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Shattered Facades
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride Hidden Depths
Elara’s fingers trembled slightly as she dialed Tessa’s number. After everything that had happened, she desperately needed to hear her best friend’s voice. The phone rang twice before Tessa’s familiar, cheerful tone filled the silence.“Elara! Oh my god, where have you been? I’ve been worried sick!” Tessa’s voice was a mix of relief and concern.Elara took a deep breath. “Tessa, I’m sorry. So much has happened. I don’t even know where to start.”“Start from the beginning, honey. I’m all ears,” Tessa encouraged, her voice softening.Over the next hour, Elara poured out everything—fainting, waking up in Damian’s bed, the confrontation with his mother, and the revelation about Daniel Regars. Tessa listened patiently, only interrupting occasionally to ask for clarification.“Wow, Elara,” Tessa breathed when Elara finally finished. “That’s... a lot to process. Are you okay?”Elara sighed, sinking back into the pillows. “Honestly? I don’t know. Everything’s happening so fast, and I feel lik
The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride Beneath the Surface
The next day.“Good morning,” Damian greeted as she opened her eyes wide, as if she had just seen a ghost. “I hope you’re feeling better.” Elara felt surprisingly energetic, much better than the day before.“Yes,” she replied, sitting upright. Damian Blackwood had a strikingly handsome appearance that commanded attention. His sharp, chiseled features, dark tousled hair, and intense icy blue eyes gave him a mysterious and intimidating aura. He was so handsome that she couldn’t look away.“Are you done staring?” he asked with a smirk.“Yes,” Elara answered unconsciously.“Really?”“What!” Her eyes widened. “What did I just say?”He scoffed, enjoying her embarrassed expression. It was amusing to see her so flustered.“Have you captured and imprinted my look into your brain?”“And why should I?” she demanded, trying her best to hide what she felt. Elara was mortified and wondered why she couldn’t look away. Damian moved closer to her, lifted her chin, and looked straight into her eyes.“I
The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride Tears and Triumphs
Elara stood up from the bed, stripping herself naked before walking to the bathroom. She turned on the shower, allowing the cold water to cascade over her body, washing away the tension. She grabbed her sponge and soap, scrubbing her body vigorously. Once she was done, she dried herself with a towel, then returned to her bedroom. She opened her closet and selected a simple dress. She applied her cream, put on the dress, styled her hair into a bun, slipped on her shoes, and went downstairs to the kitchen.“Good morning, Mrs. Blackwood,” the maids greeted her politely as she passed by. Mrs. Blackwood... a title no one truly cared about.“You’re here, Ma’am,” Sonia, the head maid, greeted her.Elara nodded in acknowledgment. “Good morning, Sonia.” The elderly woman smiled warmly, gesturing for Elara to sit as she served her breakfast. Elara thanked her and began to eat, savoring the simple pleasure of a well-prepared meal.“Thank you for the food,” Elara said as she stood up. “I really l
The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride Daniel
In a luxurious penthouse overlooking the city, Daniel Regars lounged in his leather chair, a glass of expensive whiskey in hand. His piercing green eyes were fixed on the large screen before him, displaying various news articles and social media posts about Elara’s sudden marriage to Damian Blackwood.A cruel smile played on his lips as he scrolled through the content. “Oh, Elara,” he murmured, “did you really think you could escape me so easily?”He stood up, moving to the floor-to-ceiling windows. The city lights twinkled below, a reminder of the power and influence he wielded. Daniel had always gotten what he wanted, and Elara was the only person who had ever dared to say no to him. It was a slight he had never forgotten—or forgiven.A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. “Come in,” he called out, not turning from the view.His assistant, a nervous-looking young man named Alex, entered the room. “Mr. Regars, I have the information you requested about Mrs. Blackwood’s current
The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride Unwelcome Gifts
Elara sat on her bed, having just finished talking to her mother and little brother, promising to visit them soon. Just then, she heard a soft knock on her door.“Ma’am, a package just arrived for you,” a maid announced, stepping into the room and placing a small box on the table. “No return address.”A package? She wasn’t expecting anything. Her heart began to race as she stared at the package. Something about it felt wrong.“Who delivered it?” Elara demanded, trying to keep calm.“A courier service, ma’am. They didn’t provide any details.”“Thank you,” Elara murmured. She waited until the maid had left before approaching the package, her hands trembling slightly. There was no return address, just her name scrawled in neat, unfamiliar handwriting that sent a chill down her spine.Elara’s breath caught in her throat as she opened the box, only to find a dead rat soaked in blood. Tied around the rat’s neck was a small piece of paper with a single word scrawled on it:‘I hope you like m
The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride In the Blackwood Mansion
Serena Blackwood sat in her extravagant study, her manicured nails tapping an agitated rhythm on the polished chestnut desk. The confrontation with her son and his new “wife” replayed in her mind, fueling her anger.“Madame,” her personal assistant, Vivian, entered the room. “Your tea is ready.”Serena waved her hand dismissively. “I don’t want tea. I want solutions. Have you gathered the information I requested?”Vivian nodded, placing a thick folder on the desk. “Yes, Madame. Everything we could find on Elara Hart... or should I say, Elara Blackwood?”Serena’s lips curled in disgust at the name. She opened the folder, her eyes scanning the contents rapidly. “She comes from a poor background and has a history with Daniel Regars, worked her way through college, was accused of unethical practices, and recently lost her job at Marshall & Hewitt. How convenient.”She looked up at Vivian. “This girl is nothing but a gold digger. She’s ensnared my son with her sob story and fake innocence.
The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride Power Plays and Hidden Agendas
Serena gestured for Veronica to take a seat. “I’m glad you could come on such short notice, my dear.”Veronica settled into the plush chair across from Serena, her posture perfect and her smile unwavering. “Of course, Mrs. Blackwood. I’m always at your service.”Serena’s eyes gleamed with approval. This was the kind of girl her son should be with—poised, elegant, and from a good family. Not some gold-digging upstart like Elara.“I’m sure you’ve heard about Damian’s... recent recklessness,” Serena began, her voice laced with disdain.Veronica’s smile faltered slightly. “Yes, I’ve heard rumors, and I have met the same girl, but I was just wondering, is their marriage real?”Serena waved her hand dismissively. “A momentary lapse in judgment, I assure you. That’s why I’ve called you here. I need your help to remind Damian of what he’s giving up.”Leaning forward, Serena outlined her plan. Veronica listened intently, nodding at appropriate moments. By the time Serena finished speaking, a d
The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride Declaration
The long-awaited birthday finally arrived.The grand ballroom of the Blackwood mansion was filled with excitement as elegantly dressed guests awaited the evening’s festivities. Crystal chandeliers bathed the room in a warm glow, reflecting off the polished marble floors. Gold-leafed mirrors adorned the walls, creating a dazzling display that seemed to extend the celebration infinitely.Damian stood at the center of the room, surrounded by a sea of colorful gowns, his black tailored tuxedo standing out. His eyes kept glancing at the large grandfather clock in the corner, its ornate hands inching closer to midnight.The air was filled with the luxurious scents of expensive perfumes, freshly cut flowers in tall centerpieces, and the delicate aroma of gourmet hors d’oeuvres. Waitstaff in impeccable attire circulated, offering the delectable treats. A string quartet played softly in the background, adding a refined touch to the lively chatter.Elara appeared at Damian’s side, glittering in
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The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride Vera
The tension in the room intensified as Vera broke away from the kiss, her gaze fixed on Jackson’s face. His expression was gentle and vulnerable, just as she had hoped. She reached out to touch his cheek, a deliberate move to draw him further into her grasp.“I’ve been so lost without you,” she whispered. “There’s something I need to tell you, something important.” She led him to sit beside her on the plush sofa, her movements deliberately hesitant. “It’s about Elara.”Jackson stiffened at the name. “What about her?”“I’ve heard... troubling things.” Vera’s voice trembled perfectly. “About her connection to certain criminal elements. People who’ve been released from prison recently.” She watched his expression shift, doubt creeping in like a shadow.“She isn’t the type.”“Are you accusing me of lying, Jack?" she interrupted, cutting him off. “You’ve known me since we were kids.”“Vera.”“You don’t trust me, do you?” She stopped. “Or do you still believe I have feelings for Damian and
The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride Out
Daniel Regars stood outside the towering iron gates, a free man for the first time in years. He inhaled deeply, filling his lungs with the crisp air of freedom, but it did little to soothe the rage simmering beneath his calm facade. Freedom meant nothing to him, not when his family was shattered, his father dead behind prison walls.He didn’t know why he was released so soon, but he could take this opportunity to destroy both of them.Daniel clenched his fists, a dark smile flickering at the corners of his mouth. “They’ll pay,” he murmured to himself. “For my father, for my family. They will both pay.”He didn’t know when or how, but vengeance had been his only thought, the one idea keeping him alive in that cell, counting down the days to his release. Who knew he could be released sooner? Now he was out, and nothing would stand between him and retribution.Daniel didn’t waste time. He knew he would need allies, someone who shared his hatred for Elara and Damian. His mind circled back
The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride Elizabeth
Elizabeth’s living room settled into a delicate quiet, broken only by the baby’s soft coos and the gentle tick of an antique clock on the mantel. Her hands trembled slightly as she smoothed her skirt, decades of stolen life weighing heavily in the air between them.“You must have so many questions,” Elizabeth said, her voice carrying the weight of unbearable loss. “About what really happened. About her.”Damian sat on the couch beside Elara, who was still cradling their son. His eyes hadn’t left the baby’s face, as if memorizing every detail he’d missed. “Start from the beginning,” he said, his voice tight. “Start with how Serena stole everything.”Elizabeth’s composed demeanor cracked, revealing raw pain beneath. “She was Father’s illegitimate daughter. My half-sister. But being Father’s secret child wasn’t enough for her – she wanted everything. My life. My identity.” She paused, struggling with the memories. “The day you were born, son... the happiest day of my life became my worst
The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride Mother
Damian’s car wound through the quiet streets of the suburban neighborhood, each turn bringing them closer to the address Ghost had provided.Elara’s fingers drummed restlessly against her thigh, her heart pounding in her chest with each passing moment. The sun cast long shadows across the pavement, a reminder of how their world had shifted since Nina’s revelation just days ago.“It’s just around this corner,” Damian said, his voice tight with an emotion Elara couldn’t quite place. He had been unusually quiet since they’d left the house, lost in thoughts he seemed reluctant to share. His knuckles were white against the steering wheel, betraying the tension coursing through him.The car slowed to a stop before a modest two-story home, its white exterior pristine against the backdrop of a well-maintained garden. Rose bushes lined the walkway, their blooms adding splashes of color to the serene setting. Elara reached for the door handle, but Damian’s hand caught her wrist, stopping her.“
The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride My child
Elara felt Damian tense beside her, his hand tightening around hers.“The baby,” Nina said, her voice barely above a whisper. “The one my mother had killed... he’s alive.”The words hung in the air, seeming to suck the breath from Elara’s lungs. Alive? How could that be possible? She had mourned that child, had borne the devastating grief of his loss for months.“What are you saying?” Damian asked, his voice tinged with a desperate hope that Elara dared not give in to.“I overheard her,” Nina explained, her gaze fixed on the ground. “Giving instructions to the assassin, Ghost... she wanted the baby dead, to sever the last tie between you and Elara. But I... I couldn’t let him do it. I begged him, pleaded with him, until he agreed to spare the child’s life.”Elara felt the world tilt on its axis, her heart racing as the implications of Nina’s words sank in. Their child, the one they had been robbed of, was alive. Alive and out there, somewhere, all this time.“Where is he?” she demande
The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride The truth
“Nina, my daughter,” Serena called as she spoke softly to her. “Thank you for coming.”Nina smirked, studying the frail woman before her with cold eyes. She hadn’t come out of concern or love. The only reason she was here was her mother’s manipulative threat of self-harm. The text message still burned in her mind: Come see me, or I’ll end it all. Another one of her mother’s desperate plays for attention.A bitter smirk twisted Nina’s lips. She may have been forced here, but that didn’t mean she had to pretend this was a happy reunion.“What do you want?” she asked, her tone sharp and irritable.“I know you must be angry with me, my dear daughter,” Serena said.She cut her off. “What do you want?”Serena drew a theatrical sigh, her shoulders slumping. “Please forgive me,” she whispered, her voice honeyed with practiced remorse. Her fingers clutched at the fabric of her sleeve. “You need to get me out of this place. I don’t belong here.” Her eyes darted around the stark walls before fix
The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride Healing the Blackwood name
After the trial, the city of Blackwood experienced a sense of relief, as if it had finally escaped the shadow of the Blackwood dynasty. The streets, once under the family’s influence, were now vibrant with a renewed energy and hope for a brighter future.Damian, driven by his own painful past, assumed leadership at Blackwood Industries, spearheading a transformation with Elara and their loyal allies. Together, they tackled the challenging mission of rooting out the long-standing corruption within the company.“It’s going to take time, but we’re committed to making this right,” Damian told a gathering of employees, his voice steady and resolute. “Serena’s crimes may have shattered the Blackwood name, but we’re going to rebuild it - piece by piece, if necessary - into something this city can be proud of once more.”The road ahead was not an easy one. Restoring the company’s reputation, repairing the damage done to its financial standing, and regaining the trust of both customers and sha
The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride Ashes of the Empire
In the days following Serena Blackwood’s arrest, the city seemed to hold its breath, awaiting each new revelation that would shake the Blackwood empire to its core. The carefully crafted public image Serena had cultivated for decades had crumbled, and now the full extent of her crimes was being laid bare.At the center of the unfolding scandal was Detective Morrison, the man who had worked tirelessly to bring Serena down. As the FBI sifted through the trove of evidence seized from Blackwood Tower, Morrison began piecing together the connections that would ultimately unravel Serena’s web of deceit.One name kept surfacing in the financial records and encrypted files— Travis Blackwood, Richard’s younger brother. “We always suspected there was more to Travis’s role than simply being Richard’s brother,” Morrison told reporters, his stern expression betraying none of the triumph he surely felt. “But the depth of his involvement in the Blackwood family’s downfall is staggering.”According to
The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride The truth
The morning dawned cold and gray over the city, a fitting backdrop for the day that would shatter the foundations of one of its most powerful dynasties. The first news alert came at 6:47 AM: “BREAKING: FBI RAIDS BLACKWOOD TOWER.” By 7:15, every major network had camera crews positioned around the gleaming skyscraper that had long stood as a monument to Serena Blackwood’s power.They were all there to witness her fall.Inside her penthouse office, Serena stood perfectly still as federal agents swept through the room, methodically dismantling the careful façade she’d maintained for thirty-one years. Her signature pearls – Elizabeth’s pearls, really – lay in an evidence bag, along with the contents of her private safe: passports, birth certificates, and a single, faded photograph of two sisters smiling on a Swiss mountainside.“Sarah Winters,” the lead FBI agent read from her warrant, “you are under arrest for identity theft, conspiracy to commit murder, fraud...”The list continued, but
