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CHAPTER SEVENTY-ONE
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2024-12-03 16:57:43Related chapters
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO
Thalia's POV Her lips parted, her expression caught between guilt and hesitation. I stepped closer, my tone dropping further, barely a whisper now but as sharp as I could hone "Tell me" The soft rustle of leaves overhead broke the silence, but it couldn't mask the growing tension between Lilith and me.She stood in the middle of the garden, her posture stiff as she carefully tucked another strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes flickered to me, then away, like she was stalling for time. "It's not a serious thing” she said, her voice a whisper "It's just..." "Lilith" I interrupted, my tone stern and unforgiving "If Tobias made a deal with Brandon, it is serious". My frustration bled into my words, each syllable a plea for transparency, for honesty.She glanced at the neatly trimmed flowerbeds as if searching for an escape from this, finally, she sighed, meeting my eyes "We knew Brandon was trying to take control of the company, and you did too." She said evenly. "That isn't the
Last Updated : 2024-12-06The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE
Alexander's POV The elevator doors slide open with a soft chime, revealing the polished interior of Liam's Manhattan office. The city lights danced through the glass walls, filling the space with shades of cold blues and silvery tones. I stepped out, my jaw tight, each calculated step echoing off the shiny marble floors. It has been two days, ten hours, and thirty-eight minutes, since Thalia had left, my every waking thought had been consumed by her absence, and the thought of her phone sending me to voicemail every time I tried to call was a dagger wedged in my chest.The only solace had been the distraction of work, like ripping my company's claws out of Asplundh and preparing to pull Brandon out of whatever dark hole he had burrowed himself into. But now, standing outside Liam's office, I could feel the pressure building inside me, it was threatening to snap the tightly wrapped control I was barely trying to hold up onto.The door swung open as I approached, and Liam greeted me
Last Updated : 2024-12-06The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR
Alexander's POV The door clicked shut behind Elijah, and the silence stretched across Liam's office. I leaned back in my chair, watching Liam, who was staring at me like he was waiting for an explanation that I didn't want to give. The lump of his gaze was unrelenting, and I finally met it, my smirk barely masking the frustration roiling under my skin. "I need to know everything you know about this organization. Right now. Because the Alexander I know wouldn't seal a deal like that with a mere handshake" Liam said, his voice tight with amusement rather than suspicion.I glanced at the clock on the wall behind him, its hands moving too slowly. Thalia will be back tomorrow. That thought should've calmed me, but the knot in my chest tightened instead. I exhaled sharply, and leaned forward, resting my elbows on the sleek mahogany desk."Let's talk over your favorite scotch," I said, standing abruptly. I crossed the room to the glass console where Liam kept an extensive collection of age
Last Updated : 2024-12-09The 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 ONE
Thalia's POV I stood outside the penthouse door, my keycard trembling between my fingers. There was a gnawing feeling deep inside me, twisting and tightening, it was nauseating which was why I left the charity gala early and I only hope the feeling was good news for Brandon and I My husband, Brandon wasn't feeling well so he couldn't attend the gala with me, an unfamiliar silence enveloped, the minute I entered the house, no hum of activity, no vacuum running, and no dishes clinking. Just absolute silence, I know Brandon is resting but something just felt off. Shaking off the unease I headed toward the kitchen and poured myself a cup of water, it should calm my nerves before I speak to Brandon so we could take a test together. Then I heard it. Muffled voices, a soft moan, sounds I shouldn't be hearing in my home of all places. I slowly ascended the staircase, the silk of my evening gown brushing against my skin. The sounds became clearer with each step. Intimate. Familiar. My
Last Updated : 2024-09-11The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER TWO
Two days later, I was a sobbing mess, not only did Brandon take sixty percent of my fortune but he has fifty percent of the company shares.Call after call, text after text, headline after headline I couldn't respond to any of them I found a motel outside of town and hid there.My world, my marriage, my family's fortune—it was all gone. I had nothing left, not even my pride. The betrayal stung at me like a decayed wound. The memory of that evening replaying in my head on an endless loop. My phone buzzed on the table, shattering my almost comfortable quiet. I hadn't answered any calls since that day, so I decided to answer this one, enough of sulking around.I reached for my phone but didn't recognize the number I still answered anyway. "It's Thalia speaking" I said, though my voice sounded distant and extremely croaky even to me. "Thalia Asplundh" The voice on the other end was calm, careful, and unsettlingly familiar. I sat up straighter recognizing the voice, and tension rippled
Last Updated : 2024-09-11The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER THREE
MARRY ME The words echoed in my mind I blinked "Excuse me?" "Marry me," he repeated like this was a perfectly reasonable thing to say "You and I both know how this world works, Thalia. Power is everything. You want your legacy back. I want to secure mine. Together, we can rebuild what was taken from you and strengthen my position"I stared at him He couldn't be serious. "You want me to marry you" I said slowly as if saying it that way would make the absurdity of it clear to him He didn't flinch "That's right" I crossed my arms, my face formed a scowl "You think I'd agree to that?" He tilted his head, that damn smile never leaving his face "Why not? You'll regain control of your family's wealth, I'll have a partner who understands, You've been left with almost nothing, Thalia, half of your company shares are already gone and as much as you hate to admit it, you can't fight this battle alone" I clenched my fists "I can fight just fine without you" "Really?" His voice dropped,
Last Updated : 2024-09-11The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER FOUR
After I left the cemetery, I drove back to the dingy motel I'd been staying at, the sadness of the day clinging to me like a second layer of skin. The unexpected meeting with Brandon and Bella still burned holes in my heart and mind. I needed to check on the company though. I forced myself to head into town the next morning. Walking through the office doors, I was met with a disheartening sight. The once-thriving company now seemed like a shell of its former self. Brandon had already started implementing his changes, marking everywhere with his disgusting self, dismantling everything my family and I had worked for. I felt a bit relieved when my secretary handed me a memo about the new marketing strategy that Alexander Croft had just launched. On a normal day this would be disastrous for my company but what Brandon was going to do would have left me with no choice but to sell my shares, and Croft knew that and stopped it. He was already stepping in where I least expected. Feeling
Last Updated : 2024-09-11
Latest chapter
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
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR
Alexander's POV The door clicked shut behind Elijah, and the silence stretched across Liam's office. I leaned back in my chair, watching Liam, who was staring at me like he was waiting for an explanation that I didn't want to give. The lump of his gaze was unrelenting, and I finally met it, my smirk barely masking the frustration roiling under my skin. "I need to know everything you know about this organization. Right now. Because the Alexander I know wouldn't seal a deal like that with a mere handshake" Liam said, his voice tight with amusement rather than suspicion.I glanced at the clock on the wall behind him, its hands moving too slowly. Thalia will be back tomorrow. That thought should've calmed me, but the knot in my chest tightened instead. I exhaled sharply, and leaned forward, resting my elbows on the sleek mahogany desk."Let's talk over your favorite scotch," I said, standing abruptly. I crossed the room to the glass console where Liam kept an extensive collection of age
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE
Alexander's POV The elevator doors slide open with a soft chime, revealing the polished interior of Liam's Manhattan office. The city lights danced through the glass walls, filling the space with shades of cold blues and silvery tones. I stepped out, my jaw tight, each calculated step echoing off the shiny marble floors. It has been two days, ten hours, and thirty-eight minutes, since Thalia had left, my every waking thought had been consumed by her absence, and the thought of her phone sending me to voicemail every time I tried to call was a dagger wedged in my chest.The only solace had been the distraction of work, like ripping my company's claws out of Asplundh and preparing to pull Brandon out of whatever dark hole he had burrowed himself into. But now, standing outside Liam's office, I could feel the pressure building inside me, it was threatening to snap the tightly wrapped control I was barely trying to hold up onto.The door swung open as I approached, and Liam greeted me
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO
Thalia's POV Her lips parted, her expression caught between guilt and hesitation. I stepped closer, my tone dropping further, barely a whisper now but as sharp as I could hone "Tell me" The soft rustle of leaves overhead broke the silence, but it couldn't mask the growing tension between Lilith and me.She stood in the middle of the garden, her posture stiff as she carefully tucked another strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes flickered to me, then away, like she was stalling for time. "It's not a serious thing” she said, her voice a whisper "It's just..." "Lilith" I interrupted, my tone stern and unforgiving "If Tobias made a deal with Brandon, it is serious". My frustration bled into my words, each syllable a plea for transparency, for honesty.She glanced at the neatly trimmed flowerbeds as if searching for an escape from this, finally, she sighed, meeting my eyes "We knew Brandon was trying to take control of the company, and you did too." She said evenly. "That isn't the
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SEVENTY-ONE
Thalia's POV Some were fully open, their petals catching the golden morning light, while others were still tightly rolled up waiting for their time. The sight stole my breath.Lilith knelt among the flowers, a watering can in hand as she moved with quiet purpose, her hair catching the sun's rays and glowing like something out of a dream. She hadn't noticed me yet, and for a moment, I didn't want to disturb the scene either, but my gasp slipped out before I could stop it.Lilith froze, her body tensing like a cornered animal, slowly, she turned to look at me, the caution in her eyes softened as recognition dawned, and she smiled."Like what you see?" she teased, her voice light but carrying the warmth of someone who wasn't just upset with me. I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head in disbelief "It's beautiful," I admitted, stepping further inside. Kirill, who stood a few steps behind her, shifted immediately, his body language protective and his piercing gaze locked onto me, though
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SEVENTY
Thalia's POV The silence in the room felt thick, pressing on my chest with an overwhelming weight. Lilith's voice cut through the tension, her tone sharper than I'd ever heard it before. "It's fine" she said, her eyes flickering between Tobias and me. "Let them maim each other if that's what they want" Her words carried a bitterness I had never heard, and I flinched inwardly, she turned, her expression unreadable as she crossed the room to Kirill, who was still glowering at Tobias… and me."Let's go for a walk" she said quietly, tugging at his arm. He hesitated for a moment, his gaze lingering on Tobias before he gave in.Together, they moved toward the coat hanger, I watched them put on their jackets, the door creaked open, and their footsteps echoed on the cobblestone path outside, crunching against the stone. Tobias and I sat, rooted in our places, locked in a silent battle of control, his jaw clenched, his eyes burning with something between anger and resolve. I swallowed the l
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE
Thalia's POV After breakfast I was done eating breakfast I found myself wandering toward the living room, the decor had changed a little, with new touches here and there but the main parts still remained.My eyes caught on the familiar photos lined up there, and my feet moved instinctively toward the mantle. I traced the edges of the frame with my fingers as I studied the images. There was one of Lilith, Tobias, and I on the lake, Tobias and I were taking a swim while Lilith stopped and was talking to someone out of the frame, the cool glass oddly soothing. My lips twitched at the faint memory of it. Next to it was a more recent photo. Lilith stood with Kirill, his arm slung over her as they posed in front of wide stone steps irradiated by bright lights— Santorini, I guessed. They looked… happy. Very happy My eyes fell on another frame, this one was all of us, Lilith, Tobias, our parents, and me, posing in the anteroom at the manor.My throat tightened as tears stung my eyes befor
The Billionaire's Damned Secret CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT
Thalia's POV "You are engaged to the assassin?" My voice rose higher than I intended, unable to contain my shock. Lilith didn't flinch, instead, she interlocked her fingers with Kirill's, a gesture that felt too intimate."Not engaged either," she said softly, her gaze steady on mine.I froze, the weight of her words sinking in, if they weren't dating and they weren't engaged, that left only one possibility. "You married the assassin?!" The words burst out of me, my voice louder now, vibrating with incredulousness. Kirill remained seated at the table, completely unbothered, he leaned back in his chair, his sharp features emitting a mask of disinterest as he folded the newspaper with deliberate precision."Yes, we're married" Lilith said slowly, her tone calm, almost pleading, as if waiting for my reaction was the hardest part of this conversation. Her eyes searched mine, flickering with a nervous sort of anticipation. What did she expect me to say? I was still grappling with the
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
