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CHAPTER 80: The Media Circus
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-03-12 23:56:30
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THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 81: Not His Father’s Son
The weight of victory should have felt heavier in Angelo’s hands, but as he stepped out of the courthouse, the air around him felt strange—hollow, even. He had won. The court had ruled in his favor. His father’s empire was his. Yet, the moment his foot hit the pavement, he saw them waiting—his stepbrothers. Max, the eldest, stood at the forefront, arms crossed, his smirk barely concealed. Beside him, Romeo, the younger one, held a folder. Angelo barely had time to process the shift in energy before Max spoke. “Little brother,” he called, his tone amused. “Congratulations.” Angelo kept his face neutral, but his fingers twitched as they approached him. “This…” Max gestured lazily to the courthouse. “—is far from over.” Angelo took a breath, already exhausted. “I don’t want us to keep fighting. We can fix this—we’re family. We can make this work.” Max chuckled, shaking his head. “Family,” he repeated, dragging out the word like it amused him. “That’s rich—coming from a bastard
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-13THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 82: The Taste of Longing
The night of the product launch had finally come. Zac adjusted the lapels of his black tuxedo, the refined fabric sitting perfectly against his well-sculpted body. Every one of his tuxedos had a slightly different edge to it—similar in style, but never identical. He stood beside the Rolls-Royce Phantom, checking his watch. Any other night, his focus would be on the event—on the press, the investors, or his competitors. But not tonight. Not when he was waiting for her. And then Mia’s door creaked open. She came out of the house dressed to kill. Her outfit had been chosen days in advance, planned to the last detail. When Zac saw her, he suddenly forgot how to breathe. She wore a white, form-fitting gown, its smooth fabric hugging her in all the right places. Her brown hair was styled in a classy updo, revealing a generous amount of skin on her neckline. A single diamond earring caught the light, and her bold red lipstick—God help her—was perfect. So flawless that it felt almost ille
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-14THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 83: One Kiss
“Seth invited us,” Sarah said. Mia’s brow arched. Seth? She turned, spotting him across the room, deep in conversation with an investor. Of course, he did. She had kept her family at a distance from the media—afraid of them seeing too much, of them getting tangled in something she wasn’t even sure she could handle herself. So what were his intentions in bringing them here? Sarah squeezed her shoulder gently. “We are proud of you, Mia.” She forced a small smile before checking her watch. “Oh, look at the time. The event’s almost over.” She turned back to them. “It’s getting late. You should start heading home. The house is far from here.” Sarah exchanged a glance with Fred before nodding. “Yeah. You’re right.” Mia let out a sharp breath as they finally left. ***************** As the event wound down, Mia stepped outside, leaning against Zac’s car. The night air was crisp, a stark contrast to the warmth of the hall. She idly scrolled through her phone, letting the silence settle
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-15THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 84: The Cold Goodbye
Zac took another step back, glancing around. The air felt strange now—charged, tense, awkward. He shoved his hands into his pockets—partly to steady himself, but mostly to hide the bulge in his pants. A clear reaction his body had to Mia. Security had done their job well. They moved fast, blocking the paparazzi before they could fully swarm, but a few had already captured the moment—high-quality shots from sharp angles before being forced back. There was no undoing it now. It’s not as if they hoped to. By morning, this would be everywhere. A step away, Mia remained silent, lost in thought; Maybe she overdid it. She should have pulled away first. If this was all just an act, then why had Zac kissed her like that? She stole a glance at him. Zac looked fine—composed, as if nothing had happened. Like he was a master at this. But Mia? She couldn’t even look him in the eye right now. Zac cleared his throat. “Shall we?” Mia only nodded, lowering her head as she slipped inside the ca
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-15THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 85: The Weight of a Kiss
The second Mia walked in, Samantha jumped off the couch, her phone still clutched in her hand. “Oh my god!” Samantha squeaked, nearly bouncing on her toes. Mia barely had time to sigh before Samantha rushed toward her, eyes wide with excitement. “What the hell was that?” she asked, shoving her phone in Mia’s face. “I saw it! The kiss! Everyone saw it! So don’t you dare pretend like it didn’t happen!” Mia groaned, bending down to unstrap her heels. “Sam, please… I just got home.” The moment they hit the floor, she scooped them up and walked past Samantha as if nothing had happened. Samantha ignored her, following her every step. “That was not just for show. You were holding him, Mia. Like—like he was your lifeline. You can’t fake that level of chemistry.” Mia tossed her heels to the side and walked straight to her room. “It still means nothing.” “Girl, you like him,” Samantha shot back, following. “You can lie to me, but you cannot lie to yourself.” Mia didn’t answer. She open
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-16THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 86: Blood Knows No Loyalty
In the outskirts of New York city, under the cold night sky, the river flowed dark and endless, its surface mirroring the glow of distant lights, shining like shattered glass. The wind carried the clean scent of water and earth, rustling the trees that lined the park. Two figures stood by the riverbank. They didn’t blend in with the blurred strangers strolling nearby. They weren’t regular men. One exuded authority, simply by his posture—Seth Cornell. His dark hair was neatly combed back, his tailored coat unwrinkled despite the wind. The other stood rigid, his breathing counted but heavy—Angelo. There was silence between them, broken only by the faint noise of the city and water lapping against the stone. Then Seth broke it. “Why did you bring me here?” His voice was tired, as if this meeting was merely an inevitable formality. Angelo exhaled and pulled a crumpled sheet of paper from his pocket. His fingers worked stiffly as he unfolded it. “I needed to confirm something fr
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-17THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 87: Wedding Prep
The sun was hot in the afternoon, and Mia and Samantha had been out shopping. They loaded the last of the groceries into the backseat, and the aroma of fresh vegetables and baked goods filled the car.Samantha shut the trunk and faced Mia. “So… did you talk to Angelo?”Mia sighed, adjusting her grip on her handbag. “Yeah, I managed to. I get where he’s coming from, but I think he’s overreacting, Sam. I mean, I’m not even his girlfriend—yet.”Samantha raised an eyebrow as they climbed into the car. “So… is he still going to be Zac's best man?”“Yeah, he agreed,” Mia admitted, fastening her seatbelt. “Only because I begged him to.”Samantha leaned forward, watching Mia's face for an instant. “But shouldn't you tell Angelo how you feel, though?”Mia frowned, turning the key in the ignition. “What are you talking about?”“It’s only natural for him to feel jealous,” Samantha stated plainly. “He wants a relationship with you, but you’re practically in love with Zac.”Mia’s fingers tightene
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-17THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 88: Luxury and Low Lives
Laura was the first to leave the house. Mia and Samantha shut the door after her, but just as they were about to follow, Laura suddenly stopped, pointing to the side of the doorstep.“Wait a minute. Are those roses?”Mia’s gaze followed Laura’s gesture. A perfectly arranged bouquet of deep red roses lay close to the doorstep, tied with a ribbon. A small card was attached to it.Samantha frowned. “We didn’t see that earlier.”Mia stepped closer, picking up the card.“Is it from Zac?” Samantha asked, watching her closely.Mia turned the card over and frowned. “No. It’s from Derrick.”Samantha’s irritation flared. “What’s his problem? Don’t you think it’s high time we reported him and get a restraining order? This is too much. Isn’t it obvious you’re getting married? What else is he trying to achieve? Mia rubbed her forehead. “I just don’t know. Do you think I should tell Zac about it?”“Perhaps, but we should definitely watch our backs,” Samantha replied, grabbing the bouquet from Mia’
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-18
Bab terbaru
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 117: The First Move
The following day, Zac arrived at Zandawoo Headquarters the moment business hours began. The elevator doors slid open, and he didn’t pause to speak to anyone—he headed to the executive floor.The receptionist barely had time to look up before he was already halfway across the lobby. His strides were long and determined. He didn’t wait for permission—he didn’t even think he needed it.He walked straight past the front desk, ignoring the assistants who tried to stop him. The hall was still quiet, not many people around yet, and that worked in his favor. The last thing he wanted was more drama—even though he was down for it.Jonathan’s office door wasn’t even shut all the way. Zac pushed it open and stepped inside.Jonathan looked up from his desk, startled. “Mr. Cornell,” he said, already rising to his feet. “I wasn’t expecting—”Zac kept moving until he reached the desk, his hands resting against the wood like a man there for war.“We need to talk,” he said through gritted teeth.Jonat
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 116: Chasing Smoke
The tension in the beach house felt like it had a pulse of its own.Zac scoffed, stepping back. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “What the fuck are you even saying?”“You know exactly what I’m saying,” Angelo didn’t flinch. “You dragged her into your world.”“My world?” Zac’s voice rose. “Wait—are you blaming me for this? For that video?”“Of course I have every right to blame you!” Angelo snapped, stepping closer. “Ever since you made her sign that damn contract, she hasn’t had a single moment of peace.”Zac’s expression twisted, his fists flexing at his sides. But Angelo didn’t stop.“She never wanted this life.” Angelo shrugged, spreading his arms. “And now—look at her—caught in this bullshit again.”“You know nothing, Angelo,” Zac retorted, his voice low. “I didn’t know things would be like this. I’ve always protected her, and I still will.”“Ha-ha-ha. How heroic,” Angelo replied, his tone taunting. “Because every time she needs you… you’re not there.”“Well, I’m here now.
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
