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18: PICTURES DON’T LIE
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2024-12-08 23:05:03Related chapters
The Billionaire’s Regret 19: THE INVITATION TRAP
NATE’S POV“So, what is the issue here?” I asked.“Well, Nate, the issue my dear friend and I share, as major partners in this association, boils down to one thing: family,” Mr. Bellini began, his tone calm but laced with a hint of judgment. “I still remember when the media went into a frenzy after your divorce. You were everywhere. Then, of course, there was the string of women you were spotted with every week. And now, suddenly, you’re back with your ex-wife. It’s a good thing finding your way back to the one you love.” He paused, his sharp gaze cutting into me. “But how can we trust that you’re solid, Nate? Because, let me tell you, a man who can’t hold on to a woman is rarely the kind of man who can hold on to a business. Even if things seem to be running smoothly now, there will inevitably come to a point when the stability is tested. And that’s where doubts start and getting out of It won’t be easy.”A pang shot through my chest as I took a quick sip of my scotch. “You have no
Last Updated : 2024-12-09The Billionaire’s Regret 20: THE INEVITABLE TRIP
ELARA’S POV“What do you mean we need to go to New York?” I turn sharply to Jenna, dropping the pen I’ve been twirling in my hand.I’d left the office specifically for my lunch break, hoping to clear my head and sketch some décor ideas that have been nagging at me for days. It was supposed to be my time to relax, not stress over another curveball.“I just got off the phone with Lesley,” Jenna says, her tone apologetic but firm. “That’s what she said.”Lesley. Again.It’s always Lesley calling, always with some demand that feels impossible to meet. I’m starting to think her favorite pastime is making our lives harder.“What now?” I ask, trying to keep my irritation in check.“She said it’s about the New York stores we’re supposed to renovate. Apparently, something urgent came up, and they need us to do an on-site consultation as soon as possible.”“That’s absurd! We’re not even finished with the current branch we’re working on. How can they expect us to drop everything and jump to anot
Last Updated : 2024-12-09The Billionaire’s Regret 21: LET ME EXPLAIN
ELARA’S POV“Where did you say you’re going again?” Elliot asked as he pulled my little travel bag from the trunk.I had texted him about my supposed business trip yesterday, hoping that by this morning, I could leave without having to face him. But, of course, I was wrong. My plan had seemed better in my head, but now? Reality wasn’t quite going the way I hoped.Now here we were, walking toward the airport together with my luggage firmly in Elliot’s hand. I felt like I had no choice but to walk beside him.“It’s just a quick trip. I’ll be back before you even know it,” I said with a smile, reaching for my bag, trying to take it back.“I know, you said that in your text, but where exactly are you going again? You never really explained it in that weird text of yours,” he said, his head tilting to the side. His eyes were locked on me, waiting for an answer.“Uh… New Jersey?” I said, hesitating, grasping at the first state that came to mind.“New Jersey?” he repeated, raising an eyebr
Last Updated : 2024-12-10The Billionaire’s Regret 22: I’LL BE FINE.
ELARA’S POV“We don’t have all morning, Elara,” my brother mutters, trying to keep his anger in check.A few people nearby are already staring at us, their curiosity piqued.I knew it was a bad idea to let him take me to the airport.There are plenty of people here who recognize him from the media.Even though he tries his best to keep a low profile, it’s hard when you’re a multi-millionaire breaking our late father’s records year after year.“Elara, are you even listening to me?” he snaps.“I am, I really am,” I reply hastily.“Then why,” he shrugs, “did you tell me you’re going to New Jersey when your ticket says New York?” He waves the ticket in my face for emphasis.“Well, uhm,” I stammer, “the thing is… I wanted to stop by New York and see Mom.” It’s the first excuse that pops into my head.“Mom?” He raises an eyebrow skeptically.“Yes, Mom,” I say, mostly trying to convince myself at this point.“Mom’s on vacation. She won’t be back until tomorrow,” he points out.“I know,” I li
Last Updated : 2024-12-11The Billionaire’s Regret 23: WELCOME TO NEW YORK
ELARA’S POV Something felt off the moment I stepped off the plane and into the bustling airport. At first, everything seemed fine. The flight had been smooth, and I managed to get a good nap. Even the massage I had on board was relaxing, meant to prepare me for whatever was to come. But now, I wasn’t so sure it worked. The business-class seat was nice, the meal was impeccable, and the comfort was unmatched. Yet none of it could have prepared me for what I was seeing right now. A woman stood a short distance away, holding a cardboard sign with my name on it and a huge bouquet of flowers in her other hand. It had to be Lesley’s doing. It had to be her. After all, I hadn’t told anyone else about my visit to the city. But another part of me hesitated. Could this be Elliot’s work? My brother wasn’t the type to send flowers or arrange something this grand. Especially when he knew I wanted to keep a low profile until I could leave the city again. I moved closer to get a better look
Last Updated : 2024-12-12The Billionaire’s Regret 24: YOUR REASON TO STAY
ELARA’S POVI walked into the room with my head held high and my shoulders squared. If my suspicions are correct and he was going to fire me, then so be it. But one thing I was going to make clear this time to whoever it is waiting in there is I am not a pushover. And If he wanted me gone, I’d gladly leave, but he wasn’t getting his money back.Lisa knocked twice on the large door standing in front of us. At the end of the hallway, On the second knock, the door swung open to reveal a tall man dressed in a sharp, staff-like uniform. His professional demeanor made my stomach twist.“This is where I’ll leave you,” Lisa said with a tight smile. “Pete here will show you in.”“Hello, ma’am,” Pete said with a polite nod, gesturing for me to follow him.We walked into what appeared to be a private restaurant. My breath hitched as my eyes took in the elegant interiors. The seating arrangements were perfect, and the mix of furniture styles, which would typically clash, came together in perfect
Last Updated : 2024-12-13The Billionaire’s Regret 25: YOU DON'T HAVE A CHOICE
ELARA'S POV “How is this my reason to stay?” I raised a brow as I opened the file, skepticism lacing my tone.It was a picture of me and him, a picture I could sue him for taking without my knowledge, because I had no idea it even existed.Was he stalking me?. “How does a picture of you and whoever you had stalking me serve as a reason for me to stay?” I tilted my head, letting my confusion seep into my voice.“Take out the other file,” he stated flatly, his eyes daring.I did as he said, dropping the picture onto the table. This time, it was a call history a stack of three papers detailing between two people, complete with dates, durations, and everything.But I am sure it had nothing to do with me. I didn’t have the time, or money, to spend that long on phone calls, much less every day.After skimming through the papers, my lips parted in disbelief, but he spoke before I could.“Your company has created a problem for me,” he said, his smirk deepening with an air of mischief.“How
Last Updated : 2024-12-14The Billionaire’s Regret 26: WHAT'S IT GOING TO BE?
ELARA'S POV.“Have you ever sat and asked yourself how your little company, that hasn’t even made it to the top three interior design firms, managed to catch the eye of my company, let alone convince us to consider working with you?” the smirk on his face gets darker with each passing second. “No,” I said, my voice filled with disbelief. But as the words left my mouth, a thought crept in. Could Jenna have pushed the company to him or someone from his company? No, she wouldn’t. She knows I don’t work with New Yorkers or anything that ties me back to New York.Don’t start doubting her.He’s trying to mess with you, Elara.Don’t let him.“We didn’t push our company to you,” I said firmly, my voice hardening as I met his gaze. “And we didn’t even want the job. You kept pushing when we tried to pull out of it after figuring out it was your company.”“It might be true that you didn’t push for it,” he replied smoothly, leaning forward with an unsettling smirk, “but the chief of police and t
Last Updated : 2024-12-14
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The Billionaire’s Regret 30: LONG RIDE
ELARA’S POVNATE: WE DON’T HAVE MUCH TIME.I scoff as I read the message, irritation bubbling up inside me. How typical of Nate to barge into my day without any warning. My fingers fly across the screen as I type out a reply, my frustration seeping into every word.ELARA: You should’ve given me a heads up. I need time to pack!The response comes almost immediately, as if he’d been waiting for it NATE: BE QUICK. WE DON’T HAVE TIME.Something about his demanding tone sets my teeth on edge. He shows up uninvited, changes plans without consulting me, and expects me to follow along like some obedient lackey? He said Saturday, not Friday. And now I’m supposed to drop everything because he’s in a rush? My annoyance sharpens as I glance at the window. Who does he think he is?NATE: YOU DON’T NEED TO PACK MUCH. WE CAN BUY CLOTHES. JUST BRING ESSENTIALS.NATE: IF YOU’RE NOT OUT IN THREE MINUTES, I’M COMING IN.My jaw drops. The audacity.ELARA: YOU WOULDN’T DARE.I hit send, daring him to push
The Billionaire’s Regret 29: MASKS, MASSAGES AND MISERY
ELARA’S POV It was surprising how, for the past three days, my mother hadn’t criticized my work. But deep down, I knew it was coming.“Mom, we’re different people. Your pace and mine are different,” I said, keeping my tone even.“We sure are very different, dear. When was the last time you even did something to that face of yours? Do you even use the skincare routine I made for you?”And then she pulls her signature move. Changing the topic when she didn’t want to hear the truth.“I do just fine,” I said, forcing a smile.She turned her attention back to the pasta, carefully placing it in the pot before washing her hands. But as soon as she was done, she turned back to me, narrowing her eyes as she studied my face.“You don’t, Elara. Because if you did, your skin wouldn’t look like… this. And don’t even get me started on that meal plan I gave you. You’re clearly not following it. If you keep this up, you’ll look forty in a few years” a frown found it self on her. Honestly, you alre
The Billionaire’s Regret 28: THE CRITICISM
ELARA’S POVA small part of me wants to second guess my decision to go with Nate, but I remind myself why I agreed in the first place: I need him to pay me.Besides, what better opportunity to network and look for bigger investors? It’s the perfect place to gain exposure and advertise my company for free.Killing two birds with one stone.“Remind me why you’re here,” my mother says, frowning as she kneads the pasta dough on the counter.“Because I missed you?” I reply, a smirk tugging at my lips.“One year and nine months,” she says, narrowing her eyes. “You didn’t think to come to New York to see me until now?”“What are you trying to say, sweet mother?” I pout, hoping to divert her attention.“Don’t ‘sweet mother’ me,” she snaps. “I get it New York isn’t your favorite place anymore. Not after that showdown, and your…” She pauses, her tone softening as she adds “You don’t call me, and your text replies are always late and dry,” she continues, her tone growing sharper.I want to say,
The Billionaire’s Regret 27: CURVE BALLS.
ELARA’S POVA tight knot forms in my throat, making it hard to breathe. Saying no to him feels like signing my name to those legal charges, but I refuse to let him think he’s won. Not now. Not ever.“So…” Nate drawls, leaning back in his chair with that insufferable smirk, waiting for my answer.Curveballs. Always curveballs.If I’d known signing that deal with his company would lead to this mess, I’d have swallowed my pride and asked Elliot for the loan. Hell, I might’ve even let Mr. Harper ruin my company, started over from scratch anything but this.Frustration churns in my chest like a storm. After everything I’ve been through, now I have to deal with this?I let out a long, slow sigh, my chest tight and my head pounding. Turning to face Nate again, I feel my heart racing, as if it’s moments away from exploding. The anger surging through me feels alive, electric. He thinks he can corner me, that his connections will leave me helpless and in jail?As much as I hate to admit it, t
The Billionaire’s Regret 26: WHAT'S IT GOING TO BE?
ELARA'S POV.“Have you ever sat and asked yourself how your little company, that hasn’t even made it to the top three interior design firms, managed to catch the eye of my company, let alone convince us to consider working with you?” the smirk on his face gets darker with each passing second. “No,” I said, my voice filled with disbelief. But as the words left my mouth, a thought crept in. Could Jenna have pushed the company to him or someone from his company? No, she wouldn’t. She knows I don’t work with New Yorkers or anything that ties me back to New York.Don’t start doubting her.He’s trying to mess with you, Elara.Don’t let him.“We didn’t push our company to you,” I said firmly, my voice hardening as I met his gaze. “And we didn’t even want the job. You kept pushing when we tried to pull out of it after figuring out it was your company.”“It might be true that you didn’t push for it,” he replied smoothly, leaning forward with an unsettling smirk, “but the chief of police and t
The Billionaire’s Regret 25: YOU DON'T HAVE A CHOICE
ELARA'S POV “How is this my reason to stay?” I raised a brow as I opened the file, skepticism lacing my tone.It was a picture of me and him, a picture I could sue him for taking without my knowledge, because I had no idea it even existed.Was he stalking me?. “How does a picture of you and whoever you had stalking me serve as a reason for me to stay?” I tilted my head, letting my confusion seep into my voice.“Take out the other file,” he stated flatly, his eyes daring.I did as he said, dropping the picture onto the table. This time, it was a call history a stack of three papers detailing between two people, complete with dates, durations, and everything.But I am sure it had nothing to do with me. I didn’t have the time, or money, to spend that long on phone calls, much less every day.After skimming through the papers, my lips parted in disbelief, but he spoke before I could.“Your company has created a problem for me,” he said, his smirk deepening with an air of mischief.“How
The Billionaire’s Regret 24: YOUR REASON TO STAY
ELARA’S POVI walked into the room with my head held high and my shoulders squared. If my suspicions are correct and he was going to fire me, then so be it. But one thing I was going to make clear this time to whoever it is waiting in there is I am not a pushover. And If he wanted me gone, I’d gladly leave, but he wasn’t getting his money back.Lisa knocked twice on the large door standing in front of us. At the end of the hallway, On the second knock, the door swung open to reveal a tall man dressed in a sharp, staff-like uniform. His professional demeanor made my stomach twist.“This is where I’ll leave you,” Lisa said with a tight smile. “Pete here will show you in.”“Hello, ma’am,” Pete said with a polite nod, gesturing for me to follow him.We walked into what appeared to be a private restaurant. My breath hitched as my eyes took in the elegant interiors. The seating arrangements were perfect, and the mix of furniture styles, which would typically clash, came together in perfect
The Billionaire’s Regret 23: WELCOME TO NEW YORK
ELARA’S POV Something felt off the moment I stepped off the plane and into the bustling airport. At first, everything seemed fine. The flight had been smooth, and I managed to get a good nap. Even the massage I had on board was relaxing, meant to prepare me for whatever was to come. But now, I wasn’t so sure it worked. The business-class seat was nice, the meal was impeccable, and the comfort was unmatched. Yet none of it could have prepared me for what I was seeing right now. A woman stood a short distance away, holding a cardboard sign with my name on it and a huge bouquet of flowers in her other hand. It had to be Lesley’s doing. It had to be her. After all, I hadn’t told anyone else about my visit to the city. But another part of me hesitated. Could this be Elliot’s work? My brother wasn’t the type to send flowers or arrange something this grand. Especially when he knew I wanted to keep a low profile until I could leave the city again. I moved closer to get a better look
The Billionaire’s Regret 22: I’LL BE FINE.
ELARA’S POV“We don’t have all morning, Elara,” my brother mutters, trying to keep his anger in check.A few people nearby are already staring at us, their curiosity piqued.I knew it was a bad idea to let him take me to the airport.There are plenty of people here who recognize him from the media.Even though he tries his best to keep a low profile, it’s hard when you’re a multi-millionaire breaking our late father’s records year after year.“Elara, are you even listening to me?” he snaps.“I am, I really am,” I reply hastily.“Then why,” he shrugs, “did you tell me you’re going to New Jersey when your ticket says New York?” He waves the ticket in my face for emphasis.“Well, uhm,” I stammer, “the thing is… I wanted to stop by New York and see Mom.” It’s the first excuse that pops into my head.“Mom?” He raises an eyebrow skeptically.“Yes, Mom,” I say, mostly trying to convince myself at this point.“Mom’s on vacation. She won’t be back until tomorrow,” he points out.“I know,” I li
