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CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT

last update Last Updated: 2024-09-20 16:13:49

As I finished, there was a complete silent and I could see a tug of smile at the corner of my father's face. Each them looked at themselves like they were having a silent conversation while I slowly sat back down as I was determined not to show any sign of weaknesses.

Aunt Melissa cleared her throat, breaking the tense silence that followed my outburst. "Maya's right," she admitted, her voice soft but firm. "We've all become complacent, thinking our position was unassailable as we are all feared by many because of our power and connections but we never imagined someone would be brave enough to challenge us like this.”

Uncle Edward cleared his throat. " And I’ll say whoever did this is pretty gutsy. But that doesn't change the fact that we need to act now. I've already sent warnings to every major broadcasting station. The story's been pulled, but the damage is done."

"Pulled? That's not enough!" Adrian slammed his fist on the table. "We need to bury this story and whoever did this so
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    I stood next to the door of the private ward, watching my mom on the bed as she was surrounded by cameras and reporters.Mom woke up a couple of hours after the family meeting and immediately agreed to do the live session and clear the air about everything that was going on around.As she started talking about what really happened back then, my heart felt like it was going to burst at how emotional the story was. She really went through a lot both in her family and with her in-laws' family, and I knew that she didn't deserve this.Mom looked so small and fragile, but her voice was strong. I couldn't help but think she was the best mother in the world who would do anything for the sake of her own child.I wasn't of age back then to witness what had happened, but mom always narrated her ordeal to me ever since I was a kid, always telling me how precious I was to them.To some wealthy families, marriage is nothing but a business alliance, but in my parents' case, it was different as it

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  • THE RETURN OF THE DIVORCED BILLIONAIRE HEIRESS   CHAPTER FIFTY

    I didn't want his call or his text because what I wanted was his attention and him by my side, but he seemed too busy for that.Finally, he cleared his throat."Maya, I... I'm really sorry I wasn't there for you when all this news went viral. I knew I should have been by your side."I cut him off, "It's fine, Kingsley," I said, even though it wasn't really... but what else could I say? I was always the one that had the lower hand and too much to lose if everything went the wrong way while he could easily brush it off."Have you found the person who leaked it?""Carlos is on the warpath. He's hunting down whoever posted it. It's just... it's a mess.""Is there anything I can do to help?" Kingsley asked, his voice soft.I shook my head. "It's under control now. Well, as much as it can be."Another silence fell between us and I could feel the tension building between us, like a rubber band being stretched too tight and I nervously shifted my attention to the kids that were running around

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  • THE RETURN OF THE DIVORCED BILLIONAIRE HEIRESS   CHAPTER FIFTY ONE

    His face was a mask of regret, but I couldn't bring myself to care. Not now. Not when his words were still ringing in my ears."I... I was angry. I know I shouldn't have said that and I'm very sorry for that," he stammered, reaching for me.I jerked away from his touch. "No, you shouldn't have. But you did. And you can't take it back.""Maya, please, let me explain. About earlier, at the park—""I told you, there's nothing to explain!" I snapped, my voice rising. "You made your choices. You chose to be with... whoever that is... on our engagement day. While I was dealing with my whole world falling apart!"Kingsley's eyes widened. "No, Maya, it wasn't like that. If you'd just listen—""Listen?" I laughed bitterly. "Kinglsey, I've done nothing but listen. I listened when you said you'd be there for me. I listened when you promised we'd face everything together. But where were you when I needed you most?"Tears flowed heavily down my face."I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I should have be

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  • THE RETURN OF THE DIVORCED BILLIONAIRE HEIRESS   CHAPTER FIFTY TWO

    ~~~ASHLEY'S POV~~~ My manicured nails dug into my palms as I watched that bitch mother on the livestream. Every word out of her fucking mouth made my blood boil as she sounded like nothing more than a bitch trying to get some cheap pity from the public. I was sure all she was saying was nothing but lies. The rumors are definitely true and she's trying to make them sympathize with her. Yes, I was the one that leaked it out. I wanted to give those two motherfuckers some engagement presents for what they did to me. That was why I did all that. I wouldn't have had to do that if perhaps Kingsley Bane hadn't done what he did to me but he dared to embarrass me, make me feel worthless, and belittle me in front of his friends and their useless bitches. Just because I was trying to make him see the true self of that bitch. Did he even think that I would just stay still without doing anything after what they both did to me? Hell no! In fact, I'm just getting started with them. But wha

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  • THE RETURN OF THE DIVORCED BILLIONAIRE HEIRESS   CHAPTER FIFTY THREE

    His words hit me like a slap in the face, and my fists tightened into balls, my acrylic nails digging into my skin. I seethed with anger at hearing that name again—the name that had been making my life miserable over and over.How dare he mention her name in front of me?"Wasn't humiliating me in public enough?" I choked out, fighting back tears. "Aren't you satisfied with cheating on me and making me a laughing stock? Now you even have to do it in our own home? Why? Lance, why do you keep tormenting me like this? What else have I done wrong except loving you with all my heart, and you keep breaking it!"Lance's face was cold, cruel, completely devoid of emotion despite my emotional outburst. It broke my heart to see him like this. He had changed from the man I dated and fell in love with in college.Back then, my Lance would never do anything to make me sad or let me cry, but now all he seemed to want was to hurt me. It seemed he derived joy from seeing me cry my heart out."You shou

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    My legs felt like jelly as I approached an old industrial building which was tucked away in the part of the city which I barely venture into. Each step that I took was a battle against my instincts, which was screaming at me to turn and flee. But the image of my father's face if he ever found out what I'd done... that was even more terrifying than whatever awaited me here.The Roderigos already found out that I was the one behind and right now Bill is on their custody. I didn't come here because of saving him but because of saving my own skin as I knew the power in their hands over my family.I clearly took care of things neatly on my own ends and has no idea that Bill would do a shady work and even mentioned my name when he was caught. How dare he do this do me! After having even paying him with my own body.As I climbed into stairs, going to the first floor, my heart pounded so hard that I could feel it in my throat, threatening to choke me. Sweat trickled down my spine, making my

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  • THE RETURN OF THE DIVORCED BILLIONAIRE HEIRESS   CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE

    ~~~ LANCE'S POV~~~ I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel as I drove to my company. I didn't allow the driver to drive me as I was going to stop somewhere which I didn't want anyone to know about. Earlier, I intentionally lied to Ashley that I was chasing after Ariel to make her feel pain and jealousy because from now on, I don't think she would be able to enjoy this marriage again, not after I found out everything that she had done to me. She wanted this marriage desperately and I'm going to continue giving it to her. But why exactly do I have the feeling that she has something to do with how Maya's mother's surrogacy went viral? I don't really know, but I just have that feeling. Now thinking about Maya, I wonder if she was alright with everything that has happened, especially when her mother collapsed. I could imagine the worried expression on her face at that moment as I had seen it once before. My mind drifted back to a few weeks after our marriage. I got hit by a

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  • THE RETURN OF THE DIVORCED BILLIONAIRE HEIRESS   CHAPTER FIFTY SIX

    I felt a little disappointed to hear her say that and maybe it was because I was thinking about something impossible when I clearly knew that Maya could not have given birth to her, but it was just their striking resemblance that made me curious. I picked up my hamburger and also began to eat, checking the time. It was almost closing hours and I was sure her mother would soon come and pick her up. I need to take her back to school. "But do you usually cry whenever someone calls you Mr. Lance?" "Huh?" "I mean, if I call you Mr. Lance, are you going to cry?" She asked again and I almost laughed at her question. "Of course not! Why would I cry because you call me by my name?" I arched my brow as I saw a sad look on her face. "Did something happen?" "It... it's just that whenever I call Miss..." "Bella!" I heard her name being called, which interrupted what she was about to say. Both of us turned towards the voice that was calling Bella's name, and my eyes landed on a young

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    It's finally the day of the board meeting. I have gotten more courage than I should have. Lance and I still haven't met each other, other than communicating on the phone. He's with Carlos twenty-four seven, meeting with other board members, trying to win them over to his side.Lance already told me that most of the directors were now on Carlos' side and that winning them over to my side would be a little difficult, especially within the short amount of time.This was exactly why we have come to make another decision, and I have already gotten permission from my father to do this.But the mystery part that we have been trying to solve and investigate was how the cops found the ledger that Lance presented the other day in my father's office.I clearly checked every single place in his office when he was arrested, leaving no stone unturned. So how did it miraculously get in there? The surprising part was that a week ago, when Mom was hospitalized and I was in the hospital with her, two h

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    As everyone settled into their seats and Mr. Williams opened his mouth to speak those words I already knew he wanted to say but I cut him off and stood up."It is with my deepest pain that I inform you all of the predicament of the leader of this great empire.""Now she informs us after a lot of damage has already been done," Alexander said mockingly.I remembered that they weren’t even supposed to be here. They had already promised not to set foot here again unless summoned.But now was not the time to address that.I continued, "My father, the leader of this great empire, has fallen into a trap set by his enemies—the same enemies he made while trying to protect this empire and drive it forward.My father has been leading this empire for a solid thirty-five years, ever since it was handed to him when he was just twenty-two years old. Despite his young age back then, he led us well—well enough for us to become number one across the globe.He’s not the kind of man who gives up on his p

  • THE RETURN OF THE DIVORCED BILLIONAIRE HEIRESS   CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY SIX

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    ~~~LANCE'S POV~~~It's been like four days now since Maya's father was arrested, and everything has spiraled into chaos faster than I could have imagined.For days now, Maya's family has been turned upside down. The reporters are even chasing her around, asking if she was aware of her father's activities.The media circus isn't helping either. Every time I turn on the TV or check my phone, there's another headline about A&R and Maya's father. The company's stock is in freefall and Maya's mother... God, she couldn't handle it all. She's in this same hospital now, three floors below and her body was giving in to the stress of watching her world crumble.No matter what anyone says, Maya still solely believes that her father is innocent. Unfortunately, belief alone cannot save him. They need more evidence which we still didn't have.My heart aches every time I think about Maya. She's been practically living at the police station, working tirelessly with their lawyers to secure her father'

  • THE RETURN OF THE DIVORCED BILLIONAIRE HEIRESS   CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FOUR

    "Dad!" I ran toward him.But one of the cops stepped in front of me, blocking me from getting in contact with my father. "Ma’am, please stay back.""Step aside this right now!" I shouted, my fury boiling over. "Do you have any idea of what you’re doing!""We have a warrant for his arrest and any interference on your part could be considered as an obstruction of justice. So I will advise you to step aside, ma'am.” the cop stated firmly but I didn’t care.I still tried to move past him. "This is ridiculous! Show me the evidence that he actually did all these!" But the officer blocked my path again.Then another cop who seemed to be in a higher rank than those in front of me, approached me. He introduced himself as Thomas and gave me a paper.I glared at him angrily before snatching the paper from his grip. My hand trembled as I scanned the accusations written in it. I just couldn't believe any of it. My father would do no such.I shook my head.” This is all bullshit. He’ll not do some

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