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CHAPTER FORTY
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2024-10-27 23:04:11Related chapters
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Thalia's POV The air was thick with dust as we stood in front of the old mansion, its crumbling stone walls rising against the dusky sky. Every instinct told me to turn back, to find any other way home, but there was nowhere else to go, Cassie's breath was shallow beside me as she stared up at the house. Sierra shifted uneasily, kicking a small rock off the path."What if we try going back the way we came?" Sierra whispered, her voice barely audible above the silence that seemed to envelop the place. Cassie wrapped her arms around herself "It's too far, and the road's practically a dust bowl, we’ll be exhausted" she murmured, glancing away as if the sight of the house itself unnerved her."I... I can't risk it" She paused a slight tremor in her voice.A frown creased my brow as I turned to her "What do you mean 'can't risk it'?"She avoided my gaze, focusing instead on Sierra's phone as she muttered "I'll try for a signal again”Her fingers tapped anxiously, but her face fell when
Last Updated : 2024-10-28The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Alexander's POV The car pulled up to the bar on Wall Street, where Patrick was already waiting, his security waved us in, directing us to the VIP section upstairs. As we entered, Patrick was at a large table, papers spread before him and his brother Callum worked attentively on his laptop in front of him. Four other men surrounded them, busy on their laptops, while one stood close to Patrick as they spoke quietly. It was clear they'd set up an emergency operations center. Patrick looked up his eyes narrowing"Finally," he muttered, pushing his papers aside and coming to us. "What do any of you know about Leo, the driver?" he asked "I hired him about six months ago through DuPont Security” I answered stepping forward.“That background checks out," he said "but his real name is Gerard Vogel. He came here from Germany with his family, under the alias 'Gibson'. He has two daughters and just now, the cops found his wife and kids dead in the basement of their home.” He paused then pulle
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Thalia's POV I stirred awake, feeling the weight of a warm beam of sunlight spilling over my face. I blinked adjusting to the light coming from the cracked window, and realized I was no longer tied to a chair.For a brief second, I thought I was free, but the metallic clink as I tried to move my arms brought me back to reality. My back was pressed into a wall, and both my wrists were chained, pulled just far enough apart to prevent comfortable movements. "Cassie? Sierra?" I yelled my voice shaky and hoarse, my words seemed to be swallowed up by the silence, I looked around the room, it was empty except for a table pushed to the far end of the room.Then the door opened, and a man stepped in, he looked disheveled, his blond hair messy and falling into his eyes. He closed the door gently, pausing as if to assess me, then crossed the room to come to me. He unlocked the chain around my left wrist. I pulled back immediately but he tightened his grip."Be quiet” he muttered, not even look
Last Updated : 2024-10-30The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
Thalia's POV At that moment, a boy burst into the room, alarmed "Tanvi, come quick! Bertha's gone too far with the blonde girl, she's been hitting her and... she's bleeding, the other girl said she's pregnant"Tanvi's face fell and my heart twisted painfully "Cassie..." I whispered, Tanvi turned to me"Shut up" she snapped and then turned back to the boy "Tell Nash to call Mr. Dahl, he didn't mention that the woman was pregnant"The boy nodded "What do we do now?""Just go tell Nash what I said!" Tanvi yelled her voice tight.As the boy hurried out "Please... she needs medical help, she can't lose her child"Tanvi hesitated, her cold demeanor faltered, replaced by empathy"I'm not heartless, Thalia” she said and exited the room.As I slumped against the wall, my heart beat hard out of fear for Cassie. I yanked against the chain on my wrist, straining against them but the chain was unyielding. Helpless, I let out a sigh and muttered under my breath"Cassie, please be okay" Minutes pas
Last Updated : 2024-10-31The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Alexander's POV As we stood at the FBI headquarters, I clenched my jaw, glancing at my watch. It’s been fifteen hours since Thalia and the others disappeared, and Brandon was responsible. But he'd gone into hiding as expected, I would too if I were him. Liam and Zach had vanished after we left the mansion. And I hadn't heard from him since, until now. My phone vibrated with a text, it was Liam. He found them and he asked to meet him on the way "Did he mention how he found them?" Patrick asked flicking his cigar's ash into an ashtray.I shook my head "No details, just said he has their location" Patrick nodded, dousing his cigar out with his hand and tossing it in the trash. "He called in a favor, bet on it" he muttered under his breath.Before I could say anything Patrick's phone rang, he picked up, and his face fell as he listened. After a few silent moments, he ended the call and turned to me."Who knew Liam had ties with Elijah Wood?" Patrick said, his voice laced with a hint o
Last Updated : 2024-11-04The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Thalia's POV I stood outside Cassie's hospital room, pressed tightly against Alexander as he held me from behind. It was like he couldn't bear to let me out of his sight. His fingers traced gentle circles against my arm. Callum and Nolan had already left, likely to manage the police and FBI investigation still ongoing. Sierra sat silently with Patrick's arm draped around her, while Zach leaned back against the wall, with his arms folded. Liam was motionless on a chair near the door, his hands clasped between his knees. And his face lost to whatever pain he was holding inside. My heart twisted at the sight of him, usually so gleeful and confident, but now...broken.The door to Cassie's room remained closed, the doctor had said they suspected internal bleeding in her stomach. And now a team was working to stabilize her. The echo of hurried footsteps pulled us from our collective silence.Lorraine and Anthony hurried toward us, worry etched into every line on their faces. Lorraine's e
Last Updated : 2024-11-04The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
Thalia's POV I woke up the next morning in the hospital. None of us had wanted to go home, so Alexander had gotten us rooms for the night so we could all stay close. I slipped out of bed quietly, hoping not to wake him, and made my way down the hall to Cassie's room. She lay sleeping on the hospital bed, her hand entwined with Liam's as he sat beside her, both of them sleeping. For a moment, seeing them like this, they looked peaceful, but I knew better.I lingered at the doorway, not wanting to disturb them, then turned and went outside, needing some air. As I walked toward the benches facing the sunrise, my hand touched my stomach. Alex had told me that Cassie had already lost one child, a miscarriage. She hadn't even known she was pregnant, and here I was, once so quick to get rid of mine... Letting my hand rest lightly on my abdomen, I sighed. That child had been mine too, even if its father didn’t want it. But there was no use in sulking about it. The decision had been made, an
Last Updated : 2024-11-04The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
Thalia’s POV "Thalia?" He whispered his tone gentle yet searching. I took a deep breath, steadying myself before speaking. “Before you say anything, I need to ask you something" I tried to keep my voice calm though questions burned on my tongue.His brows furrowed, concern etched into every line on his face. "Go on" he said turning me to face him. "Did you know who... who the man was, the one who broke into the house that night?" Alex's gaze faltered, and he sighed, nodding slowly “Yes, I did. Patrick told me before you left, I... I didn't have time to explain" His voice was low and filled with regret.I nodded, piecing his words together "I just met his 'dear friend,' Alex's entire body tensed."You met him? Here? Why were you out there alone?" "I just needed a walk" I replied, trying to keep my voice steady "It's a hospital and I thought it would be safe plus he didn't do anything...just approached me and gave me a hint for the riddle" His brows shot up, a flash of surprise i
Last Updated : 2024-11-05
Latest chapter
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER NINETY-FIVE
Thalia's POV My eyes fluttered open, and the first thing I noticed was the warmth of sunlight streaming through the window .Morning. But it wasn't the sunlight that woke me. It was something else—a presence He stood there, not too far from the bed. An older man, dressed in a simple sweater and slacks, his demeanor calm, yet his gaze steady as he watched me. His hair was mostly gray, and his face carried the kind of lines that told a story of years, perhaps decades, of struggle.A soft smile curved his lips as he noticed my eyes on him “Good morning," he said, his voice low, almost soothing.For a moment, I was disoriented, then, with a deep breath, I realized something, I could move. My head shifted toward the window, following the sunlight, and then I tried flexing my fingers. They obeyed. A gasp escaped my lips, and this time it wasn't just in my head. I could speak again. Slowly, cautiously, I sat up, feeling the stiffness in my limbs but relishing the freedom of movement. My
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER NINETY-FOUR
Thalia's POV The first thing I noticed was the sound of crickets. It felt like they'd been chirping for hours, echoing faintly through the room.Slowly, my senses sharpened, pulling me out of the darkness. My eyes opened, greeted by the dim light of night spilling in through partially open curtains. I didn't recognize the room. My head felt heavy. No, not just my head—my entire body. It was like I'd been weighed down by an invisible force Panic flared in my chest as I tried to move. Nothing. My arms wouldn't respond, my legs stayed still, and even my voice was locked away. I tried again. Harder this time. Still nothing. It was suffocating, a helplessness I hadn't felt in years. My breathing was measured, and steady, like I wasn't even in control of that either. Every ounce of strength I could muster evaporated into futility. The door creaked open, the sound snapping me to attention. Bella peeked in, a slow, satisfied smile spreading across her face as her eyes locked on mine."Wel
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER NINETY-THREE
Alexander's POV We arrived at the safe house just as Liam pulled in, it wasn't a coincidence; Liam had left earlier, claiming he had errands to run. Yet somehow, we ended up here at the same time. I didn't bother asking him why. With Liam, surprises weren't uncommon. As we entered the building and took the elevator down to the secure floor, Svetlana was already at her desk, stacking papers into neat piles, she paused mid-movement when she saw us."Good morning, Mr. Croft” she greeted me, her tone professional, her words sharp. But her eyes? They weren't on me. They were on Nolan I turned my head slightly, catching the unmistakable smile tugging at his lips as he returned her gaze. "It's done decrypting, isn't it?" I asked, my tone cutting through their silent exchange. Svetlana winced “Yes I believe so" she admitted, her smile faltering. "Come see for yourself” She led us to the tech lab. As expected, Evan was already at his station, his fingers flying across the keyboard, immer
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER NINETY-TWO
Alexander's POV Nolan's hands were steady on the wheel as we drove toward the safehouse. My mind, surprisingly, was calm.The task ahead was clear: get to the safe house, unravel the tangled mess Brandon and Eugene had created, and put an end to their scheming. That part I could handle. It was business, calculated,methodical. But there was another problem, one that I wasn't sure I could solve. One I couldn't even fully name without a tightening in my chest. It all began years ago, with the Asplundh family. A private plane crash. Everyone assumed the family had been wiped out except for one survivor; Thalia Asplundh, the second daughter. She was young then, just a girl, sent to a rehabilitation center after the crash. She wouldn't eat. She wouldn't speak. She was trapped in her grief, shattered and silent.Years later, she came out. Therapy had pulled her back from the brink, though the scars were still visible to anyone paying attention. She returned to claim her place as CEO of her
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER NINETY-ONE
Thalia's POV I stood outside the penthouse, debating my next move. Should I swallow my pride and go see Bella? Or should I head to Alexander's and collect my things? I thought briefly of texting Cassandra, but Tobias had seen to it that I couldn't contact Alexander, or anyone he was associated with, for that matter. It was suffocating. With a frustrated sigh, I decided on Bella. The building loomed before me, a towering reminder of a past I couldn't quite shake, I parked outside and took a moment to steel myself before heading up to the penthouse. The house looked the same, its colors bold and cold. To anyone else, it might seem pristine, but to me, it felt monochrome and lifeless. I rang the doorbell and knocked for good measure, within seconds, the door opened, and there she was Bella. She stood there in a cozy navy-blue sweater and loose pants, her baby bump just beginning to show.Oh, right. She was pregnant, I'd almost forgotten, her face was as familiar as it was alien, sof
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER NINETY
Alexander's POV I hadn't noticed when Father entered the room. He knelt behind Mother, helping her to her feet. She was still sobbing uncontrollably, her body trembling as she clung to him. Zach stood stiffly, anger radiating off him in waves, but his girlfriend tugged at his arm, trying to pull him aside, the air in the room was thick—tension simmering and ready to boil over. Father steadied Mother as she cried into his chest, her hands gripping his suit jacket as though it were the only thing keeping her upright, he murmured something softly to her before leading her out of the room. A moment later, he returned, his expression firm, his presence commanding. "Zach" Father said, his voice low and authoritative, the kind of tone that left no room for argument "You will apologize to your mother" "What?!" Zach snapped, incredulous “Father, she interacted with the enemy!" "And she has apologized" Father replied, his tone unwavering. "You know your mother, Zachary. She acts from emot
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER EIGHTY-NINE
Thalia's POV "How could I let this happen?" My voice cracked, barely above a whisper, as I stared down at the table. Grace pulled up on her computer. "It wasn't your fault, Thalia." Grace replied gently, but I shook my head, unwilling to accept her reprieve."No" I said, my tone firmer now, though my voice wavered, "I remember when you came to me and showed me what Brandon was doing, I saw the proof. And I—I hid the documents. I let him do this" My voice faltered, fading into the quiet of the office. Grace stepped closer, her expression resolute."Yes" she admitted without hesitation, her words sharp and piercing "but it doesn't matter anymore. What's done is done" Her eyes locked onto mine"So you let him do it—fine. The question now is, what will you do to undo it?" I drew in a shaky breath, her words passed through me in the whirlwind of my own thoughts, he stepped aside, giving me space to approach the computer screen, where the stark proof of the company's current state stared
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER EIGHTY-EIGHT
Alexander's POV Sierra's words struck like a thunderclap, leaving the house in deafening silence as she stormed down the stairs and slammed the front door behind her. "Alex, I..." Mother began, her voice trembling with the load of an excuse she hadn't yet found. Before she could continue, Cassandra's voice rang out from the top of the stairs, cutting through the tension like a knife. "Lorraine?" Cassandra called out, her tone sharp and demanding, her figure appearing at the top landing. Behind her, Liam appeared, his brows furrowed as he placed a steadying hand on her shoulder "Alex? We heard yelling. What's going on?" he asked, his voice calm but tinged with concern. Cassandra didn't wait for an answer, she started down the stairs, her movements purposeful, her gaze locked on Mother, who visibly flinched under her niece-in-law's scrutiny. Liam followed closely behind, his posture protective, his eyes darting between all of us.Mother looked at me, her eyes pleading—begging me
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER EIGHTY-SEVEN
Thalia's POVAfter wandering around the manor for a bit, I returned to my room, feeling a bit relaxed. Once inside, I decided to change. I peeled off my skirt and replaced it with a pair of fitted denim jeans, next, I grabbed a warm brown jacket and wrapped a soft scarf around my neck, and then I pulled my hair into a quick twisted ponytail. On the dresser, my phone buzzed with a notification, picking it up, I saw a new message from Bella. I sighed heavily, my jaw tightening What now? For a second, I considered ignoring her, but curiosity won and I opened the message. "Hello there, Thalia. I know you don't want to talk to me after all that I did, but I'd really appreciate it if you'd at least try"I stared at the screen, debating whether to respond, part of me wanted to delete the message and block her number, but instead, I typed a curt reply; "Where are you?"I hit send, feeling equal parts irritated and intrigued, shoving my phone into my pocket. I glanced at the mirror one la
