Mag-log inShare
CHAPTER EIGHT: Under Zac’s control
Huling Na-update:
2024-12-09 06:57:13
Kaugnay na kabanata
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 121: The Errand Boy
The smell hit him first—dust, hay, and dried sweat soaked into the wooden beams. Zac stepped into the poorly lit space, the creaking barn door closing behind him with a hollow thud.It was a secluded ranch, far from the city. Not marked on the map, or easy to locate. The kind of place where if you screamed, the echo would fade—and no one would ever hear you.A single bulb dangled from a rusty hook above, casting a sickly orange glow over the center of the barn.Below it, a man was seated in a worn-out chair, slumped but barely breathing.It was Brian.His wrists were bound, ankles tied to the legs of the chair, head low like he couldn’t lift it anymore.His face was swollen, bruised around the mouth and cheek. Blood crusted along one eyebrow. His breathing came in short bursts. Every inhale looked like it cost him something. Still, his eyes were wide open, darting around at the figures that stood in the shadows around him.Zac didn’t speak at first. He just stood there, arms folded, a
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 120: Making it Right
“Bella?” Angelo whispered, moving toward the entrance. I hope she did not come back to pick another fight. But as he reached the hallway, a familiar face appeared, nearly colliding into him.“Oh—Samantha!”She blinked, holding a small tote bag in one hand and her phone in the other.“Hey. Did I scare you?”Angelo let out a deep breath. “You nearly gave me a heart attack.”Samantha stepped inside, her eyes scanning the place. “You guys look like you weren’t expecting me.”“We totally forgot,” Mia said, appearing behind him. “We didn’t hear a knock.”“Oh. The door was unlocked. I figured you were home. By the way, I saw Bella at the gate, actually—she looked… pretty mad.”Angelo and Mia exchanged a glance.“Is everything alright?” Samantha asked, looking between them. “I hope there’s no drama.”Mia folded her arms. “Nothing serious. Just… Bella being Bella.”Samantha gave a small, careful smile. “Okay. As long as it’s not an issue.”Silence hung for a beat. Angelo cleared his throat. “
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 119: Ashes in Her Mouth
Mia didn’t move. She relaxed on the couch, back straight, legs crossed, and her hands folded loosely in her lap. Bella continued, zeroing in like a missile. “What the fuck is she doing here?!”Angelo stepped in fast. “Hey—hey, Bella, whoa—chill.”But Bella shoved right past him. “No. Don’t ‘chill’ me. Is this what we’re doing now?” Her eyes blazed as she jabbed a manicured finger toward Mia. “I thought she was happily married.”Mia didn’t answer. Her eyes stayed level as she held herself together.“Hey, you!” Bella raised her voice, meeting Mia’s eyes. “Or is your husband suddenly not enough anymore? Or do you just have this… disease—jumping on every man who shows you attention?”“Bella,” Angelo warned, stepping forward again, blocking her path. “Please… don’t do this.”“Oh, I’m doing it,” she snapped. “She’s a goddamn married woman, sitting in your house like it’s a weekend getaway. What is this—some rehab retreat for junkies?”Mia rose slowly, intentional in every step. Her voice w
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 118: A Name in the Shadows
In less than no time, Zac reached the neighborhood.As he neared Samantha’s street, he didn’t turn in. Instead, he took the next street over, slowing the car and glancing at the rearview mirror.There were no tails behind him, so he pulled up beside a quiet corner house, parked under the shade of a leaning tree, and stepped out.The sun was bright and hot, and the air was full of city sounds, but the street was quiet.He pulled out his phone and made the call.A second later, a backyard gate creaked open. Samantha peeked out, her movements quick and quiet.She opened the gate fully when she saw him. “Zac,” she breathed. “Thank you so much for coming.”“What’s going on?” he asked, stepping inside the fence.“I don’t know how to get to my car,” she said, keeping her voice low. “I parked it right out front. I was about to leave… then I saw them swarming.”“Don’t worry,” Zac said. “We’ll use mine. I parked it down the block. Come with me. I’ll drive.”Samantha nodded and followed him.The
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
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
