, and gave Mia the space she seemed to need. But that didn’t mean he was okay. Not even close.Mia had thrown herself into work—meetings, fittings, even calls at odd hours. She was hardly ever home, and when she was, she barely spoke unless she had to.Zac, on the other hand, was knee-deep in preparations for his grandfather’s handover.After Charles returned from his yearly checkup abroad, everything had become more real. The old man had confirmed it—Zac would be named chairman of the ZIRCONS Group.They were both busy. But being busy didn’t mean they should keep living like this.That morning, Zac stepped out of his bedroom just as Mia was locking hers. She was already dressed—high-waisted jeans, a cropped black top, and sunglasses perched on her head. The kind of casual that still looked like a stateme
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 112: Stay Out of It
As soon as the car door slammed shut behind her, Mia didn’t even bother to click on her seatbelt. “What the fuck was that?” she spat, turning to him. “Seriously—what the actual fuck?!” Zac’s hands gripped the steering wheel tighter. Samantha sat in the back seat, silent, her eyes darting between them, not saying a word. “Mia, calm down,” Zac said, trying to keep his voice even. “Calm down?” she repeated, a sharp laugh escaping her lips. “You show up at my shoot uninvited, crash the set—and you want me to calm down?” “I was just trying to be supportive,” Zac said, his jaw tense. “Supportive? By bringing a food truck?” Her voice rose. “That’s not support, Zac. That was out of line.” “What else could I have done, huh?” His voice cracked, eyes still fixed on the road. “You think other women wouldn’t love this?” His voice was low, biting. “You embarrassed me,” she muttered, more quietly now. “That might be cute to other people. But I’m not other women. I’m Mia Williams.
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 111: Small Acts, Big Impact
“Beautiful, Mia,” the photographer directed. “A little more, a little to the left. Perfect.” Click! “Nice. Now raise your arm a little… Yes, just like that.” The camera clicked again, capturing her every movement.The studio was alive with energy, team members moving around, adjusting lights and equipment. Mia stood in front of the arranged background, the lights flashing on her as she struck one pose after another. “You’re absolutely killing it, Mia,”Jonathan said with a grin, moving closer to her. “No way you’re telling me this is your first time.”“Thanks, Jonathan,” Mia said, smiling as a rush of pride warmed her—though her mind wandered for a moment. She glanced at the clock on the far wall. It was almost noon.She had promised herself she’d check on Zac during her lunch break, but time was ticking away, and she hoped she wouldn’t be too late.The crew took a short break, giving Mia a moment to relax and refocus. She sipped from her water bottle, her fingers tapping nervously ag
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 110: To Show Her I Love Her
After a week at the penthouse—always buzzing with voices, assistants, and too many walls listening—they finally returned to Zeus Skyline. It was private, exactly what they both needed. Where they could figure things out without a world interfering. Zac loved it here. He believed Mia did too. No pressure, no pretending. Just two people, married now, trying to breathe in the same space. Zac had been up for a while, tablet in hand, but he hadn’t done much. He was supposed to check in on some site reports, go over the team’s weekend progress—but his mind drifted too often. Then came the familiar shuffle of feet. Mia emerged from her room, her steps light on the smooth floor. Her hair was hidden under a bonnet, and a pale gray robe cinched around her waist. Without a word, she padded toward the water dispenser in the kitchen. Zac watched her from the corner of his eye as she filled her cup with water. She didn’t look at him. Not at first. Then came her voice—gentle, a little hesitant.
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 109: The Wrong Side of the Spotlight
The ride home wasn’t as chatty as Mia expected.Zac, the same man who had praised her all morning, now sat silent beside her in the back seat. He stared out the window, his arms folded, jaw tight. Something felt different, and she could feel it.They were already close to their estate gates when Mia finally broke the silence.“Zac… are you alright?” she asked, turning to him.“Yeah, sure,” he replied without looking her way.But he couldn’t help it. The question came anyway.“Who was that guy?”Mia blinked. “You mean, Jonathan?”“How come I’ve never heard of him before?”She gave a small shrug. “He’s not important. Just someone I knew from way back.”“Not important,” Zac echoed, voice sharp. “But now he’s suddenly important enough to say things like, ‘I can’t wait to work closely with you again.’” His tone was dry, tinged with something more than irritation.Mia sighed, lightly touching his arm. “Zac, really? Jonathan and I barely even talked in high school. We only worked on a scienc
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 108: A face behind the brand
“Mia, are you ready?” Zac’s voice drifted through the bedroom door, followed by a light knock.Mia, still tucked away in the walk-in closet, sat in front of a vanity table, gently dusting blush across her cheekbone. “Don’t you dare come in here,” she called out.“I wasn’t planning to,” he replied dryly. “But you could’ve told me to call the stylist if we were going to take this long.”“I never asked you to join me, did I?” she shot back. “Why are you trying to pressure me? It’s not even time yet.”“As a businesswoman now, you should know the importance of punctuality,” he countered, already turning toward the hallway. “I’ll be downstairs. Call me if you need anything.”She heard his footsteps fade away.Still in the closet, Mia stood before the full-length mirror, adjusting the fit of her outfit—an oversized, slouchy sweater in deep slate-blue that fell just below her hips. The relaxed style complemented a pair of sleek, high-waisted black jeans that hugged her legs and ended just
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 107: Peace, With Pillows
Zac saw it too, but he said nothing—just shifted slightly in his chair, then gestured toward the bedroom with a subtle lift of his chin.“You should take it,” he said in a neutral tone. “It might be important.”Mia blinked, surprised by his calmness. “It’s fine. I can call him once we’re done.”Zac didn’t answer immediately. He just leaned back in his chair, looking down at the laptop again. “I’m also in the middle of something, so run along.”She waited a bit, searching his face for any trace of resistance, but there was none. He was calm. Mature. Composed.She nodded, gently straightening up. “I’ll just… go inside.”Zac didn’t respond. His eyes had already returned to his laptop, though his fingers weren’t typing anymore.She slipped away, robe brushing softly against her thighs as she padded back into the bedroom. The call connected before the door even closed behind her.“Angelo?”“Hey.” His voice was warm, calmer than she remembered. “I hope I didn’t wake you.”“No, I was up.” S
