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Chapter 53
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-03-26 07:41:08
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THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 54
Kehlani’s POVMira tapped her nails against the coffee table, the sharp sound filling the tense silence between us. “So,” she said, dragging the word out. “Are you going to say something, or are we just going to sit here and stew in mutual rage?”I stared at the frozen screen of Natalie’s smug face on the livestream, my grip tightening around my glass of water. “I don’t even know where to start.”“How about with the part where you curse her out?” Mira suggested, folding her arms.I exhaled slowly, shaking my head. “It’s not that simple.”Mira scoffed. “Actually, it is. You go online, type ‘Natalie Silver is a talentless fraud who stole my entire business plan,’ hit send, and watch the world explode.” She made an exaggerated gesture, like she was tossing a grenade. “Boom.”I shot her a dry look. “And then what? Get hit with a lawsuit for defamation? Lose any chance of getting investors on my side because I look like some bitter ex-designer ranting on the internet?”Mira groaned, droppi
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-26THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 55
Kehlani’s POVThe soft hum of the city outside my apartment filled the silence between us. Mira had taken the liberty of making herself comfortable, sprawled out on my couch with a bag of chips in her lap, while I stared at my laptop screen, fingers hovering over the keys.“Well?” Mira said through a mouthful of chips. “Have you come up with a name yet?”I sighed, rubbing my temple. “Not yet.”Mira let out an exaggerated groan. “Kehlani, we’re launching a brand in a matter of weeks. We can’t just call it The Masked Designer’s Collection. It needs a name. Something powerful. Something that makes people stop and feel something.”“I know,” I murmured, staring at the blinking cursor in my empty document.Mira crunched loudly on another chip. “Okay, let’s brainstorm. What’s the vibe?”I frowned. “What do you mean?”“Like, how do you want people to feel when they hear the name? Do you want it to sound luxurious? Mysterious? Rebellious? Like, in your face, I’m back and better than ever?” She
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-26THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 56
Kelhani's POVI swirled the wine in my glass, watching the deep red liquid dance against the dim lighting of the restaurant. Across from me, Mira was scrolling through her phone, her brows furrowed in deep concentration.“Anything?” I asked, breaking the silence.She sighed, locking her phone and placing it on the table. “Nothing new. Natalie’s PR team is working overtime. They’re spinning the whole ‘Masked Designer’ concept like it was hers all along. She even did an interview about it today.”I took a slow sip of my wine, forcing myself to stay calm. “Let them talk.”Mira raised an eyebrow. “Wow. Who are you, and what have you done with Kehlani?”I smirked. “I’m learning.”“Learning to be less impulsive?” she teased.“More like learning when to strike.”She let out an impressed whistle. “Damn. I like this version of you.”Before I could respond, the waiter arrived, setting down our plates. I barely acknowledged the food in front of me, my mind still circling back to what Mira had sa
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-27THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 57
Kehlani’s POVI didn’t sleep much after dinner with Mira and Alec.The weight of my decision sat heavily on my chest, the implications stretching beyond what I could fully grasp. Agreeing to work with Alec Castor wasn’t a light choice. It was a risk—one that could either catapult me to success or burn me alive.By the time morning rolled around, I had barely caught three hours of sleep. But that was nothing new.I arrived at Veylin, my office space, sharp at eight, coffee in hand, and a plan forming in my head. Mira was already there, predictably, her legs kicked up on my desk as she scrolled through her phone.She looked up as I walked in. “So, are we going to talk about last night?”I took a sip of my coffee. “No.”She smirked. “Then I guess I’ll just talk at you.”I sighed, dropping my bag on the chair and sitting across from her. “Get it over with.”Mira leaned forward, her eyes shining with amusement. “You’re teaming up with your ex-almost-fiancé. That’s… new.”I raised a brow. “
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-27THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 58
Kehlani’s POVBy the time lunch rolled around, my mind was still occupied with Alec’s so-called ‘blueprint.’ I had gone over the documents he gave me multiple times, my thoughts cycling between skepticism and cautious optimism. He was right—the plan was solid. But that didn’t mean I trusted him.And yet, here I was, waiting for him at an upscale restaurant in Midtown.Mira had practically shoved me out of the office, claiming I needed a “power lunch.” I suspected she just wanted me to spend more time around Alec, if only for her own amusement.I checked my watch. Five minutes past noon. Alec was never late.I tapped my nails against the table, debating whether I should text him, when a shadow passed over me.“Punctual as always,” Alec said smoothly, taking the seat across from me.I glanced up at him, taking in the effortlessly put-together appearance—another dark suit, another pair of glasses shielding his eyes. “You’re late.”“I was taking a call.” He set his phone on the table. “Ne
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-28THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 59
Kehlani’s POVI sat at my desk, staring at my phone. The email from Alec sat unread in my inbox, and yet I already knew what it said. The interview was set. Lillian Rhodes. Prestige Magazine. The opportunity of a lifetime.And somehow, that wasn’t what I was overthinking.Alec’s words from lunch still lingered in my mind. We control the narrative.What did that even mean to him? I knew how I wanted to shape my story, but Alec had his own agenda. He always did.A sharp knock at my office door pulled me from my thoughts.Mira peeked her head in, a knowing smirk on her face. “You look like you’re about to have a mental breakdown. Should I be worried?”I exhaled. “I’m fine.”Mira didn’t buy it. She stepped inside and flopped onto the chair across from me, crossing her legs. “You met with Alec today, didn’t you?”I gave her a dry look. “Is it that obvious?”“You always get this look on your face after dealing with him. Like you’re trying to figure out if he’s a genius or a complete sociopa
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-28THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 60
Kehlani’s POVI returned to my office the next morning, still unsettled by my conversation with Alec the night before. His words echoed in my mind:"People like us don’t get the luxury of honesty."I didn’t know if I hated or agreed with him. Maybe both.As I settled into my chair, Mira strolled in unannounced, as she always did. She had a coffee in one hand and an amused expression on her face.“So?” she prompted, sliding into the chair across from me.I frowned. “So what?”“Don’t play dumb. Alec showed up out of nowhere last night, took you to a fancy rooftop, and then what? Mysterious billionaire talk? Brooding stares across the skyline?”I sighed. “It wasn’t like that.”Mira raised an eyebrow. “Was it not?”I shook my head. “He just wanted to go over the interview.”“And?”I hesitated. “He told me to reframe my story.”Mira made a face. “Of course he did.”“He thinks honesty is a weakness.”“Yeah, that sounds exactly like something Alec Castor would believe.”I sighed, rubbing my
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-28THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 61
Kehlani’s POVThe car ride from the gala had been quiet—too quiet. The tension in the air clung to my skin like humidity before a storm. I’d spent the entire evening pretending, playing my part, standing beside Alec as though we were an unshakable force. And yet, the moment we stepped out of that ballroom, the cracks became impossible to ignore.Alec had been staring out the window for the past fifteen minutes, one hand resting on his temple, the other drumming against his knee. His silence was calculated, like he was waiting for me to break it first.I wasn’t going to.The driver maneuvered through the streets of New York, its usual chaos muted at this late hour. The glow of streetlights flickered through the car windows, casting fleeting shadows on Alec’s face.Eventually, I sighed, crossing my arms. “Are we just going to sit in silence all night?”Alec smirked, finally turning his gaze toward me. “I was wondering how long you’d last.”I scowled. “I should’ve let it go longer just t
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-29
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THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 72
Kehlani’s POVThe flash of Finn’s camera still burned behind my eyelids. Noah’s labored breathing filled the silence between us, each exhale a jagged reminder of what Finn was willing to destroy. Finn pocketed his phone, his smile a blade. “Alec’s going to love this. ‘Wife caught in secret rendezvous with ex-lover.’ The tabloids will feast.” “You’re pathetic,” I spat. The ropes bit deeper as I strained against them. “He’ll see through this. He’ll know it’s staged.” “Will he?” Finn crouched, gripping Noah’s hair and yanking his head back. Noah’s eyelids fluttered, a groan escaping his bloodied lips. “How *convenient* that you’re here, alone, with him. How… *intimate*.” “Let him go, Finn. This is between us.” “Us.” He released Noah and stood, circling my chair. “There *is* no ‘us’ until you admit the truth. You belong with *me*. Not with some corporate puppet who married you out of spite.” “Alec’s ten times the man you are.” Finn’s fist slammed into the wall beside my head
THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 71
Kehlani’s POVThe warehouse door creaked as I pushed it open, the sound echoing through the hollow space. Dust swirled in the dim light filtering through broken windows. My pulse hammered in my throat as I stepped inside, my boots scuffing against the concrete. "Noah?" I called out, my voice bouncing off the walls. Silence. Then—a muffled groan. My breath hitched. I followed the sound, weaving between stacks of crates, my hands clenched into fists. And then I saw him. Noah. Tied to a chair, his head slumped forward, his dark hair matted with sweat and blood. His arms were bound behind him, his skin raw where the ropes bit in. *"Noah!"* I rushed forward, dropping to my knees in front of him. My fingers fumbled with the knots, but they were too tight. "Hey—hey, wake up. It's me. It's Kel." He didn’t stir. I pressed two fingers to his neck, relief flooding me when I felt the steady thrum of his pulse. He was alive. Just unconscious. Okay. Okay. Think. I stood, scann
THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 70
Kehlani's POV“You should go back to bed,” Alec said, his voice low, yet laced with something more than concern—guilt, maybe.I stood frozen in the middle of the living room, phone still clutched tightly in my hand. My palms were damp with sweat. The words on the screen still echoed in my head: I’m watching you now.“I can’t,” I whispered, not trusting my voice to hold up if I said more.Alec moved closer. “I’ll keep tracking the number. I’ll stay up and work through the night.”I turned to look at him, studying his face. He looked so sure—like if he just clicked the right combination of keys, the answer would appear. But this wasn’t a math problem. It was a nightmare.“Alec…” I swallowed hard. “What if they hurt him again tonight?”“I won’t let that happen,” he replied firmly, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “I promise you. But you need to rest, Kel. Just for a few hours. You’re running on fumes.”I hated that he was right.I hated that I had no choice.“I’ll try,” I murmur
THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 69
Kehlani's POVI could barely think. It had been days since Noah went missing, and I felt like I was losing my mind. Sleep was a distant memory, replaced with endless worry and a growing pit of frustration in my stomach. Alec, on the other hand, was buried behind his desk, endlessly combing through files, calls, and whatever else he was doing to track Noah down. But nothing had changed. Noah was still gone.And I was still waiting.When Alec finally returned home that night, his face was lined with exhaustion. He loosened his tie as he walked in, but I didn’t care about how tired he looked. I cared about the fact that he was moving too slowly. That every second wasted was a second Noah spent in some unknown place, alone and afraid.“You’re late.” My voice was sharper than I intended, but I didn’t take it back.Alec sighed, rubbing his forehead before setting his briefcase down. “Kelhani, I told you, I’m doing everything I can.”“That’s the problem!” I snapped. “You keep saying that, bu
THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 68
Kehlani’s POV The café was sleek and modern, a place filled with professionals chatting over espressos and influencers snapping photos of their lattes. It was exactly the kind of place Natalie would choose—trendy, expensive, and a reflection of the success she loved to flaunt.I spotted her instantly. Seated near the window, she was dressed in a cream-colored designer jumpsuit, her perfectly manicured fingers scrolling through her phone as if she hadn’t a care in the world. Meanwhile, my world was falling apart.I marched up to the table, my heels clicking against the tiled floor. Natalie barely looked up before a smirk tugged at her lips. “Well, well. Look who decided to show up. I was beginning to think you chickened out.”I pulled out the chair opposite her and sat down. “Where is he?”Her brows furrowed in mock confusion. “He? You’ll have to be more specific, Kehlani. I know a lot of ‘he’s.’”I clenched my fists under the table, willing myself to stay calm. “Noah. Did you take hi
THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 67
Kehlani's POVThe weight of my phone pressed against my palm, my fingers hovering over the call button as my heart pounded in my chest. Every passing second felt like an eternity. Alec had left to search the surrounding areas, the police had already started their investigation, and I—I needed to do something.Taking a deep breath, I scrolled through my contacts and pressed on Natalie’s name. My thumb trembled as I brought the phone to my ear. It rang once. Twice. Three times.“Kehlani?” Natalie’s voice was sharp with surprise. “What’s wrong? It’s late.”I sucked in a breath. “Natalie, I—” My voice cracked. I cleared my throat and tried again. “It’s Noah. He’s missing.”Silence stretched on the other end before she finally spoke, her tone turning cold with urgency. “What do you mean missing?”I gripped the phone tighter. “He was taking a nap. When I went to check on him, he was gone. I searched the house, the backyard, the street—he’s just…gone.”“Oh my god.” There was a rustling soun
THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 66
Kehlani’s POV The morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the kitchen as I set the plates on the table. The scent of fresh coffee mingled with the sweetness of syrup-drenched pancakes. Across from me, Noah swung his legs back and forth, his small hands clutching a fork as he absentmindedly pushed his food around the plate.I watched him for a moment before nudging his cup of milk closer. "You're awfully quiet this morning, buddy. Something on your mind?"Noah hesitated, his dark eyes flickering up to meet mine before dropping back to his plate. He let out a small sigh. "I was just thinking about my dad."My heart squeezed at the mention of Alec’s brother. Noah rarely talked about him, and when he did, it was always with that quiet sadness that never quite fit on his young face. I reached across the table and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "Do you want to talk about him?"He nodded slowly. "I miss him. A lot. Uncle Alec is great, but it's not the same."
THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 65
Kehlani's POVThe afternoon light slanted through my apartment window, painting golden stripes across the floor. I had just finished going through some last-minute details for my next pop-up event when my phone vibrated against the table. Alec’s name flashed on the screen.I hesitated for only a second before answering. “Hello?”There was a pause, then his voice came through, steady as always. “Kelhani. I need a favor.”Alec never called unless it was important. I sat up. “What’s wrong?”“It’s about Noah.”My heart tightened. I had always been close to Noah, Alec’s nephew, and knowing he needed me set off an immediate wave of concern. “Is he okay?”“He’s fine,” Alec reassured me. “But my grandmother needs to stay in the hospital for a few days, and there’s no one to stay with him at home. I can’t leave work right now, and I know you two are close.”A rush of emotions filled me. It had been a while since I’d visited Noah, and if he needed me, I wouldn’t hesitate. “I’ll go,” I said imme
THE BILLIONAIRE'S TWO-FACED BRIDE Chapter 64
Kehlani's POV The café was quiet for a weekday afternoon—just the hum of low conversations and the occasional clink of porcelain. I stirred my latte absently, watching the foam swirl as I waited for Diana. She was late, as usual, but I didn’t mind. It gave me time to think. My phone buzzed. Alec. Meeting ran long. Still at the office. Don’t wait up. I smirked. As if I ever did. “Sorry, sorry!” Diana’s voice cut through my thoughts as she slid into the chair across from me, her designer bag nearly toppling the sugar dispenser. “Traffic was a nightmare. You’d think New York would figure out how to build wider streets by now.” I pushed her untouched cappuccino toward her. “You’re lucky I love you.” She grinned, taking a sip. “Damn right.” Leaning forward, she lowered her voice. “So. Spill. How’s the empire-building going?” I rolled my eyes. “It’s not an empire. Yet.” “Yet,” she repeated, tapping her nails against the cup. “That’s the spirit.” I exhaled, flipping open my
