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Chapter one hundred and seven: crossing paths
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-02-02 02:11:32
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The Billionaires Pawn Chapter one hundred and eight: Leverage
Kayla’s POV The air in the bar was thick with cigarette smoke and desperation. Kayla sat in a secluded booth at the far end, her fingers tapping against the scratched wooden table. She had been on edge since receiving the anonymous note telling her to meet here. Something about it felt… off. But curiosity, or maybe something darker, had led her here. Her mind had been a chaotic mess since leaving prison. Freedom wasn’t what she had imagined—it wasn’t the relief she had once dreamed of. Instead, she felt restless, her thoughts spiraling, looping back to the same bitter truth: Lexi had given her crumbs when she deserved the whole feast. A small company? After everything she had suffered? After all the sacrifices she had made? She clenched her fists. It wasn’t enough. It would never be enough. A shadow moved near the entrance, and Kayla’s head snapped up. The woman who slid into the seat across from her was both familiar and foreign. Alexa. For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-02The Billionaires Pawn Chapter one hundred and nine : Inferno
Alexa’s POVAlexa sat in the dimly lit penthouse, swirling the wine in her glass as she watched Kayla pace in front of her. The younger woman was jittery, her fingers twitching at her sides, but there was something electric in her movements—anticipation, desperation.“You’re sure about this?” Kayla asked, stopping abruptly to look at Alexa.Alexa smiled, slow and calculating. “Of course. It’s the only way.”Kayla swallowed hard, her eyes flickering with hesitation before she forced herself to nod.“She won’t even see it coming,” Alexa continued, setting her glass down. “Lexi is so busy chasing ghosts, she has no idea we’re about to snuff her out.”Kayla exhaled sharply, rolling her shoulders back. “What’s the plan?”Alexa leaned forward, her golden eyes gleaming. “You’ll take care of Lexi and that child. Once they’re gone, Julian will be vulnerable. Heartbroken, yes, but he won’t have anyone left—except for you.”Kayla’s lips parted slightly, as if she were envisioning it. “Julian wil
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-02The Billionaires Pawn Chapter One Hundred and Ten: Ashes and Betrayal
Lexi’s POVThe smoke still clung to her skin.Lexi sat in the back of an ambulance, clutching her son, her arms wrapped protectively around his small body. The paramedics had tried to take him to check for smoke inhalation, but she wouldn’t let him go. Not yet.Kayla sat on the curb a few feet away, wrapped in a blanket, her hands trembling. Her expression was blank, but Lexi could see it—the war raging inside her.Sirens blared in the distance, emergency lights flashing red and blue against the smoldering remains of what had once been Lexi’s home.Everything was gone.Everything.Julian appeared through the haze, his eyes scanning the scene in horror. The second he spotted Lexi, he ran.“Lexi!” His voice was hoarse as he dropped to his knees in front of her, his hands immediately reaching for their son. “Oh, my God—are you okay? Is he okay?”Lexi swallowed, her throat raw from the smoke. “We’re alive.”Julian cupped her face, his fingers shaking. “Jesus, I thought—when I got the call
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-02The Billionaires Pawn Chapter one hundred and eleven : fixing Kayla
Lexi’s POVThe soft hum of the waiting room was almost too quiet. The walls were painted a calming shade of blue, and the faint scent of lavender drifted through the air, but none of it did anything to settle the unease twisting inside Lexi.She glanced over at Kayla, who sat beside her, shoulders stiff, hands gripping the edge of her chair like it was the only thing keeping her grounded.Kayla had barely spoken since the fire. Since she’d admitted that she had been sent there to kill her.Lexi had spent nights replaying that conversation, trying to understand how they had gotten here. How Kayla had let herself fall so deep into Alexa’s web.And yet, despite everything, despite the anger and betrayal, she couldn’t abandon her sister.So here they were.The therapist’s office was warm and inviting, a bookshelf lined with self-help books and small, delicate plants in every corner. The door opened, and a middle-aged woman with kind eyes stepped in.“Kayla?” Her voice was gentle. “I’m Dr.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-02The Billionaires Pawn Chapter one hundred and twelve: Facing The Truth
Lexi’s POVThe psychiatrist’s office was different from the therapist’s. More clinical. Less warmth. The walls were a muted gray, and the faint scent of antiseptic lingered in the air. It made Lexi uneasy, but she kept her face neutral. This wasn’t about her.Kayla sat stiffly beside her, arms crossed, her face unreadable. She hadn’t said much since they left the house, and Lexi wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not.A receptionist called Kayla’s name, and Lexi gave her a reassuring nod.Kayla hesitated before standing. “Are you coming with me?”Lexi hesitated. “Do you want me to?”Kayla opened her mouth, then closed it, shaking her head. “No. I’ll go alone.”Lexi watched as Kayla disappeared behind the door, exhaling a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.She hoped—desperately—that this would help.Kayla’s POVThe psychiatrist was an older man with sharp eyes and a calm demeanor. His nameplate read Dr. Warren Carter.He gestured for her to sit. “Kayla, it’s nice to meet
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-02The Billionaires Pawn Chapter One Hundred and Thirteen: The Diagnosis
Lexi’s POVLexi sat in the plush leather chair of Dr. Carter’s office, her heart pounding in her chest. The room smelled faintly of lavender, a weak attempt at making the space feel comforting, but nothing about this situation felt comfortable.Kayla was beside her, arms folded, her knee bouncing slightly. Lexi had seen that look before—defensive, guarded, as if she were preparing for a battle.Dr. Warren Carter, a middle-aged man with sharp eyes and an air of calm authority, sat across from them, his hands folded over a thick stack of notes. He had spent the last several days evaluating Kayla, and now, it was time for the truth.“Kayla,” he began, his voice neutral, yet firm. “I appreciate you going through the full evaluation process. I know it wasn’t easy.”Kayla scoffed. “That’s an understatement.”Dr. Carter gave her a small, knowing smile before turning serious. “After reviewing everything—your history, symptoms, and our clinical assessments—we have a clearer understanding of wh
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-02The Billionaires Pawn Chapter one hundred and fourteen: The first step
Lexi’s POVLexi sat beside Kayla in the waiting area of Dr. Carter’s recommended psychiatrist, Dr. Evelyn Monroe. The office was sleek and modern, with warm lighting and minimalist decor designed to be calming. But judging by Kayla’s stiff posture and the way her fingers were drumming anxiously against her knee, it wasn’t working.Lexi stole a glance at her sister. “Nervous?”Kayla scoffed, but the tightness in her jaw gave her away. “What do you think?”Lexi gave a small smile. “That’s normal.”Kayla let out a breath through her nose, shaking her head. “I feel like I’m being sent to an institution or something.”Lexi’s expression softened. “It’s not like that. Therapy and psychiatry aren’t punishments, Kay. They’re just… tools to help you feel better.”Kayla rolled her eyes. “You keep saying that.”Lexi reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. “Because I mean it.”Before Kayla could respond, a woman stepped out of the office door. Dr. Evelyn Monroe was in her late forties, with sha
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-02The Billionaires Pawn Chapter one hundred and fifteen: Learning to trust
Lexi’s POVLexi sat across from Kayla in the car as they drove back from the appointment. The silence between them was thick—not uncomfortable, just… heavy. Kayla stared out the window, her fingers tapping against her thigh, lost in thought.Lexi cleared her throat. “So… how are you feeling?”Kayla huffed a short laugh. “Like I just signed up for something I don’t fully understand.”Lexi smiled slightly. “That’s fair.”Kayla turned to her, her gaze unreadable. “You really think this is gonna help?”Lexi tightened her grip on the steering wheel. “I hope so.”Kayla snorted. “Not exactly reassuring.”Lexi glanced at her. “I don’t want to lie to you. This isn’t a magic fix, Kay. It’s going to take time. Some days might feel better, some worse. But you don’t have to go through it alone.”Kayla leaned back in her seat, exhaling. “Yeah. That’s what everyone keeps saying.”Lexi hesitated, then softened her tone. “Because it’s true.”Kayla didn’t respond right away. She just kept staring out t
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-02
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The Billionaires Pawn Chapter one hundred and thirty-eight: Far from over
Elixir’s POV The night stretched endlessly before me, dark and intoxicating. A storm lingered in the air, the scent of rain mixing with the ocean breeze that drifted through the open balcony doors. The world outside my estate was quiet, too quiet, but that only made the pulse of my own thoughts louder, clearer. I had always preferred the night. It was in the darkness that true power thrived, where people’s worst fears came to life, where shadows whispered secrets that daylight tried to bury. The night had always belonged to me, just as much as it had once belonged to Alexa my sister. But Alexa had been weak. Impetuous. Too desperate for vengeance, too obsessed with proving herself. And that desperation had been her downfall. A smirk curled my lips as I shifted the weight in my arms, glancing down at the tiny figure wrapped in a soft white blanket. My daughter stirred, a soft whimper escaping her lips as her small hands reached for something unseen. I watched her, my heart tigh
The Billionaires Pawn Chapter One hundred and thirty seven : what could have been
Lexi’s POVI wasn’t sure why I kept coming back.Maybe it was guilt. Maybe it was curiosity. Or maybe it was because a part of me, despite everything, still wanted to believe Kayla could be saved.But with each visit, that hope faded a little more.The clinic was quiet, the kind of quiet that felt heavy rather than peaceful. It had the sterile scent of disinfectant mixed with something unplaceable—something that made my stomach turn every time I walked through the doors.Kayla’s room was at the end of the hall, tucked away from the others. A nurse nodded at me as I approached, her expression unreadable. I wasn’t family. I wasn’t even a friend. But no one ever questioned why I was here.Maybe they saw the hesitation in my steps, the wariness in my eyes. Maybe they knew that whatever had brought me to Kayla wasn’t simple.I stepped inside, my breath catching in my throat.She was by the window again.She always was.Her hair, once meticulously styled, was now unkempt, strands falling in
The Billionaires Pawn One hundred and thirty six: Lexi BLACKWOOD
Lexi’s pov The night was a blur of toasts, laughter, and stolen glances between Julian and me. Friends and family gathered, congratulating us, offering their blessings. Even Alexander, dressed in the tiniest little tuxedo, was passed around like royalty.And through it all, Julian never left my side.When the night was winding down, and it was just the two of us again, he pulled me into his arms, resting his forehead against mine.“Ready to be my wife?” he asked, his voice low.I smiled, my fingers threading through his hair. “I was ready the moment I fell in love with you.”His kiss was slow, deliberate. Full of promises.Promises I knew he’d keep.The WeddingJulian didn’t just plan a wedding. He orchestrated an event.It was extravagant, breathtaking, and absolutely perfect. Every single detail was meticulously arranged, from the grand venue to the candlelit pathways that led to our vows.The ceremony took place in a private estate overlooking the ocean. White roses lined the aisl
The Billionaires Pawn Chapter One hundred and thirty five : Soft petals
Lexi’s POV The night Julian proposed, I barely slept. Not because I was restless or uncertain, but because every time I closed my eyes, I replayed the moment over and over again. The way he looked at me. The certainty in his voice. The way his hands trembled just slightly when he slipped the ring onto my finger, as if this was the one thing in his life that truly mattered. I spent the rest of the night lying in his arms, listening to the steady rhythm of his breathing, feeling the warmth of his body against mine. It felt like a dream—one of those rare, beautiful ones that you never want to wake up from. But it was real. I was engaged to Julian Blackwood. When morning came, the first thing I saw was the ring. The delicate diamond glinted in the soft sunlight, a quiet reminder of everything that had changed. My heart clenched with something fierce and overwhelming. I turned my head, finding Julian already awake, watching me. “Morning, fiancé,” he murmured, his voice still l
The Billionaires Pawn Chapter one hundred and thirty four: The proposal
Julian’s POVI had never been a man of grand gestures. My world had always been one of precision, control, and ruthless efficiency. Sentiment had no place in my life—until Lexi.She changed everything.She softened the edges of a man who had never known tenderness. She made me want things I never thought I could have. A family. A home. A future.And now, I was going to make sure she was mine forever.I had planned every detail of this night with the same meticulous care I applied to everything in my life. Nothing was left to chance. Lexi deserved the perfect moment, and I would give it to her.When the evening arrived, I found her in the bedroom, getting ready. She stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her earrings, completely unaware of what was coming.“You look breathtaking,” I murmured, stepping behind her.She smiled at me through the mirror. “You’re being suspiciously charming tonight.”I smirked, running my hands down her arms before pressing a kiss to her bare shoulder. “May
The Billionaires Pawn One hundred and thirty three: Farewell to the past
Julian’s POVThe moment I stepped into our penthouse, I knew Lexi was waiting. The tension in my shoulders eased just slightly at the sight of her sitting on the couch, Alexander cradled in her arms. She looked up as soon as I entered, her gaze scanning my face for answers.She knew.“Julian,” she murmured, her voice softer than I expected. “You’re back.”I walked over, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead before glancing at my son. He was asleep, his tiny chest rising and falling peacefully.“It’s done,” I said simply.Lexi’s expression faltered. “Victor?”I met her eyes. She already knew the answer, but she still wanted to hear it.“He didn’t make it.”She swallowed, nodding slowly. “I figured.” There was no sorrow, not really. Just an understanding. A quiet acceptance. “I guess he was too far gone, huh?”“He made his choice.” My voice was calm, absolute. “And he paid for it.”Lexi sighed, adjusting Alexander in her arms. “It’s just… a shame, that’s all.”“He would’ve never
The Billionaires Pawn Chapter one-hundred and thirty two: The fall of an enemy
Julian’s POVI should’ve seen it sooner.The missing shipments. The subtle miscalculations. The way the enemy always seemed one step ahead.And now, the fire. The attack. The taunting video.All of it led back to one man.Victor Hale.I stood in my office, my fingers curling into fists as Henry laid the last piece of evidence on my desk—a bank transaction, large sums funneled into an offshore account.Victor’s account.My closest men stood around me, their faces hard, waiting for my command.Henry exhaled sharply. “He’s been working against you for months, Julian. He didn’t just steal from you. He fed intel to your enemies. He gave them access. He—”“Where is he?” I cut in, my voice like steel.Henry’s eyes darkened. “We tracked him to a private safe house. He thinks he’s covered his tracks.”“He thinks wrong.”I grabbed my gun.Tonight, this endsJulian’s POVThe moment I stepped into Victor’s so-called safe house, I felt nothing but cold fury.He sat there, comfortably swirling a gl
The Billionaires Pawn Chapter one-hundred and thirty-one : Firery fury
Julian’s POVThe air was thick with tension. I sat in the backseat of my car, fingers tapping against my knee as Henry drove. The city lights blurred past, but my mind was razor-sharp.We had a lead.A warehouse worker had come forward—nervous, fidgety, but alive. He had information, something about missing shipments and seeing people he shouldn’t have.We were on our way to meet him.Henry’s grip on the wheel was tight. “Something about this feels off.”I nodded. It did. Too easy. Too convenient. But I wasn’t about to ignore it.The moment we pulled up to the meeting point—a rundown building near the docks—I knew.We were too late.The smell of blood hit first. Then, the sight.The worker was slumped against the wall, a bullet hole clean through his skull. A message carved into his chest with something sharp.“Too slow.”My jaw clenched. Whoever was behind this wasn’t just covering their tracks—they were taunting me.Henry crouched down, checking the body. “Still warm.”I turned to m
The Billionaires Pawn Chapter one-hundred and thirty: old enemy
Julian’s POVI sat in my office, fingers steepled, staring at the whiskey in my glass. It was untouched. I wasn’t in the mood for it. Not when my mind was sharp, dissecting every possible angle of this betrayal.A single thief? No. That would’ve been too simple. Too careless.There was something bigger at play.Henry walked in, his usual calm demeanor slightly strained. I knew him well enough to recognize when something didn’t sit right with him.“What did you find?” I asked.He set a file on my desk. “It wasn’t just him.”I already knew that, but hearing it confirmed sent a slow burn through my chest.“Go on,” I said evenly.Henry opened the file, revealing documents, security logs, and numbers that didn’t match up.“We’ve been missing shipments for months,” he said. “Small amounts. A bar here, a bar there. Nothing too obvious. But it adds up.”I flipped through the pages. The calculations were clear—whoever was behind this had been careful. They knew how to move just enough to avoid
