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Chapter 31: Shifting The Scale
Last Updated:
2025-01-21 22:13:08
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The 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
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The atmosphere in the room felt stifling. The documents and maps laid out on the table, detailing the rescue strategy for James, appeared to be a delicate hope amid the impending storm approaching us. Every detail was important, but I still couldn't help but feel that something—or someone—was slipping away unnoticed. Williams’ voice cut through my thoughts. “We’ll split into teams. Grace, you handle surveillance. Alex and I will cover the docks. Freda, you stay here—” “No,” I interrupted, my voice firmer than I expected. “I’m coming with you. This involves all of us.” He gave me a hard look but didn’t argue. He knew better than to waste time on a debate. Before anyone could react, the door burst open, and Emma emerged, her complexion white and her hands shaking. "I need to speak with you," she stated, her voice trembling, her gaze fixed on me. “Not now,” Williams said sharply. “We’re in the middle of something critical.” “It’s about James,” Emma said, her voice rising. “And D
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The tension in the Franklin penthouse was suffocating. The aftermath of the trap at the warehouse lingered like a dark cloud over everyone. Emma had managed to get me out of Daniel’s clutches, but the guilt and betrayal in her eyes haunted me. I had no idea if her intentions were genuine or part of some larger scheme, but for now, she had bought me time. Williams paced by the floor-to-ceiling windows, his jaw tight, fists clenched. “They’ve escalated. This isn’t just family politics anymore—this is war.” “They’re not going to stop,” Alex said, his tone grim. “Daniel wants complete control, and Sophia thrives on chaos. And then there’s Margaret…” At the mention of Margaret Harrington, my chest tightened. The matriarch’s reach was everywhere, her power a constant shadow over my every move. “They think they can pressure me into submission,” I said, my voice firmer than I felt. “But they’re wrong. I’m not backing down.” Williams stopped pacing, his gaze locking onto mine. “Freda
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Chasing the vehicle that Daniel's team had forced me to operate, the black SUV sped down the streets, weaving past other vehicles. My heart raced with a blend of excitement and anxiety. I wasn't sure, but I wished the SUV belonged to Williams. Daniel, a predator relishing the excitement of the chase, sat across from me with a serene yet menacing expression.His voice was low and mocking as he said, "Freda, you've made quite the mess." Did you truly believe that standing with the Franklins would keep you safe? They are unable to defend themselves.Even though my heart was racing, I retorted sharply, "I don't need their protection." "I don't use tricks and deceit to get what I want like you do."Daniel leaned forward a little and grinned. "No, you depend on falsehoods. Claiming to be the innocent victim while attempting to gain control. You don't want to acknowledge how much you resemble Margaret.Even though his words hurt, I kept my fear from him. "You should be fearful of my next mo
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It was a battleground. Tension was in the air as cameras flashed quickly one after the other and reporters yelled questions. A high-stakes news conference had brought the families of Franklin and Harrington together in an attempt to "clear the air." However, this was actually a war. I sat calmly in the middle of it all, wearing a fitted white dress that made me appear in charge. Alex and Williams were on either side of me. Daniel and Marcel stood opposite us like warring generals. Sophia observed with the patience of a vulture, waiting for the right opportunity, while Margaret Harrington sat off to the side, her face inscrutable. I anticipated what would happen. The question wasn’t *if* they would attack but *how*—and if I was prepared to fight back. One of the journalists in the first row cried out, "Miss Lewis," in a harsh, questioning voice. **"According to recent rumours, your abrupt ascent in rank is a planned attempt to gain entry into the Harrington empire. Do you dispu
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Freda sat frozen as the breaking news alert flashed across the screen.DANIEL HARRINGTON FILES PETITION TO CONTEST FRANKLIN-LEWIS CHILD’S CLAIM TO FAMILY LINEAGE.The air in the room thickened with tension. Every fibre of Freda’s being screamed in outrage. She clutched her stomach protectively, her mind racing.Williams paced furiously beside her. "This is war." His voice was low, laced with controlled fury.Grace stood by the door, her expression unreadable. "We need a strategy. Fast."Freda inhaled deeply, grounding herself. "He’s not just coming for me—he’s coming for our child."Williams nodded. "This indicates he’s even more perilous than we expected." Before any other words were exchanged, Grace's phone vibrated. She looked at the screen and let out a sigh. "You should check this out." She handed the tablet to Williams. The live broadcast showed a polished news anchor staring into the camera."Sources close to the Harrington family reveal that Freda Lewis—recently discovered t
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Freda turned to face Sophia, her breath erratic. With every elaborate feature serving as a reminder of Sophia's authority, the lavish chamber in the Harrington mansion felt oppressive.Emma shifted next to her, her face etched with shame. She said, "I didn't know it was a setup."Freda's hands clinched. "What do you want, Sophia?"Sophia grinned more broadly. "A deal."Freda's eyes narrowed. "I don’t make deals with snakes."Sophia let out a slow, deliberate laugh. "You might want to think about it again. Because everything in your universe is going to fall apart after tonight."She pointed to the enormous wall-mounted television. A news conference was happening in real-time as the screen sprang to light.Cameras flashed around a woman who was standing on a platform. Blonde, elegant, and dressed in high-end textiles. In her arms was a child, a lad with black hair and sharp blue eyes.The woman said, "My name is Veronica Steele," in a silky voice. "And this is William Franklin’s son."
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Freda sat with her hands on her tummy in the dark office. She felt as though the weight of Daniel's offer was suffocating her."Relinquish your claim, walk away from Williams, and your child will be safe."She had anticipated a dirty fight from Daniel, but this? She wasn't entirely ready for this degree of brutality.Marcel leaned back in his chair across from her, his face impassive as he watched her. "You knew it would come to this, didn’t you?"Freda's chin went up. "I was aware of Daniel's peril. However, I didn't anticipate him going this far.Marcel gave a shrug. "He's in a desperate situation. Desperate males also don't play fairly.Freda felt her heart race. She had been struggling to escape the mess the Harringtons had forced her into for weeks. She had to make a decision now.Her future.Williams.Her kid."Are you actually considering his deal?" Marcel looked at her intently and inquired.Freda felt a knot in her stomach. She was acting as though she was thinking about it.
Last Updated : 2025-03-20
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The Billionaire's Hidden Bride Chapter 76: Peace in the Family
Today there was a change in the air in the magnificent Harrington estate. An anxious expectation had taken the place of the tension that had once choked its corridors. Members of the Harrington and Franklin families, as well as important allies, came together in one room for the first time in years, not as adversaries but in the hopes of healing old wounds.Freda was standing next to Williams, holding his hand and reassuring him quietly. Her biological father, Jonathan Harrington, was seated on the other side of the room with an expression that was hard to interpret. The powerful matriarch Margaret Harrington occupied the head of the table, her eyes revealing an uncommon instance of vulnerability despite her steadfast royal bearing. Alex Harrington, Freda's secret supporter, remained composed on one side, his presence an unspoken promise of assistance. Between them all hung the burden of history.It was Margaret who spoke first. "We've let this family be divided for too long." She sp
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Freda, holding Williams' arm, whispered, "She knew we’d come," as they observed Margaret Harrington from the other side of the exclusive club.Williams remained motionless, his body tense but his face unreadable. She desires for us to see her. to be aware that she continues to play this game."Margaret whispered something to the man she was talking to, and he nodded. Then she rose gracefully and vanished through a side door without looking back at them.Freda's heartbeat accelerated. "We need to follow her."Williams put a firm hand on her lower back and let out a sharp exhale. "Yes, we will. But not carelessly.The man who had been watching from the bar, James Whitmore, came over to them. "My men are already pursuing her. We'll be aware of her destination before she even moves in."Freda forced herself to take a deep breath and nodded. She had been reacting for too long. It was time to make a calculated move."Then let’s figure out our next step," she replied.An hour later, Williams
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"I didn’t come here to negotiate."As he moved forward, Alex's voice broke the ice. His piercing gaze fell on Victor Langston.He went on, "I came to end this," and placed a thick envelope on the table.Freda crossed her arms. "And what exactly is that?"Alex looked at her knowingly. "Everything's missing pieces. He looked at Margaret and said, "—proof that Victor here has been funnelling company money to dismantle the Harrington empire from within—the last of the offshore accounts, the secret investors pulling the strings, and—"There was silence in the room.Victor's expression grew gloomy. "You don’t know what you’re talking about."Williams bent over. "Oh, I think he does."Picking up the envelope, Elijah looked through the papers. He had a sardonic grin. "This is sufficient to start criminal investigations and compel resignations. You're finished, Victor."Victor balled his fists. His once-unflinching haughtiness wavered with doubt. He looked at Margaret. "This is your doing, isn
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Freda stood with her fingers clenched into her hand at the edge of the Harrington estate's grand hall. She felt the weight of history, the ghosts of the past whispering inside the elaborate walls. Regardless of the outcome, the fight for supremacy ended tonight. Williams' face was unintelligible as he tinkled with his cufflinks across the room. He had supported her through the chaos, but now they were walking into a fire neither of them could fully predict. Margaret sat at the long table, her bearing dignified despite a storm raging beneath her placid face. Her instincts for survival were sharper than ever, and she was a trapped woman. She went pale when she saw the proof Elijah had provided, but she quickly recovered her composure. Margaret said, "You expect me to betray the Council," in a smooth but tense voice.Freda looked directly into her eyes. "You have no other option. They will first destroy you if you don't."Margaret's mouth twisted. "And what makes you think I won’t jus
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Freda stared at the small drive in Williams’ hand. The weight of James’ words settled heavily between them.The Harrington Council. A hidden force controlling everything from the shadows.Williams exhaled sharply, slipping the drive into his pocket. “If what James says is true, we’re fighting something much bigger than Margaret.”Alex crossed his arms. “Then we need to be smart. They’ve controlled things for decades. If we make one wrong move, they’ll wipe us out before we know what hit us.”Freda nodded. “We can’t let fear stop us. If they’ve been manipulating the Harrington empire all along, we need to dismantle them—completely.”Williams glanced at James. “And you? What’s your next move?”James hesitated. “I can’t stay.” He looked at Freda. “They’ll come for me first. If I disappear, they’ll assume I’m dead. That’ll buy you time.”Williams clenched his jaw. “You’re running.”James didn’t deny it. “I’ve done enough damage. This is the only way I can fix it.” He turned to Freda. “Use
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"What we need is here."Alex's remarks made Freda gasp for air. Her fingers were shaking a little as she held the flash drive he had put in her palm. This tiny gadget could totally ruin Margaret's schemes.Williams's eyes were keen as he leaned closer. "Are you certain this is all there is to it?"Alex gave a nod. "Jonathan's ledger. Every transaction. Every secret deal. It confirms everything we suspected—and more.”Freda took a swallow. “So, what do we do now?”Williams exchanged a look with Alex before turning to her. “We expose her.”Freda felt sick to her stomach. Exposing Margaret meant more than just stopping her schemes—it meant bringing down the last remnant of the Harrington power structure.They met in a private suite at one of Williams’ properties—neutral ground. Margaret sat across from them, her expression unreadable, a glint of amusement in her eyes.“You’ve been busy,” she murmured, sipping her tea. “But tell me, Freda, what exactly do you think you’ve won?”Freda sli
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Beyond the glass walls of Freda and Williams' new office, the metropolitan skyline glittered in the night air, which was thick with the smell of rain. Every square inch of it was theirs. A tribute to their perseverance and fortitude. Their future.But the claws of the past were still there.Freda flipped through legal documents as seated behind a gorgeous wooden desk. She no longer identified with the Harrington name, but it was more difficult than she had thought to rid it of its perversion. With his hands in his pockets and his piercing eyes focused on the city below, Williams stood by the window.He whispered to her, "They won't let us walk away that easily."Freda let out a breath. "I understand. However, we don't require their consent."Williams grinned. "I adore that about you."The intercom buzzed before Freda could answer. Grace's voice came through with a crack."Someone has come to visit you. He claims that it is urgent.Freda scowled. "Who is it?"A pause occurred. Then "Al
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Like an indestructible storm cloud, the weight of Jonathan's remarks continued to hang in the atmosphere. Williams silently let Freda know she wasn't alone by tightening his hold around her waist. But the truth was oppressive—a new, dark force threatened their tranquility just when they believed they were free.Freda straightened her shoulders and looked directly into Jonathan's eyes. "Then tell me all about it. Who are they?"Jonathan's fingers clenched into fists as he paused. The Harringtons are what they are now because of them. Strong, invincible, and merciless. They erased me as I attempted to leave. But you—" his eyes darkened, his voice wavered. "There was no reason for you to exist. They view you as a threat now that you have taken control of the empire, even though your mother concealed you to keep you safe."Williams gave a chilly laugh. They do, of course. And I take it that these are the ones that supported Sophia?Jonathan gave a nod. "Like the rest of us, she was a pawn
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As they crouched there in the darkened hiding place, Freda gripped Williams' hand tighter. They had a plan. Everything would change in the next 24 hours, including Sophia's demise, her father's fate, and their own future. But fear tore at her from the inside out. Williams had always been shrewd and prepared to risk everything for the people he cared about. The stakes were different this time, though. This was a personal matter, not merely a matter of business or retaliation. With her words hardly audible above a whisper, Freda acknowledged, "I still don't like this." Williams faced her, his eyes fixed on hers. "I understand. However, it's the only option. "He was right, and she detested it. While Sophia held Jonathan Harrington, James and Alex stood by the monitors, studying the facility's security layout. Alex stated, "She'll be anticipating backup." "We have to make sure she thinks you're alone when you walk in." James nodded. "We have an insider connection. Someone w
