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Chapter 24: Opposition
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2025-01-17 20:25:33
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The Billionaire's Hidden Bride chapter 25: unexpected partnalship
Aside from the slight crackle of the fireplace, the room was silent. Sophia threw the mess into my lap, and I had to sort through everything after Williams left hours ago to go to yet another late-night meeting. With shaky fingertips, I touched the edge of the file, the name Sophia Harrington gazing back at me accusingly.The thought that Sophia might be telling the truth made my chest constrict, even though I couldn't trust her. The tone of the note, which was sarcastic, disturbed me. Someone wanted to play games and was more knowledgeable about my past than I was.I was deep in meditation when there was a strong knock on the door. I didn't think anyone would show up.With caution and a firm voice in spite of the fury roaring inside of me, I said, "Come in."Marcel entered with an unreadable expression as the door creaked open. Tonight, he seemed different, his customary haughtiness subdued by an unidentified factor.Without introducing himself, he stated, "We need to talk."I leaned
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-18The Billionaire's Hidden Bride Chapter 26: An Increasing Connection
The penthouse's curtains let in sunlight, which filled the space with gentle golden tones. I watched the city below come to life as I stood by the window. This moment, a brief respite from the storm, felt oddly serene despite the chaos all around us."Did you get any sleep?" There was silence until Williams spoke.He was leaning against the doorway with his shirt unbuttoned at the collar and his tie undone when I turned around. His typically polished manner gave way to something more human and vulnerable."Not really," I said with my arms crossed. "I'm thinking about too much."He approached me with purposeful strides. "I don't hold you responsible. It was unexpected last night."Unexpected?" I arched an eyebrow. One way to put it is that. Williams, there was a murder in front of us. It's not like you can simply brush that off.He came to a halt next to me, staring at the skyline. "You handled it better than most people would, even though I know it's overwhelming."I couldn't contain
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-18The Billionaire's Hidden Bride Chapter 27: Uncovering the Enemy
The penthouse's air felt heavier than usual, as though the walls were listening. Williams walked back and forth across the room, his keen eyes darting to the mysterious note on the coffee table. We had discovered it hours earlier, but the caution, "Trust no one," was still gnawing at the back of my mind. You underestimate how close they are.Williams whispered, "Marcel," his voice breaking the stillness.I raised my head. "How about him?""I've always understood that he had personal goals, but this..." He pointed to the note. "His craftsmanship is evident in this."My fingers clenched into fists as I scowled. "What would make Marcel oppose us? He should be preserving the Franklin legacy, right?”Williams's expression darkened as he stopped pacing. "Marcel has always been loyal to himself. He is more concerned with power than with his family. And he won't think twice about joining the Harringtons if it gives him that.”We made the decision to delve further the following day. Williams a
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-19The Billionaire's Hidden Bride Chapter 28: The Shadowy Secret
My mind was racing, and the rhythmic sound of the rain beating on the penthouse windows did little to slow it down. With a glass of whisky in his hand and an unreadable face, Williams sat across from me and looked at the picture we had found the previous evening.In a low voice, he finally stated, "We need answers." "And I have finished waiting for them to reach us."Grasping the folded envelope in my lap, I nodded. I kept thinking about the note's dire warning: The enemy is inside. Never put your trust in anyone.I spoke more firmly than I felt when I said, "I think it's time we dig deeper into my adoption." “If the Harringtons are involved, something has never added up.”Williams's dark eyes met mine as he leaned forward. "Then, we didn't realise how long they had been playing this game."We went to see Mr. Graves, a retired lawyer who had handled my adoption, the following morning. His modest house stood in sharp contrast to the wealth and influence I had recently been dealing with
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-19The Billionaire's Hidden Bride Chapter 29: The Disintegration
The tense atmosphere in the room was oppressive. Williams was standing by the window, staring at the city skyline with his hands balled into fists at his sides. His words could never have been as unsettling as his silence. I positioned myself close to the door, my arms encircling me as though they would protect me from the impending storm between us."How long?" Finally, his low, piercing voice broke the silence.I scowled. "How long what?"His dark eyes blazed with rage as he turned. "You've been a Harrington for how long? For what duration have you been deceiving me?”The charge was a slap in the face. I moved forward, defending myself with a raised voice. "I had no idea! Do you believe I desired this? Do you think I was interested in discovering that my whole existence was a lie?”He paced like a predator circling its prey and said, "Convenient," with a bitter tone. "You didn't consider bringing up the hints we've been finding? The pictures, the letters? Or did you wish that I woul
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-20The Billionaire's Hidden Bride Chapter 30: The Final Straw
It felt oppressive to be in the sterile, cold living room of my adoptive family's home. I sat rigidly on the velvet couch, feeling as though the walls, lined with sterile portraits and antique furniture, were closing in on me. Charles, my adoptive father, was standing across from me, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees and his piercing eyes staring right through me. Evelyn, my adoptive mother, was standing next to him, wearing her usual mask of fake worry."Freda," said Charles, calmly but with a hint of menace, "this is not a request. It is a duty to the family.My knuckles were white as I held onto the couch's edge. "I’m not doing it."Evelyn sighed, as if I were a whiny kid who wouldn't do her chores. "You don't realise how serious this situation is, darling. The Harringtons have the ability to either ensure or ruin our future. You have a special chance to guarantee our family's position among them."Your family," I snapped back. "Not mine."Evelyn flinched, but Ch
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-20The Billionaire's Hidden Bride Chapter 31: Shifting The Scale
“Don’t move,” the masked figure barked, their gun trained on me. The room fell into a suffocating silence. Evelyn let out a choked gasp, clutching Charles’s arm, while Charles froze, his expression a mix of shock and calculation. My mind raced. The weight of everything—Marcel’s threats, my adoptive parents’ betrayal, and now this—pressed down on me like a vice. Yet, amidst the chaos, a strange calm settled over me. “What do you want?” I asked, keeping my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me. The intruder’s gaze flicked toward me, their eyes cold behind the mask. “You. You’ve become a complication, Freda. Someone very powerful wants you out of the picture.” My heart pounded, but I forced a smirk. “Is that so? And what’s the plan? Eliminate me here, in front of witnesses? That’s sloppy work for someone hired by the Harringtons.” The figure faltered, just for a second, and I knew I’d hit a nerve. Charles stepped forward, his voice sharp. “If you touch h
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-21The Billionaire's Hidden Bride Chapter 32: A New Weapon
The tension in the room was palpable as I sat across from Grace, the soft hum of the city outside a stark contrast to the storm raging inside my mind. She had just delivered the bombshell: Daniel Harrington, Margaret’s estranged son, had returned. “Why haven’t I heard of him before?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended. Grace leaned forward, her tone measured. “Because Margaret erased him. He was exiled from the family years ago. Some say it was because of his temper; others say he got involved in things that could ruin the Harrington name. Whatever the reason, he’s back now, and he’s not happy about you.” I frowned, trying to process this new information. “And you’re telling me this because...?” “Because Daniel isn’t like Marcel,” Grace said, her gaze steady. “He’s dangerous in ways you can’t imagine. He doesn’t play games. He destroys it.” Later that night, I ended up at an upscale cocktail bar, taking a cue from Grace. The bar was softly illuminated, its luxury subt
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-21
Bab terbaru
The Billionaire's Hidden Bride Epilogue: A New Dawn
The assurance of a new beginning and the remnants of history were highlighted in a soft golden glow as dawn broke over the vast estate. Freda situated herself at the brink of the balcony, looking out towards the horizon. Her mind was anchored by the constant noise of the waves hitting the jagged shore beneath. Weeks had gone by since the truth was uncovered to everyone. Despite being held responsible for her family's wrongdoings for several weeks, she continued to feel the weight of their decisions bearing down on her. Nevertheless, the atmosphere has shifted now. An alteration. A breath of optimism. The hush was interrupted by the gentle noise of footsteps trailing her. Williams stood there, both reassuring and authoritative. She was pulled back against his chest as his arms wrapped around her waist. He stated, "You're overthinking it." Smiling, she nestled into his embrace. "I can't prevent it." I constantly have thoughts. Nonetheless, you are right. I've been attempting to fix
The Billionaire's Hidden Bride Chapter 100: Twins of the Flame
The Harrington Estate was burning.From the war room’s shattered windows, Freda could see the inferno crawling across the eastern wing, smoke billowing like a signal to every rival who had ever watched the empire. Firefighters battled the blaze, but they were late—deliberately delayed, most likely by Selene and the faction loyal to Cassian’s legacy.Freda turned from the window, her face streaked with soot and determination.“The vault is waking up,” Grace said from the console. “Whatever Cassian programmed into Protocol Eclipse—it’s already executing.”“What happens if it finishes?” Elias asked, standing beside his sister.Grace’s voice was grim. “Everything Harrington collapses. The companies, the foundations, the inheritance. Our accounts, trusts, holdings—burned to digital ash. You won’t inherit a legacy. You’ll inherit ruin.”Williams reached for Freda’s hand. “There’s still time. If we access the core before the final phase, we can override it—but only if both of you enter the b
The Billionaire's Hidden Bride Chapter 99: Blood Ties Never Lie
The room fell into absolute silence.Freda stood, stunned, unable to form words. Her gaze locked with the stranger at her door—no, not a stranger. Not anymore. His face wasn’t just familiar—it was known. Like a dream half-remembered, engraved deep into the soul.“I—” she started, but her throat tightened.The young man stepped into the room. His movements were careful, calculated, as though afraid the moment would shatter if he moved too quickly. He looked about her age—tall, lean, a quiet intensity behind gray eyes that mirrored Jonathan Harrington’s.“I’m sorry to just... show up like this,” he said quietly. “But my name is Elias Jonathan Harrington. And I think I’m your twin brother.”The name hit her like a hurricane. Elias Jonathan. Named after both their father and grandfather—an ironic twist if it weren’t so heartbreakingly true.“How did you find me?” Freda finally managed.He reached into his coat and pulled out a weathered letter. “This arrived for me on my twenty-third birt
The Billionaire's Hidden Bride Chapter 98: Echoes in the Vault
The cold air in the Harrington vault bit at Freda’s skin, but she didn’t flinch. Her pulse thudded in her ears as Elias Harrington’s voice echoed through the speaker embedded in the granite walls.“You found the truth,” Elias said, his tone unreadable. “And now you’ll bleed for it.”Williams placed himself in front of Freda instinctively. “You’ve already taken enough. Let her go.”Alex stepped forward, fire in his voice. “You locked away a legacy—buried it underlies. But this ends here.”A soft buzz interrupted them—the massive vault doors groaned and clicked. They weren’t locked in anymore.Freda’s heart jumped. Was this a trap?The doors creaked open slowly, revealing a dim corridor beyond. At the far end, silhouetted in the light stood Elias Harrington—elegant, tall, cloaked in his signature charcoal suit. He looked like a shadow carved out of legacy and guilt.“You’re brave to come,” Elias said, voice reverberating with age and steel. “But bravery alone doesn’t make you worthy.”F
The Billionaire's Hidden Bride Chapter 97: Beneath the Ashes
Freda’s breath caught in her throat as the control room plunged into darkness. The hum of machines died. The only sound was the frantic thump of her heartbeat—and the voice."We’ve only just begun."She reached for Williams instinctively, fingers finding his. His grip tightened, anchoring her. On her other side, Grace clicked a flashlight on, casting a beam through the stale air. Dust particles swirled like ghosts. The control panels flickered—faint static pulses, nothing operational.“What the hell was that?” Grace muttered, scanning the corners of the room. “This wasn’t part of Cassian’s theatrics.”Freda’s spine stiffened. “That voice... it wasn’t him. It was different. Younger. Calculated.”“System override,” a mechanical voice droned from a nearby panel. “Engaged. Level Four lockdown initiated. Harrington protocols activated.”Doors slammed shut around them.Williams cursed. “He’s locked us in.”“No.” Grace crouched by the panel, fingers flying across an auxiliary screen. “This i
The Billionaire's Hidden Bride Chapter 96: The Last Examination
The silence in the safe room was too loud. Freda's ears rang with the noise of her heart pounding in her ribcage. The voice had only just stopped, and she remained still, staring at the one who spoke. The words appeared to have gained a life of their own, resonating in her mind. "We've located her."Williams shifted to stand next to her, his stance rigid. "Who is it? "The prototype?" There was an intensity in his voice.With her stomach in knots, Freda nodded slowly. Although she had anticipated this day, the burden of it was nearly too much for her to handle. Her sister, the one born before her, the one designed to be the ideal representation of the Harrington legacy, was here now after her entire life had been a lie. She was coming for what Freda had put so much effort into creating.However, Freda couldn't simply stand by and watch everything happen. Not when she had all she had to fight for at her fingertips. With Williams at her side, no.Grace's clear, concentrated voice cut t
The Billionaire's Hidden Bride Chapter 95: Born of Blood
The voice from the other side of the line echoed in Freda's ear, causing her heart to race. The voice was calm and steady as it declared, "I was the initial prototype." "Yes, Freda, I do recall you." She remained perfectly still, the vial tightly gripped in her hand, as the surroundings seemed to fade away. Williams, who had just entered with a serious resolve, observed her complexion fade. "Who was that?" he demanded in a quiet voice.Freda didn't take her eyes from her phone's screen. The words were clear even if the voice was twisted, almost artificial. "Remember me? What do you mean?"Without hesitation, the voice on the other end responded. "I recall every detail. Freda, you and I are not that different. We have the same foundation, the same blood, and, regrettably, the same curse."Freda's fingers dug into the smooth phone as her hold tightened. "What are you discussing? Who are you?"The speaker went on, "I was born first, but you're the heir." The first test was me. The lea
The Billionaire's Hidden Bride Chapter 94: Ashes and Echoes
The scream echoed down the marble corridors of the Harrington estate.By the time Freda, Williams, and Alex arrived, security had sealed the hallway. Selene’s door was flung open. Her bodyguard was unconscious. And inside—Selene stood frozen, pale and trembling, her silk robe stained with blood.But it wasn’t hers.A man lay sprawled at her feet, a bullet lodged in his chest, the syringe he’d brought rolling under the dresser.Alex knelt beside him. “Dead,” he confirmed. “A clean shot. Straight through the heart.”“Who fired?” Williams demanded, scanning the room.“I did.” Selene’s voice was hollow. “He was already halfway across the room before I woke. If I’d been a second slower…”She didn’t finish.Freda stepped forward, gripping Selene’s trembling shoulders. “Who was he?”Selene stared at the body. “His name was Darien. He trained with me under Cassian’s program years ago. We were children then. I thought he was dead.”Freda turned to Williams. “That means Cassian’s activated mor
The Billionaire's Hidden Bride Chapter 93: The Ghosts We Bury
For a moment, Freda couldn’t breathe.Jonathan Harrington—her father, the man she believed had died before she was old enough to remember—stood in the corridor, alive and real. His once-proud frame had thinned, his eyes bloodshot with years of torment, but the commanding presence remained.“Dad…” she whispered.Jonathan didn’t smile. He didn’t reach for her. Instead, he looked over her shoulder, where Williams, Alex, and Grace hovered just behind.“We can’t talk here,” Jonathan said, his voice low, urgent. “There are eyes everywhere.”Freda’s heart pounded, caught between disbelief and instinctive trust. She stepped forward.“Where have you been? Why—why now? And what do you mean Cassian’s not dead?”Jonathan’s gaze hardened.“Because he never died in that fire. It was staged.”Freda sat across from her father in a cold, concrete-walled room beneath one of the original Harrington estates—a place so off-grid it didn’t exist in any legal registry.Williams stood guard at the door, while
