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Chapter 9

Penulis: Justin Lights
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-11-05 19:04:56

Lila's POV

The tears that cascaded down my face proved to be unrelenting. I couldn't fight them.

“No! This can't be real,” I tried to assure myself, but the documents and pictures in my hands were screaming the opposite.

I began to hyperventilate. My hands were shaking as my eyes remained fixated on the picture I was holding.

I know there are people who just look alike in this world by chance with some slight differences in their features. But how is it possible that I look like the exact replica of the woman I'm seeing in this picture?

I can't even spot any obvious difference in our features except that I look like the miniature version of her.

Victor had come down from his car this time and was right in front of me. I looked at him and said, “please tell me this is a dream. I'm dreaming, aren't I? Please just say yes, Victor.”

But Victor didn't even say a word. He just stood in front of me, looking at me commiseratingly, a non-verbal reminder of how the truth I sought so much wa
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  • The Billionaire and the Unwanted Heiress    Chapter 10

    Damian's POVMy life has been so boring ever since I lost Diana two years ago. I mostly followed the work-home-work routine all my life. The vacuum she had left is still very much present. Sitting in the back seat of my car as my driver drove me home, I just remained silent, tired from the long day at work. Suddenly, my phone vibrated in my pocket and as I brought It out, the name Valerie popped up on my screen. She had just sent me a text, and I wondered what's in there. Ever since I shouted at her in my office the other day, she had learned to compose herself better and even became more formal with me. I don't see her like she's trying to seduce me anymore. But I still wondered what she wanted to tell me that she couldn't wait until tomorrow. Without wasting time, I opened the message and it read, “Hello Boss, I told you in the morning about the meeting you have with Monroe Corporation tomorrow but I thought to remind you again tonight so you won't forget. Good night.”I would ha

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-05
  • The Billionaire and the Unwanted Heiress    Chapter 11

    Damian's POVThe smile I wore to accompany my verbal assurance to Victor that I'm excited with the news he just gave me didn't seem to penetrate his bewilderment, because he was still staring at me incredulously.Oh! Did I forget that he is a private investigator? This guy had clearly seen me lost in thoughts for a moment since he broke the heiress's news to me. “Sir, are you sure you don't have a problem with her coming?” he probed further. Well, I couldn't blame him. His job had wired him to be that way so it's like a default. I just have to convince him. “Come on,” I said, gawking at him as I laughed even louder than before. “Why wouldn't I be happy that the long-lost heiress to Monroe Corporation has been found? I've met her before and I think she's a good person.”Only then did Victor's expression gradually start to soften, an Indication that I finally succeeded in convincing him.“Alright then, I'll take my leave now,” he said as he shot to his feet and I shook hands with h

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-11
  • The Billionaire and the Unwanted Heiress    Chapter 12

    Lila's POV I stood in front of the vanity mirror for minutes. The woman staring back at me appeared like a total stranger. I had taken enough time to primp myself and look my best, yet I feel less of myself. Many times, I've always tried to stay strong despite life's challenges. I try to motivate myself the best way I can. But I don't understand what is wrong with me this morning. Whether it is the anxiety of what to expect—if I would be welcomed or not—by the time I get to the company, or it is the sad happenings that I've faced in the last couple of days, I couldn't tell which one of them is affecting me. I could say it's the two. Although I know I look beautiful with or without makeup, the light make up I applied on my face only did little to enshroud how broken and shattered I feel within. The heartbreak of finding out that I'm an adopted orphan seeks to mire me to my deepest cauldron and as I stare at the mirror, all I see beneath that beautiful face is a girl pretending

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-11
  • The Billionaire and the Unwanted Heiress    Chapter 13

    Lila's POV I felt the ground tilt beneath me as the conference room brimmed with laughter. I know there's a limit to how far I can go with adjustments but I still palmed my hair a little with my hands, hoping that most of the dishevelled parts would fall into place. Just when I thought I had done that swiftly and stylishly enough, they laughed even more. It seemed that for a moment, I forgot that I am the spotlight here and their eyes are glued to me.Every bit of my actions seemed to amuse them because they wouldn't stop laughing even if I simply took a breath. I just gave up trying to make any other adjustments before them. Why do things keep going wrong for me?I became an object of ridicule even in my late parent's company. Could my life ever get any more pathetic?I couldn't even bear to look at these shameless grown people who would not stop acting like kids despite their ages. “It's not their fault,” I thought, my eyes fixated to the ground, my mind a swirling tempest of

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-12
  • The Billionaire and the Unwanted Heiress    Chapter 14

    Damian's POV As the door was thrown open when the meeting just started, my attention was immediately riveted to the door and the person that came from the door. Here she comes, the heiress who is supposed to take over the company, sabotaging my well structured plans.But that's not happening. Well, even if I let that happen, I won't let her last long on that seat. But wait, why is she dressed like this? Is she a stand up comedian or what?Before I knew what was going on, the whole conference room brimmed with laughter. A kind of laughter that crescendoed the more she tried to make some adjustments to her terrible appearance. Even I wondered if it's so terrible in her house that they couldn't afford a common mirror I had to put in so much effort to stifle the impulse I had to laugh. I should let her have a good impression of me so that I can get closer to her for my own gain. “How will she wear something like this to the company?” I still wondered When Victor came and announce

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-14
  • The Billionaire and the Unwanted Heiress    Chapter 15

    Lila’s POVI couldn’t stop staring at my reflection in the mirror this morning. Yesterday, I had asked Damian to choose which dress I should wear today from the ones he bought for me. The dress Damian chose for me—a tailored, navy-blue office dress—fit perfectly, highlighting my features without being too revealing. For the first time in a long while, I looked like someone who belonged in an office, in charge of things, someone important. My fingers grazed the soft fabric, and a wide smile spread across my face. Maybe today would be different. Maybe today, I’d prove I could handle this new world.The cab ride was also a smooth one, unlike the chaos of yesterday. I actually had time to relax and think—mostly about Damian. A soft warmth settled in my chest as I thought of him, his firm but kind way of guiding me through everything, his insistence that I could do this. I never would have guessed that behind his polished exterior, there was someone genuinely willing to help. I was grat

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-14
  • The Billionaire and the Unwanted Heiress    Chapter 16

    Damian's POVI relaxed in the back seat of the car as we cruised down the busy streets, the soft hum of the engine blending with my thoughts. I stared out the window, the city's pulse racing around me, but my mind was somewhere else—focused on Monroe Corporation and, more specifically, Lila. Right now, I'm just a shareholder in that company and although Monroe corporation is a big company on its own, it is nothing compared to the large conglomerate that I own. What I get as a shareholder In Monroe corporation is something I would classify as a little bonus to what I have. As the CEO of my own large conglomerate, I have quite a lot of things to oversee, but now that I've partnered with Monroe corporation and even promised Lila that I'll come and assist her, I know that I have signed in for more stress. Normally, I only go to Monroe Corporation once a week for now as I'm trying not to rush my plans but here I am, going there another day because of Lila.Well, I shouldn't complain.

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-15
  • The Billionaire and the Unwanted Heiress    Chapter 17

    Damian's POVI gave Lila my most reassuring smile, leaning in just a bit as if to emphasise my sincerity. “I’m offering you a special partnership,” I said, my voice smooth and comforting. Confusion was evident on Lila's face still. “Special partnership? Apart from being a shareholder, what other partnership are you talking about “Let me handle the heavy lifting for you,” I told her. “You’re a Monroe—you deserve to enjoy the wealth, the legacy, without getting lost in the cutthroat details that can trip anyone up.”Will she ever stop looking confused? “While I manage the business side of things,” I further clarified, “you can take your time to learn at your own pace. There’s no rush. And I’ll make sure you’re protected every step of the way.”It seems I'm at least making progress. There was a pause, a silence that felt like it stretched on forever as she processed my words. I could practically see the gears turning in her mind—the doubt, the desperation, the longing for someone to

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-15

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  • The Billionaire and the Unwanted Heiress    Chapter 51

    Lila's POV My eyes fluttered open in the faint morning light streaming through the curtains. The familiar ache of sorrow settled in my chest, a weight I’d come to recognize but could never grow accustomed to. My gaze drifted across the bed to Damian, who lay on his side, still lost in the peace of sleep. His features, relaxed and serene, offered a stark contrast to the turmoil churning within me.For a brief moment, I let my eyes linger, taking in the slight rise and fall of his chest, the way his lashes rested gently against his skin. A part of me felt comforted by his presence. He had been my rock these past days, never wavering, always there when I needed him most. Yet, the ache in my heart refused to be soothed.I turned my head away, my eyes staring into vacancy, but my thoughts had travelled on a journey, revisiting every possible family moment it could catch from my memory.My thoughts spiraled even more to the endless pit of worry and grief. No matter how much Damian tried

  • The Billionaire and the Unwanted Heiress    Chapter 50

    Damian's POV The quiet in the living room was oppressive, broken only by the soft ticking of the clock on the wall. Lila sat curled on the couch beside me, her head lightly resting against my shoulder. She’d been this way for days, withdrawn, barely speaking, and it killed me to see her like this. The vibrant, fiery woman I knew seemed so far away now, replaced by someone weighed down by pain and fear.Ever since her family had been missing, she had been staying with me as I urged her to. Her simplicity remained but it was devoid of her laughter which blew me away each time I'm around her. Although I had been the one helping Lila with most of her CEO duties, now I fully run the affairs of the company alongside mine. Given Valerie had also stopped coming to work and I've not hired a new PA, It was a lot for me, but not in the slightest did it take any significant toll on me. Still, I always made sure to finish from work a little early or come home in the afternoon just like I did

  • The Billionaire and the Unwanted Heiress    Chapter 49

    Damian's POVI knew my words were sharp and unrelenting, each one cutting through the air like a blade, yet I wasn't sorry. Valerie really botched up.She was shrinking under the weight of my anger, her tears doing little to soften my fury. I could barely fathom the mess she had dragged me into, and I wasn’t done expressing just how deeply I felt betrayed when my phone suddenly buzzed on the table.I wanted to ignore the call for now, and face the mess that Valerie has dragged me into with her negligence. I knew that we both had our faults in this from the start, but I'd taken actions to clean the mess on my part so I was somewhat vindicated. Having ignored the call since the screen was facing the couch and didn't reveal the caller, I wanted to continue expressing my displeasure and anger towards Valerie. Then a thought struck me.What if it was Lila?Instinctively, I grabbed the phone from the couch, and turned it such that the screen was in my view. As I glanced at the screen, my

  • The Billionaire and the Unwanted Heiress    Chapter 48

    Damian's POVThe crisp night air and the view of the city lights below barely held my attention as I stepped onto the balcony of my apartment.These past few weeks had been a whirlwind, and while everything seemed to be settling back into place, my thoughts were far from calm. They were consumed by Lila.Leaning against the railing, I exhaled deeply. These nights I spent in my apartment near Monroe Corporation were meant to keep me close to her. It was a subtle thing, but knowing she often spend her night nearby brought me a sense of comfort. The apartment was small compared to my main house, but it felt like the right place to be. Lila was at the center of my world now, even if she didn’t realize the depth of my feelings.And I had finally told her.After weeks of holding back, unsure if it was the right time or if she was ready after everything she’d endured, I had laid my heart bare. I’d told her how much I’d always loved her, how she’d become the light in my life without even

  • The Billionaire and the Unwanted Heiress    Chapter 47

    Lila's POVThe hum of the car engine filled the quiet night, a comforting backdrop to my wandering thoughts. It had been weeks since Randall’s arrest, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I could breathe without the weight of constant fear pressing on my chest. My peace of mind has been restored since Randall's arrest and I found myself revelling in it these days. No shadowy observations, no cryptic threats to unnerve me. Just peace. And Damian. The bond between Damian and I had grown stronger these past few weeks. I couldn't deny the fact that Damain truly loves me. I saw it in his eyes that night when Randall tied me up and was about to shoot me. Damian tried to protect me at the expense of his own life that night. He didn't care whatever happened to him. He practically told Randall to take his own life instead.What more would I want from a man than to love me the way I want to be loved? How, then, won't I admire someone who proves that he loves me beyond the li

  • The Billionaire and the Unwanted Heiress    Chapter 46

    Damian's POVRandall’s words, “Goodbye, Lila,” echoed in my mind, twisting my stomach into knots. My body moved before my brain caught up, and I slammed the door open, bursting into the office.“Stop!” I shouted, my voice raw with desperation.Randall turned to me, his face a twisted mask of surprise and amusement. In an instant, the gun shifted from Lila to me, the cold barrel now trained on my chest. My heart raced, but I forced myself to raise my hands in surrender, hoping to buy time. The cops must be close by now. Please let them be close.“Well, well,” Randall sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. “Here comes the knight in shining armor. What a joke.”I didn’t flinch at his taunts. “You don’t have to do this, Randall. Let her go.”His laugh was sharp and cruel, slicing through the tense air. “You think you can just stroll in here and play hero? Kneel. Right now.”I hesitated for a fraction of a second before complying, lowering myself to the ground beside Lila. My eyes dart

  • The Billionaire and the Unwanted Heiress    Chapter 45

    Damian's POVAs I sat at my desk, immersed in the mountain of paperwork demanding my attention, my phone vibrated. Glancing at the screen, I saw Valerie’s name. For a moment, I hesitated, recalling everything that had transpired recently. Taking a deep breath, I answered.“Hello, Valerie,” I said, keeping my tone neutral.Her voice was calm but carried a faint undercurrent of weariness. “Damian, I just wanted to let you know... it’s done. I went through with the abortion earlier today.”A wave of relief washed over me. “That’s good news. I’m glad you’re okay,” I replied sincerely. “Take your time to recover. You don’t need to rush back to work.”“Thank you,” she said softly. “I appreciate it.”“I’ll try to stop by and check on you soon,” I added.“That’s thoughtful, but I’ll manage,” she replied before the call ended.As I placed my phone back on the desk, a notification lit up the screen—a message from Lila.“Just got to the office. I’ll be staying the night in my apartment nearby.

  • The Billionaire and the Unwanted Heiress    Chapter 44

    Lila's POVThe morning light streamed through the windows as I sat at the kitchen table, sipping a warm cup of tea. It was a rare moment of peace. My heart still swelled with gratitude every time I looked at Mum. She was resting comfortably on the couch, her smile radiant as she exchanged jokes with Henry. Elena busied herself in the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared lunch.“I still can’t believe how lucky we are,” I said, placing my cup down and looking at Mum. “You’ll be walking again soon, Mum. We’ll take it one step at a time.”Her eyes glistened with emotion as she nodded. “It’s all thanks to you, Lila. I don’t know how I got so blessed to have a daughter like you.”I smiled and reached for her hand. “We’re in this together. Always.”The day felt warm and full of promise, a much-needed contrast to the recent chaos. Henry’s laughter echoed in the background as he practiced some jokes for his new friends at boarding school. I’d made sure to increase Elena’s salary, and she

  • The Billionaire and the Unwanted Heiress    Chapter 43

    Damian's POVI called on two of my employees who were nearby, and together with the help of my driver, Valerie was helped into my car.Then, I settled in the back seat with the unconscious Valerie as my driver drove the two of us to the hospital. I wondered what was going on with her as I held her hand. Thankfully, she was still breathing. That's a whole lot of relief on its own.Even Victor's death was still fresh on my mind. A lot of things have been going on with me or people around me lately, and I won't know what to think or how to feel should anything happen to Valerie too. As I looked at her still breathing softly with her eyes shut, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt as a thought crossed my mind. Had the workload on her been too much? Given her level of dexterity from my experience of her working with me, I’d never seen her crack even under duress. But she’s human after all—a woman at that. I believe everyone has a threshold so I reckon she had been doing too much i

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