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TBG - Chapter 49: The Manipulation

작가: kazedunno
last update 최신 업데이트: 2025-03-30 00:38:44

Drake knew how to play his part.

He had always been the charming one, the easygoing cousin who never took life too seriously. But tonight, he was more than just that—he was a man in love, a man ready to lay his heart at Nadia’s feet.

At least, that was the role he had to play.

Standing in the dimly lit corner of the lavish ballroom, he kept his expression carefully composed as he faced her. The golden light from the chandeliers bathed her features in a soft glow, making her look even more striking than he remembered. She was wary—he could tell by the slight tension in her shoulders, the way her eyes flickered toward the crowd as if seeking an escape.

He couldn’t let her run.

Not yet.

Drake sighed, letting his gaze drop momentarily before meeting hers again. He made sure his voice was gentle, laced with just the right amount of vulnerability.

"Nadia, I owe you an apology for everything my father, Victor, has put you throu
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  • The Billionaire's Game    TBG - Chapter 50: The Walls

    As the evening's festivities drew to a close, the once lively ambiance of the party gave way to a quieter, more subdued atmosphere. Nadia and Theodore made their way to the parking lot, the cool night air offering a refreshing contrast to the warmth inside. The sleek black car awaited them, its polished surface reflecting the ambient lights.Theodore approached the driver's side, his movements deliberate yet slightly unsteady. Nadia observed him closely, concern etching her features."Are you sure you're okay to drive?" she inquired, her voice tinged with worry.He paused, one hand resting on the car's roof, the other fumbling briefly with the keys. His gaze met hers, eyes sharp yet clouded."I'm fine," he replied curtly, opening the door and sliding into the driver's seat.Nadia hesitated for a moment before settling into the passenger seat, fastening her seatbelt with a soft click. The engine roared to life, and Theodore guided the car

    최신 업데이트 : 2025-03-31
  • The Billionaire's Game    TBG - Chapter 51: No Turning

    The room was dimly lit by the faint glow of the city lights filtering through the curtains. The only sound was the rhythmic ticking of the clock and the slow, steady breathing of the man sleeping on the couch.Nadia sat up in bed, the sheets pooling around her waist as she glanced toward Theodore. His features, usually so tense and unreadable, were now relaxed in sleep. The sharp angles of his face were softened in the quiet, his dark lashes casting faint shadows over his cheekbones.He looked almost… peaceful. Vulnerable.A strange warmth spread in her chest as she watched him. She wasn’t sure why she got up—maybe it was the pull of something unspoken, something she wasn’t ready to name. Barefoot, she padded across the wooden floor, stopping just beside the couch.Her gaze drifted to his lips.The memories came unbidden. The first time, when she had leaned too close and accidentally kissed him while he was sleeping. The second time, on t

    최신 업데이트 : 2025-04-01
  • The Billionaire's Game    TBG - Chapter 52: A Deal Undone

    The soft glow of morning filtered through the thin curtains, casting a golden hue over the room. The air was thick with the lingering warmth of the night before, a silent testament to what had transpired between them.Theodore lay awake, his arm resting under his head while his other hand absentmindedly traced patterns on the sheets. His gaze was fixed on the woman beside him.Nadia.Her head was nestled against his arm, her dark lashes resting against her cheeks, her breathing slow and steady. Strands of her dark hair had fallen over her face, and he resisted the sudden urge to brush them away.Even in sleep, she was breathtaking.He let out a slow exhale, his mind clouded with thoughts.He had been drunk last night, yes. But not drunk enough to forget. Not drunk enough to regret.And that was what he hated the most.The past few days, he had tried his best to keep his distance. Their arrangement was temporary,

    최신 업데이트 : 2025-04-02
  • The Billionaire's Game    TBG - Chapter 53: The Proposal

    Nadia was seated on the couch in her temporary office when Miranda entered, her expression urgent yet composed. The older woman held a garment bag in her hands, the rich fabric inside barely visible through the opening.“We need to hurry,” Miranda announced, placing the garment bag on the desk and unzipping it. “Sheena Valerio will be presenting a business proposal at the board meeting tonight at seven. Leonora personally invited her, which means this is more than just a simple presentation. Theodore wants you there.”Nadia blinked. “Sheena Valerio?” Miranda nodded, carefully pulling out the dress. “I am sure you already know her. But, to give you a little background she's a daughter of the Valerio family—their business empire is one of the few that can stand on equal footing with the Thatchers. She’s smart, well-connected, and ambitious.”Nadia frowned, running her fingers through her hair. “And why does Theodore want me there?”Miranda

    최신 업데이트 : 2025-04-03
  • The Billionaire's Game    TBG - Chapter 54: Final Verdict

    Silence hung in the air as Sheena struggled to respond. The confidence she had displayed at the beginning of the meeting had withered under Nadia’s sharp analysis, and everyone in the room could see it. Her fingers tightened around the edges of the document she held, flipping through the pages with increasing urgency. The rustling of paper was the only sound in the otherwise still room, a stark contrast to the eloquence she had shown just moments ago.Her throat bobbed as she swallowed hard. Her eyes darted across the printed text, searching—desperate—for an answer that simply wasn’t there.Leonora, sensing the shift in power, intervened smoothly, her voice cutting through the thick air with practiced ease.“Nadia, while I appreciate your scrutiny, I believe you may be overlooking the broader vision here.” She leaned back, exuding an aura of calm authority. “The Valerio Group has years of experience in large-scale developments. A proposal like this isn’t b

    최신 업데이트 : 2025-04-04
  • The Billionaire's Game    TBG - Chapter 55: Cold Confrontation

    Inside Theodore’s office, laughter echoed off the sleek, modern walls. Nadia clutched her stomach, her shoulders shaking as she tried—and failed—to contain her amusement.“You—” she gasped between giggles, wiping at the corner of her eye. “You actually called me baby—in front of everyone!”Her laughter only grew louder, filling the space with a warmth that felt almost foreign in Theodore’s cold, meticulously organized world. She leaned against his desk, catching her breath, still grinning. “I mean, Theodore Thatcher—the man who barely smiles, the man who can make grown men tremble in meetings—just said baby like it was the most natural thing in the world.”Theodore, who had been leaning against his desk with his arms crossed, simply watched her. His face remained neutral, but his piercing blue eyes never left her. He wasn’t annoyed. He wasn’t even trying to defend himself. Instead, he was studying her—how her brown eyes sparkled with amusement, how her lip

    최신 업데이트 : 2025-04-05
  • The Billionaire's Game    TBG - Chapter 56: Bruised Fate

    Theodore stood outside the house, his hands shoved into his pockets, his jaw locked in frustration. The moment he saw Nadia in the parking lot—barefoot, limping, her eyes filled with unshed tears—he knew something was wrong.And he was going to find out what.Miranda arrived a few minutes later, a tablet in hand. Without wasting time, she pulled up the CCTV footage.“I got access to the security feed from the restroom,” she said, tapping the screen. “You need to see this.”Theodore’s muscles tensed as he focused on the video.The footage showed Nadia walking into the restroom first, looking exhausted but composed. Then, seconds later, his mother entered.Leonora’s expression alone made Theodore’s blood run cold—pure contempt, her posture stiff with disgust.Then, the audio kicked in.“You really think you belong here, don’t you?” Leonora’s voice dripped with venom.Theodore’s hands clenched into fists.

    최신 업데이트 : 2025-04-06
  • The Billionaire's Game    TBG - Chapter 57: Bound Vows

    Nadia stood before the full-length mirror, her breath catching as she took in her reflection. The dress was perfect—an intricate masterpiece of silk and lace, hugging her frame in all the right places. Delicate embroidery cascaded down the bodice, flowing seamlessly into the train that trailed behind her like a whispered promise. The soft ivory fabric contrasted beautifully against her skin, making her look almost ethereal.Her dark hair was styled in a graceful updo, with loose strands framing her face. A simple veil draped over her shoulders, blending into the elegance of her gown. Her makeup was light, just enough to enhance the emotions shining in her brown eyes.For a fleeting moment, she allowed herself to believe this was real. That she was truly a bride, standing on the edge of forever with the man she loved.Yes—she loved him.She could no longer deny it. Somewhere between the lies and the contract, between the cold glares and the unexpec

    최신 업데이트 : 2025-04-07

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  • The Billionaire's Game    TBG - Chapter 73: Islanded

    The sun peeked gently through the palm leaves as morning arrived on the island, painting the horizon in soft shades of gold and peach. A salty breeze whispered through the trees, stirring the embers of last night’s campfire. Nadia stirred first, her cheek nestled in the crook of Theodore’s shoulder, the fine white sand cool beneath them. For a moment, she simply lay there, listening to the steady rhythm of his breathing, her hand resting lightly on his chest.Theodore's eyes opened slowly, blinking against the morning light. His arm was still wrapped protectively around her, and when he noticed her watching him with sleepy affection, a slow smile spread across his face."Morning," he murmured, voice still husky from sleep."Morning," she whispered back.They lay there for a while in comfortable silence, the world around them beginning to stir. The distant cry of gulls overhead, the sound of waves lapping against the shore—it all felt surreal. This place, this moment, was a dream carve

  • The Billionaire's Game    TBG - Chapter 72: Not a Game

    The fire crackled softly in the stillness of the night, its glow casting warm orange hues onto the white sand surrounding them. Above, the stars glittered like scattered diamonds across the ink-black sky, and the sea whispered gently to the shore just a few feet away. The air smelled of salt and faint smoke, and the cool breeze rustled the palm trees around the campfire.Nadia lay on her back on the sand, her arm brushing Theodore’s as they stared up at the constellations. It felt surreal, being here—on this quiet island, away from the chaos and lies, away from the noise of expectations and reputations. For once, everything was calm. There were no reporters, no pretending, no pretending to be strangers or enemies or anything else. Just them, raw and real.She turned her head to look at him. Theodore was quiet, his expression relaxed in a way she had only recently begun to recognize. Gone was the cold billionaire with walls made of steel. Here beside her lay the man who held her when s

  • The Billionaire's Game    TBG - Chapter 71: From Ashes

    The night was alive with the sounds of the ocean's waves crashing gently against the shore, and the warmth from the campfire flickered in the cool evening breeze. The sky above was dotted with countless stars, their light twinkling in the vast expanse, untouched by the noise of the world. The island, isolated and tranquil, was the perfect escape from everything—the world they had left behind, the lives they had built, and the contract that tied them together.Nadia and Theodore lay side by side on the soft, white sand, their bodies barely touching but an invisible tension between them, as if the night itself was holding its breath. The fire crackled between them, sending a warmth that contrasted with the coolness of the island air. The flames danced, casting long shadows on the sand, while the soft light illuminated their faces in a way that made the world feel smaller—just the two of them, lost in time and space.Nadia stared up at the stars, her thoughts drifting back to the very fi

  • The Billionaire's Game    TBG - Chapter 70: Fading Lies

    Nadia’s heart raced as she responded instinctively, her arms wrapping around Theodore’s neck, pulling him closer to her. The kiss deepened, becoming more urgent and intense, and she could feel every inch of him against her, her body reacting to the closeness as if it had been waiting for this moment. Her fingers tangled in his hair, drawing him tighter against her, unable to resist the pull between them.Theodore’s lips moved over hers with a hunger that left her breathless. She could taste the sweetness of his mouth, feel the warmth of his breath against her skin. The subtle, familiar scent of his cologne mixed with the natural musk of his skin, and it was intoxicating—like she was drowning in him, in everything about him.He pulled back slightly, his eyes locking with hers, darkened with emotion. His voice was low and thick with desire, yet there was an undeniable vulnerability in his words. "I care about you," he murmured, his voice almost a whisper, as if admitting something he ha

  • The Billionaire's Game    TBG - Chapter 69: Drawn In

    Nadia woke up with a start, the warmth of someone’s arms surrounding her. The first thing that registered in her mind was the scent of Theodore, mixed with the softness of the sheets around her. Her eyes fluttered open, and her heart skipped a beat when she realized just how close his face was to hers. His features, relaxed and peaceful in his sleep, were only inches away, and she could feel his breath against her skin.But then, panic flooded her senses. What happened last night? She quickly glanced down at her body, her heart racing. Her mind scrambled as she checked herself, half-expecting the worst. She frantically touched her clothes, her hands skimming over the fabric of her tank top and shorts. I’m still dressed, thank goodness.Nadia sighed in relief, though the mix of confusion and something else—disappointment?—settled in her chest. She couldn’t quite figure out how she felt about the situation. Part of her was glad nothing happened, but another part of h

  • The Billionaire's Game    TBG - Chapter 68: Too Close

    Nadia woke up with a jolt, a soft warmth surrounding her. The first thing that registered in her mind was the feeling of something—or someone—holding her, and she could smell Theodore’s familiar scent, the one she had grown used to. As she opened her eyes, the soft light of morning poured into the room, bathing everything in a warm, golden glow. Her gaze shifted, and her heart nearly stopped when she saw Theodore's face so close to hers.For a brief moment, everything felt surreal. His face was so peaceful, so calm, as if he was in a deep, undisturbed sleep. His jaw was sharp, the slight shadow of stubble covering it, his lips slightly parted. The light from the window highlighted the strong, angular features of his face, and his breathing was steady and relaxed. The sight of him, so close and so... vulnerable, sent a strange flutter through her chest. Her pulse quickened as she realized the position they were in—she was lying in his arms, her head resting against his chest

  • The Billionaire's Game    TBG - Chapter 67: Contract Breached

    The silence between them stretched on, suffocating in its weight. Theodore’s gaze was fixed on Nadia, his expression unreadable, his jaw clenched as if holding back a storm of words. Nadia stood there, unsure of what to do next. Her heart raced, her mind spinning with a thousand thoughts, none of them making sense."So, what happens now?" she blurted out, her voice louder than she intended. "Will the contract be over now? Do I have to leave? Should I go back tomorrow morning like it says in the terms? I—"Before she could finish her barrage of questions, Theodore stepped closer, cutting her off completely."I love you," he said, his voice low but firm, and the words hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning.Nadia froze, the questions on her lips dying as she processed what he had just said. Her heart stuttered, her breath catching in her throat. She had heard the words, but they felt like they didn’t belong in this moment. It was impossibl

  • The Billionaire's Game    TBG - Chapter 66: Heartbeat

    Amy looked at Nadia, her curiosity piqued. "Ms. Nadia," she asked softly, "how did you fall in love with Mr. Thatcher?"Nadia’s heart skipped a beat at the question. She glanced at Theodore, sitting across from her, his expression distant and unreadable. She felt her throat tighten as she tried to find the words. For a moment, she considered brushing it off, but something inside her urged her to speak the truth.She took a steadying breath, and when she spoke, her voice was quiet, but it carried the weight of honesty. "Everyone sees Theo as a beast," she began, her eyes flicking between Amy and Rene, then resting on Theodore for a brief moment. "They see his power, his coldness, the way he rules everything around him with an iron fist. And it’s true, in a way. He’s relentless, calculating, like a predator who never lets his guard down. He’s strong, always in control, and everyone fears him for that. It’s how he survives this world, how he built everything he has."

  • The Billionaire's Game    TBG - Chapter 65: Between Us

    The setting sun cast a warm, golden glow over the yacht as the evening rolled in, the soft hum of the ocean gently rocking them in the background. Dinner was being served, and the four of them were seated around the table—Nadia, Theodore, Rene, and Amy. The table was elegantly set, the scent of fresh seafood filling the air as the dishes were placed before them. Rene and Amy, though staff, had joined them for the meal, and it felt more casual than any dinner Nadia had ever imagined with someone like Theodore.Nadia found herself talking animatedly with Rene, his playful personality and teasing nature making her laugh often. Rene, 22, was the life of the conversation, cracking jokes and lightening the atmosphere with his loud, carefree demeanor. Amy, on the other hand, sat quietly beside him. She was only 19, with a delicate, almost shy aura, her dark eyes lowered as she ate, a soft smile lingering on her lips whenever she did speak. Despite the difference in personalities,

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