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Chapter Fourteen
Last Updated:
2025-02-16 18:59:51
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The Billionaire's Facade Chapter Fifteen
LORI“Pearls” The voice called out to me, even before I saw him. A nickname he would normally call me when we were children. I turned towards the voice, like a magnet that was drawn to something I couldn't seem to shake off me.My gaze was fixated on him as he stood beside the table. His eyes locked with mine, the same green eyes I hadn't seen in so long. It was Adrian; my heart skipped a beat as the past rushed back in waves.“I'm sorry, but you got it all wrong. I'm not Pearls; my name is Lori Whitlock, I aired out, my breath caught in my throat. I knew I was lying, but I couldn't afford to let everything I had worked so hard for go down the drain.“Dammit,” he cursed out, stepping closer to me. “I thought you were Pearl. Actually, she is my childhood friend, and when I set my eyes on you when you walked inside, you got the same grace as her, so I guess I mistook you for someone else. She passed away some years ago, so how could I mistake you for her? I should be the one apologizing
Last Updated : 2025-02-17The Billionaire's Facade Chapter Sixteen
LORIFor a moment, the world around us faded away as Lucian smiled at me, and I munched on my food lightly. In the little space we were in, it seemed as though time had slowed. It was just two of us. Just him. Just me, and nothing else mattered.“You know what?” he said, breaking the silence that erupted between us. “We should try something new tonight, like something different from the usual.”“What is that?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at him as Lucian's gaze shifted towards another direction, his eyes locked onto something far away in the distance.“There's a beach over there. Let's go there, just you and me, he said, pointing towards the direction of the ocean.I felt a surge of excitement and nervousness at the same time as it coursed through my veins. I loved the idea of being away from the crowd, alone with Lucian on the beach. “Okay, let's go,” I said, with a bright smile tugging at the corner of my lips.We walked out of the restaurant as the night air brushed against my ski
Last Updated : 2025-02-18The Billionaire's Facade Chapter Seventeen
LORI…I yawned in my sleep as the morning sunlight seeped through my curtains, casting its bright light across my cozy room. I had barely slept throughout the night, and now the consequences were hitting me heavily.Stretching my arms above my head, I attempted to shake off the weight of sleepiness, which filled my eyes, but the exhaustion I felt clung to me. I buried my face into my pillow, because it seemed like a comforting haven as I hoped to slip back into slumber, but as always, the real world always had plans for me.My phone buzzed noisily, breaking the quietness of the room. I stretched towards my phone, glancing at the time as my stomach sank inside of me.What the heck! 11.00 a.m.I screamed loudly, and a burst of panic rushed through me. Just when I had begun to realize it myself, I clamped a hand over my mouth. How could I have slept so late, and no one even bothered to wake me up?I was late for work and what about the customers and the orders I was meant to attend to, a
Last Updated : 2025-02-20The Billionaire's Facade Chapter One
Chapter OnePearl’s POV“You’re a billionaire heiress, Pearl. Haven’t you come to terms with this yet? When will you quit this game of charades and come clean to your husband?” Bella, my mother, complained.My mouth gaped in astonishment. How many times would I tell this woman that I wasn’t interested?"No, Mother, I've told you already. Ashton and I are doing just fine. This whole meeting or whatever this even is doesn’t even make sense. Quit pestering me!" I rolled my eyes, sinking deeper into my seat. Could the earth just open up and swallow me already? That would surely be better than being here."You are the heir to Hammond's Inc., don't you get it? Sooner or later, your father will leave the business in your hands." My mother, Bella, said with a calm voice. I could tell that she was about running mad all because of me."Why can't you just hand it over to Corinne? She'd happily do that for you." I glanced over at my father, Tom, who sat right across me, “Besides, Ashton isn’t a
Last Updated : 2025-01-17The Billionaire's Facade Chapter Two
Pearl’s POV“What the fuck?” I screeched as my phone slipped out of my trembling hands and crashed onto the floor. I was certain that the screen had shattered, but that was the least of my concerns. I had more pressing matters to attend to, like the fact that my husband was buried deep---and pounding---in my sister, Corrine.I still couldn’t believe it, my brain hadn’t processed any of that. Damn, it was hard to. My fists were tightly clenched on either side of my body and I bit down on my jaw with so much force.Ashton turned around and to his amazement, there I was. Watching at the scene like a bystander. His eyes widened as he reached out for the sheets, wrapping it quickly around his body. “Corrine, I can explain.”“Save it, Ashton. I’ve seen more than enough.” I held a finger up and closed my eyes, taking a shaky breath. My hands began to tremble and I broke out into a cold sweat.“No, please. This isn’t what you think it is.” He continued, stepping forward to close the distance
Last Updated : 2025-01-17The Billionaire's Facade Chapter Three
You signed them? You actually signed them?” My voice wavered as I looked down at the documents on the table through teary eyes. “Isn’t that what you wanted anyway? Anything to make you happy, my sweet.” He sneered, sliding the papers back to me. I couldn’t believe my eyes. The man I’d been in love with for four years, four whole years! He just threw everything away like it was nothing. “You!” I turned to Corinne, pointing a finger at her and stepping closer to her. “Corinne, this is all your fault!” I spat, closing the distance between us. She inched back until her body hit the wall. “How could you do this to me?!” I cried out, before landing a resounding slap on her face. Baffled, she raised her hand up to her cheek, her mouth gaped in shock. Ashton moved between the both of us, using his body to clearly separate us, “You don’t hit Corinne like that! What gives you the damn audacity?” He questioned, his voice loud and threatening. I flinched slightly, stepping back as he glare
Last Updated : 2025-01-17The Billionaire's Facade Chapter Four
“This is Blake Altura, reporting live from the KRC24 studio, right here in Illinois, Chicago.” The news reporter said promptly, stacking a bunch of papers on top of each other and straightening his posture. I looked on from the side curtains, preparing to step into the spotlight any second now. My sweaty hands were shoved in my pockets and my heart thumped in my ribcage.I still couldn’t believe it. It had all happened so fast, that I didn’t even know how to feel or what to say. “Hey, are you okay?” Corinne whispered, looking up at me. She was right beside me, her petite body leaning into my muscular body. “Y-yeah, I’m fine.” I choked out, trying to maintain my composure. She rubbed a thumb over my hand in soothing circles. “Look, this isn’t easy on any of us. Let’s just get out there, and get this thing over with alright?” She encouraged, with her tiny voice.I nodded, peeling my eyes away from her and redirecting my focus to Blake. “On today’s news, an accident that has taken the n
Last Updated : 2025-01-17The Billionaire's Facade Chapter Five
Pearl’s POVAir rushed into my lungs rapidly and my eyes fluttered open as I clutched the sheets around my body tightly. They were white, pure white. The bed was uncomfortable, and the fluorescent lights on the ceilings shone brightly into my eyes.I heard rushed beeping coming from a device beside me and by the time I managed to turn my head to check what was going on, nurses had crowded around me. My breathing was labored and unstable, a telltale sign that I truly wasn’t fine.It felt like my insides were burning up and when I parted my lips to speak, nothing but a squeak came out. The nurses beside me injected something into my I.V. and I watched on helplessly. What on earth was I doing in a hospital of all places? I instinctively shot my hand out to touch my stomach, but the unbearable pain that shot through my nerves made it impossible to do so. Within a few seconds, I succumbed to darkness, once again.~~“She’s awake…” I heard someone whisper as I turned my head against my pi
Last Updated : 2025-01-17
Latest chapter
The Billionaire's Facade Chapter Seventeen
LORI…I yawned in my sleep as the morning sunlight seeped through my curtains, casting its bright light across my cozy room. I had barely slept throughout the night, and now the consequences were hitting me heavily.Stretching my arms above my head, I attempted to shake off the weight of sleepiness, which filled my eyes, but the exhaustion I felt clung to me. I buried my face into my pillow, because it seemed like a comforting haven as I hoped to slip back into slumber, but as always, the real world always had plans for me.My phone buzzed noisily, breaking the quietness of the room. I stretched towards my phone, glancing at the time as my stomach sank inside of me.What the heck! 11.00 a.m.I screamed loudly, and a burst of panic rushed through me. Just when I had begun to realize it myself, I clamped a hand over my mouth. How could I have slept so late, and no one even bothered to wake me up?I was late for work and what about the customers and the orders I was meant to attend to, a
The Billionaire's Facade Chapter Sixteen
LORIFor a moment, the world around us faded away as Lucian smiled at me, and I munched on my food lightly. In the little space we were in, it seemed as though time had slowed. It was just two of us. Just him. Just me, and nothing else mattered.“You know what?” he said, breaking the silence that erupted between us. “We should try something new tonight, like something different from the usual.”“What is that?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at him as Lucian's gaze shifted towards another direction, his eyes locked onto something far away in the distance.“There's a beach over there. Let's go there, just you and me, he said, pointing towards the direction of the ocean.I felt a surge of excitement and nervousness at the same time as it coursed through my veins. I loved the idea of being away from the crowd, alone with Lucian on the beach. “Okay, let's go,” I said, with a bright smile tugging at the corner of my lips.We walked out of the restaurant as the night air brushed against my ski
The Billionaire's Facade Chapter Fifteen
LORI“Pearls” The voice called out to me, even before I saw him. A nickname he would normally call me when we were children. I turned towards the voice, like a magnet that was drawn to something I couldn't seem to shake off me.My gaze was fixated on him as he stood beside the table. His eyes locked with mine, the same green eyes I hadn't seen in so long. It was Adrian; my heart skipped a beat as the past rushed back in waves.“I'm sorry, but you got it all wrong. I'm not Pearls; my name is Lori Whitlock, I aired out, my breath caught in my throat. I knew I was lying, but I couldn't afford to let everything I had worked so hard for go down the drain.“Dammit,” he cursed out, stepping closer to me. “I thought you were Pearl. Actually, she is my childhood friend, and when I set my eyes on you when you walked inside, you got the same grace as her, so I guess I mistook you for someone else. She passed away some years ago, so how could I mistake you for her? I should be the one apologizing
The Billionaire's Facade Chapter Fourteen
LORIThe night of my date night with Lucian arrived much faster than I anticipated. My heart kept racing in a way I didn't understand; it had been so long since I felt this way. I began to have cold feet due to the excitement I felt of course through me.For me, I wasn't just going out on a random date with Lucian. I was opening my heart once again to a feeling that could either heal me or break me again. But that didn't matter to me; I was ready to face all the consequences. I was a different woman now, and I had become stronger than ever.I spent the entire afternoon whiling away time, trying to choose what to wear, and yet, nothing felt right; none of the dresses were up to my taste. I still had no idea what to wear; I wanted to look my best; I desired for Lucian to see me in a different form, and I was going to do just that. I tried on one dress after another, and then I finally settled for the perfect dress.“My goodness. You look so beautiful; why did I take so long to find you,
The Billionaire's Facade Chapter Thirteen
CHAPTER THIRTEENLUCIANThe bright afternoon light seeped its way into my office, and I leaned back on my chair, my legs placed on my office desk. My eyes darted around the room and glanced at the pile of files sitting neatly and untouched on the edge of my desk.Usually, on a normal day, the files will be scattered across the desk, waiting for me to sign off on the latest batch of contracts or make important decisions that will affect my company's growth.A knock on the door brought me out of my trance as the door creaked open. I glanced up to see Jeffery, my personal assistant, stepping inside. His eyes glanced at the files on my desk before his eyes flickered back to me. I mean, who wouldn't be confused?“Sir, you are not working today?” He asked, his voice carrying a mix of surprise and teasing as I remained seated, my gaze fixed outside of the window. I refused to reply to him right away.I dropped my feet on the floor, leaning forward, and I gave Jeffrey a pointed look. “I was t
The Billionaire's Facade Chapter Twelve
Chapter Twelve LORI'S POVThe Sunkissed my beautiful face while I popped my head out of the window to enjoy the beauty of nature. Just like other days I hurriedly left to work to catch up on some private orders. I had gotten so busy that I didn't have time to go through magazines like I did back then as Pearl.Anyone who knew me when I was Pearl Hammond would always say I had been so obsessed with reading about entertainment, and that was one of the hobbies I carried along in living my life as Lori Whitlock.After pouring water on my face, I let out a sigh of relief, finishing work on time felt so cool knowing I would have little time to read bedtime stories myself for Ethan I grabbed the newspaper beside me, and then I leaned back on my chair as I tried to relax. My eyes were fixed on the magazine, but then I was shocked at what I saw. My eyes shut tightly, shaking my head to bring myself back to reality.Maybe, I was just imagining things. I opened my eyes, but the image and the w
The Billionaire's Facade Chapter Eleven
Chapter 11LORI'S POVAt the restaurant. I had to prepare and taste some meals made by my staff; I needed to give my customers the best out of my meals, and guessing from the fact that my restaurant was being showered with praises by different people, it should give me an advantage.If my restaurant was tagged as the best, then it had to remain on top for the longest period of time. My feet ached combined with deep pain on my waist region as I stood at the stove frying the meats with the sweet aroma of the meat filling saturated the airAdapting to being Lori was a new work allround but I needed to kept going The threat from yesterday lingered which prompted me to get additional guards .Despite cooking the meals. Discreetly I observed the guards noting the way they paid attention to their work and how they scanned the room made me feel a bit reassured and relaxed to concentrate properly in work Tasting the last meal, I was done for the day. My hands found the glass of water on my
The Billionaire's Facade Chapter Ten
Lori pov I strode inside the restaurant. My mind is reeling about how easy it has been for me to convince everyone that there was nothing suspicious in me that would make the world doubt that I wasn't the real Lori Whitlock.I began to love my new life more than my old life. At least I was able to step out into the bright world without thinking twice or taking a step back.For a long time. My attention was on my phone as I kept fiddling with it; I had to arrange the orders for the day. I wouldn't want to keep my clients waiting.My leg collided with something that felt strong. I looked down to see a parcel in front of me. Did someone perhaps leave it on the floor?I picked it up, trying to feel the weight of it. Maybe I could guess what was inside, but then I was taken aback when I saw Lori Whitlock on it.Confusion swooshed over me. I didn't order anything, so why was the parcel in my name? I became more curious as I shook the parcel to hear what was inside, but it was lightweight.
The Billionaire's Facade Chapter Nine
LORI'S POVI could listen to my heart beating fast in my chest at the sudden text message that appeared on my phone screen. My eyes stared at the text message as I tried to rearrange the words into something that could make sense to me, but it didn't, not at all.I began to wonder who sent the text message to me, but she had no answers. I tried to call the number. With the two times I tried, it rang, but there wasn't any response. I began to feel scared and frustrated, but I knew it wasn't the time to act irrationally but to be smart.Taking in a deep breath, I dialed the number once more, and the person on the other end of the call picked up.“Hello, tell me who you are and why you sent such a message to me.” I reprimanded, anger coursing through my veins, but what I was left with was the sound of the call hanging up.“Damn it!” I cursed out as I kept trying to call the number, and what made it more surprising was when I began to hear a ringtone from afar. I began to look around to s
