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CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR
Last Updated:
2024-12-09 17:04:18
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The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SEVENTY-FIVE
Thalia's POV Another day has passed since my conversation with Tobias and Lilith. I never brought it up with Lilith again, and Tobias was gone by the time we returned from the courtyard. Most of my free time is spent staring out the window, losing my mind in silence, because all I have is free time. My phone still hasn't been returned to me, I know it's with Andrei, and I don't know how to ask Kirill or Lilith to contact Andrei. It feels like an invisible chain tying me to my thoughts, as if I'm being punished in the smallest, pettiest way.With Tobias gone, Lilith and I have had more moments to ourselves, we reminisce about our childhood, the easy days when we were just two kids dreaming of lives bigger than the ones we had. Mostly dreaming. But I keep my promise, I never speak about Alexander or the company with her, somehow, it's as if Kirill knows I made this vow, his wary presence around me begins to soften, and he's more comfortable now with me being near her, though at first
Last Updated : 2024-12-11The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SEVENTY-SIX
Thalia's POV I finished my pear, savoring the last of its divine sweetness, and head back to my room. The warmth of a bath sounded perfect, especially since this house always seemed cold, no matter how brightly the sun shined.The piping hot water felt like a hug, soothing the chill in my bones, and the unease in my nerves. I sank into the tub for a few minutes, letting the heat wash over me, before stepping out to get dressed.Lilith had kept a few clothes for me, and I picked a red shirt and gray trousers from them. I sat in front of the mirror, then ran a comb through my mid-back-length brown hair, laughing inwardly as I recalled its transformation over the years. After the accident, I'd chopped it into a pixie cut, which eventually grew into bangs, then curtain bangs, and now, here it is—a semi-healthy, layered hair.With a sigh, I put my hair into a half-up, half-down style, set the brush down, and left the room. As I stepped into the hallway, I saw Lilith descending the stairs
Last Updated : 2024-12-13The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN
Thalia's POV I dialled Alexander's number, but the first attempt didn't go through. I tried again. Nothing, my stomach tightened as I dialled a third time, but the line refused to connect.Frustration crept into my chest, and I typed out a text, hoping it will serve. Delivered. I breathe a little easier, but as the minutes passed and my screen remained lacking of any response, my patience wore thin.Five minutes. No reply. I sent another message. Still nothing. "What the hell did Andrei do to my phone?" I muttered to myself, gripping the device tightly, with my jaw clenched, I marched into the living room, where Lilith and the unfamiliar woman are sitting on the couch."Where is Andrei?" I demanded as soon as I stepped inside. Lilith looked up, startled "He's outside, what's wro—" But I didn't let her finish. I whirled around and stormed outside "Andrei!" I yelled, spotting him leaning against the car with Tobias. They straightened immediately, their conversation halting as the
Last Updated : 2024-12-14The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SEVENTY-EIGHT
Alexander's POV Five days. Six hours. Seventeen minutes. That's how long it had been since I last saw Thalia. Since I could touch her, hold her, breathe in the lavender-and-nut scent that lingered on her skin. Her absence was maddening, the kind of unrelenting ache that settled into your chest and refused to leave.The USB Kirill handed me? I left it on the table, without a second thought, the story he fed me about why Thalia didn’t come. Bullshit, I knew it the moment Grace let it slip that Thalia assigned her to assist me in any way I needed, that one small oversight confirmed it: Thalia already knew about it.It didn't soften the guilt weighing me down, if anything, it sharpened it, she was in trouble; I was certain of it, either they were holding her against her will or fed her the same lies they did me. But why? I was sure of my enemies now, two of them: Brandon Dahl and his partner-in-crime Eugene. And whoever the hell was behind Phantom Viper.I sat in my office at Croft Gro
Last Updated : 2024-12-17The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE
Alexander's POV "First things first" Zach started, his voice holding a surprising seriousness."That riddle the Russian guy, Kirill, delivered to Thalia? It was a hoax. A distraction." My attention immediately snapped to Liam, whose face was grim, his usual smugness absent. "When you solved the riddle, you thought it pointed to St. Augustine's, right?" Zach continued, pulling a crumpled paper from the table and waving it in the air, he met my eyes with a pointed look. "And Thalia suddenly took a trip down memory lane”. His tone dripped with suspicion, and I tensed at his words, that was the exact excuse I gave them when they asked why she wasn't around. "So naturally, I grew curious" he went on, that irritating mix of smugness and confidence dripping from him. "The location matched the church, but here's the kicker, a church can't exist there, the land isn't even buildable." He paused dramatically, eyes flicking to me."So I dug deeper and I told Nolan" "I roped in Callum" Nolan
Last Updated : 2024-12-19The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER EIGHTY
Thalia's POVI was sick of that suffocating lake house, sick of the stale quiet that forced me into my thoughts. Thoughts that always drifted back to him—Alexander.When I told Tobias I wanted to leave, I fully expected a fight, instead, he surprised me. I suggested we go to the manor, and he agreed without hesitation, more than that, he insisted we all go—Lilith, Kirill, everyone."We're family" Tobias said, his voice steady and determined "A few years of distance and alienation won't break us. We're together now, and we should make the best of it”His words struck deep within me, it wasn't just the house I was running from—it was myself.The truth is, I felt like I was unraveling, maybe even breaking, maybe even...no, I don't want to think about it. I don't want to name the hollow ache in my chest, but it was there, and it was all because of him.I couldn't understand why I thought those simple days with Alexander—mere weeks—meant anything to him. To me, they meant everything. To
Last Updated : 2024-12-20The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER EIGHTY-ONE
Thalia's POV After dinner, the others decided to play games—board games, dumb charades, the usual attempts to have a little fun. I sat on the sidelines, watching them, my mind a million miles away. Andrei sat beside me, silent as ever, his presence as steady and immovable as stone, we didn't speak, but the quiet felt almost companionable, as if we were two people lost in our thoughts yet sharing the same room. Eventually, we all headed to bed, and I slipped into a soft cotton pajamas, a loose shirt and a tee were all I needed to face the long hours of sleep. I climbed into bed, calling sleep to come, but it evaded me. I turned to one side, then the other, my mind restless, thoughts I'd been avoiding all day bubbling to the surface.Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. With a soft groan, I slid out of bed, barefoot, and decided to wander, the manor was quiet at this hour, its grand halls dimly lit by small sconces on the walls, and there was nothing spooky about it—no shadows to jum
Last Updated : 2024-12-20The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER EIGHTY-TWO
Thalia's POVAndrei's gaze lingered on me for a moment longer, his eyes sharp, assessing "Good" he said finally "Maybe this will help you." Before I could ask what he meant, his lips crashed against mine, catching me entirely off guard, the kiss was rough, almost desperate, and it consumed every rational thought I had. I froze, unsure of how to respond, but then, something deep inside me, something buried and starved, churned. I responded. My fingers found their way into his hair, pulling him closer, my heart raced, and my breaths came in sharp, uneven gasps as the world narrowed down to the heat between us. At some point, without realizing it, I moved to straddle his lap, my body pressing against his as if drawn by some invisible force. Andrei kissed me like he was starving, and God help me, I let myself sink into it, his hands were in my hair, his lips demanding yet purposeful, every move he made left me breathless, for one fleeting moment, the world outside of this kiss ceased
Last Updated : 2024-12-20
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The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE
Thalia's POV EPILOGUE: SEVEN YEARS LATER The estate buzzed with life, Thanksgiving brunch was already underway, the air smelled of pumpkin spice and cinnamon, and the hum of conversation mingled with the occasional squeals of children running through the halls. Sunlight poured into the garden through the tall windows, casting warm and golden streaks over everything, making the moment feel as heavenly as it was. I stood on the patio, holding a steaming mug of tea, my eyes scanning the lively scene before me.Theo and Elise, now four, were chasing each other around the fountain, their giggles echoing. Theo, the notorious mischief-maker, grabbed a handful of fallen leaves and tossed them into the air, pretending it was snow."Elise, look it's snowing!" "That's not snow, Theo!" she scolded, her little hands on her hips, but she was smiling, her dimples making an appearance just like Alexander's when he was amused."They're at it again" Alexander said, stepping up beside me with a plate
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOUR
Thalia's POV We stayed at the manor for two more days before heading back to Alexander's house, where Lorraine greeted us with another warm welcome. It wasn't anything extravagant, just a thoughtful display that felt genuine, I told her about my visit to Mom and Dad, and she listened intently, then suggested we go together next time, I agreed without hesitation. Later that evening, Cassie told me to get dressed, saying we were going somewhere, after some deliberation, I chose a silky whitedress with a Queen Anne neckline, pairing it with a touch of red lipstick, the look was simple but striking, just the way I liked it. As I descended the stairs, the soft fabric of my dress trailing behind me, I caught sight of Alexander standing by the doorway. Alexander was waiting, looking devastatingly handsome in a crisp shirt and tailored pants, his hair was styled as usual, effortlessly tousled yet somehow flawless. But tonight, it wasn't just his looks, it was the way his eyes found mine,
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-THREE
Thalia's POV As much as I wanted to stay curled up in bed with Alexander all day, to enjoy the warmth of his arms and the peace he brought me, today wasn't a day for indulgence.Lilith, Tobias, and I had agreed to visit Mom and Dad at the cemetery this morning, it was something we had never done together and while it was never easy, it felt like the right thing to do. The drive to the cemetery was quiet, the kind of silence filled with unspoken words and shared memories. When we arrived, I pulled the folded picnic mat from the trunk and laid it out on the grass in front of their graves, the air was crisp but gentle, and the morning sun filtered through the trees, casting soft light over the headstones. Lilith knelt first, her movements slow and deliberate as she placed the basket of pastries Gladys had prepared for us on the mat. "Good morning Mom" she said, her voice soft but steady. Tobias and I echoed her, our voices overlapping in a quiet chorus.“Good morning Mom". We all chu
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-TWO
Thalia's POV Dinner had been a perfect end to an emotional day, laughter echoed through the house. But now, the night had deepened, and the warmth of family faded into a quieter kind of comfort. After we'd all gathered in the living room to watch an old childhood favorite, I found myself seeking something more than nostalgia. Something…Someone… Alexander. The house was silent by the time we made our way upstairs. I held his hand, guiding him toward my room, the soft creak of the floorboards beneath us the only sound. Despite the hour, exhaustion hadn't settled in yet. I wasn't tired, not in the way sleep could fix, at least. What I needed wasn't rest but him. We stepped into my room, and he paused just inside the doorway, his gaze sweeping across the space. His smile was soft but curious."Your room is lovely” he said, his voice warm and laced with amusement. I couldn't help the laugh that escaped me."Thanks. I picked the one closest to the library" He arched a brow at me, his
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-ONE
Thalia's POV Justin staggered back, denial painted across his face, his panic concrete."It can't be. You were both dead!" he yelled, his voice cracking under the weight of his terror as his eyes darted between Tobias and Lilith. Tobias stood unyielding, his expression void of anything but icy contempt.“Guess you're not as precise a murderer as you thought you were," he said, his voice chillingly even, his cold gaze drilling into Justin. Justin's wild eyes shifted to Eugene, his desperation taking over."You! You set us up!" Justin roared, lunging forward. Eugene didn't flinch. He pushed Justin back with a force that sent him stumbling."Lay another finger on me” Eugene warned, his voice sharp “and I'll personally make sure you wind up on death row”. Brandon stepped forward, his fury burning hotter than Justin's desperation.“He's not winding up anywhere” Brandon seethed "You're right, Brandon. You both are” Tobias's voice broke the tension, and just as the weight of his words set
The Billionaire's Damned Secret ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY
Thalia's POV Justin and Brandon thought Eugene was hiding out here, in this dingy downtown house-turned-office. Eugene, put on his acting mask and pretended to be frantic, packing like he had every intention of disappearing off the grid. The moment Justin and Brandon stormed in, my breath hitched because there he was. Justin. A man who'd ruined countless lives with his schemes. Just seeing him sent a surge of anger through me. I felt Alexander's hand squeeze mine firmly beside me, grounding me, to my left, Lilith stood tall, her sharp eyes fixed on the screens. Kirill was beside her, silent and unreadable as always. Tobias was leaning casually against the wall behind us, his posture deceptively relaxed, though I could see the alertness in his gaze, Katherine was beside him. Across the room, the tech team sat huddled near their equipment, four of them with headphones on, monitoring the live feed, they were oblivious to the drama unfolding before us, focused entirely on ensuring th
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETEEN
Thalia's POV Alexander coming in to tell me how proud he was of me that morning was the cherry on top of everything. Sure, good things had happened, but nothing could compare to the way Alexander made me feel, that man could have said "I'm proud of you for existing" and I'd have cried happy tears on the spot. Now, as we walked into the conference room where everyone was waiting, my nerves prickled. Everyone was here. Tobias with Katarina. Patrick and his brother, that Elijah guy who seemed permanently unimpressed with life. Nolan was seated next to a woman I didn't recognize, right beside Liam and Eugene. Even Lilith was on her way, dragging Kirill with her."Well, about time. They're here” Elijah drawled, his voice laced with the kind of sarcasm that could peel paint off a wall. "Well, good" Eugene jumped in, not missing a beat. "Because we have to leave now. They're already on their way" "What? So soon?" Alexander's voice sharpened "How'd they agree that fast?" "They're comin
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN
Alexander's POV As much as I hated the sudden change of plans, I couldn't deny the satisfaction bubbling in my chest. This was it. The beginning of the end for Brandon and his little schemes. Every move he made was crumbling under the weight of our counterattack, now, all we had to do was wait and let the dominos fall.We were on our way to the company to meet Thalia, I hadn't wanted her involved in the final phases of this, but even I couldn't argue with the reality of the situation, she and her siblings were vital.Besides, I'd be nearby, monitoring everything like a hawk, if anyone so much as thought of stepping out of line, they'd answer to me."Woah" Nolan said from the front seat, his tone laced with amusement "The devil works fast, but your girl works faster Alexander" "What are you on about now?" I asked, my attention drawn away from the window, Liam and I both turned to look at him as Callum threw Nolan a side-eye "Check the news” Nolan said, smirking like the cat that go
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTEEN
Thalia's POV"All these years striving to keep the company afloat, and he thought he could take it from me” I said to Amanda Bennet, the lawyer sitting across from me. She had just finished outlining the damage Brandon Dahl's actions had done to my company.Amanda, sharp and polished as ever, was from Sorin Alcott & Pryce, one of New York's top law firms. If anyone could help the company, it was her. "It will be easy to overturn” Amanda said with a calm confidence that reassured me."His actions violated at least three governance laws, the board will have no choice but to nullify his decisions”"Good” My voice was steely, my resolve unshakable as I nodded firmly."I don't care if I have to fight every investor he dragged in. This is my company” "Understood" she said, already rising to her feet, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor as she gathered her briefcase."I'll draft the paperwork and circle back with you. In the meantime, you'll need to speak with your team, and make
