Share

Chapter 26

Penulis: Sharbie
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-02-10 13:14:14

Ryan sat at his desk, his head buried in paperwork, trying to drown out the thoughts that had been plaguing him since his confrontation with Serena.

His jaw clenched as flashes of the scene played in his mind—the way she had dismissed him, the smug look of the man who had defended her, and the way she had coldly ended things between them.

He cursed under his breath and ran a hand through his hair.

A knock on the door pulled him out of his thoughts.

“Come in,” he said, his voice gruff.

Jefferson, his assistant, walked in with a polite nod.

“Sir, your meeting with the board is set to begin in a few minutes. They’re waiting for you in the boardroom.”

Ryan sighed, leaning back in his chair. “Right. I almost forgot.”

Jefferson cleared his throat.

“It’s an important one, sir. They’ll be discussing the quarterly projections and future investments.”

Ryan waved him off. “Yeah, yeah, I’ll be there.”

Jefferson hesitated. “Shall I get your files ready?”

Ryan stood up, adjusting his suit. “No
Lanjutkan membaca buku ini secara gratis
Pindai kode untuk mengunduh Aplikasi
Bab Terkunci

Bab terkait

  • The Billionaire’s Christmas Surprise    Chapter 27

    Serena wrapped up the last of her paperwork, stretching her arms with a sigh of relief. Finally, she could leave the office and pick up Amy. It had been a long day, and she was eager to see her daughter’s bright smile.She grabbed her purse and car keys, heading out in a hurry. The thought of spending the evening with Amy made her feel a little better, especially after the heated confrontation with Ryan earlier.“Ms Serena, are you leaving already?” Emma asked the moment she saw Serena step out of her office.“Oh yes. I’m thinking of spending some time with Amy and that’s the reason I’m picking her up myself.“That’s a great idea, ma’am. See you tomorrow.” Serena nodded without saying any other word and strode to the elevator.When she arrived at Amy’s school, she parked quickly and walked up to the entrance, smiling politely at the receptionist.“Good afternoon, I’m here to pick up Amy Winthrop ,” Serena said, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.The receptionist look

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-11
  • The Billionaire’s Christmas Surprise    Chapter 28

    David adjusted his tie and looked Ryan straight in the eyes. His voice was calm but firm. “Mr. Winters, I’ll get straight to the point. If you don’t hand Amy over to her mother right now, this situation will escalate into a legal nightmare for you.”Ryan’s jaw tightened, his fists curling at his sides. “Are you seriously threatening me, Mr… Whatever?” he asked coldly.David gave a small, confident smile. “Not a threat, just a fact. You see, Serena has full custody of Amy. You taking her without permission can be seen as abduction, Ryan. And trust me, that’s not a battle you want to fight—not in court, not in the media.”Kate, standing beside Ryan with her arms crossed, scoffed loudly. “Oh please! Serena always plays the victim, doesn’t she?” She rolled her eyes and smirked. “She’s just being dramatic. You have every right to see your daughter, Ryan. She’s your flesh and blood.” Kate uttered, acting all supportive.Serena, standing on the doorstep with David by her side, held her

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-12
  • The Billionaire’s Christmas Surprise    Chapter 29

    Serena rushed out of her office as soon as the clock hit closing time. She couldn’t wait to pick Amy up and take her out for a fun day. She had promised Amy, and she wasn’t going to break that promise for anything. As she drove to Amy’s school, her mind drifted back to everything that had happened recently—Ryan showing up unexpectedly, the custody threats, and now the constant worry about protecting Amy.But today wasn’t going to be about any of that. Today was just about having fun with her daughter.When she arrived at the school, Amy was already waiting by the gate with her little backpack. As soon as she saw Serena’s car, her face lit up with excitement.“Mommy!” Amy called out, running to the car.Serena stepped out, opening her arms wide. “Hey, my love! How was school today?”“It was good!” Amy beamed. “We learned a new song, and Miss Betty said I did the best!”Serena kissed the top of Amy’s head. “I’m so proud of you, sweetheart. Now, let’s go get you changed so we can

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-13
  • The Billionaire’s Christmas Surprise    Chapter 30

    Serena and Amy arrived at the amusement park, the bright lights and cheerful music filling the air with excitement. Amy’s eyes sparkled with joy as she looked around at all the colorful rides and the children running around. Serena smiled, glad to see her daughter so happy.Just as Serena was about to take Amy’s hand and walk in, her phone buzzed with a message. It was from Nathan.Nathan: I’m here. Where are you?Serena scanned the crowd, looking around until she spotted him standing near the entrance, dressed casually in jeans and a black t-shirt. He waved at her with a smile.“Is that him, Mommy?” Amy pointed excitedly at Nathan as she asked.“Yes, let’s go meet him,” Serena said, taking Amy’s hand as they walked over.When they reached him, Nathan crouched down to Amy’s level and smiled warmly. “Hi, Amy! I’ve heard so much about you from your mommy.”Amy giggled, her small face lighting up. “Hi! Mommy said you’re her friend. You look handsome, but not like my daddy.”Serena’s

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-14
  • The Billionaire’s Christmas Surprise    Chapter 31

    The club was alive with flashing lights, loud music, and the heavy scent of alcohol filling the air. Ryan sat in the VIP section with Ethan, his eyes dark and brooding as he stared at the drink in front of him. He lifted it and took a long gulp, letting the burning liquid slide down his throat.Ethan watched him closely, his own drink barely touched. “Ryan, man, are you seriously planning to drink yourself into oblivion tonight?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.Ryan exhaled sharply and set the glass down with a thud. “What does it look like, Ethan? I just want to forget… everything.”Ethan leaned back in his chair, swirling his drink in his hand. “Look, I get it. Things are messed up right now. But drowning yourself in booze isn’t going to fix anything.”Ryan shot him a glare. “And what do you suggest I do, huh? Sit at home and think about how everything’s falling apart?”Ethan sighed, trying to lighten the mood. “You know, you could always do what normal people do when they’re s

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-15
  • The Billionaire’s Christmas Surprise    Chapter 32

    Ryan groaned as he slowly opened his eyes, the pounding in his head making him wince. His entire body felt heavy, and the inside of his mouth was dry like sandpaper. He blinked a few times, trying to focus his vision, but everything was blurry. When his eyes finally adjusted, he frowned. The room was unfamiliar—dark curtains covered the windows, and the walls were painted a dull gray. This wasn’t his house.“What the hell?” he muttered, rubbing his temples. He pushed himself up to sit, feeling his head throb with every movement.Just then, the door opened, and Ethan walked in, carrying a tray with a bowl of steaming soup, a pill, and a glass of water. He smirked when he saw Ryan’s confused expression. “Well, well, look who’s finally awake,” Ethan said, setting the tray down on the bedside table.Ryan squinted at him. “Where am I?”“My place,” Ethan replied casually, leaning against the dresser. “You drank yourself into oblivion last night, and I had to drag your sorry self

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-16
  • The Billionaire’s Christmas Surprise    Chapter 33

    The soft evening breeze blew through the balcony, rustling the sheer white curtains behind her. The woman sat elegantly on a sleek white chair, one leg crossed over the other, her slender fingers tracing the rim of a wine glass resting on the table. Her perfectly manicured nails gleamed under the dim lights, and her lips curled into a small, bitter smile as she gazed down at the stunning estate below. From her high vantage point, the city stretched out before her in a sea of dazzling lights and towering buildings. She took a slow sip of her red wine, savoring the taste, before setting the glass down with a soft clink. Her piercing green eyes turned to the man seated across from her, his expression unreadable, his hands resting on his knees.“Tell me,” she said, her voice silky but carrying an unmistakable edge. “What did you find out?”The man, dressed in a crisp gray suit, reached into his jacket and pulled out a thick envelope. He placed it on the table and slid it tow

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-17
  • The Billionaire’s Christmas Surprise    Chapter 34

    It’s been a week already since all the incidents with Ryan. Serena walked into Rocky’s Designs that Monday morning, radiating confidence and grace. Her heels clicked softly against the marble floors as she moved through the hallway, her fitted Sky-blue dress hugging her figure elegantly. Employees greeted her politely, bowing slightly as she passed.“Good morning, Ms. Winthrop,” one of the employees said with a warm smile.Serena returned the smile graciously. “Good morning, Clara. Hope you’re having a great day.”“I am, thank you,” Clara replied, looking pleased as Serena continued walking.She walked through the open space, acknowledging the polite greetings from other staff members before stepping into her office. Emma, her efficient assistant, was already waiting inside with a tablet in her hand, ready to brief her on the day’s schedule.“Good morning, Emma,” Serena said as she placed her handbag on the desk and took a seat. “What do we have for today?”Emma smiled, tucking a

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-17

Bab terbaru

  • The Billionaire’s Christmas Surprise    Chapter 174

    Ryan’s heart was pounding in his chest, but he forced his feet to move. He had stood frozen for too long. Serena still hadn’t seen him. She was focused on breathing through her contractions, her hand gripping the railing as she took slow steps forward. His throat was dry. His palms were sweaty. But he couldn’t waste another second. “Serena.” The moment he spoke, she froze. Her body tensed, her grip on the railing tightening. Slowly—so slowly—she turned her head toward him. Her eyes widened, her lips parting slightly. “Ryan?” Ryan exhaled sharply. God, she was beautiful. Even in a hospital gown, with exhaustion written all over her face, she looked like the most stunning thing he had ever seen. His chest tightened. She was about to give birth to his child. And she had tried to keep it from him. “Why?” His voice was hoarse, raw with emotion. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Serena immediately turned away. “Not now, Ryan,” she muttered, trying to keep walking. But Ryan wasn’t le

  • The Billionaire’s Christmas Surprise    Chapter 173

    The cold air of the ice rink bit at Ryan’s skin as he skated across the smooth surface, his breath coming out in white puffs. The crowd was cheering, the sound of sticks hitting the puck echoed through the large arena, and his teammates were yelling for him to pass the puck. But none of it registered. His mind was somewhere else. Or rather, with someone else. Serena. The moment Amy’s innocent little voice had blurted out the truth over the phone, Ryan had felt the world shift beneath his feet. She had been carrying his child for nine months. Nine months. And she hadn’t told him. The thought kept slamming into him like a freight train, making his grip on his hockey stick tighten, his movements stiff and uncoordinated. “Ryan, focus!” Ethan’s voice rang from behind him. Ryan barely heard him. Ethan must have noticed, because the next thing he knew, his best friend skated up beside him and knocked him hard on the shoulder. “Dude, what’s wrong with you? You look like you jus

  • The Billionaire’s Christmas Surprise    Chapter 172

    The Christmas lights twinkled softly in Serena’s living room, casting a warm glow over the space. Snow was falling gently outside, covering the city in a soft white blanket. The smell of cinnamon and vanilla filled the air, courtesy of the cookies Emma had baked earlier. It was supposed to be a peaceful evening. But Serena was anything but peaceful. She sat on the couch, one hand resting on her very pregnant belly, while the other rubbed her forehead. She was exhausted. Nine months. She had managed to keep her pregnancy a complete secret for nine whole months. It hadn’t been easy—working from home, avoiding public appearances, making sure no one suspected anything. Emma had done an amazing job shielding her from the world. Even now, as her due date crept closer, Serena still wasn’t ready for the world to know. And most importantly, she wasn’t ready for Ryan to know. She sighed, leaning back into the cushions. Amy was sitting on the floor in front of the Christmas tree, her li

  • The Billionaire’s Christmas Surprise    Chapter 171

    Emma had just stepped out of the shower when her phone started buzzing on the nightstand. She wrapped a towel around herself, quickly reaching for the device. A small smile tugged at her lips when she saw the name flashing across the screen. Ethan. She answered immediately, pressing the phone to her ear. “Hey, babe.” Ethan’s deep, familiar voice came through the line, warm and teasing. “Hey, beautiful. Busy?” Emma chuckled, settling onto the bed. “Not really. Just got out of the shower. Why? You sound suspiciously sweet today.” Ethan laughed. “Can’t a man be sweet to his girlfriend without suspicion?” “Not when that man is you,” Emma teased, shaking her head. “So, what’s up?” “Clear your schedule tonight,” Ethan said smoothly. “I’m taking you out.” Emma raised an eyebrow. “Out? Like… dinner?” “Dinner, yes,” Ethan confirmed. “But before that, I’m taking you shopping. You need something special to wear for tonight.” Emma’s heart did a little flip. “Ethan, you know I can pick

  • The Billionaire’s Christmas Surprise    Chapter 170

    Serena had been feeling off for weeks. It had started with the constant nausea, the exhaustion that no amount of rest could fix, and the strange sensitivity to smells that had her gagging at the most unexpected moments. At first, she dismissed it as stress. Her life has been a whirlwind of events lately—Philip being exposed, Ryan trying to win her back, the scandal that nearly destroyed her company, and the overwhelming relief of regaining her reputation. It wasn’t surprising that her body was reacting to all of it. But when she could barely keep food down for three days in a row, Emma had stepped in. “You need to go to the hospital, Serena,” Emma had said firmly, standing in her office with her hands on her hips. Serena, who was slumped over her desk, groaned. “It’s just stress.” Emma arched her brow. “Stress makes you tired, moody, and maybe gives you headaches. Stress doesn’t make you throw up every morning for two weeks straight.” Serena sighed, pinching the bridge of her n

  • The Billionaire’s Christmas Surprise    Chapter 169

    Serena sat in her office, staring out the large window at the city skyline. The sun was setting, casting an orange glow over the buildings, but she hardly noticed. Her mind was elsewhere, tangled in the mess of emotions she had been avoiding for weeks. Everything had changed. The truth about Philip. The revelation that Steve—the man who had helped her rebuild her life—was actually Ryan’s father. The scandal that had almost cost her everything. But most of all, Ryan. His presence in her life had once been something she had accepted begrudgingly. Their nights together, their moments of passion—it had all been something she had allowed herself to indulge in, telling herself that it didn’t mean anything. She had convinced herself that it was just sex. That her heart wasn’t involved. But now, as she sat alone in her office, she realized that Ryan had always been a storm in her life. And she was tired of storms. She exhaled, leaning back in her chair. She had fought so hard to re

  • The Billionaire’s Christmas Surprise    Chapter 168

    The news spread like wildfire, dominating every media outlet, news channel, and social platform. It was a scandal unlike anything the city had ever seen. The man the world had known as Thomas Winters was not Thomas at all. Every major newspaper, every television station, and every online gossip site ran with the same shocking headline: Philip Winters—Imposter Billionaire! Not the Real Thomas Winters! Billionaire Steve Jacob is Actually Thomas Winters! The revelation shook the entire business world. For years, the Winters family had been seen as one of the most powerful and influential families in the country. But now? Now, the truth had shattered their reputation in ways no one could have ever imagined. And Kate’s involvement? That only made it worse. Reports detailed her role in the conspiracy—how she had aligned herself with Philip, how she had worked against Serena Winthrop, how she had helped orchestrate attacks on Serena and her daughter. It was a complete disaster for

  • The Billionaire’s Christmas Surprise    Chapter 167

    Kate sat on the floor of Rolly’s living room, her hair disheveled, eyes wild with frustration. The walls seemed to close in on her, suffocating her as her thoughts spiraled deeper into madness. The only sound in the dimly lit apartment was the low hum of the television, where a news report was still playing clips of the scandal that had ruined her life. The footage of her and Thomas—no, Philip—played over and over again, reminding the world of her shame. She clutched her phone tightly, her nails digging into the glass screen as she dialed Ryan’s number again. One ring. Two rings. Straight to voicemail. Kate let out a ragged breath, her pulse hammering in her ears. She had called him more than a hundred times. Had sent him texts, voice messages—begged him to at least talk to her. But there was nothing. He had cut her off. Completely. A scream of rage ripped from her throat as she threw the phone across the room. It hit the wall with a loud crack, pieces scattering onto the floo

  • The Billionaire’s Christmas Surprise    Chapter 166

    The room was filled with a suffocating silence as Margaret Winters’ sharp gaze swept over her husband. She squared her shoulders, her expression unreadable. “I don’t know what you’re trying to imply,” she said coolly, her tone sharp and unwavering. “But I’m looking at my husband, Thomas Winters, right now. There’s nothing off about him.” Ryan’s breath hitched. His gaze flickered between his mother and Steve, waiting for some kind of reaction—a hesitation, a flicker of doubt. But Margaret remained completely convinced that nothing was wrong. Steve smirked, shaking his head slightly. “Well, Philip,” he said, his voice laced with amusement as he looked at Thomas. “Are you going to start confessing? Or should I spill the truth myself?” A brief shadow crossed Thomas’s face—a flicker of confusion. “What the hell are you talking about?” he snapped, his tone edged with irritation. But Ryan caught something beneath it. Fear. Steve sighed, slipping his hands into his pockets. “You’re r

Jelajahi dan baca novel bagus secara gratis
Akses gratis ke berbagai novel bagus di aplikasi GoodNovel. Unduh buku yang kamu suka dan baca di mana saja & kapan saja.
Baca buku gratis di Aplikasi
Pindai kode untuk membaca di Aplikasi
DMCA.com Protection Status