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CHAPTER NINETEEN: A Taste of Control
Last Updated:
2024-12-21 21:10:31
BrandykhokoHi there! If you’ve enjoyed this story so far, please leave a comment! I’d love to hear your thoughts. Don’t forget to add this book to your library and follow for more updates. Thank you so much for your support!
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THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER TWENTY: First Day at ZIRCONS Group
The morning felt crisp, the faint hum of birdsong filtering through the open window as Mia prepared for her first day at ZIRCONS Group. Her mother was already in the kitchen, preparing breakfast as usual to help her get ready before she left. It was just past 6 AM, yet Mia, who always woke up early, was already wearing a black dress—one of those Zac had purchased for her. She stepped into a set of two-inch heels, the gentle click of her shoes on the tiled floor resonating as she rushed out of the house. At 7:20 AM, Mia found herself in the impressive foyer of ZIRCONS Group’s headquarters, feeling a mix of confidence and worry.. Upon entering the lobby, the refreshing air-conditioning welcomed her, and she surveyed the lively area. She arrived at the reception area by 7:25 and was promptly guided to Zac’s main office on the top floor. The office itself was striking—modern yet understated. Zac’s office was spacious, featuring a big mahogany desk at its core and tall windows fr
Last Updated : 2024-12-22THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 21 : A burden too heavy
Friday mornings at ZIRCONS Group were typically filled with hustle and bustle, yet Mia’s sole concern was making it through to the weekend. While sitting at her desk, her mind wandered to the key she had discovered in Zac's office recently. She hadn't bothered to unlock anything or discover where it was supposed to go. What if Zac was testing her or watching her every move?The risk wasn’t worth it. Her only desire was to finish her project, pay back Derrick’s loan, and escape this complicated situation. Her phone vibrated on the desk, pulling her out of her thoughts. It was a text from Angelo.“Hey, Mia. Sorry I didn’t make it yesterday. Stuck in Rome longer than expected. I’ll clarify everything shortly. Take care of yourself, alright?”Her chest tightened. Angelo always knew how to weave warmth into his words, even from miles away. For a fleeting moment, she let herself miss his presence—the way he made her laugh, even when her world felt dark.But reality was quick to intrude.
Last Updated : 2024-12-24THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 22: Liquid Courage; a heavy heart
Angelo’s texts to Mia had gone unanswered for hours. At first, he told himself she was probably busy—work could run late, or maybe she just needed space. But as the evening stretched on, a gnawing worry crept in. This wasn’t like her.Sitting in his apartment, he scrolled through his message thread with her:Hey, I’m back in town. Let’s catch up soon?Mia?You okay?No response.Her silence wasn’t intentional, but the weight of the day—her mom’s reckless mistake and the looming debt to Derrick—left her too drained to face anyone, even Angelo.Angelo tossed his phone onto the sofa, raking his fingers through his hair. He had just come back from spending weeks in Italy dealing with family issues, and all he desired was to hear her voice, to ensure she was alright. Yet with each minute that passed, his discomfort grew.Grabbing his phone again, he dialed her number. Straight to voicemail. Again.He exhaled deeply, walking around the room. “Where on earth are you, Mia?” he whispered unde
Last Updated : 2024-12-26THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 23: The price of Vulnerability
The first thing Mia felt was the coziness of a gentle duvet enveloping her tightly. The mattress underneath her was soft, much more comfortable than her own. Gradually, her eyelids opened to the warm pendant light hanging on the ceiling. She blinked, her head heavy, as blurry memories of the previous drifted through her mind. She had been at the bar. Somehow Angelo was there, was he? For a brief period, everything seemed like a dream, fragmented and unreal. However, as she brushed her fingers against the duvet and sat upright, reality hit her. This was not her room. Her eyes scanned the strange surroundings. The interior was simple but graceful, featuring off white walls and a carefully arranged dresser. She looked down at herself and halted. She had on a baggy white shirt, obviously not hers. Her heart raced. Swinging her legs off the bed, Mia paused momentarily before rising. The shirt reached her mid-thigh, excessively oversized for her small figure. Her exposed feet made conta
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Mia tugged at the hem of Angelo’s oversized shirt, feeling the fabric brush against her bare thighs. The atmosphere in the dining room was tense—not overtly hostile, but heavy enough to make her wish she could vanish into thin air.“What are you doing here?” Zac asked, his voice calm, though the sharp undertone was impossible to miss.Mia froze, keeping her eyes down. She wasn’t used to being the focus of anyone’s attention, let alone the center of an exchange like this.Angelo, seated at the dining table, raised a brow, his usual relaxed demeanor intact. “How long have you been standing here?”“Long enough.” Zac stepped further inside, his tone casual but his eyes sharp as they flitted from Angelo to Mia. “Nanny said you were here, so I came in. Didn’t realize you had… company.” His gaze lingered briefly on Mia before returning to Angelo. “Nice breakfast spread by the way.”Mia cleared her throat. “Good morning, sir.”“Morning, Mia,” his gaze flicked over her unexpected appearance. “
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Angelo leaned back in his chair, a nervous chuckle escaping his mouth as he met Zac’s gaze.“Zac,” he said, his voice steady despite the faint humor. “None of those girls are in my life anymore. Like I said, I’m taking it slow—one step at a time.”Zac arched an eyebrow. “Wait, wait—did you just turn over a new leaf or did I miss something?”Angelo smirked faintly and shrugged. “I’m a single man now—free as a bird. I’m taking a break from relationship drama, especially now that my dad’s retirement ceremony is around the corner. Once that’s done, I’ll pick my bride. But right now? Not my priority.”“Then what’s up with you and Mia lately?” Zac’s gaze sharpened.Angelo hesitated, his fingers tapping lightly against the table. He exhaled, forcing an easy tone into his voice. “Mia… she’s… nice. Smart, beautiful—obviously. We’ve been getting along pretty well, but I feel like she’s not open with me yet. Still, I value our friendship.”The words felt foreign as they left his mouth. He liked
Last Updated : 2024-12-29THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 26: Seth vs Mia: A Truce
Seth wasn’t the type to be liked or make friends—and he didn’t care to. As Vice Chairman, his power came from one thing: always getting what he wanted. People avoided him when possible. His sharp words and disregard for rules made it clear he played by his own game. Small talk and kindness weren’t his style, but respect—or fear—kept others in line. Months ago, Seth had attended a high-profile charity event in Costa Rica as a sponsor—one of those gatherings where the wealthy mingled under the guise of philanthropy. For Seth, it was a brief distraction from his routine life. Divorced and untouched by romance for years, he found himself drawn to a particular hostess—Mia, disguised as Miranda at that time. Unlike other women who usually indulged his desires, she humiliated him.That slap had done more than just bruise his ego—it imprinted her face into his memory. Now, seated in the boardroom of his family’s company, he found himself staring at a woman who strikingly resemble
Last Updated : 2024-12-30THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 27: Zac’s Other Side
When Zac and Mia entered his office, he walked over to the cozy corner with a small sofa and table, gesturing for her to follow. Mia hesitated, standing awkwardly near the door, her eyes darting between him and the room. “Did I do something wrong?” Her voice was quiet, unsure. Zac turned back to her, offering a calm smile. “No, come on in.” He motioned for her to join him on the sofa As Mia stepped closer, she glanced around nervously. “Um, are you expecting someone?” Zac shook his head, glancing at the table set for lunch. “No. I know we got off on the wrong foot.” He met her gaze. “But despite the circumstances, you’re smart, Mia. A good P.A. Maybe we should consider each other as work partners now.” Mia blushed slightly, caught off guard by the compliment. “Thank you,” she said quietly, still unsure of his intentions. Zac continued, his tone more casual now. “I ordered lunch for us, just as a small way to show my appreciation.” Wow—I mean, that’s really thoughtful,” Mia
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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
