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CHAPTER NINE: Unspoken Truths
Last Updated:
2024-12-10 18:52:52
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Mia stood still for one minute, clutching the form so tightly her fingers throbbed. She might have rehearsed this a thousand times in her head, but now that it was real, her nerves threatened to unravel all resolve. She knew Xiang would not want to hear what she was about to say. He thrived on control, and any deviation from his precisely crafted plans was met with sharp disapproval.Xiang’s voice sliced through the stillness, crisp and focused. “I don’t have all day, Mia. Go on.”Mia’s heart skipped a beat, but she steadied her breath and met his gaze. “I wanted to talk to you about my position as it currently stands.” She stepped forward and put 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 form. A new opening—for a personal assistant,” Mia said, trying to keep her voice even. “I got it from a friend of Zac’s.”Xiang did not change his expression, but his voice was colder than before. “And how does this r
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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?
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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
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“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
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It was a beautiful Saturday evening, the kind Mia had craved for weeks. She relaxed in her small living room, nestled between her mom, who sat on the couch absorbed in their favorite Mexican soap opera, and Samantha, settled on the floor with a bowl of popcorn. For once, the world felt distant, her problems tucked away in some unreachable corner. Her phone buzzed on the side table, pulling her out of her brief escape. She ignored it at first, letting it buzz again before finally glancing at the screen. It was Zac Cornell. Her heart sank as she closed her eyes briefly, inhaling to steady herself, then stood and walked toward the kitchen counter. She hesitated before answering, knowing Zac never called unless it was important—or inconvenient. “Hello, Sir,” she said, keeping her tone light, though her fingers tightened around the phone. “Mia,” Zac began, his voice calm and annoyingly smooth. “I have a file I need you to look at before you resume on Monday.” Mia blinked, caught
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Bella sat on the floor, her body crumpled in despair. Her phone vibrated in her hand, the screen lighting up with more pictures. Her fingers trembled as she scrolled through the engagement photos flooding the internet—Zac and Mia wrapped in each other’s arms, their smiles radiant, their love displayed for the world to see. Tears blurred her vision. It was supposed to be her. She should have been the one in Zac’s arms, wearing the ring, standing by his side. A broken sob escaped her. “No! No! No!” Her voice cracked, a scream breaking free from her throat. Her cry filled the space, desperate and raw. It wasn’t fair. None of it was. She slammed the phone onto the bed, the sound of it hitting the headboard echoing in the quiet room. Then a gentle knock sounded at the door. “Bella?” Her mother’s voice seeped through the wood, gentle but concerned. Bella wiped her eyes, trying to calm her breath. Her mother’s eyes softened at the sight of her daughter, collapsed on the fl
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The hum of the helicopter filled the air immediately after Zac guided Mia inside it, his grip firm yet gentle. “I wanted to keep this private, away from the cameras,” he murmured, helping her inside. “It’s not the right time for us to be seen. Not just yet.” Mia settled into the plush leather seat, the luxury of the private helicopter sinking in. She had never been in one before. As she reached for the seatbelt, Zac was already there, securing it for her. His fingers brushed against her skin briefly, sending an unexpected jolt through her. “Are you comfortable?” he asked, his voice low. She nodded, though her heart had started to race—not from the altitude but from the proximity. “You look beautiful tonight,” he added. His voice was quiet, but it reached her over the hum of the helicopter. She turned to face him, blinking at the unexpected compliment. Her first instinct was to tease him, but something about the way he said it—soft, genuine—made her pause. “You look pretty well
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Zac leaned against the table, his fingers tapping lightly against the surface. “He can be a little… selective,” he admitted, hesitating before forcing a small smile. “But just be yourself.” Mia raised an eyebrow. “Be myself… What does that even mean?” Zac exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “My grandfather likes people who are genuine. He respects confidence—those who own their story instead of pretending to be something they’re not.” Mia gave him a dry look. “Zac, we are literally faking it.” “I know,” he said with a weak smile. “But you? You don’t have to pretend. Trust me, you’re fine just the way you are.” She shook her head, still uncertain. “I don’t know… I was your P.A., and I never even went to college. Won’t he find that suspicious?” “About that,” Zac started, choosing his words carefully, “there’s no point lying to him. He doesn’t even need your credentials, Mia. Just make him believe you value the foundation of family and relationships. That’s all.” Mia hesi
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The plan had been set in motion long before Mia stepped into Xiang’s warehouse. The moment the driver arrived, she was taken to a secret location, just as Zac had arranged. It was a quiet, dimly lit space, hidden away from prying eyes. There, she changed into more practical clothing, which was reinforced with a discreet bullet-proof vest. A small mic was carefully positioned under her collar, ensuring every word spoken that night would be recorded. Unknown to Xiang, everything had been prepared—every move calculated. As Mia was getting ready at the secret base, Zac had already taken precautions. Samantha was in on the plan, and his men had safely relocated her and their mother to a secure apartment. By the time she was ready, her family was already out of danger. Now, with the stage set, she had walked into the lion’s den—confident, prepared. Outside Xiang’s warehouse, his men lurked in the shadows, standing guard. They were unaware of the silent takedown unfolding around them.
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When Mia arrived back at the apartment, the entire space was eerily quiet. She made her way to Samantha’s room, where the rhythmic clanking of a keyboard broke the silence. Samantha was seated at her desk, her sharp focus on the glowing screen as lines of code scrolled rapidly. A series of tabs and tools cluttered her workspace—debugging programs, encryption tools, and a web page she seemed to be building from scratch. Mia sighed, dropping onto the edge of Samantha’s bed. She leaned back slightly, rubbing her temples as the weight of the day bore down on her. She had just finished explaining everything that happened at the office—Zac’s unexpected offer, the details of the arrangement, and how surreal it all felt. Samantha paused her work, taking her focus off the screen. She turned her chair toward Mia, raising a brow as a small smirk played on her lips. “So… what’s stopping you from saying yes?” “Everything,” Mia frowned, crossing her arms. “The fact that this whole thing is s
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“What’s expected of me as your… wife? That’s if I agree to this,” Mia asked, folding her arms and narrowing her eyes at Zac. “Nothing much,” Zac said casually, leaning back in his seat. “You’d basically need to show up at a few events. For now, meet my family, and then we’ll get married in court. It’ll be simple—just a small, quick process.” “Like, just sign the papers?” Mia raised an eyebrow. “And after that?” “Yes,” Zac responded smoothly, as if it was the easiest thing in the world. “Once the marriage is registered, we make a few public appearances together, smile for the cameras, and that’s it.” Zac sat up straighter. “Oh, and we would also need to live together as a couple.” “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Mia exclaimed, her hand gesturing in front of her. “Wait a minute.” A moment ago, you were practically accusing me of leaking those photos, and now you’re totally comfortable marrying me? Even if it’s just a contract?” Zac's demeanor eased, and for the first time in a long while, he
