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Shadows and Reflections
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
The Billionaire's Drunken Bride Shadows Deepen
Chapter 115The air of the warehouse became electrified with tension. Elena's gun moved back and forth between James and Lily. Ave clutched at her mother's leg, whimpering softly. James stood in front of his family, protecting them as his mind raced for some way out of this nightmare."Elena," James said. His voice was surprisingly steady, despite his heart beating like a drum in his chest. "Think about what you are doing. Is this truly what you want?"Elena's eyes flickered, a mixture of anger and something much more profound, more complex. "What Ido want? You have no idea what I want, James. This is so much more than just about your company."Lily spoke up, her voice trembling. "Why are you doing this? You show up out of nowhere, claim to be my mother, and now you're threatening us? What do you really want?"For a moment, something flickered in Elena's eyes—pain, maybe, or the shadow of regret. But it vanished as swiftly as it came, her gaze turning back to one of steely determinati
The Billionaire's Drunken Bride Aftermath and Revelation
Chapter 116The house was a nondescript, small, two-story quiet suburb. More than that, it was a singularly soothing vista for James to come upon. He yawned as he turned off onto the drive and felt suddenly weighted about the shoulders with a bone-deep tiredness that called him to rest.Lily sat next to him, Ave sleeping in her arms. "We're here," James said softly, shaking Lily's shoulder.Lily blinked out of her reverie. "Is it safe?""Yeah," James bobbed his head in a nod, "Mike's best people are watching the place. Come on, let's get inside."They entered the house; James carried their few, hastily packed belongings, Ave cuddled up in Lily's arms. It was sparely furnished but clean and comfortable.James did all the rounds of the room, moving within each as if habituated by them, checking the windows and locks. And finally, in the living room, he saw Lily sitting on the couch, Ave still curled up in her lap."I put her to bed," Lily whispered. "She's exhausted, poor thing."James
The Billionaire's Drunken Bride Pieces of the Puzzle
Chapter 117James pounded on the brake pedal; his heart raced. There was Chloe, right there, not very far from the safe house. And Rachel was in there with Lily and Ave. This was so wrong. Very wrong.Pulling out his phone, he hit the speed-dial for Mike. As soon as the other man picked up, James said, "We just got a problem. Chloe's obviously in this fucking place. Then Rachel.""Shit," was Mike's response. "Damn it. Sit tight. I'm sending backup."But he couldn't wait for James. His family was in danger. He got out of the car, hunched down, running fast. As he got closer he realised that he could see Chloe in her car, sitting in it talking on a phone. She hadn't noticed him. Inside, Lily couldn't make out what Rachael found terrible."So Elena's not my mom, but she's yours?" Lily said, the dizziness washing over her head. "And it's all about James's company?"Rachel nodded. "It's complicated. Elena.she's part of this big organization. They want James's clean energy patents. They're
The Billionaire's Drunken Bride Piecing It Together
Chapter 118 James woke with a jolt in the dead of night. He was disoriented for half a second before it all came crashing back down on top of him—the cabin, being on the run, the secrets. He looked to his side where he had been able to get Lily and Ave to finally fall asleep beside him. For the moment, they were safe.Quietly, he left to rise not to wake them. James's body was trembling with the cold as he went across the cabin to the fireplace and kindled a small fire. He set some water on to boil; they would need coffee—hardly any coffee left.So, James thought about everything that had happened. The water was getting warmer and warmer, but all of it still felt so unreal, like a really bad dream. Then again, all was real; his company, his family, his whole life was at stake—all for what? An invention; an invention that will redefine the world.James sighed. He had always wanted to make a difference—just not like this, with people threatening to harm his family.Water boiled. In a c
The Billionaire's Drunken Bride Truths and Lies
Chapter 119: James stared at Rachel, his mind racing. How did she find him here? Was it a trap? He glanced at the window, considering his escape options.Rachel must have sensed his unease. She held up her hands. "I'm not here to hurt you, James. I promise.""Yeah? Like you promised you were Lily's sister?" James shot back.Rachel winced. "I deserve that. But please, just hear me out. We don't have much time."James hesitated. The smart thing would be to run. But he needed answers. And right now, Rachel might be his best shot at getting them."Fine," he said. "Talk. But make it quick."Rachel nodded. "First things first - Lily and Ave. Are they safe?""They're fine," James said, not wanting to give away their location. "Your turn. How did you find me?""I've been watching the house," Rachel admitted. "I figured you might come back here looking for answers."James frowned. "So you've been spying on us?""Protecting you," Rachel corrected. "You have no idea how many people are after yo
The Billionaire's Drunken Bride A New Day Dawns
Chapter 120James was beat. He'd been up all night, running from bad guys and learning crazy stuff about his family. Now the sun was coming up, and he still had to get to that bank.He found a little diner that was just opening. The smell of coffee and bacon made his stomach growl. James realized he couldn't remember the last time he ate."Coffee, please," he told the sleepy-looking waitress. "And whatever's hot and ready for breakfast."While he waited, James thought about Lily and Ave. Were they okay? Had Lily gotten his message? He hated being apart from them, not knowing if they were safe.The waitress brought him a steaming mug and a plate piled with eggs, bacon, and toast. James dug in, suddenly starving. As he ate, he tried to make a plan. He had to get to that safety deposit box. But what if someone was watching the bank? What if it was a trap?James shook his head. He couldn't think like that. He had to trust his grandma. She wouldn't have led him into danger.Still, he'd be
The Billionaire's Drunken Bride Safe Harbor
Chapter 121James just sat hard, his stare out the window as the black car churned up mile after mile on winding country roads. They'd left noisy city far behind them hours ago. All he could see now was rolls of hills and thick forests. It felt like they were driving to the end of the world.They were finally slowing down, pulling up to some remote cabin perched within a thicket of pine trees. James stretched out, his stiff muscles after an eternity of a ride."This is one of our safe houses. You'll be okay here while we figure out what to do next," Hawk said. She was the hard-looking older woman who had picked up James in the city.James followed her inside. The cabin wasn't fancy, but it looked comfortable. Way different from his big mansion back home. But right now, it seemed perfect."There's a special phone in the office," Hawk said, jerking a thumb toward a closed door. "You can use it to call your wife. But keep it short, okay? We don't want anyone tracking the call."James nod
The Billionaire's Drunken Bride Checking In
Chapter 122: James woke with a throbbing backache from that lumpy bed in that cabin. He missed his big, fluffy mattress at home. But hey, at least he was alive, right?He went into the kitchen to search for coffee. Hawk sat at the counter, banging away like lightening on a laptop."Morning," she greeted, not stopping. "There is a pot of coffee on.""You are a lifesaver," James muttered, filling a mug to the brim and taking a long draught. "Ah, that is better. What is the plan for today?"Hawk closed her laptop. "We need to start stitching together how the Shadow Council's operations tick. Your company might be a good place to start. Any loyal employees you can reach out to?"James thought a second. "Yeah. Maybe my assistant, Angie. She is been with me for years. If anybody knows what is going on at the office, it is her.""Can you trust her?" Hawk asked.James nodded. "I think so. She's always had my back.""Okay," Hawk said. "Use the line at the office…and keep it short."James dra
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The Billionaire's Drunken Bride Full Circle
Chapter 142: The Watson mansion was fully alive. Streamers hung cascading off of everything they could, balloons bounced merrily around various corners, and the air swam thick with the tantalizing smell of BBQ on the back porch. Today was, after all, Ave's party – but it was more than that; today was the day Lily and James had chosen to once again pledge themselves to one another.Lily stood before the full-length mirror, straightening out her simple white sundress. At seven months, she was radiant—a perfect arc the curve of her belly was, below the flowing fabric.From the doorway, the sound of a voice declared, "You look beautiful." Lily turned to see her cousin Maggie smile at her."Thanks." Lily smoothed the dress. "I feel like a beached whale, but James insists I'm glowing."Maggie burst out laughing. "He's right, you know. You look like you're about to light up his world or something." She walked over and hugged Lily. "I can't believe how far we've come since that one crazy nig
The Billionaire's Drunken Bride Unexpected News
Chapter 141: Lily woke up off. She couldn't explain it, but something just seemed… off. And when she rolled over to check the time, a wave of nausea hit her. She groaned and buried her face in her pillow."Alright?" James mumbled, still half asleep."Yeah, I just feel a little queasy," Lily replied. "Probably just something I ate."James sat up concerned. "You want me to get you something?"Lily shook her head. "No, I'll be fine. We should get up anyway; Ave has that school play today, remember?"They climbed out of bed and busied themselves getting ready for the day. James went into the bedroom to awaken Ave while Lily projectile-vomited into the toilet.James had, by this time, somehow managed to dress Ave in her costume: a huge, puffy frog outfit in bright green made for the school dress rehearsal of "The Frog Prince.""Mommy!" Ave squealed as she clumped down the stairs. "Do I look like a real frog?"Lily laughed, pushing aside her queasiness. "Why, yes, my child, the fairest fr
The Billionaire's Drunken Bride Family Ties
Chapter 140: Giggles consumed the room, and James stirred awake. He opened an eye to find a little face at the end of the bed staring in at him."Daddy! Wake up!" little Ave chirped in at him.Stepping over the landmines that were on the bed, James ran his hand through the small amount of her running down her back and picked her up, digging fingers into her tummy."Morning, princess," he said by way of splaying a kiss on her forehead.Ave giggled and squirmed. "Mommy said breakfast was ready!""Oh, yeah?" said James, sitting up but not letting go of the squirming Ave. "Am I to take it that's why Mommy sent you in here to wake me up?"Ave nodded, her bouncing brown curls saying more than she could. "Yep! She said tell you there's coffee."James laughed, and if Lily knew him at all well, it was all for her benefit. "Well then, I guess we'd better not have Mommy waiting, huh?"He climbed out of bed, Ave still in his arms, and rolled out of the room. The smell of bacon and coffee wafted
The Billionaire's Drunken Bride New Horizons
Chapter 139James lay on his back on the pristine white sand beach and took a pounding from the burning Maldivian sun. His hand reached up behind him for the coconut cocktail, tasting sweetness in his mouth as the gentle lapping of waves broke almost ten meters away from shore. It was the first time he had really been allowed to relax, barring a three-month period, since they had released the secrets of the Shadow Council onto the world."Penny for your thoughts?" The sound of Lily's voice broke through his reverie. She settled herself down on the lounger beside him. Her skin was golden against the sun.He smiled, squeezing her hand, saying, "Just thinking how surreal this all is. A year ago, I was knee-deep in conspiracies and shadow organizations. Now I'm sipping cocktails on a private island."Lily chortled; that sound always hit James in exactly the right place in his heart."Life's funny that way, isn't it?" she said, turning her head to look at him with her chin resting on her a
The Billionaire's Drunken Bride The Turning Tide
Chapter 138: James was pacing his living room relentlessly. Elena was with Rachel. It was all over. Well yah, anyway that was supposed to mean.Lilly squinted at him from the couch. "James, honey, you're going to wear a hole in the carpet. Come sit down."He sucked in a deep breath and sat down beside her. "I'm sorry; I just… I just can't help but feel this is too easy. After everything we've been through, this is just too easy."Lily squeezed his hand reassuringly. "James, I hardly think that anything about this has been easy. But maybe, this is the way it ends. Not really with a bang, but with a whimper."There was a pounding on the door. The teenager was on his feet before James could even open his mouth. His heart pounded in his chest. This was it.The door was thrown open. To find Rachel standing there—grimy, dirty, and obviously completely exhausted but still with the fires of determination burning behind her eyes. And past her."Hello, James," came the soft-spoken voice of Ele
The Billionaire's Drunken Bride The Lighthouse
Chapter 137: Rachel's hands trembled on the wheel. She drove the car towards the lighthouse. It was a full moon drooping low into a mess, ever drooping across the sky to the west, throwing a queer, sickly light over the whole demesne. She could not believe the fact that she was actually doing this, meeting secretly with her mother, Elena.She couldn't bat the feeling away that this time—this time—things were different. There was no hand in the place that could have been straightened just then, and scarcely a hand for him to take.Beside the lighthouse was her mother's car. Ray closed her eyes, drew a deep breath, and felt her hand shake again, then brought it quickly up to her chest and gripped hard. "You can do this," she whispered to herself.She scrambled out of the car and up the serpentine path to the lighthouse, where waves dashed to the rocks and her feet crunched over gravel.One figure stood at the top by the railing, looking out at the water: Elena. His mother.Rachel's hea
The Billionaire's Drunken Bride Unfinished Business
Chapter 136The world had barely had enough time to absorb the shock that came with the downfall of Shadow Council. News channels were all agog with relentless updates, while governments scurried to try and react to the development; people all around tried to understand what all this really meant and what the implications of the bombshell were that shook the very fundamentals of society.But there was so much more to it than that which James Watson could see coming.He found himself standing outside the hospital room after just a moment's hesitation on the other side of the door handle. He could see from the small window that Louis was lying in a bed, hooked up to a lot of machines, Rachel sat at his side.He steeled himself, took a deep breath, and walked in.Rachel lifted her head. Her eyes were red, red, but glittering. "James," she said very quietly. "I didn't expect you to be here.""How is he?" asked James, who had moved now and stood at the foot of Louis's bed.Rachel sighed. "
The Billionaire's Drunken Bride The Final Gambit
# Chapter 135: James took a deep breath and brought his head counterclockwise to his team, tired yet charged. It was time to engage their plan."Okay, let's go over this again. Hawk, are you set up with that kill switch or what?"Hawk just nodded. Her fingers danced across the laptop keyboard. "Okay, I am ready as I will ever be, but remember, this is one shot deal.""Right," James confirmed, turning towards Kelvin. "You got your contacts on standby?"Kelvin lifted his phone reassuringly. "They're all set, just waiting for our signal now."Glancing toward Angie and Agent Johnson, he asked, "You two sure about this? This is going to be dangerous."Angie made a show of rolling up her eyes. "Please. After all else we've done? It's just another Tuesday."It was Johnson's turn to chuckle. "What she said. We've got your back, James."James bobbed his head, his fear mixing in with his excitement. This was it: the last big push to finally bring down the Shadow Council."Alright then," he sai
The Billionaire's Drunken Bride Aftermath
Chapter 134: Days passed after the warehouse before a blur of debriefings, media frenzy, and shock waves that echoed across the globe. Standing smack in the middle of this hurricane, shaking the very roots of governments and institutions around the globe, was James and his team.They now sat in a safe house, courtesy of Agent Johnson—now an unlikely ally in all of this, ever since the exposure of the Shadow Council. There, in that very suburban home, the living room had now become something of a command center: there were laptops and papers all over, the place cluttered with empty coffee cups.James rubbed his tired eyes at the news playing on mute on the television. Of course, the headline scrolled by in the news: "Global Markets in Turmoil as Shadow Council Revelations Continue.""You should get some rest," Angie said before putting a hand on his shoulder. At least she looked a little better now, with the bruises from her captivity fading, but there was a new hardness in her eyes.
