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CHAPTER EIGHT: Under Zac’s control
Huling Na-update:
2024-12-09 06:57:13
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THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER NINE: Unspoken Truths
For a split second, Zac’s eyes lingered on Mia for just a breath too long, a hint of unguarded emotion flashing across them before he suppressed it. Deep down, he knew the feelings he once had for her hadn’t completely faded. But admitting it—saying it aloud—was out of the question. His ego—and his new relationship with Bella—held him captive. Voicing his true feelings wouldn’t change anything. In fact, it would only complicate the already tangled mess between them. “No, it wasn’t,” Zac finally said, his tone carefully controlled. “I said what I felt at the time.” His jaw tightened. “But what do you expect? I’m just a man.” Mia studied his face, searching for sincerity. The way he looked now… it was as though he was no longer the person she had fallen for at first sight. “Wasn’t it obvious?” Zac continued, his tone shifting into something colder. “I needed some company and I paid for your services.” Her brows furrowed, frustration boiling beneath her skin. “So it meant nothi
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-10THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER TEN: A father’s shadow
Mia stood frozen, gripping the form so tightly her fingers ached. She had rehearsed this conversation a hundred times in her head, convinced she was ready. But now, standing here in front of Xiang, made her feel uneasy. Xiang was not the kind of man who welcomed deviation from his carefully laid plans—he thrived on control. And she was about to disrupt that. His voice cut through her thoughts. “I don’t have all day, Mia. Speak.” Her heart pounded, but she forced herself to meet his gaze. “I need to talk to you about my position.” She stepped forward, setting the form on his desk. Xiang picked it up with a quick flick of his wrist and stared at it, frowning. “What is this?” “It’s a job application—for a personal assistant,” Mia replied briskly. “A friend of Zac’s gave it to me.” His expression did not change, but his voice turned colder. "And how does this concern your work here?" Mia chose her words carefully. “I work in the kitchen. That limits how much I can observe and what I
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-11THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER ELEVEN: Fragments of hope
The figure moved swiftly toward the gate, and Mia’s heart surged with hope. As he stepped closer, his face became unmistakable. It was her father, Fred Williams—tall and broad-shouldered, with neatly trimmed hair and a fitted T-shirt and jeans. He looked well—too well, nothing like the disheveled father she had last seen four years ago.Mia’s heart surged as the figure stepped out of the gate. For a moment, hope filled her chest, a flicker of disbelief in her voice as she whispered, “Daddy?”The man paused near the gate, his expression caught between surprise and discomfort. “Mia? What are you doing here? How did you find me?” His voice lowered, as though he was wary of being overheard. “I thought you stayed in…” He hesitated, “Springwood. Isn’t that where you and your mom stayed?”Mia’s breath hitched. His tone felt cold, distant, not at all the warmth she had hoped for. “You’re right, but I’m here because it’s urgent.”The man glanced uneasily at the guard standing nearby. “Excuse u
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-12THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER TWELVE: Twenty Thousand Dollars and Counting
Mia’s hands shook as she dropped the shards of the vase, panic twisting her chest. She knelt beside the unconscious man, her fingers fumbling through his jacket. Who was he? Her breathing quickened as she searched for anything—an ID, a clue—anything that could explain why she was there. Suddenly, she froze. She could hear faint footsteps behind the door. Someone was coming. The sound was sharp, deliberate. Her heart pounded harder with each step. Who could that be? The door burst open, and she jumped, turning toward the noise. It was Zac. Mia’s stomach flipped at the sight of him. He stood in the doorway, tall and commanding, his sharp eyes moving from her to the man on the floor, then back to her. The calmness in his voice sent a chill down her spine. “What’s going on, Mia? What did you do?” Her heart raced. She didn’t even know where she was. The last time she checked, she’d been at least three hours away from home, stuck on a desolate street. How was Zac here?
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-14THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER THIRTEEN: The Unlikely Visitor
Earlier that day, Zac checked his wristwatch—5:02 PM. He had just wrapped up another business meeting, and the weight of the day weighed heavily on his shoulders. As he loosened his tie and reached for his coat, his phone buzzed sharply on the polished desk. He looked at the caller ID—one of his private investigators.“Talk to me,” Zac said, his voice tired.“Sir, Ms. Mia Williams just fainted,” came the reply.Zac’s breath caught. “Fainted? Where is she now?”“She’s in my car. We were heading to the hospital, but—”“Hospital?” The words hit Zac harder than he expected. His brows furrowed as he shot back, “No. Take her to my house in Princeton. Make sure she’s comfortable until my doctor arrives. I’ll be there as soon as possible.”The investigator obeyed, and Zac didn’t waste a moment. He gave quick orders to his driver, grabbed his briefcase, and hurried out of the office.By the time he got to his estate near Princeton, the color of the sky was a mix of deep orange and navy, with
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-15THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER FOURTEEN: A test of luck
Mia woke to the smell of food drifting through the air. For a moment, she lay still, caught between sleep and waking. The bright exterior lights slipped through the thin curtains, casting a quiet glow in her room. She glanced at the clock on the nightstand—just past 5 a.m., the same time she always woke up.Stretching her arms above her head, she slowly sat up. Her eyes wandered to the empty chair by her bed, where she had spent hours last night, going over the questions Zac had told her to prepare. A few answers stuck in her head. Most of them didn’t. It didn’t really matter. She had a few hours left to cram, but the thought of why she was doing this lingered. Why did she care so much about obeying Zac?The answer came quickly: her mom.Mia hadn’t expected to see her mother last night. When she got home, her mom was asleep on the couch, her head resting against the armrest. She must have waited for hours, but Mia couldn’t bring herself to wake her. The soft rise and fall of her mom’s
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-16THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER FIFTEEN: The Weight of Legacy— an Heir’s Burden
Angelo entered the parking lot, his footsteps clinking in shiny shoes. His eyes darted around, his face tense beneath furrowed brows as he muttered, “Where is she?”He scanned the rows of cars, turning to this side and that, his every movement a manifestation of frustration. Just as he turned to leave, a voice checked his steps.“Angelo?”He froze and turned slowly, relief washing over his face when he saw her. “Mia.” He exhaled deeply, the tension melting from his shoulders. “I’ve actually been looking for you.”Mia tilted her head, surprised. “Really?”He didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he crossed his arms over his chest, narrowing his eyes slightly. “I heard you applied for the position of secretary here.”She paused, pushing a strand of her chestnut-brown wig behind her ear. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” she said softly.“Come on, Mia,” Angelo said, a slight edge of hurt in his voice. “I thought we were friends. Aren’t we?”Mia’s eyes dropped to the floor, her conscience pul
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-17THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER SIXTEEN: A Face from Costa Rica
“Yes, Dad,” she replied, her voice steady but cautious. “It’s my passion. I’ve wanted this for years.” Seth dropped the tablet onto the desk, his temper flaring. “Passion? What about the family business? What about everything I’ve worked for?” “Dad, I told you years ago,” Celine said, her voice rising slightly. “I have no interest in working under the family name.” “But you agreed to the business courses I enrolled you in,” he snapped. “Dad—” “No!” he shouted, cutting her off. “You’re my last chance, Celine!” Seth stood up immediately, pacing the room. “Your sisters have already disappointed me—one playing dress-up with her fashion company, the other running off to teach art to children! Let’s not even start with Angela, who eloped with her boyfriend. But you… You’re the only one who could—” “Could what?” Celine interrupted, her composure cracking. “Give up my dreams to live the life you want for me?” She stood now, her voice rising. “Dad, I’ve told you before. I lov
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-18
Pinakabagong kabanata
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 104: To Have and To Hold
The ballroom was massive, bathed in a golden glow from the grand chandeliers hanging above. Less than a hundred elegantly dressed guests filled the space, their conversations humming beneath the soft classical music. Tables were arranged meticulously, adorned with rich floral centerpieces, extravagant dishes, and bottles of the finest champagne. Everything gleamed with wealth and sophistication—Zac’s grandfather had spared no expense.Mia sat beside Zac on the raised platform, at the center of attention. She leaned in, her voice low. “Isn’t this a bit much?” Her gaze swept over the lavish decorations. “This budget is insane for a marriage that—” She stopped herself, lowering her voice even more.Zac chuckled. “Tell that to my grandfather. This is his idea of a small celebration.”Mia shook her head, exhaling deeply. “Yeah, he sure does love throwing parties.”“And this isn’t even half of it,” Zac continued. “You know he planned a ridiculously romantic honeymoon for us?”Mia blinked.
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 103: THE WEDDING DAY
Mia stood in front of the tall mirror, staring at her reflection. The cream-colored wedding dress hugged her body, its bodice adorned with delicately embedded crystals that caught the light with every movement. It was breathtaking.The long-awaited wedding was finally here.One by one, the stylists and makeup artists quietly exited the room, their work complete. This was everything most girls dreamed of—a grand wedding, a stunning dress, a perfect day. But it wasn’t the fairytale she once imagined—it was a short-term marriage with the man she has feelings for.Just then, the door creaked open, and Laura—the wedding planner—stepped in. She gave Mia a quick glance, nodded in approval, then turned to leave, only to pause as Sarah entered. Her eyes shimmered with tears.Mia caught sight of her in the mirror and turned. “Mom, were you crying?” she said with a soft smile, reaching out to place a gentle hand under her mother’s chin.Her mother gave a shaky laugh, dabbing underneath her eye
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 102: A New Spotlight
“What was so important that you couldn’t tell me earlier?”She barely flinched at his tone and simply crossed her arms. “Chill. Don’t act like I was avoiding you.You spent too much time in the kitchen this morning. Before I was done taking a shower, you disappeared.”Angelo barely held back a groan. This was why he hadn’t wanted to let her in last night. But she’d given him no choice.She had punctured her own damn tire on purpose—right outside his house—then knocked on his door like she had no other option. It was an obvious setup, but at nearly midnight, with her standing there as if daring him to turn her away, he hadn’t bothered arguing.He let her in. And now, here they were.He dragged a hand down his face. “Bella—”She cut him off, her tone light. “I just wanted to tell you I have a fashion show next week. And I want you to be my plus one.”His jaw ticked. “And what makes you think I’d want to go with you?”“Besides,” he added, “that’s the same day as Zac’s wedding. I’m suppos
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 101: The Calm After
Mia sat by the window of one of the guest rooms, staring out at the quiet private street below. She had woken up last night to find her parents there, relieved beyond words. Everyone had been excited, celebrating like their lives were a fresh start. But there was still no news. No trace of the kidnappers. No explanation for why they had wanted their wedding called off.She smiled, assured them she was fine. What else was she supposed to do? She felt better—or at least, she told herself she did. But deep down, there was still a nagging feeling that everything was somehow her fault.However, Samantha had brushed it off countless times. She was more than grateful they were both alive and safe—that was all that mattered now. *******A soft knock sounded before the door cracked open.Samantha peeked in, spotting Mia by the window, her hair damp from a morning shower.“You look like you’re waiting for a jailbreak,” Samantha said, stepping in.Mia looked at her, stretching slightly. “Yeah
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 100: Paper and Power
More than three hours had passed, and Mia still hadn’t opened her eyes. Her breathing was faint but steady.The doctor checked her vitals once more, adjusting his stethoscope. He straightened up with the faintest trace of relief on his face.“She’s stable,” he said, making a note on his pad. “But she needs rest. Her body is depleted from severe dehydration and lack of food. It’s no surprise she hasn’t woken yet.”He glanced at Zac, a silent warning in his eyes. “She can’t keep pushing herself like this. You need to make sure she doesn’t.”Zac didn’t move from the chair beside the bed. His fingers idly traced the back of Mia’s hand, his eyes fixed on her face, searching for any sign of movements.“Of course,” he murmured, barely looking up. “She’ll stay here as long as she needs.” His eyes shifted to the chair, where Samantha sat wrapped in a blanket, her face etched with concern. “Both of them will. I’ll take care of everything.”The doctor nodded, closing his kit. “Let her rest. She’
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 99: The Rescue 2
Samantha lay still on the cold floor. Her breathing was shallow, eyes half-closed as she listened. Their boots scraped against the dusty floor, their hushed voices cutting through the thick smoke.The leader barely spared her a glance, “where are the sedatives?” he yelled.“There’s no need, she’s already knocked out.” The man who wanted to take her muttered.He knelt, pulling out his pocket knife. With quick, precise movements, he sliced through the ropes binding her ankles, then reached for her wrists. “She doesn’t look good, boss,” he said, cutting the last of the restraints.Without delay, he threw her over his shoulder, adjusting his grip.Then—the sound of gunfire cut through the air.A sharp crack split through the room. One of the men near the door jerked back, pressing his wounded arm. The remaining captors didn’t wait. They ran fast, disappearing into the smoke, slipping through open windows and narrow escape routes. They were ghosts in this place—vanishing through the hidde
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 98: Samantha’s Rescue 1
Mia pounded on the door, her knuckles raw from the force of her knocking. “Come on, open up!”She knocked again, harder this time, but Zac still didn’t answer. It was barely 4 AM, but urgency coursed through her veins like fire.Inside, Zac wasn’t ignoring her—he was in the bathroom, showering, trying to clear his head from the haze of restless sleep. The insistent knocking pulled him out of it. He quickly grabbed a pair of shorts, put them on, and rushed to the door.The second he unlocked it, Mia, who had been leaning against it, lost her balance and stumbled forward—straight into his bare chest.Mia’s breath hitched. She looked up at him, momentarily caught off guard by the closeness—the hard lines of his torso, the faint scent of soap mixed with shampoo. It wasn’t the first time she’d seen him like this. But it still hit just as hard.She pushed herself upright, shaking off the distraction. “Zac,” she said, pulling out her phone in one swift motion. The screen lit up between them
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 97: A Desperate Lead
Just as Mia reached the top, Zac was stepping out of his room. They collided hard, nearly knocking each other over. “Mia?” His hands gripped her arms, steadying her. “Are you okay? What’s going on?” She was breathless, her chest rising and falling as she tried to speak. “Mia?” His brows furrowed. “Did they call you?” “No,” she gasped, shaking her head quickly. “No, not at all. But I think… I think there’s a way. A possibility we can get to her.” His grip loosened slightly. “Alright,” he said, “let’s hear it.” He guided her inside his bedroom—her second time being here. It was familiar now, though the circumstances were far from comfortable. Mia turned to him, her eyes sharp with urgency. “We need to contact Xiang.” Zac’s eyes darkened instantly. His jaw clenched, arms crossing over his chest. “Xiang?” he repeated with a sharp tone. “Why the hell would we contact him?” He sighed. “What if he had a hand in the kidnapping?” Mia shook her head firmly. “No. I know Xiang. He might
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 96: A Glimpse of Hope
“You’ll be leading us straight to our own graves,” Fred muttered.Mia’s nostrils flared in anger as she clenched her fists so tightly until her nails dug into her palms. Her body trembled, but she forced herself to stay quiet, swallowing the fury burning inside her.Zac was surprised at Fred’s reaction, but he knew better than to argue with his future father-in-law. “Mr. Williams, we’re doing our very best to ensure Samantha’s safe return.” He glanced at Mia before continuing, “If you’ll excuse me.” He nodded toward the security guard and headed outside. Angelo followed shortly after, leaving Mia with her mother.The moment the door shut, Mia’s fury exploded.“What the hell are you saying, Dad?” She whirled on Fred, her voice almost shaking. “You don’t get to decide what’s best here!”Fred’s jaw tightened. “Mia—”“You don’t even know half of what’s going on!” Mia retorted.Sarah, who had been silent until now, placed a hand on Mia’s arm. “Mia, I think you should consider what your f
