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Chapter 121
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2025-03-07 18:27:32
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The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 122
The camera lights flashed in rapid succession, each burst illuminating the stage where Alexander and I stood. The air in the grand hall buzzed with expectation, the hum of whispered speculation rippling through the crowd like a current of electricity. The media, investors, and industry leaders filled every seat, their gazes fixed on us, waiting for the moment we would either silence them or give them more fuel to doubt us.I inhaled deeply, straightening my shoulders. This was it. The moment where we either proved that Steele Industries was stronger than ever—or let the past haunt us forever.Alexander stepped forward first, his presence alone commanding silence. Dressed in a tailored dark suit that molded to his frame like armor, he looked every bit the ruthless businessman who had built an empire from the ashes of his father’s legacy. But I knew the man beneath that exterior. Knew the fire in his veins, the weight he carried on his shoulders, and the part of him that, despite everyt
Last Updated : 2025-03-07The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 123
The weight of the boardroom settled around me, pressing into my chest like an unspoken challenge. It was no longer about proving myself—I had already done that—but something more insidious still lingered in the air.Doubt.Not theirs.Mine.Even after every battle I had won, every deal I had closed, every risk I had taken, a small voice still whispered in the back of my mind.What if they’re right? What if this is still his world, and you’re just living in it?I straightened, pushing the thought aside. Not today. Not now.Today, I was taking the lead.I clicked the presentation forward, the crisp slide illuminating behind me. "This isn't just an expansion," I said, my voice cutting through the silence. "It's a calculated shift that puts Steele Industries at the forefront of the global market. We’re not just stepping into this space—we’re claiming it.”A murmur rippled through the room.I could feel their eyes on me, weighing, measuring."You're suggesting we pivot during a time of mar
Last Updated : 2025-03-10The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 124
I barely had a chance to settle into my chair before I felt it—Alexander’s stare burning into me like a brand.He wasn’t saying anything. Not yet. But the weight of his silence was louder than any argument we’d ever had.I exhaled slowly, knowing exactly what was coming. “You’re going to stand there glaring all day, or are you going to tell me what’s wrong?”Alexander crossed his arms, leaning against the doorway. “You signed the deal.”It wasn’t a question.I didn’t flinch. “Yes, I did.”He pushed off the doorframe, stepping inside with calculated precision. “And you didn’t think to consult me first?”I set my pen down, meeting his gaze head-on. “No, Alexander. I didn’t.”His jaw ticked, and for a moment, I could see the internal battle raging inside him—control vs. trust.“So that’s where we are now?” he murmured, voice low, controlled. Too controlled. “You make executive decisions without me?”I let out a humorless chuckle. “I didn’t realize I needed permission.”His expression dar
Last Updated : 2025-03-10The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride CHAPTER 1
The ballroom is massive,it is too large for me to truly understand it. A sea of polished marble stretches beneath my feet, the high ceilings is very far above, decorated in gold ornamental work. The chandeliers sparkle as the stars in the sky sparkle, and every corner of the room is bathed in a golden light. Be that as it may, regardless of how lovely the space is or the way in which stunning the visitors are, I feel thoroughly like a gatecrasher who doesn't have a place there.All I taste is dread in me. My heels against the marble floor as I'm strolling reverberations noisily in my ears, yet the clamor is immediately gulped by the mumble of discussion and the clunk of glasses. I don’t belong here. The dress is great—an intricate blend of satin and lace—lace that clings to my body in ways that make it feel unnatural. I never imagined I’d wear something like this. It’s beautiful, yes, but it feels like a mask, a costume, something I’m expected to wear to play a role that isn’t
Last Updated : 2024-12-10The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride CHAPTER 2
The moment the door to the bridal suite closes behind us, everything feels too much—too heavy, too loud and too unreal. The quiet click of the lock resonates in the hollow silence that follows. I remain stand there, I don't know what to do .My heart beats loudly, and my head is full of noise. I can't figure things out. They say, the wedding was beautiful,it was a grand spectacle of wealth and status. I barely remember it, just the blur of faces and the stiffness in my back as I stood by the altar.", staring at the man I was marrying. Alexander Hawke. I know almost nothing about him—his reputation precedes him, and the whispers I’ve heard from my father are far from reassuring. A man who thrives on control.And yet, here I am. His bride. Bound to him by duty, not by choice. I glance at him now. He stands by the window, looking out at the city skyline, his broad shoulders beneath the tailored suit tense. The dim light from the street below casts shadows across his sharp features,
Last Updated : 2024-12-10The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride CHAPTER 3
The penthouse feels too big for me. Its elegant, of course, every inch of it designed with a kind of perfection that makes me feel like Im living inside a museum. The floors gleam underfoot, the walls adorned with modern art pieces that scream wealth. The view from the floor-to-roof windows is confounding — a general scene of New Yorks skyline that feels as far off as all the other things in this world. I step into the living room, my heels clicking against the cool marble floors, however the sound appears to be suppressed here, consumed by the huge space around me. Alexander is now sitting on the lounge chair, a glass of whiskey in hand , the cool amber liquid getting the light. He doesnt even look at me when I enter. Make yourself comfortable,he says, his voice smooth but detached. It’s as if he’s speaking to a guest, not a wife. I nod awkwardly, uncertain where to start. The quiet stretches between us, thick and choking. He hasn't spoken much since we left the wedding. In fact
Last Updated : 2024-12-10The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride CHAPTER 4
The days blur into each other in the penthouse. Morning fades into afternoon, and evening brings nothing but silence. The silence has become a constant companion—thick, heavy, and inescapable. It fills each edge of this vast, generic space, repeating stronger than any words Alexander and I have exchanged since our wedding night. I sit by the window in the lounge, my knees tucked underneath me, some tea developing cold in my hands. Outside, the city hums with life, the roads underneath overflowing with individuals who have places to go, lives to live. I envy them. They’re moving forward while I feel stuck—stuck in a marriage that feels more like a transaction, in a life that doesn’t feel like mine. Alexander has been gone most of the day. Not that it's uncommon. He leaves promptly in the morning, his suit impeccably tailored, his expression is quite unreadable, and doesn't return until well after dinner. Sometimes he calls. Sometimes he doesn’t. But when he does come back, the sil
Last Updated : 2024-12-10The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride CHAPTER 5
The evening feels different from the others. There's an unpretentious change in the air, a slight pressure that I can't exactly put. It's like something is going to occur — something that could either break us apart or unite us. I sit in the lounge area, tinkering with my fork, not really tasting the food before me. I've never been a lot of an eater, however this evening, the food feels particularly unappealing. The lavish dishes Alexander ordered are all fine dining, too rich and elaborate for my simple tastes. The flavors are too bold, too fancy, and I find myself pushing the food around on my plate, lost in thought. Across from me, Alexander is focused on his phone, eyes flicking from the screen to his glass of wine. He doesn’t look up at me. The distance between us is as it always has been—an unspoken wall that neither of us has bothered to address. But then, something shifts. Just a flicker, a small moment, but it’s enough to make my heart skip a beat. “Leila,” he says sud
Last Updated : 2024-12-10
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The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 124
I barely had a chance to settle into my chair before I felt it—Alexander’s stare burning into me like a brand.He wasn’t saying anything. Not yet. But the weight of his silence was louder than any argument we’d ever had.I exhaled slowly, knowing exactly what was coming. “You’re going to stand there glaring all day, or are you going to tell me what’s wrong?”Alexander crossed his arms, leaning against the doorway. “You signed the deal.”It wasn’t a question.I didn’t flinch. “Yes, I did.”He pushed off the doorframe, stepping inside with calculated precision. “And you didn’t think to consult me first?”I set my pen down, meeting his gaze head-on. “No, Alexander. I didn’t.”His jaw ticked, and for a moment, I could see the internal battle raging inside him—control vs. trust.“So that’s where we are now?” he murmured, voice low, controlled. Too controlled. “You make executive decisions without me?”I let out a humorless chuckle. “I didn’t realize I needed permission.”His expression dar
The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 123
The weight of the boardroom settled around me, pressing into my chest like an unspoken challenge. It was no longer about proving myself—I had already done that—but something more insidious still lingered in the air.Doubt.Not theirs.Mine.Even after every battle I had won, every deal I had closed, every risk I had taken, a small voice still whispered in the back of my mind.What if they’re right? What if this is still his world, and you’re just living in it?I straightened, pushing the thought aside. Not today. Not now.Today, I was taking the lead.I clicked the presentation forward, the crisp slide illuminating behind me. "This isn't just an expansion," I said, my voice cutting through the silence. "It's a calculated shift that puts Steele Industries at the forefront of the global market. We’re not just stepping into this space—we’re claiming it.”A murmur rippled through the room.I could feel their eyes on me, weighing, measuring."You're suggesting we pivot during a time of mar
The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 122
The camera lights flashed in rapid succession, each burst illuminating the stage where Alexander and I stood. The air in the grand hall buzzed with expectation, the hum of whispered speculation rippling through the crowd like a current of electricity. The media, investors, and industry leaders filled every seat, their gazes fixed on us, waiting for the moment we would either silence them or give them more fuel to doubt us.I inhaled deeply, straightening my shoulders. This was it. The moment where we either proved that Steele Industries was stronger than ever—or let the past haunt us forever.Alexander stepped forward first, his presence alone commanding silence. Dressed in a tailored dark suit that molded to his frame like armor, he looked every bit the ruthless businessman who had built an empire from the ashes of his father’s legacy. But I knew the man beneath that exterior. Knew the fire in his veins, the weight he carried on his shoulders, and the part of him that, despite everyt
The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 121
The office pulsed with energy, the quiet hum of conversation mixing with the rhythmic clatter of keyboards and the distant murmur of the city beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows. The scent of fresh espresso curled through the air, mingling with the clean, sharp notes of polished wood and leather.I stood at the vast mahogany conference table, the smooth grain cool beneath my fingertips as I flipped through the thick stack of reports. The numbers blurred for a second before sharpening into focus, each figure a testament to the battle we had fought—and won.Across the room, Alexander stood by the window, his silhouette sharp against the skyline. Sunlight sliced through the glass, illuminating the tension in his shoulders, the quiet calculation in his gaze. He was still, but I knew his mind was a battlefield of strategy, weighing each possibility, dissecting every potential risk.But I couldn’t shake the doubt gnawing at me.Even after everything we had conquered, there was a quiet voice
The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 120
The city stretched below us, a tapestry of glittering lights weaving through the skyline. From this height, everything seemed smaller, manageable. A lie, maybe. But tonight, for the first time in a long time, I let myself believe in something bigger than the wars we’d fought.Alexander stood beside me on the balcony, his presence steady, grounding. He wasn’t touching me, but I felt him in the way the air shifted when he moved, in the quiet inhale he took before speaking.“Do you ever think about how different things could have been?” My voice barely broke the silence, yet I knew he heard me.Alexander exhaled slowly, fingers flexing against the iron railing. “I used to.”“And now?”His gaze slid to mine, sharp, assessing. “Now, I don’t waste time on what-ifs.”I smiled, slow and knowing. “That’s very you.”He smirked, reaching for his drink. “And you?”I hesitated, my fingers playing with the condensation on my glass. “I used to think about what I lost. Now, I think about what we buil
The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 119
The weight of the past sits between us like a silent observer.The city hums beneath us, a sea of lights stretching beyond the penthouse windows. It’s strange—how this view, once a reminder of power and untouchability, now feels like a mirror reflecting every battle we fought to get here.Alexander stands beside me, his hand resting on the railing, fingers twitching as if resisting the urge to reach for me. His eyes aren’t on the skyline. They’re on me.“You’re too quiet,” he says, his voice smooth but laced with something heavier.I exhale, my grip tightening around my glass. “I’m thinking.”“About what?”I turn to face him. “Everything. Us. The chaos. The fact that we shouldn’t have made it.”A shadow passes over his face before he straightens, rolling his shoulders. “But we did.”I study him, the man who once kept the world at arm’s length, the man who once saw love as a liability. “Barely,” I murmur.His jaw tightens. “Leila—”“You almost lost me, Alexander,” I cut in, my voice so
The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 118
A Line We Hadn’t Crossed Before"You always say you don’t need grand gestures."Alexander’s voice was steady, but something simmered beneath the surface—something cautious, almost hesitant. Alexander Steele didn’t hesitate. Not in business, not in battle, not in anything. And yet, as he stood in the doorway of my office, arms crossed over his chest, waiting for my reaction, I knew this was different.I looked up from my laptop, arching a brow. “That’s because I don’t.”He smirked. “And yet, I think you’ll like this one.”I let out a slow breath, shutting my laptop. “Should I be worried?”He stepped forward, leaning on the edge of my desk, invading my space just enough to make my pulse tick up. “Only if you don’t like surprises.”Damn him.Alexander didn’t do surprises. Which meant this was planned. Which meant this mattered.I folded my arms. “You don’t do unnecessary things.”“Correct.”I studied him, but he gave nothing away. His expression was calm, unreadable, except for the sligh
The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 117
"You remind me of myself." The words slipped out before I could stop them. The second they did, I saw the flicker of recognition in Ava’s eyes. She stiffened in her chair, fingers tightening around the pen she’d been holding like a lifeline. “Really?” she asked hesitantly, as if the thought had never crossed her mind. As if she couldn’t possibly imagine herself standing in my shoes someday. I gave a small smile. “Yes.” Her lips parted slightly, as if she was trying to find the right words, but nothing came out. I understood that silence. I had lived in that silence. That silence was doubt. It was fear. It was that cruel voice whispering that no matter how hard you fought, no matter how much you proved yourself, the world would still find a way to tell you, You don’t belong here. I leaned forward, resting my arms on the desk between us. “I see it in you. That hunger. That fight. The way you don’t want to just succeed—you need to.” She inhaled sharply, as if the words hit her
The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 116
Every move has a consequence. And now, it’s their turn to pay."The courtroom felt suffocating. Too many bodies pressed into the gallery, too many murmurs floating beneath the surface. Cameras flashed, pens scratched against the paper, the press ready to devour whatever blood spilt first.But all I could focus on was the two people sitting at the defendant's table.Damien. Cassandra.The architects of so much destruction. The reason I’d spent months waking up drenched in sweat, wondering if my world was about to collapse.They looked different now—Damien’s tailored arrogance slipping at the edges, Cassandra’s composed elegance starting to crack. But even now, sitting in the face of their ruin, they held themselves like people who still believed they could win.That was the thing about people like them. They never believed in endings until they were standing at the edge of one.Alexander sat beside me, his body rigid, his fingers laced together like he was holding himself together thro
