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CHAPTER 83: One Kiss
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2025-03-15 05:50:32
BrandykhokoWhose reaction are you looking forward to?
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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 : 2025-03-15THE 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 : 2024-11-27THE 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 : 2024-11-27THE 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 : 2024-11-27THE 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 : 2024-11-27THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER FIVE: Familiar Strangers
Mia adjusted her gown as she stood before Zac’s penthouse. It was even grander than she had imagined—a fortress of steel and glass, towering over perfectly manicured gardens. The high walls weren’t just physical barriers; they were a stark reminder of the worlds separating them. But she wasn’t here to dwell on the past. After weeks of preparation, this time, she was Tiffany, the assistant cook. She was greeted by the chief of staff, who offered a polite smile—just enough to be courteous, but guarded. His suit was neat, his posture effortless, as if he had done this a thousand times before. Everything about him matched the place—controlled, precise, leaving nothing to chance. “You must be Tiffany,” he stated, extending his hand. “Come with me. I’ll introduce you to the team.” “Thank you, sir,” Mia said with a steady nod. Stepping inside felt like crossing into another realm. Her eyes swept the space, cataloging every detail—the quiet movements of the security cameras, t
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-06THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER SIX: Shadows beneath the surface
Three months earlier, Zac sat in his study, the soft hum of a late evening wrapping the room. His tie hung loose around his neck, and the whiskey in his glass had gone cold. A quiet clink broke the silence—Angelo’s glass tapping against the edge of the desk. “Let me guess.” Angelo’s voice was easy, carrying a note of amusement. “It’s about her again.” Zac didn’t answer right away. He just exhaled slowly, the kind that carried weight, like something he hadn’t quite put down yet. Angelo smirked, settling deeper into his chair. “Told you she wouldn’t show up.” Zac turned the glass in his hand, watching the liquid catch the dim light. “Yeah. You did.” “I tried to warn you, but you were setting yourself up for disappointment. Zac shook his head. “It wasn’t supposed to go like that.” A silence stretched between them. In his mind, he was still there—that night, at the candlelit table, staring at the bouquet he shouldn’t have brought, checking his phone until the screen blurred
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-06THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER SEVEN: Crossing boundaries
The following day, Mia sat in front of her mirror, gliding a lipstick over her lips. Beside her, Samantha scrolled through her phone, half-watching. Then the phone rang. Mia’s face brightened at the sight of her mother’s name—until she answered. “Mom?” The ragged sobs on the other end made her stomach drop. “Mia, I-I got evicted… from my apartment!” Mia shot upright. “What? Mom, what happened?” Her mother’s voice cracked, raw with panic. “I was robbed last night, and my landlord has refused to give me an extension.” Mia’s chest tightened. “Mom, breathe. Just hold on, okay? I’ll fix this. Give me a few hours.” “Thank you, baby,” her mom whispered between tears. The line went dead, but her fingers clenched tightly on her phone. She needed to act fast, and there was only one person who could provide that kind of money without paperwork or questions. “Mia? What’s wrong?” Samantha noticed the shift in her expression immediately. Mia shot to her feet, grabbing her purse.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-08
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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
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
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 78: Collateral Damage
“Hide your face all you want, but I can never forget the way you walk.”Derrick's gaze narrowed on her. His smile was thin, but his eyes burned with something mischievous.“Or the scent of your skin," he went on, moving closer."What do you want, Derrick?" Mia tightened her jaw. Her tone was even, but rage burned just below the surface.He took another step forward, tilting his head like he was amused. “Easy, baby. No need to get feisty.”“Don’t fucking call me that.” Her fingers curled into fists. “I don’t owe you anything. I’ve paid all my debts. So why are you here?”“I know. I’m not here for that.” His eyes swept over her outfit, taking in the way she carried herself—poised, classy, nothing like the Mia he once knew. A quiet laugh escaped him, shaking his head. “I just didn’t expect this.”Her frown deepened. “Expect what?”He gestured his hand vaguely. “You. Dating your boss.” His voice dipped into something taunting. “I thought you had more self-respect than that.”Heat flared u
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 77: Drifting in Blue
Mia stood in front of the mirror, swiping a layer of gloss over her lips, when Samantha’s voice disrupted the silence.“So, let me get this straight.” Samantha leaned against the doorframe, “You say you’re being nice—because he needs emotional support, right?” Her brows lifted. “Yes?” Mia turned to meet her gaze.“Hmm… even after you woke up in his bed.”Mia sighed, pressing her lips together to even out the gloss. “And that was all. What’s there to lie about?”Samantha’s grin widened. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because you’re actually getting all dressed up for him at this time of the evening?” She checked her wristwatch. “Or should I just say goodnight now?”Mia rolled her eyes. “It’s just 6PM, Sam. I’ll be back.”“Uh-huh.” Samantha tilted her head. “That’s what you said yesterday, and guess where you woke up?”Mia picked up her purse, shaking her head. “It won't take long. I promise.”Samantha smirked. “Exactly, your famous last words.”Mia ignored her, and slipped out the door bef
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 76: You didn’t taste it?
Mia froze. Did Zac really mean that? Or was he just sleep-talking? For a moment, she let herself believe it was harmless—just a brief moment of comfort. Nothing more. “Okay,” she whispered, allowing herself to sink deeper into his embrace instead of pulling away. And the night passed in silence. ******** The next time Mia opened her eyes, the room was brighter. Not from sunlight—just the soft glow of morning creeping through the curtains. She inhaled sharply, and turned—but Zac wasn’t there. Alone in bed, she sighed, pushing her hair back. She reached for her phone on the nightstand—it was only 6:12 a.m. The sky was still a dull gray, the sun yet to rise. Groggy, she mumbled, “Jeez…” and pushed the duvet off. She was still in the same clothes from the night before. She was about to head to the guest room when a familiar smell made her stop. Something was cooking. Her eyes landed on Zac in the kitchen. He stood by the counter, dressed in a different outfit from last night
