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Chapter Eighteen
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2024-12-07 15:30:17Related chapters
The Billionaire's Bargain Chapter Nineteen
Toast to BabiesThe ultrasound screen flickered in the dimly lit room, and Sophia held her breath. At sixteen weeks, they might finally learn if little Catherine or Edward was on the way. Lucas's hand tightened around hers as the technician moved the wand."Well," the technician smiled, "would you like to know?"Before either could answer, a commotion erupted in the hallway. Chris burst in, face pale. "Mr. Vanderbilt, I'm sorry, but—""Not now," Lucas growled, eyes fixed on the screen."Sir, it's Mark. He's calling an emergency board meeting. He's claiming... evidence of fraud in the merger documentation."The baby's heartbeat filled the sudden silence, strong and steady."Go," Sophia squeezed Lucas's hand. "I've got this.""But—""The baby will still be here in an hour." She managed a smile. "Besides, Susan's in the waiting room. Go deal with your brother."Lucas kissed her forehead, his jaw tight. "Chris, get Darren on the line. I want to know how Mark got those documents."After th
Last Updated : 2024-12-07The Billionaire's Bargain Chapter Twenty
Better Beginings"It's like they're having a dance party in there," Sophia groaned, shifting uncomfortably on her office couch at twenty weeks. Both twins had chosen the board meeting hour for their daily acrobatics."Or a boxing match," Lucas suggested, adjusting the laptop so the board members couldn't see her rubbing her expanding belly. Virtual meetings had become a necessity as her pregnancy progressed – twin pregnancies were notoriously demanding."Settle down, little ones," she whispered. "Mommy's trying to run an empire here."The merger was proceeding smoothly, despite the aftermath of Mark's attempted sabotage. He and Bella had disappeared to Europe, their resignation letters arriving via expensive lawyers. The press had dubbed it the "corporate cleanup of the year," though Sophia preferred Susan's term: "karma's double knockout.""Mrs. Vanderbilt," the CFO's voice crackled through the speakers, "about the Singapore restructuring—"A sharp kick interrupted her thoughts. "Sor
Last Updated : 2024-12-07The Billionaire's Bargain Chapter Twenty one
Arrival of OverachieversAt thirty-two weeks, the first real storm of the season rolled across the lake. Rain lashed against the windows as Sophia tried to focus on the quarterly reports spread across her home office desk. The twins were restless, perhaps sensing the atmospheric pressure change."That's the third time you've read that page," Chris observed from the video call screen. "Maybe we should reschedule.""I'm fine," Sophia insisted, though her back arched fiercely. "The merger transition won't wait just because your future bosses are doing somersaults."Thunder cracked overhead. The lights flickered ominously."Ma'am," Chris's voice took on that careful tone everyone seemed to use lately, "Mr. Vanderbilt specifically said—""Lucas is in Singapore dealing with Emma's mess. These reports need to be—" She stopped, a sharp pain making her gasp."I'm calling Dr. Chen," Chris said firmly. "And Mr. Vanderbilt. And probably God.""It's just Braxton Hicks," Sophia started, but another
Last Updated : 2024-12-09The Billionaire's Bargain Chapter Twenty two
Grand welcomingThe first rays of dawn painted the hospital room in gentle gold, a stark contrast to the storm that had announced the twins' arrival. At four days old, Catherine and Edward were already showing distinct personalities – Cat demanding attention with imperious cries, Eddie observing the world with his father's thoughtful gray eyes."She gets that from you," Lucas murmured, watching Cat wave her tiny fists at the morning light. He sat in the hospital's most comfortable chair, holding Eddie while Sophia fed their daughter."The dramatic timing? Pretty sure that's all Vanderbilt." Sophia adjusted Cat's position, still marveling at how natural it felt. "Though the stubbornness might be genetic on both sides."A soft knock interrupted them. Susan peeked in, her expression suspiciously innocent. "Are you decent? Because there's a small army of grandparents in the waiting room, and I can only distract them with baby photos for so long.""Let them in," Sophia laughed. "Before Cla
Last Updated : 2024-12-09The Billionaire's Bargain Chapter Twenty Three
Perfect Chaos, Perfect peace. The penthouse's morning quiet was broken by Cat's determined cries, followed inevitably by Eddie's solidarity wails. At two weeks old, the twins had mastered the art of synchronized demands."My turn," Lucas murmured, already moving before Sophia could fully wake. She watched through heavy eyes as he scooped up both babies with practiced ease. The sight of her ruthless corporate husband cooing softly to their children still made her heart flutter."The magazine team will be here at ten," she reminded him, glancing at the clock. 7 AM. "Sure you don't want to reschedule?""And risk Susan's wrath? She's already threatened to revoke my godfather status if we postpone again." He settled into the nursing chair, a twin in each arm. "Besides, your father's right. It's time to tell our story."The 'story' had grown beyond their control in the past two weeks. Speculation about the Vanderbilt twins filled business blogs and society columns. Yesterday, someone had
Last Updated : 2024-12-10The Billionaire's Bargain Chapter Twenty Four
Love rather than Leverage"Well, that's certainly a headline," Darren whistled, tossing the magazine onto the penthouse coffee table. *'From Contract to Covenant: The Vanderbilt Love Story That Reshaped an Empire'* blazed across the cover, accompanied by the now-iconic photo of Lucas and Sophia with the twins in the morning light."The stock's up twelve percent," Susan reported, not looking up from her tablet. At three months old, Cat was dozing in her arms while she worked, a common sight these days. "And the wedding planning inquiries have tripled.""Wedding?" Sophia looked up from where she was burping Eddie. "Whose wedding?"Susan's cheeks flushed. Darren suddenly found the city skyline fascinating."Finally!" Sophia exclaimed, causing Eddie to startle. "Sorry, baby," she soothed, then turned back to her friends. "When were you going to tell us?""We were waiting for the right moment," Susan admitted, unconsciously twisting the elegant diamond ring on her finger. "With the articl
Last Updated : 2024-12-10The Billionaire's Bargain Chapter Twenty five
"No," Susan said firmly, brandishing a seating chart like a weapon. "Absolutely not. The Singapore investors cannot sit with the venture capital team. Last time they argued about cryptocurrency for two hours.""But the London office—" Darren began."Will be fine at table seven." She softened, touching his cheek. "Trust me. I've planned enough corporate events to know how to prevent international incidents at our wedding."From her perch on the penthouse sofa, Sophia hid a smile. At six months old, the twins were fascinated by their honorary aunt's wedding preparations, especially Cat, who kept trying to eat the sample ribbons."Speaking of international incidents," Lucas entered, Eddie propped expertly on his hip, "the foundation's first board meeting is scheduled for next week. Father wants both sets of grandparents there.""Bold move," Sophia raised an eyebrow. "Though Sandra and Claudia have been getting along better since they joined forces on the nursery renovation."The merger ha
Last Updated : 2024-12-12The Billionaire's Bargain Chapter Twenty six
Shadows and LightSophia sat in the nursery, gazing out at the city as the twins dozed in their cribs. The gentle rhythm of their breathing filled the room, soothing her like a lullaby. The recent whirlwind of events—the merger, the foundation plans, even the headlines about her and Lucas—felt almost surreal. She’d spent so long fighting battles, both corporate and personal, that this stillness felt like borrowed time.The faint creak of the door announced Lucas’s arrival. He moved quietly, his tie already loosened and a soft smile playing on his lips."You're still up?" he asked, his voice low so as not to disturb the babies."I couldn’t sleep," she admitted, brushing a hand through her hair. "Just... thinking.""About the foundation launch? Or the merger terms?" He sat beside her, close enough that their shoulders touched."Everything." She glanced at him. "It's a lot to take in. Sometimes, I wonder... if we’re moving too fast."Lucas tilted his head, considering her words. "Fast isn
Last Updated : 2024-12-12
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The Billionaire's Bargain Chapter Ninety One
Rising TensionThe news of the financial misconduct allegations spread like wildfire. Though Sophia and Lucas had addressed the issue head-on, there were whispers within the business world questioning their leadership. Some of their most loyal investors sought reassurance, while others quietly began reevaluating their stakes.Sophia sat in her office, flipping through reports with growing frustration. The board had requested a private meeting to discuss the company’s response. It felt like yet another test of her and Lucas’s resolve.Chris entered, holding a new set of files. “We’ve started internal audits to counter the claims. So far, there’s no sign of wrongdoing, but Mark’s planted enough doubt to make this mess stick.”Sophia sighed, leaning back in her chair. “He’s not trying to win anymore, Chris. He’s just trying to drag us down with him.”Lucas walked in moments later, his presence as steadying as ever. “And he’s failing. The audits will clear us, and when they do, Mark’s cre
The Billionaire's Bargain Chapter Ninety
A Fragile PeaceThe morning sun filtered through the penthouse windows as Sophia sat at the kitchen island, staring at the cryptic note delivered to V Corp. The words were simple, but their implications sent a chill down her spine.Lucas entered, carrying a cup of coffee for her. His gray eyes softened as they met hers, but his expression was guarded.“They’re bluffing,” he said, setting the mug in front of her. “Mark and Emma are out of moves. This is desperation.”Sophia ran her fingers over the note, her voice quiet. “What if it’s not a bluff? What if they’re planning something we haven’t seen yet?”Lucas pulled out a chair beside her, his tone steady. “Then we’ll deal with it. We always do.”Sophia nodded, but the tension in her chest remained.---Strengthening AlliancesLater that day, Sophia and Lucas met with Evelyn and Darren in the V Corp boardroom to discuss their next steps.“We’ve handled the fallout from the press conference, but we can’t let our guard down,” Evelyn said
The Billionaire's Bargain Chapter Eighty Nine
Exposing the TruthThe morning air at V Corp was charged with tension. Sophia, Lucas, and their team were gathered in the executive conference room, reviewing the final steps of their plan. The evidence Chris had uncovered was ironclad, and Rebecca’s cooperation had given them a critical edge.Sophia stood at the head of the table, her voice steady. “This isn’t just about protecting V Corp. It’s about ensuring that Mark and Emma can never pull something like this again.”Lucas nodded, his gray eyes sharp. “We release the proof of their fabrications, expose their network of allies, and take back control of the narrative. By the time we’re done, they’ll have no leverage left.”Chris grinned. “The media loves a scandal, but they love exposing liars even more. Once this goes public, Mark and Emma won’t have a leg to stand on.”Sophia glanced at the clock. “Let’s move. The press briefing starts in an hour.”---The Press ConferenceSophia and Lucas stood side by side at the podium, facing
The Billionaire's Bargain Chapter Eighty Eight
The Last StrawSophia sat in the boardroom at V Corp, surrounded by her trusted team. The tension in the room was palpable as Chris displayed the contents of the USB drive on the large screen. Emails, doctored reports, and fake financial documents scrolled past, each one meticulously crafted to cast doubt on her and Lucas’s leadership.“This is their endgame,” Chris said, his voice sharp. “They’re trying to create enough smoke to convince the board there’s a fire.”Evelyn frowned. “The documents are convincing, even though they’re fabricated. If this reaches the wrong people, it could cause serious damage.”Lucas leaned forward, his gray eyes blazing. “Then we expose it before they have the chance. Mark and Emma have gone too far this time. It’s time to end this.”Sophia nodded, her resolve hardening. “We need a strategy that doesn’t just counter their lies but turns the narrative in our favor. This isn’t just about protecting V Corp—it’s about taking back control of the story.”---T
The Billionaire's Bargain Chapter Eighty Seven
Cracks and ConnectionsSophia sat at her desk, staring at the glowing cityscape outside the penthouse windows. The confrontation with Rebecca Harlow had left her uneasy. Though the journalist had promised to review her findings, Sophia couldn’t ignore the sense that Emma and Mark still had something up their sleeves.Lucas entered, holding two glasses of wine. “You’ve been quiet since we got back.”Sophia took the glass, offering a small smile. “Just thinking about Rebecca. I don’t trust her, Lucas. Even if she doesn’t publish the article, she’s already seen too much.”Lucas leaned against her desk, his gray eyes steady. “Then we need to stay ahead of her. Chris is already digging into her connections. If there’s anything we can use, he’ll find it.”Sophia sighed, swirling her wine. “I don’t want to live like this forever. Always on the defensive, always waiting for the next attack.”Lucas cupped her cheek, his touch grounding. “Then let’s start thinking about how to end it. For good
The Billionaire's Bargain Chapter Eighty SIX
Shifting SandsSophia stood on the balcony of the penthouse, the city sprawling before her in a web of lights and motion. The fallout from the latest attack on her family was beginning to ripple through the business world, and despite the united front she and Lucas presented, the constant battles were taking their toll.Lucas joined her, his presence grounding as he wrapped an arm around her waist.“You’re quiet tonight,” he said softly.Sophia sighed. “It feels like we’re playing a never-ending game of chess. Every time we make a move, Mark and Emma counter it with something worse.”Lucas kissed her temple, his voice steady. “We’ve faced every move they’ve made so far. This won’t be any different.”Sophia leaned into him, her eyes scanning the city. “I hope you’re right.”---The Boardroom EruptsThe next morning, Sophia and Lucas were called into an emergency board meeting. The tension in the room was palpable as the board members debated the implications of the leaked documents.“T
The Billionaire's Bargain Chapter Eighty Five
The Offer RevisitedSophia sat at her desk, staring at the folder Emma had left. The damning evidence against Mark sat within her reach, but the cost of accepting Emma’s terms weighed heavily on her. She tapped her fingers against the desk, her thoughts tangled.Lucas entered the office, carrying two cups of coffee. He set one down in front of her and leaned on the desk. “You’ve been staring at that thing for hours.”Sophia sighed, rubbing her temples. “Because I know what’s inside could end this battle with Mark. But letting Emma anywhere near V Corp? That feels like inviting a snake into the garden.”Lucas’s expression softened. “You’ve always trusted your instincts. Don’t stop now.”Sophia met his gaze. “My instincts are telling me there’s more to this. Emma doesn’t do anything without an ulterior motive.”Lucas smirked faintly. “You’re not wrong. But whatever her game is, we’ll figure it out. Together.”---A Boardroom ChallengeThe following day, Sophia and Lucas attended a board
The Billionaire's Bargain Chapter Eighty Four
Beneath the SurfaceThe penthouse was unusually quiet as Sophia leaned against the kitchen counter, nursing a cup of tea. The twins were napping, and Lucas was in his office finishing a call with their legal team. The calm felt foreign, almost eerie, as though it were the eye of the storm.Sophia’s thoughts drifted to the headlines from earlier that week. Despite their press conference, the lingering doubts about her connection to Sean Muller’s past were gnawing at her confidence.“Penny for your thoughts?” Lucas’s voice broke her reverie.Sophia turned to see him standing in the doorway, his tie loosened and a faint smirk on his lips.“Just... thinking,” she said softly, setting her mug down.Lucas stepped closer, his hands finding her waist. “You’ve been thinking a lot lately.”Sophia let out a small laugh. “It’s hard not to, with everything going on.”Lucas tilted her chin up, his gray eyes locking with hers. “We’ve faced worse. And every time, we’ve come out stronger. This won’t
The Billionaire's Bargain Chapter Eighty Three
The Tipping PointThe fallout from the leaked marriage contract continued to ripple through the media. Though Sophia and Lucas’s press conference had stemmed some of the tide, doubts lingered in certain circles. The couple had faced scrutiny before, but this felt different—more invasive, more personal.Sophia sat in the boardroom at V Corp, staring at a slideshow of charts detailing investor sentiment. Despite their best efforts, a small but vocal faction of shareholders was questioning the leadership’s integrity.Evelyn flipped to the next slide, her voice calm but firm. “Most of our investors remain confident, but the ones on the fence are concerned about long-term stability. Mark’s strategy is to erode trust, and it’s working in small pockets.”Lucas leaned forward, his expression resolute. “We’ve reinforced our position before. We’ll do it again. This isn’t about the marriage contract—it’s about the success of V Corp. Let’s remind them of that.”Darren nodded. “The sustainability
