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CHAPTER 11
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2024-12-12 01:37:13Related chapters
The Billionaire's Pawn CHAPTER 12
The Painting IncidentNaomi's POVWith the exception of my brush's gentle rasp across the canvas, the studio was silent. Bold and forceful, the colors swirled together in violent, chaotic strokes of black and red. Every movement of my hand served as a release and a conduit for the feelings churning within me. But the harsh, deliberate tap on the door broke the haven I had found in my work. "Naomi." My hold on the brush tightened as Roman's rich voice reverberated through the wood. I hoped he would go, so I didn't respond. Rather, the door creaked open, and he was there, his presence like a storm cloud filling the room. "I didn't say you could come in,” I said, without looking back. Roman stepped closer, his footsteps resonating on the hardwood floor, and shut the door behind him. "You haven't been avoiding me." "Have I?" With a bland voice, I continued without stopping. "I didn't notice that." "Enough." His voice sliced like a whip through the atmosphere. "Turn and look
Last Updated : 2024-12-12The Billionaire's Pawn CHAPTER 13
The Price of DefianceNaomi's POV As a clear reminder of Roman's cruelty, the fragments of my destroyed painting were still on the studio floor. But I felt a fierce resolution instead of despair. I refused to be crumpled like one of his disposable pieces, to give him the last say. With my head held high, I brushed away my tears, combed my hair, and left the studio. Roman was going to find out whether he thought his haughtiness could imprison me. Roman was sitting at the head of the long table in the softly lighted dining room, holding a crystal tumbler. As I stepped inside, his eyes darted up to meet mine, and the only sound was the clink of ice against glass. "You're running late," he stated in a cold voice. I smiled tightly at him. "I had no idea that we had a schedule." With a mixture of humor and caution, his brow raised. "We do. You will benefit from following my rules in this house.” "Your rules," I said again as I sat down across from him. "How endearing." A sligh
Last Updated : 2024-12-13The Billionaire's Pawn CHAPTER 14
Shadows of His PastNaomi's POVThe silence was more deafening than the storm I knew was coming, and the tension in the air was oppressive. Roman's massive frame created lengthy shadows on the strewn canvases and brushes as he stood in the doorway of my art studio. The room felt colder and smaller than it already was as his steely eyes penetrated through me.You have a habit of invading spaces that aren't yours." With a strong and arrogant tone, I remarked. Even though my heart was racing, I kept my uneasiness from him, which usually gnawed at me when we were together.Roman took a while to reply. Rather, he allowed his eyes to wander over my incomplete work, a whirl of gloomy, disorganized brushstrokes that reflected the chaos within me. A little, derisive smirk twisted his lips. “What a mess,” he finally said. “Is this supposed to mean something?”It's called expression." I yelled. "Something that you wouldn't understand."His shiny shoes clicked on the floor as he stepped purposefu
Last Updated : 2024-12-13The Billionaire's Pawn CHAPTER 15
The First CrackNaomi's POV The imposing study towered over me, it's dark wood paneling and tall bookcases serving as a sobering reminder of Roman's dominance. His chiseled features were obscured by shadows generated by the crackling fireplace as he sat behind the mahogany desk, his expression enigmatic. Control screamed from every inch of him, yet he was betrayed by the storm in his eyes. This time, I wasn't going to back down. "We need to talk, Roman," I said, my voice more steady than I had anticipated. He didn't look up from the papers in front of him, but his head tipped slightly. “You’ve made your feelings abundantly clear, Naomi. What more is there to say?” My chest erupted with anger, but I forced myself to swallow it and moved deeper into the room. “Don’t do that. Don’t dismiss me like I’m some annoying fly buzzing around your perfect little world.” At last, his sharp gray eyes met mine as he looked up. "Then quit behaving like one." I tightened my hands at my s
Last Updated : 2024-12-13The Billionaire's Pawn CHAPTER 16
Whispers of Betrayal Naomi's POV As I walked back toward my room, Roman's final words reverberated in my head, and the hallway felt colder than normal. "Be careful what you wish for." It was a promise rather than a warning. His secrets were like a fortress I could never enter, and his walls were impenetrable. However, I had held onto the hope that perhaps, just maybe, there was something inside him that wished to let me in. I couldn't go because of that flimsy hope, which forced me to put up with the never-ending struggle between his icy haughtiness and the infrequent glimmers of humanity he let to show. Faint voices, however, floated through the slightly open door as I passed the study. My breath caught in my throat as I hesitated. “You’re sure about this?” a deep voice said. I recognized it as Victor’s, Roman’s closest confidant and business partner. "Yes," Roman said in a tight voice. "It's the only way to proceed." I leaned against the wall just outside the door, d
Last Updated : 2024-12-19The Billionaire's Pawn CHAPTER 17
Camille Strikes Again Naomi's POV As I anxiously adjusted the hem of my dress, the enormous ballroom reverberated with the sound of clinking glasses. Roman was going to use this as another chance to show me off like a trophy wife at a charity event. However, something felt different tonight. Camille's smile was as keen as a blade, and her cold stare weighed heavily on me from the other side of the room. I made an effort to ignore her and concentrate on the donors interacting with one another, but the tension in the room was oppressive. "Why do you look to be on the verge of fainting?" I was surprised by Roman's tone, which seemed as uninterested as ever. “I’m fine,” I lied, avoiding his piercing eyes. “Try harder,” he muttered, taking a sip of his drink. “You’re supposed to look like you belong here.” Refusing to give him the satisfaction, I bit back a response. Instead, despite the churning dread in my stomach, I straightened my shoulders and forced a smile. Camille c
Last Updated : 2024-12-19The Billionaire's Pawn CHAPTER 18
The Great Escape Naomi's POVThe ominous silence that pervaded the mansion only deepened my determination. As I stood in my room, holding the hurriedly packed duffle bag, my breath caught. Every heartbeat echoed like a drum as my heart hammered in my chest, urging me to move faster. All I knew was that I had to go, but I had no idea where I was heading. The message I had written, a brief but tragic farewell that would undoubtedly shatter Roman's heart, was resting on the nightstand. I made an effort to ignore the shame I felt in my chest. This was about saving myself, not about hurting him. “I can’t stay here anymore. I can’t keep fighting a battle I’ll never win.”I shook my head and wiped away the tears that threatened to make me second-guess myself. I couldn't allow myself to falter. Roman had made it clear time and time again that his walls were impenetrable, his past a fortress I was never meant to enter. I opened the door with a gentle squeak and looked into the dark
Last Updated : 2024-12-24The Billionaire's Pawn CHAPTER 19
A New Start Naomi's POV The flat was simple, with peeling paint and scuffed floors that revealed tales of past occupants. Though it wasn't much, it belonged to me. The calm was a welcome relief after weeks of turmoil. Yet, the silence was also unnerving. The only chair beside the window caught my My duffel bag sat beside it, the last remnant of a life I was trying to leave behind. I inhaled deeply, ignoring the memories that were about to come flooding back. “This is home now,” I said aloud, my voice breaking the stillness. But even as I said it, doubt lingered. The following morning, the room was bathed in a warm glow as sunlight filtered through the thin curtains. I had tossed and turned on the rough mattress all night, dreaming of harsh words and piercing glances. I needed a distraction. I dug inside my purse and took out my sketchbook. Its battered cover was familiar, almost reassuring. As I turned the pages, I noticed shards of a previous existence—drawings of Roman
Last Updated : 2024-12-24
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The Billionaire's Pawn CHAPTER 45
Camille’s Revenge Roman's POV My office's air felt oppressive and heavy. With my hands grasping the armrests so firmly that my knuckles became white, I leaned back in my chair. The image on my phone's screen, Naomi's kind face, Elijah's closeness, and the intimacy of it all burned into my memory. With a harsh thud that echoed through the silent room, I slammed my fist upon the desk. This wasn’t just a betrayal—it was a calculated move to dismantle everything I held together. But by whom? I picked up my phone and called my personal assistant, Daniel. He was the only one who could find the truth, and his efficiency and discretion were unmatched. “Daniel,” I barked as soon as he picked up. “Yes,Sir?” “Find out who leaked those photos. I want names, connections—everything. And I want it fast.”"Understood. I'll give you an update soon.”With a pounding chest, I hung up. Elijah and Naomi weren't the only ones involve in this. Someone think they could take control of this situa
The Billionaire's Pawn CHAPTER 44
Caught Between Two FiresNaomi's POV With my heart pounding in my ears, I entered the mansion. The silence of the vast foyer greeted me, broken only by the distant hum of the house’s systems. Roman mansion always seemed too big, as if it might swallow a human being. But, I didn't fear getting ingested today. I was terrified of what I would find. "Naomi." Sharp and straight, his voice echoed from the opposite side of the room. His eyes were dark and impenetrable as I turned to see him standing at the foot of the grand staircase. He was not yet dressed for the day; his shirt was rolled up with the sleeves unbuttoned at the collar as if I had interrupted him in the middle of a thought. I paused for a second. The Roman I had fallen in love with didn't look like the man I had come to confront. Like steel forged in fire, this Roman was sharper and harder. But, I wasn't here to lose myself in the past. I squared my shoulders and crossed the room to meet him. "We need to talk."I
The Billionaire's Pawn CHAPTER 43
Margaret’s SecretNaomi's POVThe weight of Margaret's words weighed heavy on the pit of my stomach, and I swallowed hard while keeping my eyes fixed on her. “We need to talk,” she had said. I wasn’t sure if it was the way her voice carried an unyielding authority or the faint sorrow etched into the corners of her eyes, but I found myself nodding. “Okay,” I said quietly. Margaret pointed to a neighboring bench that was shaded by a tall oak tree just beyond the gates. I followed her without saying a word, my legs moving as if they were on their own. The stillness between us grew as we sat down. I wasn't sure how to start or what to say. Margaret, however, did not waste any time. “You love him,” she started, her voice steady but tinged with something I couldn’t Identify—regret, maybe? "Yes," I said without thinking, but my tone revealed the doubt that was beginning to see the inside of me. She looked away as if she could see something far beyond what was in front of us,
The Billionaire's Pawn CHAPTER 42
Manipulated MindNaomi's POVThe faint, watery sunlight that greeted the morning did little to calm the chaos that was building within me. I held a mug of tea that had long ago gone cold as I sat by the window. Roman's kiss, the softness of his touch, and the startling finding of Camille's earrings in his study were all repeated in my memory from the previous evening. The earring wasn't merely a coincidence or an oversight. It was a warning—a stark reminder that Camille was still interfering in Roman's life, and possibly ours as well. My suspicions had already been sparked by her unexpected appearance at the dinnerl, but discovering her earring confirmed them into something more sinister and indisputable. My phone buzzed before I could think any deeper, the sound cutting like a dagger through the quiet. It was a text from Elijah. “Meet me at 10 a.m. on Fifth at the café. Don’t be late.”My stomach turned as I gazed at the screen. Elijah's timing was as accurate as his words, and
The Billionaire's Pawn CHAPTER 41
Shadows and Sparks Naomi's POVI stopped when I heard frantic footsteps behind me, just as I was about to reach the gate. Roman's voice pierced the darkness as I turned, my heart thumping. "Wait, Naomi!" I paused, feeling my heart rate increase. When I turned, he was already there, his breath heavy, his expression raw. His features were softened by the dim glow of the mansion's lights, but his eyes were so intense that they made me gasp. “Roman, what is it?” Struggling to maintain a steady voice, I asked. He took a moment to respond, looking into my eyes as if he was having trouble finding the perfect words. "I can't let you go like this." "Why not?" Defensive and aching at the same time, I folded my arms. “You’ve made your choice, Roman. Camille made that perfectly clear.” He tightened his jaw. "This has nothing to do with Camille." “She has everything to do with this!” I lost my temper, letting out all the fury and confusion I had been suppressing. “You invited me h
The Billionaire's Pawn CHAPTER 40
The dinnerNaomi's POVAt seven, Roman sent a sleek, black car with epitome of subtle luxury. I felt a knot form in my stomach as it smoothly came to a halt in front of my building. I wasn't prepared, either for the truths I might discover or for the answersI might get. The driver, a well-dressed man, nodded firmly and opened the door for me. Grasping my bag as if it were an anchor, I entered. There were brief reflections on the glass as the city lights flickered past the windows. My resolve was being eroded by the suspense as my head was filled with questions. The grand mansion stood out against the night sky when we arrived at Roman's estate, its imposing shape both alluring and ominous. The car slid up the long driveway and stopped right in front of the entrance when the big iron gates opened. A butler greeted me at the door, his expression impassive as he gestured me inside. The interior of the estate was as lavish as ever, but there appeared to be more tension in the air to
The Billionaire's Pawn CHAPTER 39
A Mother’s WarningNaomi's POVWith Margaret inside, the space seemed smaller, her silent presence filling every nook and cranny. She exuded a composure that hinted at a life spent amidst storms, but there was an unavoidable sadness in her eyes.I pointed to the couch, she sat elegantly with her hands folded tightly in her lap. I took a seat in one of the armchairs across from her and gripped the seat edge as if I were expecting to be hit. "You must have questions.” She said, in a calm but melancholy tone. I nodded, my throat too tight to speak. Margaret took a long breath, seemingly mustering the courage to dive into a past she would prefer to forget. “Roman is… complicated. But I suppose you’ve already figured that out.” Before I could stop myself, I let out a bitter laugh. “That’s an understatement.” Although her lips quirked, her eyes were not amused. “He wasn’t always like this. There was a time when he was just a boy—curious, kind, and full of dreams. But that was bef
The Billionaire's Pawn CHAPTER 38
The Locked Room SecretNaomi's POVThe sun was barely peeking over the horizon when I woke up, and the faint light was filtering through the blinds. The decision I had made the previous night felt even heavier in the morning, but it was unwavering. I need to know.The only sound accompanying me on the silent drive to Roman's mansion was the hum of the engine. My mind was filled with memories of the innumerable times I had lived here. But today was different. Today, I was an intruder in what used to feel like home. My heart hammered my ribs as I parked outside. An uncommon sight that made me uneasy was the tall gates standing open. Roman was very careful about security, but I'm not going to question my luck. The mansion's icy exterior was more menacing in some way than I recalled. I slipped through the front door, hastily pushing off the memories that were evoked by the smell of leather and oak. Focus, Naomi. The corridor was silent and deserted as it stretched ahead of me.
The Billionaire's Pawn CHAPTER 37
Broken TrustNaomi's POVDawn's drab light crept through the curtains like an unwanted visitor, and morning came too soon. After a restless night full of disjointed thoughts and unresolved questions, my head ached. I forced myself to get ready even though the resolve I had felt the night before was on the verge of breaking. No matter how unpleasant it was, Roman and I had to talk. The city appeared to be more subdued than usual as I made my way to his office, the bustle of life stifled by my thoughts. My chest was tense and my palms were clammy by the time I got there. I passed the receptionist's desk and headed for the elevator, but she gave me a startled glance but didn't stop me. The stress in my features was obvious when my reflection in the mirrored walls gazed back at me. For what seemed like the hundredth time, I practiced my sentences.”You know me, Roman. You know I will never do something like this.” But even in my mind, the words sounded hollow. With my heels click
