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Chapter 76: Peace in the Family
Last Updated:
2025-03-30 22:12:48
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There was an overwhelming quiet in the room. I tried to take in what I had just heard as I looked at him. What would you think about marrying me? Absurd and unreal, the words replayed in my mind like a nightmare I was unable to wake from. "Pardon me?" I succeeded, speaking hardly louder than a whisper. Leaning back in his chair, Williams Franklin's eyes were composed and strategic. "I think I was explicit. I'm proposing to you—under a contract, of course. A bitter, disbelieving laugh rose up in my throat. "Is this a joke of some sort?" His face remained unwavering. "Joke is a waste of time for me." As a reaction to protect myself from the situation's utter ridiculousness, I crossed my arms. "You're not even familiar with me. Why would you— "Are you not present here? at *Love Affair*. With an irksomely matter-of-fact tone, he said, "That tells me everything I need to know." My cheeks became heated. "You know absolutely nothing about me." "I know enough," he shot back. Y
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The moment we stepped out of the car, it seemed as if a hundred eyes were watching me. Flashing cameras looked like fireworks, as the rapid shutter sounds merged into a unified, chaotic hum. As we ascended the marble steps of the Astoria Grand, Williams' fingers tightened slightly on my arm, a small but reassuring touch that I held onto. The smell of ambition and money filled the air within. A sea of expensive dresses and well-tailored suits was illuminated by the golden glow from the brilliant chandeliers. The gentle tones of a live orchestra blended with the sounds of conversation and laughter. Williams spoke softly as he leaned closer. "Remember that confidence is essential. Don't smile too much. Talk when someone is speaking to you, and please, don't drink too much champagne. I forced a practiced smile onto my lips and murmured, "Got it." He guided me through the throng, stopping occasionally to greet or shake hands with people whose names I couldn't possibly recall. I mad
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As sunshine streamed into the expansive penthouse on the morning following the gala, the city hummed softly in the background. The room was opulent but chilly, a far cry from the small apartments I had known as a child. Like Williams himself, there was a hint of riches around, but there was also a whisper of emptiness. A delightful breakfast spread awaited me as I entered the dining room. Holding a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and his phone in the other, Williams settled into the chair at the head of the table. I sat down opposite him, and he hardly acknowledged me. "Sleep well?" he enquired, sounding more compelled than genuinely interested. I lied and said, "Like a rock." In actuality, I had been wondering about Ethan, Sophia, and this strange new life I had slipped into all night. His eyes were keen as he looked up. "All right. We have a reputation to uphold. Grace is going to take you shopping today. The board anticipates Mrs. Franklin to be polished, not He glanced
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The vastness and luxury of the Franklin estate were stunning, but they also came with a burden that made me feel like an outsider in someone else's world. The estate was bustling with activity this morning. While he didn't seem very excited about it, Williams had told me during breakfast that his family was getting together for a formal meal, which is reportedly a tradition. He stated plainly, "They'll ask questions," looking at me as if I were a conundrum he was unable to understand. "Avoid anything personal, be courteous, and remain ambiguous." Even though I felt uneasy, I answered, "Got it." Although I was able to tolerate intrusive questioning, the weight of what I had learnt about the Harringtons made me feel as though I were carrying a secret that might blow up at any time. The mood instantly changed as soon as we entered the opulent dining room. Already there were Marcel and Sophia, staring at me with piercing eyes as though I were an intruder. Other relatives joined
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The stillness between us stretched so thin I felt it may crack. Williams was still standing in the doorway, staring at the letter I was holding. Something raw and illegible was replacing the polished veneer he normally wore. "Where was that found?" I could hear the tension beneath his steady, low voice. With caution, I raised the letter like a white flag and said, "In the library." "It was concealed among the books." Sharply, he took two steps across the room and snatched the letter from me. With each word, his jaw tensed as he read it rapidly. His face was unreadable as he turned to face me again, but his eyes—they were haunted. After folding the letter and putting it in his pocket, he stated curtly, "This doesn't concern you." "If it involves me, it does," I firmly asserted. “What does it mean, Williams? Who penned it? And who’s the child?” He shook his head and laughed without humour. "You believe I know everything? You wouldn't believe how many secrets this family has,
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Early that morning, before the sun had fully risen, there was the first indication of disaster. Expecting a calendar reminder or a message from Williams, I weakly reached for my phone when its gentle ding roused me from a restless slumber. I was met with a deluge of messages, including missed calls, emails, and texts. Then came the press releases. ‘A scandalous arrangement or a socialite marriage? Freda Adams' Horrifying History Is Out!’The sheets coiled about me as I sat up quickly. As the data appeared in sharp, bold letters, my pulse raced as I looked across the screen. Marcel hadn't remained silent. He had somehow obtained my childhood documents, including the foster homes, the charge that I had stolen from one of my foster families (which was later shown to be untrue, but the harm persisted), and even a picture of me at sixteen, wearing a waitress costume at a seedy diner. An opportunistic woman with a bad history who is trying to move up the social scale was depicted in
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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
