LOGINShare
Chapter 44 The Pool
Last Updated:
2025-02-22 13:44:42Zelda
A sharp sting jolted me from the darkness. The world around me was a blur, sounds muffled, and my chest ached from the struggle. Slowly, shapes and colours came into focus. Someone was hovering over me, their voice cutting through the haze.
“Wake up, Zelda! Come on! Wake up! You were on the swimming team in school—you’re better than this. Stop pretending to faint over a little pool!”
I blinked, finally able to make out the face of one of James’s friends. I couldn’t remember his name, but his disdain for me was unforgettable. For years, he had treated Susan like a delicate flower, his pseudo-little sister, and me like the thorn in her side.
As soon as I gasped for air and moved, he stepped back, brushing his hands as though his job was done.
“She’s alive!” he announced loudly, his voice tinged with irritation rather than relief.
That’s when I noticed the crowd. Guests from the
Related chapters
THE BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET, CHASING AFTER ME Chapter 45 Think what you Want
I didn’t see James until the next morning. As I stepped outside into the chilly air, I noticed his car parked outside the building. He stood beside it, smoking, the sharp smell of tobacco drifting faintly toward me.The moment he saw me, he crushed the cigarette underfoot and tossed the butt into the trash can before heading my way.I ignored him, walking straight past as if he didn’t exist.“Zelda,” his voice stopped me, firm yet edged with something else. “You weren’t sick last night, were you?”The bitterness bubbled up before I could stop it. I turned to him, letting my anger show. “Don’t you think it’s a little late to care about me now, Mr. Ferguson? Or did you finally find time to think about me after tending to your ‘precious’ Susan all night?”His face hardened, but he didn’t respond immediately.“I’m fine, though,” I continued cold
Last Updated : 2025-02-23THE BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET, CHASING AFTER ME Chapter 46 Not a Mother
Jian's voice was sharp, cutting through the commotion. "What kind of mother are you? No, you're not a mother—not to Zelda. You've never been a mother to her, and you never will be."Her words hung heavy in the air, filled with a righteous fury that made even the nurses pause to listen."I’ve heard the stories," Jian continued, her voice laced with disbelief. "When you thought Susan Wenger was your daughter, you protected her—stood up for her against your abusive husband. But when Zelda came home, your real child, you neglected her. You didn’t feed her, didn’t care where she lived, what she wore, or how she survived."She turned to me, her eyes filled with pain and anger. "I met Zelda when she was living worse than a stray animal. She was digging through trash for food, barefoot, and starving. And now you stand here, claiming to be her mother? Pushing her around? Demanding things from her? Have you no shame?"My mother, Glady,
Last Updated : 2025-02-23THE BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET, CHASING AFTER ME Chapter 47 The Country Club
The moment Miguel escorted me into the room, one of the men lounging with James glanced my way and smirked.“Well, looky here. Miguel, did you bring your girlfriend along?” he teased, clearly oblivious to who I was.Miguel coughed awkwardly but didn’t respond, his usual calm demeanour faltering. I stood stiffly by his side, unwilling to play along with the charade.“She’s not my girlfriend,” Miguel finally said, his voice curt. “Please, don’t be ridiculous.”Susan, however, was quick to react. She shot up from her seat and hurried toward me, her face alight with what could only be described as a feigned friendliness.“Sister!” she exclaimed loudly, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. She stretched her arms as if to hug me, but I raised my hand, stopping her short.The gesture caused the room to grow uncomfortably quiet. Whispers rippled through the crowd.“Who is she?” someone murmured.“She refused Susan’s hug—how dare she?” another added.“She doesn’t even look important. Just l
Last Updated : 2025-02-24THE BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET, CHASING AFTER ME Chapter 48 The Hospital Bills
There stood Xavier Ferguson, his familiar smirk lighting up his sharp features. His piercing gaze bore into me, and for a brief moment, I saw a flicker of something I couldn’t quite place—amusement, curiosity….."If it isn't the long-lost son," I replied with a faint smile, masking my unease.Xavier's face lit up as he approached me, pulling me into a warm hug. When he stepped back, his eyes roamed over me with genuine curiosity."Zelda in the flesh. How long has it been? Years? What’s been going on with you?"I tried to match his energy, though my chest still burned from earlier. "Years, indeed. And you? I've seen your name in the papers—racing, adventures, all of it. How was the army?"He grinned, brushing it off with his usual charm. "The army was... an experience, to say the least. But enough about me. How are you, Zelda? You look..." He trailed off, noticing my faint cough. "Are you okay?"I waved him off, trying to suppress another cough. "Oh, it’s nothing. I must have eaten som
Last Updated : 2025-02-24THE BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET, CHASING AFTER ME Chapter 49 Achieving Dreams
James Ferguson“I’ll go back with you,” Zelda said, her voice steady but strained. “Call the hospital first.”I stopped, turned around and looked at her. After a while I went towards her and carried her down, setting her on the ground carefully.Her expression was guarded, her pale face reflecting doubt as her gaze searched mine.“I’ll have Cheng make the hospital arrangements,” I replied, reaching for her hand to lead her out.Before I could take a step, she yanked her hand away, her resistance sharper than I’d expected.“Call Cheng now,” she demanded, her tone cold and unyielding, the distrust in her eyes cutting straight through me.Her defiance pushed me closer to the edge of my patience. My hand instinctively moved to the back of her neck, holding her steady as I struggled to contain myself.She stumbled slightly, her balance faltering. In her misstep, she leaned into me, her slight frame pressed against my chest. Her warmth, her scent, everything about her stirred something I co
Last Updated : 2025-02-24THE BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET, CHASING AFTER ME Chapter 50 The Game
Xavier raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. Before I could react, his hand reached out to tousle my hair lightly. The casual gesture caught me off guard, playful yet oddly comforting, like a brief break in the tension that often followed me.“You can do it too,” he said, his tone a mix of teasing and sincerity.I shook my head with a bitter laugh, leaning back against the cushioned seat. “It’s too late for me.”“It’s never too late to chase your dreams, Zelda,” Xavier replied, swirling his wine glass thoughtfully. “Trust me.”A faint smile crept onto my lips despite myself. It felt fragile, though, like glass balanced precariously on an edge.We fell into easy conversation, his warmth and relaxed demeanour making it hard not to lower my guard. It felt strange, but for the first time in a long while, I allowed myself to just be.Yet, even as his voice wrapped around me, James Ferguson’s presence lingered in the room like a shadow. Across the dimly lit space, I cou
Last Updated : 2025-02-24THE BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET, CHASING AFTER ME Chapter 51 The Dance Floor
JamesI started making my way toward the dancefloor, surprised by the crowd gathered near the railing. People stood transfixed, their gazes fixed on something below. Curious, I stopped and leaned over the railing, peering down. What I saw made me freeze.There, in the centre of the dancefloor, was Zelda. Alone.She wasn’t wearing anything revealing or provocative—just a simple dress that flowed as she moved. But it wasn’t what she wore that held everyone spellbound. It was the way she danced. Her body swayed effortlessly, her movements perfectly synchronized with the music. She wasn’t performing for anyone. Her eyes were closed, and her face glowed with a sense of freedom as if she existed in a world of her own, completely detached from the gazes of those around her.She looked so free. So alive.I barely recognized her. Zelda had always been reserved, her demeanour shy and unassuming. Yet here she was, commanding the attention of an entire room. People weren’t just watching—they were
Last Updated : 2025-02-25THE BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET, CHASING AFTER ME Chapter 52 Hangover Soup
I pulled Zelda closer, ignoring her protests, as we made our way outside to where Chang was already waiting with the car. He opened the door swiftly, his expression neutral but efficient. I helped Zelda inside, her hesitation evident, but she didn’t resist.Once we were seated, Chang brought up the partition, ensuring our privacy, and started driving. The atmosphere in the car was tense, and Zelda immediately shifted to the farthest corner, turning her face to the window, her body rigid with annoyance.I watched her for a moment, her silence speaking volumes, and then decided to break it.“Do you have gems?” I asked abruptly.Her head whipped around, her glare sharp and incredulous. “Gems? You just kissed me, and now you’re asking me if I have gems?”“Yes,” I replied, unfazed. “I’m asking because you’re sitting so far away. Do you have gems that you’re hiding from me?”She scoffed, her irritation palpable. “Maybe the person with gems is you,” she shot back.Her fiery response was unex
Last Updated : 2025-02-25
Latest chapter
THE BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET, CHASING AFTER ME Chapter 265 Swift Justice
ZeldaAs the door shut, James exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. His body was tense, his fists clenched at his sides.James stood motionless, staring at the door, his jaw clenched so tightly that I thought he might break.Mr Ferguson was the first to speak, his voice firm but not unkind.“James, I know you’re angry, but she’s still your mother.”James let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “Still my mother?” His voice wavered. “What kind of mother does this to her child? What kind of mother lets him suffer for years and then—then when the truth comes out, she refuses to even acknowledge it?”His father sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. “She’s scared, James. Scared of losing everything she’s built, scared of what the truth means.”James turned on him, pained.“And what about me? Does she care how scared I was? How much I lost? How I spent years believing I was the mistake, that everything that went wrong was somehow my fault?”Helen’s voice trembled from the doorw
THE BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET, CHASING AFTER ME Chapter 264 I Have Proof
ZeldaI sit on the edge of the bed, staring at the divorce papers I had once been so ready to sign. My hands rest over my stomach, where our child—my child—grows.I told myself I wouldn't cry over James Ferguson again. But here I am, my heart still aching in ways I wish it wouldn't.He had always been my saviour. When I was just a scared thirteen-year-old girl, lost and alone, James had taken me in. I admired him, idolized him. But then admiration turned into something else. Love. The kind that consumed me, that I could never shake off, no matter how hard I tried.But James had never seen me that way.First, it was Susan Wenger... I watched as he gave everything to Susan, how he smiled at her the way I had always wished he would look at me. And when Susan was gone, I thought—maybe—just maybe, James would see me.But then came Luoxing.And that had been the final proof I needed to know the truth. I was never going to be James's first choice.That was why I decided to leave. I refused t
THE BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET, CHASING AFTER ME Chapter 263 Showing Mercy
JamesThe Bai estate was as grand as ever, standing as a symbol of power, wealth, and the history that bound our families together.Or so I thought.I stepped inside without hesitation. No one stopped me. They never would. For years, I had been welcomed here like a son.I had thought I was.But tonight, the weight of betrayal clung to me like a second skin, suffocating, inescapable and true.As I entered the main hall, I found them all gathered—Mr. Bai, Mrs. Bai, and their daughter, Bai Luoxing.The moment they saw me, Luoxing was the first to react. She stood up, her eyes filled with something between relief and hesitation."James!"I lifted a hand to my head, stopping her in her tracks.She hesitated, then slowly sat back down, casting a quick glance toward her mother.Mrs Bai, ever composed, sat calmly at the head of the table, an air of relaxed control around her. She didn’t look surprised to see me.She probably didn’t know that I knew everything.Mr. Bai, on the other hand, was
THE BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET, CHASING AFTER ME Chapter 262 I Need to Know
JamesA slow, numbing realization crept over me, drowning out everything else.The Bai family hadn’t just manipulated me.They had shaped my entire life."They couldn’t just bring Luoxing back," Dom continued, his voice low. "Not when the whole world was looking for her. Not when they hadn't gotten anything from their attempt. So they kept her hidden, cared for her, made sure no one found her."I barely heard him. My mind was already racing ahead, connecting pieces I had never thought to question before."But the Ferguson family—" My voice caught. "We never stopped searching for her.""And that’s exactly what they wanted."I snapped my gaze to him."Think about it, James." Dom leaned forward, the dim light casting sharp shadows on his face."Your parents. Your grandmother. You. You were all drowning in guilt, haunted by the loss of a little girl you thought you failed to protect. You clung to Madame Bai and saw her as a second mother because she was grieving too. She played her role p
THE BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET, CHASING AFTER ME Chapter 261 Start Talking
JamesThe air in the car was filled with tension, Zelda's rigid posture and clenched phone screaming her silent fury at me. I deserved it—every bit of her anger, every cold shoulder. But damn if it didn't carve a hollow ache in my chest.Then my phone buzzed, slicing through the suffocating quiet.I answered, and within seconds, the tension in my shoulders eased."We found Dom."The words sent a rush of grim satisfaction through me. Finally. After all the hunting, all the dead ends—we had him.My grip tightened on the phone. "Alive?""Barely. He's talking."Good.I glanced at Zelda, still stubbornly turned away from me, her reflection faint in the window. This changed everything. With Dom's testimony, the Bai family's carefully constructed lies would crumble.But first—"Keep him secure. I'll be there soon."Hanging up, I studied Zelda's profile. She thought this was about the divorce. About me stalling.She had no idea the storm that was coming.And for once, I'd be the one to shield
THE BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET, CHASING AFTER ME Chapter 260 I am sorry
JamesMadam Bai’s fingers combed through Bai Luoxing’s hair with practised tenderness, her voice saccharine."Don’t cry. Mom knows your heart is too soft—you would have stopped me if you knew."Then she lifted her chin, her blind eyes fixed in my direction with eerie precision."James, I only helped your wife leave because she wanted to. I didn’t want you two to become bitter enemies. You may not understand my intentions, but the truth is, this all started with her desire to run. Luoxing is innocent."Innocent.The word tasted like ash."So sending men to hunt her down—was that also a favour?" My voice was lethally quiet.Madam Bai’s wrinkled face twisted in feigned confusion."Hunt her? James, I only sent people to find her after she disappeared! For her safety! And my nephew—where is Dom? Did you see him?"Zelda stiffened beside me. I could almost hear the furious drum of her heartbeat.I stared at the woman who had once been like a second mother to me.Even now, faced with the trut
THE BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET, CHASING AFTER ME Chapter 259 All Of It
JamesMy lashes lowered, hiding the smug satisfaction in my gaze as I buried my face against her again. Good. She didn’t push me away this time.Then— Thump.Something struck the side of my face.I froze.Before I could process it, another hit—this time square on the bridge of my nose. Not painful, but sharp, like a tiny jolt of electricity.My head snapped up, eyes wide."Was that… Littleton?"Zelda’s lips curled, amusement flickering in her gaze before she pressed them flat again."Littleton’s here to teach you some manners," she said dryly.Of course, it was Littleton.Even in the womb, my kid couldn’t stand watching their shameless father grovelling like this and decided to intervene.A stunned laugh caught in my throat.I stared at the slight swell of her belly, then slowly raised my hand, pressing my fingers where I’d been kicked. The impact had been soft, muted by layers of flesh and fluid, but it sent a current straight through my chest.My heart hammered—not from fever, but s
THE BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET, CHASING AFTER ME Chapter 258 Faking It
JamesThe pain in my chest was sharp, unrelenting, as I watched her smile—so effortless, so free. As if I meant nothing.If it were up to me, I’d never let her go.Especially not now, with those men hovering around her like vultures, waiting for their chance. But I couldn’t do anything. Not anymore.I didn’t dare to force her, didn’t dare to manipulate things behind her back like I used to. One wrong move, and she’d slip even further from my grasp.And then there was Dom. Until he was dealt with, she wasn’t safe here."Don’t worry," I said, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. "I’ll fulfil your wish this time. Consider it… compensation for the wedding."That damned wedding. My fault. All of it.Maybe ending this marriage was the only way to truly start over. She looked at me then, her eyes searching mine, and for the first time, she saw it—my resolve. No tricks, no games. This was real.Her lashes fluttered, her grip on my collar loosening as she whispered,"So after we land…
THE BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET, CHASING AFTER ME Chapter 257 The Cousin
ZeldaOf course I couldn't bear it.I never wanted to compete with Bai Luoxing for anything. She was the one who forced her way into my marriage. Even then, I retreated—step by step, until I'd put an ocean between us.Yet the Bai family still wouldn't let me go. They wanted me dead. How vicious could they be?But Leiy hadn't said much earlier. Even I was only guessing. Did James... already know it was them?My eyes widened in shock. "You knew? Bai Luoxing helped me leave the country, and the Bai family has been hunting me since I landed—"His face darkened at the mention of my escape. "How else do you think I found you?"I pressed my lips together, then let out a cold laugh."Well, color me surprised. I thought even if I accused the Bai family, you'd assume I was just smearing their name out of spite."The pain that flashed across his face was sharp enough to almost make me regret my words. Almost.His chest heaved, and before I could react, his hand shot out, gripping the back of my
