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Chapter 22:
Last Updated:
2025-01-06 19:53:22
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The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 23
The tension in the boardroom is palpable, a storm brewing just below the polished surface of smiles and tailored suits. I sit at the long glass table, my notebook open in front of me, pen poised to jot down notes. But it’s not the data on the projection screen that’s got my attention. It’s the subtle shift in the room—the glances exchanged, the murmurs behind cupped hands. I’m not supposed to be here. At least, that’s what the board members seem to believe. Alexander’s seat at the head of the table is empty. He’s running late—something about a last-minute call—but his absence feels strategic and deliberate. Maybe he wants to see how I’ll handle this without him.The murmuring grows louder. One of the older men at the table, James Troughton, clears his throat and leans forward, his salt-and-pepper hair slicked back to perfection.“Mrs. Hawke,” he begins, his tone polite but dripping with condescension. “I must admit, it’s... unexpected to see you here. I wasn’t aware Alexander had de
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The air snaps with pressure as I step into Alexander's office. The standard quiet and control he transmits are gone, replaced by a storm of barely restrained fury. He’s pacing in front of his desk, phone in hand, as his associate drifts apprehensively close to the entryway.“Cancel my afternoon meetings,” Alexander snaps without turning upward. The associate hastens away, leaving us alone.I delay the slightest bit, uncertain whether to talk. But, the pressure in the room is choking, and I can't keep quiet. "What's happening?"He, at last, quit, pacing, his sharp look locking onto mine. "Did you see it?""See what?"Without a word, he gets the remote and turns on the television mounted on the wall. The screen blazes to life, and my stomach beats as the title looks across the base: "Alexander Hawke Accused of Corporate Corruption: Anonymous Whistleblower Speaks Out."The camera slices to a grainy film of Alexander leaving a structure, surrounded by reporters shouting questions. His fa
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In this scene, the dance hall is loaded up with the soft tones of individuals talking, the commotion of champagne woodwinds being tapped against one another and behind the scenes, a delicate tune is being played by a group of four which is situated in a corner. The lights from the ceiling fixtures make a warm yellow hue that enlightens the floor and beams on the ladies' dresses. This is the sort of climate that overflows riches and I have never been agreeable in such a situation.But tonight is different. This evening, I'm not only here to notice.I filter the room, taking note of the unobtrusive change in energy as I stroll through the group. Individuals go to take a gander at me, they look sharp and inquisitive. Murmurs echo through the air, faint but undeniable. I get pieces of discussion — Alexander's name, "embarrassment," and expressions bound with pity or scorn.I take a full breath, compelling myself to stand taller. This isn't just about me any longer. It's about Alexander, a
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The silence of the penthouse feels heavier than usual tonight. The far off murmur of the city is stifled by the thick walls, and the shine of the horizon channels through the glass windows, creating faint shaded areas on the cleaned floors. It's late — unreasonably late for both of us to still be awake—but sleep seems like an impossible luxury.I sit on the rich lounge chair in the parlor, nursing some tea that has since gone cold a long time ago. My laptop lays on the foot stool before me, its screen sparkling with pages of research I’d hoped would distract me. But my focus keeps slipping, drawn back to the storm that’s been brewing between Alexander and me.The outrage. The meeting room obstruction. The stifling strain to prove myself while navigating a marriage that feels more like a combat zone than a partnership. It's completely turned into a knot of feelings I can't disentangle.A weak commotion draws my attention. Footsteps— consistent and conscious — reverberation delicately a
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The numbers didn’t add up. Again.I sat in Alexander's home office, surrounded by spreadsheets, reports, and vast files. The faint light from the work area light cast long shadows across the room, and the weak murmur of the city outside gave a consistent indication of the world past these walls. However, my attention stayed on the glaring irregularities in the monetary reports spread before me.My senses let me know this was more than a basic oversight. It was purposeful.The heaviness of the acknowledgement squeezed vigorously on my chest. Somebody was playing a hazardous game with Alexander's company, and the further I dug, the more vile it became. But, I was unable to force myself to face him yet — not until I was sure beyond a shadow of a doubt.I found Alexander in the living room, a glass of whiskey in hand as he stared out at the city skyline. His silhouette was sharp against the scenery of sparkling lights, a man who conveyed the heaviness of an empire on his shoulders."Alexa
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The slam of the office door echoed through the penthouse like a gunshot. My heart pounded in my chest as I stared at the closed door, Alexander’s angry words still ringing in my ears.“You don’t understand, Leila. This isn’t a game.”It was always the same with him, walls going up the second things got too close. I clenched my fists, the frustration bubbling up inside me. I wasn’t a fragile doll, incapable of standing by his side. I’d proven that time and time again, yet he kept shutting me out.I took a shaky breath and followed him, my heels clicking sharply against the hardwood floors. He wasn’t getting away with this, not tonight.Alexander stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, his back to me, hands shoved deep into his pockets. The city lights reflected in the glass, casting a kaleidoscope of colours across his tense frame. “Do you want to talk about it?” I asked, my voice steadier than I felt.“No,” he said curtly, not turning around.“Too bad,” I replied, stepping closer. “Bec
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The sleek conference room smelled of polished wood and fresh coffee, but the tension hanging in the air made it hard to focus on anything other than the sharp glances being thrown my way. I adjusted my blazer, willing myself to exude confidence, even if I felt like I was walking into a den of wolves.Alexander hadn’t arrived yet, leaving me to face his board members alone. They weren’t overtly hostile, but the scepticism in their eyes was palpable. I was an outsider in their world, a figure they viewed as Alexander’s decorative plus-one rather than someone with a real place at the table.And that’s exactly why I was here—to prove them wrong.I scanned the room, my gaze landing on a man seated at the far end of the table. He was older, with greying hair and a shrewd expression that made it clear he was taking everything in. I’d met him briefly before—Robert Calloway, Alexander’s longest-serving executive and a man whose opinion carried considerable weight within the company. To my surp
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The strain in the penthouse was choking. It felt like the actual walls were shutting in, retaining the heaviness of Alexander's implicit displeasure and dissatisfaction. I remained toward the edge of the parlour, looking as he walked forward and backwards close to the massive windows that overlooked the city. His silhouette, sharp and commanding, contrasted with the vulnerability in his voice as he barked orders into his phone."Figure out who released the agreement subtleties," he snarled, his words cut and venomous. "Also, get me a report on the client's reaction. It doesn't matter at all to me how late it is."He finished the call with a sharp tap of his screen, the pressure in his edge emanating into the room. Briefly, he just remained there, gazing out at the city lights, his hands propped on his hips. It was intriguing to see Alexander like this — unsettled, his usual composure unravelling at the edges.I made a sound as if to speak softly, reluctant to end the quietness. "Alexa
Last Updated : 2025-01-12
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The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 81
The First Strike The lawsuit was filed at dawn. By noon, it was on every major news outlet. By evening, the world knew that Alexander Steele had declared war. I sat in the sleek black leather chair of Alexander’s office, scrolling through endless headlines. "Steele Enterprises Takes Luxor Industries to Court—Corporate War Begins!" "Damien King Accused of Corporate Espionage—Is Cassandra Knight the Puppet Master?" "Alexander Steele’s Billion-Dollar Lawsuit: The Fight That Could Reshape the Industry." Alexander stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, his hands in his pockets, his stance deceptively relaxed. But I could see the tension in his shoulders. “They wanted a war,” he said, his voice smooth but razor-sharp. “Now they have one.” I exhaled, setting my phone on the table. “You really think Damien’s going to roll over because of a lawsuit?” His lips curled into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “No. I expect him to fight. But he doesn’t have what I have.” “And what’s
The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 80
The Return to ChaosThe moment we stepped off the jet, I knew something was wrong.Alexander’s phone vibrated. Once. Twice. Then mine. The sudden onslaught of calls and texts wasn’t normal. My stomach clenched as I glanced at the notifications stacking up like bricks.Alexander barely had time to check his screen before his face hardened, his grip tightening around his phone.“Leila.” His voice was sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade.I looked up, my own phone buzzing in my hand. “What?”He turned the screen toward me.BREAKING NEWS: DAMIEN KING AND CASSANDRA KNIGHT UNVEIL LUXOR INDUSTRIES, A DIRECT COMPETITOR TO STEELE ENTERPRISES.My breath left my lungs. No.“Impossible,” I whispered. “He wouldn’t—”Alexander was already dialing.The second Liam answered, his voice was tight. “Boss, it’s bad.”Alexander clenched his jaw. “Tell me.”“Damien launched a direct competitor overnight. Luxor Industries. Cassandra’s funding it. They’ve already poached several of our people—incl
The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 79
The RetreatThe rhythmic crash of waves against the shore was the only sound that filled the silence between us. The villa—perched on the edge of the Mediterranean, isolated from the chaos we had just left behind—was a stark contrast to the storm raging between me and Alexander.I stood at the open balcony, watching the moonlight cast a silver glow over the endless stretch of water. The air smelled of salt and jasmine, but I barely noticed it. My thoughts were tangled in the tension still hanging in the space between us.I heard the door close softly behind me, followed by the sound of Alexander’s footsteps.“We needed this,” he said, his voice low, rough.I didn’t turn around. “Did we?”A beat of silence. Then—“Yes.”I closed my eyes for a second, exhaling slowly. “Running away won’t fix what’s broken between us, Alexander.”“We’re not running.” His voice was closer now. “We’re breathing.”I turned then, meeting his gaze. There was something vulnerable in the way he looked at me—lik
The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 78
"You shouldn’t have gotten involved."The words sent an icy chill through me.I stared down at the unmarked envelope that had been slipped under my office door, my fingers gripping the letter inside a little too tightly. The words were typed, no signature, no clues, but the message was clear.This wasn’t a warning.It was a threat.A direct hit meant to rattle me, to shake me into submission.I swallowed, forcing down the unease curling in my stomach as I read the letter again.Stay in your lane, Mrs. Hawke. Or next time, we won’t just be watching.The air in my office felt heavy, closing in around me. The logical side of my brain told me to breathe, to think. But the other part—the one ruled by instinct—was screaming at me to run.I wasn’t naïve. I knew the kind of world I had stepped into when I married Alexander.But this?This was different.I grabbed my phone, my fingers hovering over Alexander’s contact. I hesitated.He was already on edge. Already carrying too much.And I hated
The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 77
This isn’t over until we cut out the rot."Alexander’s voice was steel, each word carrying the weight of a war that had dragged on too long. I watched him from across the room, the tension in his jaw tightening with every second that passed.It wasn’t just business anymore.It was personal.For months, we had been dismantling Cassandra’s empire, unraveling the chaos she had left behind, piece by piece. But now, the last thread had revealed itself—someone inside Steele Industries, someone still loyal to her, pulling strings in the shadows.And they weren’t going down without a fight.Alexander’s fingers drummed against the table, his eyes locked on the confidential report in front of him."Who is it?" I asked, my voice steady despite the storm brewing in my chest.He exhaled sharply, flipping the report shut before looking up. "Jameson Hale."I felt the impact of that name like a physical blow."Hale?" My stomach twisted. "But he’s been with the company for years—long before Cassandra.
The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 76
You need to make a decision, Alexander."The weight of those words hung in the air, thick and unrelenting.I sat stiffly in the boardroom, my fingers tightening around the armrests of my chair as I watched Alexander across the table. His posture was as rigid as steel, his face an unreadable mask, but the sharp tick of his jaw gave him away.They were cornering him.And I was the reason why.The men seated around us—billionaire investors, executives who prided themselves on running the empire with an iron fist—didn’t even bother to hide their distaste for me."She’s become a liability," Charles Weaver said, his voice smooth, cutting. "The press is running wild with stories about her influence, and investors are questioning your judgment."Another man, Richard Caldwell, nodded. "The company cannot afford more instability. The most strategic move would be to separate personal affairs from business."Separate.Like I was just another mistake he needed to erase.I swallowed hard, willing m
The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 75
"What are you not telling me?"The question escaped before I could stop it. My voice trembled, it was a quiet demand that sliced through the charged silence between us.Alexander’s fingers tightened around the glass in his hand, his knuckles whitening. The city skyline stretched behind him, but he wasn’t looking at it. He was looking at me.And I knew.Something had shifted.Something had been kept from me.And the moment I opened that file earlier today, my entire world tilted on its axis.He set his drink down, exhaling slowly, measuredly. "Leila, you don’t—""Don’t say I don’t understand," I cut him off, stepping forward, my heart pounding so hard I felt it in my fingertips. "Because I do. I just don’t know why."His jaw flexed. He ran a hand through his hair, a rare sign of unease. Alexander Hawke didn’t fidget. He didn’t hesitate. But right now, he was a man at war with himself."Tell me the truth," I whispered. "No more secrets. No more half-truths. I deserve to know."His silen
The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 74
"This isn’t a disaster—it’s a dumpster fire with a VIP ticket to hell." The words hit like a wrecking ball, shattering the last fragile hope I had that we could control this mess. I sat stiffly at the long mahogany table, my fingers curled around my pen so tightly my knuckles ached. The air in the boardroom felt thick, suffocating, charged with the kind of energy that came when billions of dollars were at stake. Across from me, Alexander leaned forward, his hands flat on the table, his expression carved from stone. His suit was crisp, his presence as commanding as ever, but I could see the tension rippling beneath his skin. He was holding on by a thread, his patience dangerously close to snapping. “Fix this, Leila,”* he growled, his voice a low rumble of impending thunder. *“Or I’ll start burying bodies instead of problems.” I exhaled slowly. *Stay calm. Stay in control.“We can fix this.” My voice was steady, though my pulse was anything but. Alexander’s gaze locked onto mi
The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride Chapter 73
The Breaking Point“I’m not asking for permission, Alexander.”The words hung in the air, thick and unyielding, daring him to challenge them.Alexander sat behind his desk, his fingers interlocked, his expression unreadable—except for the tension that gripped his frame, stretching taut like a wire about to snap.His gaze locked onto mine, sharp as ever, but something else lurked beneath it—something wary, something he was trying to hide.“You think this is about permission?” His voice was low, controlled, but I knew better than to mistake that calm for anything other than barely contained frustration.I crossed my arms, forcing myself to hold my ground. “That’s exactly what this is about. Every time I take a step forward, you pull me back. Every time I try to take control of my own life, you remind me why I shouldn’t.”His jaw clenched, and for a moment, he said nothing. Then, slowly, deliberately, he stood. His presence filled the room, but I didn’t let myself shrink beneath it.“Lei
