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CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN
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The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
Alexander's POV I entered Elijah's office, the scent of aged whiskey and leather hanging thick in the air, Liam and Elijah were both seated, sharply dressed, their gazes fixed on me as I stepped inside.Liam's face was blank as ever, while Elijah's sharp eyes glinted with interest, he swirled the amber liquid in his glass, watching me closely."To what do I owe this unexpected visit?" Elijah's voice was smooth, laced with a mock-curiosity.I ignored the greeting, settling into the leather chair opposite them. "Let's skip the pleasantries" Elijah raised a brow, smirking as he took a sip from his glass."Straight to the point, smart as always" Liam leaned back, his gaze calculating, but didn't say a word, the room was dim, the only light coming from a tall, arched window casting shadows on Elijah's mahogany desk.Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with classical books and a few ominous-looking artifacts that only Elijah would find fascinating. I leaned forward,"I need a full backgro
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE
Thalia's POV Another moan echoed, this one followed by a few grunts "Oh...fuck" came a voice. There was a sharp intake of breath, a murmured "Yes" followed by a chorus of muffled moans.The shelves behind the makeshift door rattled, vibrating against the wall.Who on earth would have sex in a library? I thought, horrified by the sounds I was hearing.The noises quieted, replaced by a soft giggle and a man's low voice murmuring something I couldn't make out, panic flared up in me. I had intruded on something, and I needed to leave before they realized I was there. Just as I turned to leave, ready to vanish before either of them noticed, I froze at the sound of my name."Thalia?" A female voice called out, laced with surprise... I knew that voice. My heart skipped, I turned, and there stood Sierra, looking equally stunned, her lipstick smudged, her cheeks flushed, her hair was tousled and although her clothes were in place, she looked...dishevelled, standing just behind her was Patric
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY
Thalia's POV I considered her words, pieces of the riddle aligning in my mind. "Alex and I figured out that the building was a church" Sierra's eyes widened with the realization "A church! Yes! What could be more sacred than that? And a gate—it all fits!" I nodded slowly, the solution forming. "So there's a well in a church, with a bell above it and a tree nearby, maybe even above it" Sierra let out a delighted squeal "We've solved the riddle!" "But which church? There are millions of them" Arabella pointed out.I smiled faintly, picking up my phone "I know the one, St. Augustine's Church, and..." I checked the map on my phone as the location confirmed itself "It's about a two-hour drive from here" "Well, let's go" Sierra suggested eagerly “It's still early in the morning, we can make it back by evening.”"Oh, can I tag along?" Arabella asked, her eyes lighting up. I hesitated, my mind racing through recent events, the memory of the last time Sierra, Cassie, and I went out toge
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE
Alexander's POV We reached the elevator, and I pressed the button, the wait feeling like an eternity as my thoughts churned. Elijah's words replayed in my mind, grating on my every nerves.Thalia's trust, her vulnerability... it was a dangerous combination, but one I'd become bound to protect, I am doing what I have to, and he'll be damned if I ever let her find out.Liam crossed his arms, leaning back as we waited. "She's gonna want to resume the office soon". The elevator doors slid open, and we stepped inside."She mentioned it, I was able to convince her against it" I replied finally, eyes fixed ahead as the doors closed.Liam tilted his head thoughtfully "Hmmm" he murmured, but the elevator chimed, announcing our arrival on the ground floor, as we stepped out, he finally spoke up, his voice low and direct."Patrick told me about your conversation this morning". I shot him a look. Of course, Patrick had told him, the stupid fucker was determined to prove a point! "And?" I repli
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO
Thalia's POV I sat stiffly in my seat, silently fuming, my arms crossed tightly, as I glared out the window. We had been driving for over thirty minutes now, and the once-crowded streets had given way to long, deserted paths. It was just us and the seemingly never-ending road. "I can't believe you didn't let me talk to him," I snapped, finally breaking the silence. My words hung in the air, but Andrei didn't flinch. He kept his eyes on the road, one hand casually resting on the steering wheel. The first driver came down from the car a few minutes back."He knows where you're going either way" he replied dryly, his tone bored. "Whatever" I shot back, trying to sound more confident than I felt "He must be worried" Andrei blinked, then let out a sharp, humorless chuckle "Worried?" He repeated, "You're the least of his concerns right now. At best, he might send someone to follow us, but he has far bigger problems to deal with—problems I'm sure you're aware of" I narrowed my eyes at
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE
Thalia's POV The car slowed to a stop. The crunch of tires against gravel, the only sound as I peered out the window, my breath caught in my lungs. This wasn't the church Four hours, I had spent nearly four hours driving into oblivion with Andrei, convinced we were headed to the church, only to end up here.I stared at the house, a chill creeping down my spine, it wasn't the eerie quiet of the place or the way the thick trees surrounding it cast gawky shadows over the house.No. It was the familiarity of it. The house sat near a lake, its surface shimmering faintly under the golden light of a lamp outside, the cobblestone path leading up to the house was bordered with moss and wildflowers, creating a somewhat scenic look."This isn't the church" I snapped at him. Andrei parked the car a few feet away from the house and turned off the engine, he didn't look at me as he replied "I know" Before I could question him further, he got out of the car. I hesitated for a moment, then I ope
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR
Alexander's POV The car hummed steadily as it sped through the darkened streets, the glow of the city fading in the distance. It was already nightfall, and the board meeting earlier today had been postponed at my father's insistence—he'd wanted to be present when it took place.Beside me in the backseat, Liam glanced out the window "Where exactly are we headed?" "To the safe house" I replied, my hand resting firmly on the briefcase on my lap. Inside it, the hard drive felt like a ticking bomb."We can't risk decrypting this anywhere near Croft HQ. Not yet. Not until we know exactly what's on it and how dangerous it is" Nolan was driving, his sharp eyes fixed on the road ahead, Liam nodded before returning his gaze to his phone. The safe house was my property, located on the city's outskirts, it was unassuming: an old warehouse on the surface but equipped with top-tier security and everything we'd need for the task. Liam turned to face me, his dark eyes burning with concern."You do
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE
Alexander's POV The door to the tech lab clicked shut behind me, and the hum of machinery filled the air, my shoulders were taut as I leaned against the nearest wall, dragging a hand through my hair. Outside, Nolan and Liam were in the main space. Liam was flipping through a flyer he'd found on the desk, his lips pursed in thought.Nolan, on the other hand, paced with a phone pressed to his ear, his free hand gesturing sharply as he spoke, the sight of them was oddly grounding; their restlessness mirrored my own.I crossed to the water dispenser, grabbed a cup, and filled it, needing the coolness to steady my nerves, the water slid down my throat, but it did little to soothe the growing unease nagging at me.Liam caught the movement and looked up "So? Is it done?" he asked, setting the flyer down and crossing his arms. I crushed the empty cup in my hand, tossing it in the nearby bin with more force than necessary"Seven days" I said "Maybe nine, that's how long it'll take to decrypt
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The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN
Thalia's POV "But we're here now" Lilith said, her voice wrapped with warmth, like she was coaxing me into forgiveness.My gaze snapped to her, sharp and unrelenting "You can go back to whatever Tartarus-like hole you came from" I spat, my tone laced with venom. Her smile faltered, the warmth draining from her features, she looked at me with wide, disbelieving eyes, as if she couldn't believe the words I was saying. I couldn't believe them either. Lilith had been my best friend, we were opposites in many ways—her a dreamer, me a realist... but our souls had always tangled, I used to imagine what it would feel like if she ever came back, alive and whole. I would have run to her, embraced her, and never let her go. Yet now, with her standing in front of me, breathing and real, her presence felt suffocating."We're here to stay, Thalia" Tobias said gently "It was wrong of us to leave, and we know that, we're sorry. Incredibly sorry. But we're here now, and we're not going anywhere. Ev
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX
Thalia's POV The first thing I felt was the warmth of sunlight, filtering through the cream-colored curtains, brushing my face, as if to lure me back to reality. The air was heavy with the earthy scent of petrichor, tinged with cinnamon and vanilla.It was so familiar, so achingly familiar, my chest tightened, and my body felt heavy, the remnants of unconsciousness still clinging to me as I sat upright, clutching at the sheets. This place... I knew this place. The jug of water on the bedside table gleamed under the beam of sunlight, condensation trickling down its surface. My throat burned with thirst. I reached for it, my fingers trembling as I poured myself a glass. The water was cool and soothing, but the simple act of drinking it couldn't calm the typhoon brewing inside me.I staggered to the window, its glass slightly fogged, with shaky hands. I wiped at the pane to clear my view. My heart sank as I took in the sight, of the pristine lake surrounded by pines, their leaves still
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE
Alexander's POV The door to the tech lab clicked shut behind me, and the hum of machinery filled the air, my shoulders were taut as I leaned against the nearest wall, dragging a hand through my hair. Outside, Nolan and Liam were in the main space. Liam was flipping through a flyer he'd found on the desk, his lips pursed in thought.Nolan, on the other hand, paced with a phone pressed to his ear, his free hand gesturing sharply as he spoke, the sight of them was oddly grounding; their restlessness mirrored my own.I crossed to the water dispenser, grabbed a cup, and filled it, needing the coolness to steady my nerves, the water slid down my throat, but it did little to soothe the growing unease nagging at me.Liam caught the movement and looked up "So? Is it done?" he asked, setting the flyer down and crossing his arms. I crushed the empty cup in my hand, tossing it in the nearby bin with more force than necessary"Seven days" I said "Maybe nine, that's how long it'll take to decrypt
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR
Alexander's POV The car hummed steadily as it sped through the darkened streets, the glow of the city fading in the distance. It was already nightfall, and the board meeting earlier today had been postponed at my father's insistence—he'd wanted to be present when it took place.Beside me in the backseat, Liam glanced out the window "Where exactly are we headed?" "To the safe house" I replied, my hand resting firmly on the briefcase on my lap. Inside it, the hard drive felt like a ticking bomb."We can't risk decrypting this anywhere near Croft HQ. Not yet. Not until we know exactly what's on it and how dangerous it is" Nolan was driving, his sharp eyes fixed on the road ahead, Liam nodded before returning his gaze to his phone. The safe house was my property, located on the city's outskirts, it was unassuming: an old warehouse on the surface but equipped with top-tier security and everything we'd need for the task. Liam turned to face me, his dark eyes burning with concern."You do
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE
Thalia's POV The car slowed to a stop. The crunch of tires against gravel, the only sound as I peered out the window, my breath caught in my lungs. This wasn't the church Four hours, I had spent nearly four hours driving into oblivion with Andrei, convinced we were headed to the church, only to end up here.I stared at the house, a chill creeping down my spine, it wasn't the eerie quiet of the place or the way the thick trees surrounding it cast gawky shadows over the house.No. It was the familiarity of it. The house sat near a lake, its surface shimmering faintly under the golden light of a lamp outside, the cobblestone path leading up to the house was bordered with moss and wildflowers, creating a somewhat scenic look."This isn't the church" I snapped at him. Andrei parked the car a few feet away from the house and turned off the engine, he didn't look at me as he replied "I know" Before I could question him further, he got out of the car. I hesitated for a moment, then I ope
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO
Thalia's POV I sat stiffly in my seat, silently fuming, my arms crossed tightly, as I glared out the window. We had been driving for over thirty minutes now, and the once-crowded streets had given way to long, deserted paths. It was just us and the seemingly never-ending road. "I can't believe you didn't let me talk to him," I snapped, finally breaking the silence. My words hung in the air, but Andrei didn't flinch. He kept his eyes on the road, one hand casually resting on the steering wheel. The first driver came down from the car a few minutes back."He knows where you're going either way" he replied dryly, his tone bored. "Whatever" I shot back, trying to sound more confident than I felt "He must be worried" Andrei blinked, then let out a sharp, humorless chuckle "Worried?" He repeated, "You're the least of his concerns right now. At best, he might send someone to follow us, but he has far bigger problems to deal with—problems I'm sure you're aware of" I narrowed my eyes at
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE
Alexander's POV We reached the elevator, and I pressed the button, the wait feeling like an eternity as my thoughts churned. Elijah's words replayed in my mind, grating on my every nerves.Thalia's trust, her vulnerability... it was a dangerous combination, but one I'd become bound to protect, I am doing what I have to, and he'll be damned if I ever let her find out.Liam crossed his arms, leaning back as we waited. "She's gonna want to resume the office soon". The elevator doors slid open, and we stepped inside."She mentioned it, I was able to convince her against it" I replied finally, eyes fixed ahead as the doors closed.Liam tilted his head thoughtfully "Hmmm" he murmured, but the elevator chimed, announcing our arrival on the ground floor, as we stepped out, he finally spoke up, his voice low and direct."Patrick told me about your conversation this morning". I shot him a look. Of course, Patrick had told him, the stupid fucker was determined to prove a point! "And?" I repli
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY
Thalia's POV I considered her words, pieces of the riddle aligning in my mind. "Alex and I figured out that the building was a church" Sierra's eyes widened with the realization "A church! Yes! What could be more sacred than that? And a gate—it all fits!" I nodded slowly, the solution forming. "So there's a well in a church, with a bell above it and a tree nearby, maybe even above it" Sierra let out a delighted squeal "We've solved the riddle!" "But which church? There are millions of them" Arabella pointed out.I smiled faintly, picking up my phone "I know the one, St. Augustine's Church, and..." I checked the map on my phone as the location confirmed itself "It's about a two-hour drive from here" "Well, let's go" Sierra suggested eagerly “It's still early in the morning, we can make it back by evening.”"Oh, can I tag along?" Arabella asked, her eyes lighting up. I hesitated, my mind racing through recent events, the memory of the last time Sierra, Cassie, and I went out toge
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE
Thalia's POV Another moan echoed, this one followed by a few grunts "Oh...fuck" came a voice. There was a sharp intake of breath, a murmured "Yes" followed by a chorus of muffled moans.The shelves behind the makeshift door rattled, vibrating against the wall.Who on earth would have sex in a library? I thought, horrified by the sounds I was hearing.The noises quieted, replaced by a soft giggle and a man's low voice murmuring something I couldn't make out, panic flared up in me. I had intruded on something, and I needed to leave before they realized I was there. Just as I turned to leave, ready to vanish before either of them noticed, I froze at the sound of my name."Thalia?" A female voice called out, laced with surprise... I knew that voice. My heart skipped, I turned, and there stood Sierra, looking equally stunned, her lipstick smudged, her cheeks flushed, her hair was tousled and although her clothes were in place, she looked...dishevelled, standing just behind her was Patric
