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44: Blacklisted
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2024-12-15 23:55:25
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The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife 44: Close Call
[Arella]"I'd gladly bring you to Nevada next time, even if you don't have a doctor's appointment. You really seemed to enjoy yourself," Lincoln says, his deep, smooth voice carrying a teasing undertone as he leads me out of his Bentley. The cool evening air brushes against my skin, a stark contrast to the cozy warmth inside the car. His hand rests on my lower back, steady and protective.We spent the weekend in Nevada, indulging in a world that felt distant from reality, only landing this evening. It's a weekday already. Bridget's gonna give me an earful for vanishing like that. "I'd like that," I say, meaning it more than I should. His lips curl into a slow, satisfied smile that makes my heart lurch, traitorous as ever."Or we could go somewhere more exotic for our honeymoon," he whispers that last part just for me, his breath grazing my ear like a forbidden secret.The mansion looms before us, grand and imposing, its towering pillars gleaming under the soft glow of garden lights
최신 업데이트 : 2024-12-16The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife 45: Dodging A Corporate Bullet
[Arella]Vivian turns to face me, her eyes widening in shock. Her blood-red lipstick falters slightly, though she quickly schools her expression. She’s dressed to impress, wearing a fitted white blazer with gold accents and matching high-waisted trousers, her stilettos clicking nervously against the tiled floor. Her sleek, chestnut-brown hair falls perfectly over her shoulders—too perfect, too practiced.“A-Arella?” she says incredulously, her voice trembling just enough to seem genuine. “What are you doing here?”I arch a brow, my pulse quickening—not with fear, but with simmering resentment. Her audacity still manages to surprise me.“I should be asking you that, Vivian,” I snap, keeping my voice cold and steady. “Haven’t you already been informed that we do not wish to work with Ames Finances?”The flicker of embarrassment in her eyes is brief before she recovers, her expression hardening.“And what gave you the right to turn down Ames Finances?” she prods, her voice sharp. Gon
최신 업데이트 : 2024-12-17The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife 46: Chilvarous Arella
[Arella] “Oh, it’s you, my dear. Hi!” She waves, a crinkle forming at the corners of her warm, hazel eyes as she smiles. Her whole face lights up with genuine warmth, something almost tangible radiating from her like a soft, comforting blanket on a chilly day. She doesn’t seem any older than Mom, but there’s this... feeling I’m getting from her. It’s like she carries sunshine within her, and I can’t explain why I suddenly feel safe, like I’m wrapped in a long-forgotten hug. “Hi,” I squeak out, feeling like a shy kid caught staring at candy. “Thank you for the other day, hon.” She chuckles, a rich, melodic sound that instantly calms my racing heart. It’s the kind of laugh that could make flowers bloom. “Oh, it’s okay. It was a pleasure. I hope your feet didn’t blister too much.” “No, no, they’re fine,” she rushes to say, heat creeping up her neck. “I should be asking you that though. You look so... confused choosing between these two.” “Oh,” I say, flushing like som
최신 업데이트 : 2024-12-18The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife 47: Dinner With Hubby
[Lincoln] "I’ve told you countless times to make sure she doesn’t leave your sight, but let her do her own thing nonetheless." “I’m sorry, sir,” the icy voice says over the phone, his tone clipped and professional as always. “It’s okay. We’ll—” A delicious, mouth-watering aroma wafts through the house as soon as I step in, wrapping around me like a warm hug. The strangely familiar, savory scent is enough to make my stomach growl in anticipation. I barely register the greetings of the staff, my focus narrowing in on that intoxicating smell. What’s that glorious smell? “Hello? Sir?” the voice on the phone prompts. “We’ll talk later,” is all I say before cutting off the call, my mind already drifting toward the kitchen. It’s almost like an invisible string pulling me forward, guiding me toward the source of the heavenly scent. And there she is. She’s still in her work clothes—the first thing I notice, and my brows knit together. Didn’t she freshen up? She must be e
최신 업데이트 : 2024-12-19The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife 48: Nervous
[Lincoln]“What does it look like?” I say, tracing my fingers light and soft across her calf, my voice deeper, darker, the room buzzing with anticipation. The soft glow from the bedside lamp casts a warm, intimate light, deepening the shadows on her skin. Her breath hitches, and I can feel the tension crackling between us like an electric current.But then one look at her tummy, and my chest deflates. Control yourself, Lincoln. It's just a massage. Not an excuse to lose your damn mind.I stand up and lift her in my arms. She squeaks out in surprise, chuckling—a sound like a soft bell cutting through the charged air. Her small hands clutch at my shoulders, and for a second, I wonder if she can hear how fast my heart is pounding."I think I can walk just fine, you know," she says but still flushes red, avoiding my gaze like I'm some forbidden temptation she’s not ready to face."Freshen up," I say, dropping her at the entrance of the toilet.She nods, not meeting my gaze, and scurries
최신 업데이트 : 2024-12-20The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife 49: Shell Shocked
[Lincoln] "What do you mean, your wife's company?" Jordan chokes out, wide-eyed, while Benson remains shell-shocked. The conference room is bathed in soft, natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows behind me. Outside, the San Diego skyline stretches in the distance, and the faint hum of the city filters through. The room smells faintly of polished wood and coffee, Benson’s half-empty cup sitting on the table. Both men are dressed in their typical boardroom attire—tailored dark suits and crisp white shirts. Jordan’s blue tie is loosened slightly, a rebellious contrast to Benson’s always-perfect Windsor knot. "You heard me," I repeat stoically, leaning back in my chair, fingers steepled. Is this so hard to believe? I know I promised Arella not to tell anyone, but these two? These guys are more like brothers than friends. I’ve known these assholes since my days at Harvard, and if anyone would understand, it’s them—or so I thought. They exchange a look—mischievous and full
최신 업데이트 : 2024-12-21The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife 50: As My Wife
[Arella] “Thank you so much, Doc. I really appreciate your help,” I say to the phone, a smile lighting up my face. The soft hum of the line fades as it disconnects. My heart feels lighter, a wave of relief rushing through me. I feel like I could almost float as I skip to our bedroom, the familiar warmth of the space embracing me. Lincoln was having a bath when I entered, but he was already out and in his sleepwear, his broad shoulders draped in a soft, worn T-shirt. He was bent over his laptop, his focus entirely on the screen. “Aren’t you going to blow dry your hair?” I blurt out, my gaze locked on the wet tendrils of his dark hair clinging to his forehead, droplets of water glistening under the dim light of the room. The air around me feels warm and heavy, the faint scent of lavender from his body wash mixing with the musk of his cologne. He chuckles, but his eyes remain focused elsewhere, distant. “And why would I do that?” he asks, his voice soft. I frown. He’s been o
최신 업데이트 : 2024-12-22The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife 51: Office Gossip
[Arella] As my wife. The words keep ringing in my ears, looping over and over like a song I can't turn off. All day at work, I’m distracted and confused. Lincoln didn’t demand an answer to his request, but I could feel it—oh, I could feel it—oozing off him. The intensity. The silent urge to make me agree. To make me say yes. My head is so muddled with thoughts that I don’t even notice where I’m going until—bam!—I bump into someone. “Oh, sorry!” “Easy there, girl,” Sasha coos, steadying me with a firm hand on my arm. “Thanks,” I breathe out with a laugh that feels a bit forced, even to me. “Your head’s been in the clouds all day.” She eyes me suspiciously, her lips quirking in that way that says she knows exactly when something is up. “Is anything wrong? Something got you distracted?” I flush under her scrutiny, the heat blooming up my neck and cheeks. “No, no. It’s just…” I trail off, shifting awkwardly. How do I even begin to explain? Sasha isn’t buying it, of course. With
최신 업데이트 : 2024-12-23
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The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife 199
[Arella]Vivian ran like the devil himself was on her heels.Her bare feet slapped against the filthy concrete, the sharp sting of debris cutting into her skin. The air was thick with the scent of rotting dough and mildew, the remnants of a bakery long abandoned, its glory days buried under dust and decay. Her breath came in ragged gasps, each one hitching in her throat as she weaved through the narrow corridors, her frantic movements sending old flour sacks tumbling to the ground.She was fast, I’d give her that. Desperation had a way of making people move like cornered rats, a blend of terror and pure survival instinct. But I wasn’t about to let her scurry away. Not this time.I chased after her, vaulting over overturned crates, my boots thudding heavily against the grimy floor. My pulse thundered in my ears, my lungs burning with exertion, but the fire only fueled me. Every step I took, every inch I gained, I thought about what this woman had done to me seven months ago.Seven. Fuc
The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife 198
[Arella]Two days later, we finally located the only bakery in Backwater Alley.True to the city’s name, the place was utterly demented. The snarls and sneers we received from passersby sent a chill slithering down my spine, despite the heavy security flanking me. It wasn’t just the people that made this place hell—it was everything. The very air felt wrong, thick with the scent of rot and dampness, like misery had been ground into the pavement for generations. The streets reeked of filth and desperation, a choking combination of decay and stale piss, and even with the promise of protection, a thick wave of unease clung to my skin like a second layer.Deric, on the other hand, was visibly cowering, his head ducked so low I half-expected him to burrow into the ground. He flinched at every sound, his breath coming in shallow gasps as we passed through each ‘checkpoint’—clusters of men loitering with sharp eyes and even sharper knives, their silent appraisal as damning as a blade against
The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife 197
[Arella] Deric leads us to a restaurant that's just as rundown as that bar, but at least the air inside isn't nauseating. The dim lighting does little to hide the grime-streaked walls, and the wooden chairs creak ominously as we settle down. The stench of stale grease lingers in the air, but it’s a small mercy compared to the overwhelming stench of alcohol from before.I speak first, my voice sharp. "Where have you been? What are you doing all the way in Chicago?"He clears his throat, his eyes locked onto mine with an emotion I can't quite place—adoration, maybe? Like he can't believe I'm sitting right in front of him. That only makes my patience thinner."You're going to have to start talking, Deric, because trust me, I have other ways to make you talk.""Water... please," he croaks out, his voice dry and weak. Zach signals to one of his men, never leaving my side for a single second. The moment the bottle is placed in front of him, Deric chugs it down like a man starved, gulping i
The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife 196
[Arella]We pass through the back, and the stench immediately assaults my senses—an overwhelming mix of stale alcohol, damp wood, and rotting garbage. Dirty bottles are strewn everywhere, some stacked haphazardly in corners, others being washed with a half-hearted effort. The entire place reeks of neglect. Dust clings to every surface, thick enough that I can practically taste it in the air. A few workers loiter around, loading crates onto a rusty truck that looks like it's one pothole away from falling apart.The sight of it all makes my skin crawl. My fingers twitch at my sides, an instinctive reaction to the unease curling in my stomach. This place feels wrong. Like a trap waiting to be sprung.A man with decayed teeth—yellowed and jagged, a testament to years of neglect—flashes me a grin as we draw closer. The smile is anything but friendly; it's lecherous, the kind that makes my skin prickle in revulsion. "Who's this fine little birdie, Isla?" His eyes drag over me from head to t
The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife 195
[Arella]“How may I help you?" The bartender slurs his words, his bleary eyes raking over me. So much for being insecure—he doesn’t even attempt to hide his once-over. His gaze lingers too long, his lips quirking up like he’s amused by something. But then, something shifts. He must have noticed Zach’s piercing gaze because he suddenly straightens, feigning a sense of professionalism, shoulders squaring as he averts his gaze. My lips twitch in amusement, but I don’t let it show too much."I'm looking for the owner of this number." I thrust a crumpled piece of paper into his hand, unwilling to risk handing over my phone. My fingers tighten slightly as I pull back, watching his face carefully. His brows furrow as he glances at it, then at me, before letting out a dry chuckle."You're looking for the owner of this number... in a bar?" He shoots me an incredulous look, the kind that makes me feel every bit as ridiculous as I probably seem right now.I nod anyway, knowing full well how absu
The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife 194
[Arella]The private jet hummed softly beneath my feet as I approached, Zach and his men flanking me on either side like silent sentinels. My heart hammered a little harder than usual, but I ignored it, my focus locked on the mission ahead. I knew I should probably wait for Benson and Jordan to return from Florida—playing it safe would be the smart thing to do. But what if this lead went cold? What if this person changed their mind?The IP address traced back to a woman’s phone—a bartender. She ran a shady little dive bar, the kind of place where secrets slipped out between shots of cheap whiskey and whispered conversations in the dark. Maybe she’d seen Lincoln with Lisa or Thompson? Maybe she knew something crucial? Or maybe… something about that desperate message didn’t sit right. If she was just giving me information, why did it feel like a cry for help?I’d responded, asking for a time to meet. No response. Nothing. Just silence.I exhaled sharply, shoving those nagging doubts asi
The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife 193: A Trap Or A Lead?
[Arella] "Clement came back seven years later," Father in law continues, his voice calm, but there’s an edge to it—something bitter, something restrained. "By then, I had married Gladys. I had everything I wanted—a wife, my son, a growing empire, a future laid out exactly as it should be. And Clement already had a wife of his own. Lisa’s mother." He scoffs, shaking his head. "He claimed he wanted to make amends. That the past was behind us. That friendship meant more than old grudges. I should have known better. I did know better. But I let him in anyway, like a fool." A slow exhale, his fingers tightening around his glass. "He didn’t ask for money. Didn’t come with some grand business proposal wrapped in false generosity. No, he played it smarter this time. Said he only wanted to invest in my company, that he believed in my latest vision. And like a fool, I let him buy in. Gave him a seat at my table. Trusted that maybe, just maybe, he had changed." He shakes his head, his jaw
The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife 192: A Father's Regret
[Arella]Have you ever longed for something so deeply, only to be denied it over and over again? And then, when you finally get it, you feel... nothing?Because tell me why I’m sitting across from my father-in-law and grandmother-in-law in the dimly lit study of the Sawyer estate, their faces grim and pale, like they’re afraid to speak in my presence. The heavy scent of old books and polished wood lingers in the air, wrapping around us like a suffocating blanket. My father-in-law clears his throat, his Adam’s apple bobbing with unease."How have you been, Arella?" he asks, his voice measured, like he's trying to sound casual.I raise an eyebrow. "How have I been?" I repeat, the bitterness curling around my words before I can stop it.Seven months. Seven months of silence. Not a word from either of them. Every single family gathering between our families—declined. No messages, no explanations, nothing. And now, my father-in-law suddenly shows up at work, requesting my presence, expect
The Billionaire's Forgotten Ex-wife 191: Boardroom War II
[Arella]"N-not yet, President," one of them stammers, shoulders hunched in defeat. "But we can assure you, with our budget handed over to us, we can—"I tsk, shaking my head. "Greedy, greedy, greedy—just like Deric. You won’t see a single cent from me. And if you dare make another move to disrupt my peace like this, I won’t just cut you off—I’ll reduce Ames Finances to nothing more than scraps in a flea market bargain bin."A stunned silence settles over the room. The weight of my words crushes any lingering defiance."If accountability is truly what you seek, then start by holding yourselves responsible for your own failures. I have no time for empty demands or misplaced outrage. So do us all a favor—take your so-called accountability and escort yourselves out of my conference room immediately before I make that decision for you."The man in the brown suit reddens with anger, jabbing an accusing finger in my direction. "You… you—"But no words come. I watch as they all file out, dej
