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CHAPTER 83: One Kiss

Penulis: Brandykhoko
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-03-15 05:50:32

“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 over he
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  • THE 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 car. Zac ex

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-15
  • THE 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 : 2025-03-16
  • THE 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 : 2025-03-17
  • THE 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 : 2025-03-17
  • THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE   CHAPTER ONE: I’m only a mole…not a stripper

    “Get your hands off my butt, Sir! I’m warning you.” Mia pulled her arm free from his hold, disgust rising in her chest as she grasped a nearby table for support. “And what if I don’t?" he whispered, squeezing his hold tighter. "What comes next, darling?" The charity event thrummed with affluence and power—men in customized suits, women adorned in high fashion, and secrets exchanged over glasses of vintage wine. Soft jazz played in the background, enhancing the lively, cheerful ambiance. Mia was only twenty-two, yet the man beside her, old enough to be her father, didn't seem to care. Seth Cornell—Vice Chairman of the ZIRCONS Group. A name powerful enough to silence a room. The guests’ identities were deliberately concealed for privacy, and their names were replaced with numbered tags. But she wasn’t here for names, for power plays, or for whatever game men like him indulged in. Her task was simple: obtain a saliva sample from VIP01—Seth Cornell—and leave. “Let… go!” Mia str

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-27
  • THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE   CHAPTER TWO: Marry me, Tiffany

    It was shortly after noon, yet the pounding headache from three sleepless nights pressed heavily on Zac Cornell. The twenty-six-year-old heir sat at his neatly organized desk, staring blankly at the city skyline visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The silence was disrupted by an unexpected ring from his phone. It was Martini—an old business associate his late father had trusted. “Hey, Martini, what’s up?” Zac answered, trying to mask the exhaustion in his voice. “Zac, I need you at The Red Room tonight. I’ve managed to sway the investors for Project Rainbow. Are you game?” “The Red Room… a strip club?” His frown deepened in disbelief. “You know that’s not my style, Martini.” “I know, but this is the only chance we’ve got with Suarez and Lorenzo,” Martini said, his voice firm. “We need to move this project forward.” “Can’t we find a more conventional setting?” Zac rubbed his temples, frustration mounting. “I know it’s not ideal for you.” Martini’s tone softened but re

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-27
  • THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE   CHAPTER THREE: What happened last night?

    “Are you serious right now?” Mia turned, tilting her head to meet his deep-set, smoky grey eyes. His focus was still on her as if he still had unfinished business with her. Zac exhaled deeply, running his fingers through his sleek black hair. The remaining strands settled back into position smoothly. “Look… I’m sorry if that came off kind of weird. But I can’t help the way I feel about you.” “Oh, please,” Mia scoffed, crossing her arms. “Don’t start. You men all want the same thing.” “No... it's not the way you think, I assure you. My intentions are pure," he stated, his tone gentle. “I want you, Tiffany. Not just for now—but by my side, outside these walls.” Her thoughts whirled, trying to comprehend his words. How did she find herself here, caught in a situation she never saw coming? Zac was supposed to be a distraction for her, nothing more. “I know this sounds crazy, but back there when our eyes met… you felt it too, right?” His voice dropped as he reached for her hand. M

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-27
  • THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE   CHAPTER FOUR: From Russia, with Love

    “I’m so sorry, Mia.” Samantha’s voice was soft, filled with sympathy. “I guess this is where we say goodbye again, bestie.” Her voice trembled, revealing the tears about to spill. “Just hang in there a little longer.” Samantha placed a reassuring hand over hers. “Besides, we’re so close to finding your father.” Mia’s expression hardened. “What intel do we have on him?” Samantha turned her laptop toward her, the screen illuminating a familiar face—her father. He was seated in a café in New Jersey, looking just as lively as she remembered. “Seems he’s moving back to New York,” Samantha said carefully, waiting for Mia’s response. Mia swallowed hard, maintaining a steady voice. “Secure his address as soon as possible. I’ll pay him a visit once I return.” “And your mom?” “Don’t say a word to her until I handle this,” her tone was confident. “She’s been through enough since he left.” Samantha’s gaze softened. “Alright… just promise me you’ll be okay.” Mia gave a quick nod, forcin

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-27

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  • THE 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

  • THE 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

  • THE 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

  • THE 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 car. Zac ex

  • THE 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 over he

  • THE 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

  • 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

  • THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE   CHAPTER 80: The Media Circus

    A few nights ago, just after Mia dropped Zac off at his condo after his birthday hangout, he stood still for a moment, watching as her car disappeared down the garage ramp. His mind was still half in the night—Mia's laughter, the chemistry between them—when the sharp click of heels echoed against the interlocked grounds.Then, in a flash, he turned.He saw Bella walking toward him as if she was on a catwalk, dressed in a fitted beige coat, knee-high boots, her usual confidence masking her expression.Her red-lipped smirk was the same as ever—sharp and tempting.“Hey, Zac,” Bella tilted her head slightly.Zac clenched his teeth. He was not in the mood for this.“What are you doing here?” His voice was low, his tone cold.Bella’s eyes crawled over him in slow motion, from the black jeans to the fitted t-shirt and sneakers. Her smirk faded just a little. “So, this is how you dress now?” She made a small, dismissive gesture. “Not bad, though.”Zac crossed his arms, already irritable. "Wha

  • THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE   CHAPTER 79: Damage Control

    Samantha cleared her throat, shifting to sit up properly. “Despite how this looks, the angle made it even worse.” Mia slowly exhaled, pressing her lips together. The photo was perfectly framed to spark rumors—Zac, leaning casually in his car park, Bella standing way too close, her hand resting on his chest. And then that smile. Not his usual charming, easygoing one, but just enough to stir unnecessary drama. Samantha nudged her gently. “So… are you going to ask him about it?” Mia shook her head, locking her phone and tossed it onto the couch. “Nope.” Sam blinked. “Why?” “Why should I?” Mia shrugged and got up. “Less than an hour ago, we were together and the next minute, he’s out there bonding with his ex.” Sam gave her a long, skeptical look. “Mia. Are you for real?” Mia turned with a blank expression. Samantha grinned. "You sound jealous or something." Mia raised an eyebrow and headed to the kitchen. "Me… nah." “Oh, you so are,” Samantha countered. “I am not,” Mia shot bac

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