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Chapter SixtyFive

Author: Tory June
last update Last Updated: 2024-12-03 00:10:04

Lisa held Avalynn's hand, her expression filled with concern. "Ava, what's happening? Are you alright?"

Avalynn's façade began to break. "Lisa, I... I have no idea what I got myself into. This arrangement with Liam isn't what I had expected at all."

Lisa murmured, "Oh, Avalynn," her voice thick with compassion."Ava, pay attention to me," she said again, using a firm yet kind tone. "You fulfilled your obligation. When your father needed assistance, you tried to save him, as any loving daughter would. Nothing is wrong with that."

A sob caught in Avalynn's throat. "How about Jace, though? What about all of our planned activities? What happens if he learns?..."

"If that occurs, we'll handle it," Lisa said, holding her hand. "How is your family doing?" Her brow furrowing, she asked. "Has anyone else made a help offer? How about your stepsisters and stepmother?"

Avalynn gave a headshake. "You understand this, Lisa.. they never truly cared about me. My father's wealth has always piqued the i
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  • THE CEO'S HIRED WIFE    Chapter SixtySix

    Elena had spent over an hour cleaning up in Jace's office before he came. She fixed the framed pictures on the walls, reorganized the pens, and swept the bookcases. She checked that everything was in its proper place by lining up the edges of the pages.Elena moved with deliberate steps, and the only sounds in the room were the occasional rustle of paper and the gentle hum of the air conditioner.She was diligent in her attention to detail. Every book on the shelf lined up precisely with its neighbor, every pen was positioned parallel to the tabletop edge, and every picture frame was spotless and positioned at the ideal angle. With a faint, content smile on her lips, Elena stepped back to inspect her work. Everything was ideal, precisely how Jace wanted it to be.Her steps were a well-practiced dance of control and organization as she went through the workplace. The room was illuminated by a warm glow from the late afternoon sun, which brought attention to the orderly piles of paperwo

    Last Updated : 2024-12-03
  • THE CEO'S HIRED WIFE    Chapter SixtySeven

    That following morning, Jace was getting ready for work when he remembered he needed a certain file that was kept in his study. He stopped and smoothed the edges on his immaculate suit, thinking about this small break from his usual routine.Jace took great satisfaction in his efficiency and punctuality, so the idea of straying from his plan, even for a short while, annoyed him.Jace found himself in his study, carefully set up to represent his desire for control and order, yet he knew the file was essential.Standing in his study, the one area in the home where he had complete control over every aspect, was Jace. However, something wasn't right today. He looked over the mahogany cabinets and the desk, which was already overflowing with jumbled papers. His eyes tightened as he saw that the careful arrangement he'd made had been upset. He felt uneasy in the room that usually brought him peace.He mumbled, "This is strange," and pulled out a drawer to get the exact file he sought. It

    Last Updated : 2024-12-03
  • THE CEO'S HIRED WIFE    Chapter SixtyEight

    Avalynn gave a nod, but her gaze remained fixed on him as worry appeared on her face.With a mixture of fear and annoyance, Avalynn watched as Jace turned to walk away. She felt the oppressive weight of deceit and remorse pressing down on her, almost dragging her down.She felt trapped when her father needed surgery, even though she should have known better than to sacrifice everything for money. The effects of her treachery now hung over them like a heavy fog.Her thoughts were racing, planning her next action.Jace's thoughts would not be still as he made his way back to his study. He played again their exchange, her facial expressions, her almost too-calm demeanor.Jace was back in his study, still uneasy. Avalynn wasn't telling him everything, he knew that. He had to know the real story.He was going through the papers when he noticed something shimmering. He reached behind a stack of papers and removed a dainty earring. His heartbeat quickened; it was Avalynn's. A chilling sense

    Last Updated : 2024-12-03
  • THE CEO'S HIRED WIFE    Chapter SixtyNine

    With a look of fear and shame on her face, Avalynn gazed up at him. "I had no choice,” she stumbled to herself."No choice??" Jace erupted, anger consuming him. "This is what you choose. You decided to sell me out to my enemy for financial gain and betray me?""I needed money for my dad's medical procedure," Avalynn said, her voice breaking. "You rejected me, Jace. You gave me no other choice."Jace shook his head, his expression twisted in confusion and rage. His voice was low and menacing as he asked, "So, this was all for money?"Glancing downward, she wrung her hands. "I was in a bad situation. Liam offered the cash, but he had conditions attached. He desired that I spy on you."Jace's shocked eyes grew larger. "You visited Liam? To spy on me?"Avalynn said in a murmur, "Yes," as tears ran down her cheeks. "I had run out of options. My father need such procedure, but you refused to assist him. I believed it to be the sole option. But after you saw the hospital, I understood what a

    Last Updated : 2024-12-03
  • THE CEO'S HIRED WIFE    Chapter Sventy

    There was a great deal of tension in the room, and the silence that was between them was very heavy.Avalynn felt the weight of her mistakes shattering her heart. She had destroyed everything, including her life and Jace's trust. And for what purpose? She had lost everything due to a brief period of weakness and despair.She collapsed to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably. "Jace, please. There is nothing more that I can do. Don't do this, please."Jace inhaled deeply as he made an effort to relax. His tone was sardonic as he asked, "So what do you suggest I do? You've already jeopardized my business and sold me out to my opponent; what am I expected to do now? Please pardon me?"Avalynn's mouth opened and closed, her thoughts racing in an attempt to find the solution that would save her life.She stumbled, her voice quivering with panic. "I... I don't know," she said. "I'll do anything to make it right."Avalynn felt as though Jace's intense stare was a vise gripping her heart, drai

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  • THE CEO'S HIRED WIFE    Chapter SeventyOne

    A moment of stillness fell over the room, and then Jace cleared his throat. "We'll have to work quickly to devise a plan. Elena, could you please collect all pertinent data about Liam Arstor and his company's movements in the last few weeks?" Jace asked.Elena nodded, her posture rigid. "Yes, Sir. I'll have the report completed by tomorrow morning."Jace's gaze softened as he turned to see Avalyn. "And you, Avalynn, will join Elena on her rounds. It's critical that we keep an eye on Liam's next move.Avalynn gulped hard.The conference room was suddenly their war room, complete with documents, laptops, and a giant whiteboard covered in notes and diagrams.Elena and Avalynn sat across from each other, with a fragile ceasefire in the air. Both ladies understood that, for the time being, they needed to put their disagreements aside.Elena shattered the silence, her voice clipped. "We need to cross-reference these files with the information we know about Liam. If we identify any inconsis

    Last Updated : 2024-12-03
  • THE CEO'S HIRED WIFE    Chapter SventyTwo

    The tension in the room increased, as if it were a living, breathing creature. Jace's command kept ringing in Avalynn's ears as she hurried alongside Elena.They were on their way to Jace's office, the recent revelation weighing heavily on them both.Elena's demeanor had changed. The frigid distance was gone, and her steps were now marked by a sharp focus and a sense of urgency. Avalynn could feel Elena's gaze on her, appraising and judging, but there was no time to worry about it. They needed to act.They rushed into Jace's office without knocking. Jace looked up from his desk, his mood flickered as he noticed their faces."What is it?" he shouted, getting to his feet.Elena moved forward, holding a printout of the message. "We have confirmed that Liam knows everything. "The document has been compromised."Jace's expression stiffened, and his gaze shifted to Avalynn, who stood behind Elena, her heart hammering.He snatched the paper from Elena, his gaze skimming the words. He crumpl

    Last Updated : 2024-12-03
  • THE CEO'S HIRED WIFE    Chapter SeventyThree

    Elena's jealousy grew more intense, causing her eyes to narrow. A knot of envy knotted in her stomach as she stared at the two of them, standing so close to each other, the bond between them obvious.Not only did Jace stand close to Avalynn in protective manner, but he had never before looked at Elena with such love and affection. Her blood boiled at the thought.With each passing moment, Elena's façade of professionalism began to crumble and her anger beneath it began to bubble. She clenched her jaw and her eyes glowed with barely contained rage.Sensing the shift in the atmosphere, Jace stepped in Elena's direction, his expression falling to regret."Elena...He started, "I know how hard you've worked and I appreciate everything you've done.However, it was already too late. Elena could take no more. She gave a guttural scream and threw back her head. Then she made a lunge.With her nails curled into talone-like points, Elena lunged at Jace with alarming speed, as Avalynn watched in

    Last Updated : 2024-12-03

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  • THE CEO'S HIRED WIFE    Chapter TwoHundredFiftyOne

    EPILOGUE: The air in the Malvis estate was filled with the soft hum of life.. the distant chirping of birds and the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze.Avalynn stood on the terrace, her eyes drifting over the landscape as the day slowly gave way to night. The previous few months had been a blur as she adjusted to her new position in the family business, planned the wedding, and experienced the pleasures of married life. She had, however, had a profound sense of joy and happiness throughout it all that she had never experienced before. With a little smile on her lips, she carelessly stroked her expanding tummy. Even though everything had changed so rapidly, life yet seemed quite right. The days had been full with love, laughter, and a wonderful sense of what was ahead.Silently, Jace walked into the room behind her, his light hardwood floorsteps. With his chin resting on her shoulder, he encircled her with his arms from behind and followed her look out the window. With a low g

  • THE CEO'S HIRED WIFE    Chapter TwoHundredFifty

    Avalynn stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection with breathless eyes. Her body fit the ivory gown, which seemed a second skin with brilliant veil cascading down her back and delicate lace flowing down her arms. Grateful for the pearls' coolness, she ran her fingers over the beaded bodice.Lisa was behind her, adjusting the finishing touches, tucking the dress's train and setting the veil.With a note of wonder in her voice, she said, "Ava, you look amazing."Avalynn shifted slightly and looked into Lisa's mirror. With tears still welling up in her eyes, she said, "I can't believe this is happening. I never thought this would happen."With a kind grin, Lisa squeezed Avalynn's shoulders. "You are deserving of everything." You will make the most stunning bride when you tie the knot with the love of your life."Avalynn inhaled deeply and then looked at her mirror again.The girl who was gazing back at her appeared to be a dream - graceful, dazzling, and brimming with joy

  • THE CEO'S HIRED WIFE    Chapter TwoHundredFortyNine

    With the sun rays coming in through the transparent curtains and lightning the room in a warm, golden glow, Avalynn stirred in her deep sleep.The blankets hugged her body tightly, leaving the remains of last night's excitement still visible on her skin.Jace stirred at her touch, his eyes slowly opening. When he saw her, a slow, lazy smile spread across his face, and he tightened his hold on her, pulling her closer. “Morning, beautiful,” he whispered, his voice husky with sleep.His features, softened by the dawn light, were relaxed in sleep, a far cry from his usually controlled and powerful look.Her heart became big with love and happiness as she reached out and gently brushed a lock of hair off his face. Peace, love, and the man who had become her whole world were all she had ever wanted.At her touch, Jace moved and slowly opened his eyes. A slow, lazy smile crossed his lips as he spotted her, and he tightened his grip, drawing her in. He whispered, "Morning, beautiful," his vo

  • THE CEO'S HIRED WIFE    Chapter TwoHudredFortyEight

    The dim light of the bedside lamp cast a soft glow over the room, creating a cozy atmosphere that enveloped Jace and Avalynn as they lay side by side on the large bed. The events of the past weeks had been intense, but now, everything seemed to have settled into place. The room, decorated in muted tones of gray and blue, felt like a sanctuary from the outside world.. a place where they could finally breathe and enjoy the calm after the storm.Avalynn laid her head on Jace's chest and made gentle circles over his skin while she listened to his heartbeat.They had a comfortable stillness that was laced with the warmth of unsaid understanding and shared experiences. Thinking about how far they'd come and how a one-night encounter had brought them to this point, she grinned to herself."Remember the night we first met?" Avalynn has a hushed, almost dreamy voice.With a chuckle, Jace ran a hand through her hair. "How could I overlook that? You were the most stunning woman in the club, an

  • THE CEO'S HIRED WIFE    Chapter TwoHundredFortySeven

    Two weeks had passed since the whirlwind of revelations that had shaken the foundation of Avalynn’s world. But now, the dust had settled, and with it, a newfound clarity and peace had emerged. Avalynn had come to terms with her heritage, her place in the Malvis family, and most importantly, with Jace. The man she loved, who had been her anchor in the storm, was no longer just the man she thought she knew; he was so much more.The Malvis house was a hive of joy tonight. The huge hall gleamed with wealth and grace, decorated with crystal chandeliers and high ceilings. The walls, which were covered with pictures of the Malvis ancestors, appeared to witness to the importance of the evening.. the official recognition of Avalynn as a real Malvis and the celebration of the family's victory over the Rinders, longtime enemies.Guests started to pour into the hall as the evening sun started to set, soaking the estate in a warm, golden glow. With the quiet hum of string instruments playing

  • THE CEO'S HIRED WIFE    Chapter TwoHundredFortySix

    With a deep breath, Jace's grandfather looked at him and Avalynn who were seated across from him. There was a tight, stifling silence as the weight of the information he was about to impart seemed to drain the room's very oxygen. As Jace's jaw tightened and his eyes locked on the elderly guy, Avalynn shifted in her seat, her heart pounding rapidly in her chest.The grandfather said, "Jace, Avalynn," in a tone that was serene but full of a gravity that made Avalynn's skin crawl. "The results of the DNA test are in."The words, thick with anticipation and terror, hung in the air like a fog. Avalynn braced herself for what was about to happen, her fists clenched in her lap and her claws digging into her hands. Jace leaned forward a little, his eyebrows furrowing in a startled yet nervous way.The grandfather stated, "The test proves that Avalynn is in fact my late son's biological daughter."A painful gasp from Avalynn's lips as her breath caught in her throat. The words echoed in her

  • THE CEO'S HIRED WIFE    Chapter TwoHundredFortyFive

    Apart from the soft buzz of the equipment deciding their fate in a moment, the room was quiet. Avalynn sat on the brink of her seat her fists clenched in her lap and her knuckles white from the pressure. Jace walked back and forth, his body stiff from all the questions flying about in his thoughts.As they awaited the start of the DNA test, a distinct sense of apprehension filled the air.Grandfather Jace was standing close to the door, his face expressionless. Unwilling to allow the doubt to linger any longer, he had insisted on the test being conducted right away. Avalynn was so preoccupied with the idea that her whole life had been a lie that she had hardly noticed the trip to the private clinic. The idea of having Jace as her brother and becoming a Malvis by blood was too much for her to fathom. However, they were now facing the moment of truth.A nurse arrived with the required supplies in the room. "Miss Avalynn and Mr. Malvis Senior will need to provide samples," she stated

  • THE CEO'S HIRED WIFE    Chapter TwoHundredFortyFour

    Avalynn gazed at the picture, her eyesight going blurry. Her mother’s image, frozen in time, looked back at her with a familiar smile that now felt hauntingly distant. She swayed on her feet as the room appeared to tilt and a sensation of vertigo overcame her. Her palm trembled as she attempted to settle herself, her fingertips grazing the edge of the desk, a sign of her mounting panic.In an instant, Jace was by her side, his arm encircling her waist and supporting her before she could pass out. He pleaded, "Ava, breathe," in a worried-sounding voice. Though his hold was tight, the panic that overcame them both was reflected in the shaking in his voice.From behind the desk, his grandfather observed them with a normally calm expression that broke into a look of uncertainty that Avalynn had never seen before. The man who had always been a tower of strength appeared lost, as though the world was collapsing around him."I'm not sure I get it. How is this even feasible?" Avalynn's li

  • THE CEO'S HIRED WIFE    Chapter TwoHundredFortyThree

    As the tension in the room increased, Jace's eyes darted between Avalynn and his grandfather, making it obvious that he was confused.“You didn’t mention she would be here,” Jace finally said, his voice tight, barely concealing his frustration. His brow furrowed in a way that made Avalynn’s heart ache. His grandfather remained seated, his hands folded calmly on his desk. “You’re right, Jace. I didn’t. But I didn’t think I could sit back and watch you continue like this. You’ve been shutting yourself away, wallowing in self-pity and loneliness. You need someone by your side.. someone you trust. And there’s no better woman for you than Avalynn.”A beat skipped by Avalynn's heart. She had rarely seen Jace's face of vulnerability, and it completely shocked her. With words stuck in his throat, he remained motionless, and the ensuing stillness was replete with unspoken realities.With black eyes filled with emotions he couldn't seem to control, Jace turned to face her. His regret-filled

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