Share

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

Author: Lily Love
last update Last Updated: 2024-12-01 21:28:38

The boardroom was abuzz with the hum of tense negotiations as Ahmed sat at the head of the long table, his dark eyes scanning the faces of the executives before him. His posture was commanding, and the suit he wore fit perfectly, as always. He was in control. A seasoned businessman, no longer the young man he used to be, but with the same hunger and ambition that had gotten him this far.

Today, he was finalizing a merger with one of the most prominent companies in the industry. It was a deal that would secure his dominance for years to come, but as he listened to the presentation in front of him, his mind wandered.

His thoughts drifted back to a time long ago, before the suit, before the deals, before he became the man he was now. Back to a time when the world felt smaller, when he was just a young man trying to prove himself.

Flashback:

Ahmed was barely twenty-one when he first understood the power of money. His family’s wealth had always been a background hum in his life—his father’
Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App
Locked Chapter

Related chapters

  • The Billionaires Rival Heir   CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

    Mia woke to the gentle hum of her alarm,the final day before she resumed work, the light of dawn passing through the gaps in her curtains. She stretched languidly, her muscles protesting after a long night of restless sleep. With a sigh, she swung her legs off the bed and padded to the bathroom, her bare feet sinking slightly into the rug.Standing before the mirror, she looked at her reflection. Her eyes looked tired, a faint shadow of exhaustion beneath them. She grabbed her toothbrush, spreading on some minty toothpaste, and began brushing. The rhythmic back-and-forth motion was both calming and mechanical, allowing her mind to drift. The cool, refreshing taste of mint woke her senses, helping her feel more alert.After rinsing her mouth, she stepped into the shower. The water was warm, cascading over her like a gentle waterfall, washing away the fatigue and tension from her body. She lathered her skin with fragrant soap, the scent of lavender filling the air and soothing her nerve

    Last Updated : 2024-12-03
  • The Billionaires Rival Heir   CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

    Once again as usual, evening moonlight seeped through the thin curtains of Mia’s small apartment as she unpacked the last of her bag from her visit to Anna. The short time with her sister had been a much-needed reprieve, but it also left her feeling uneasy. Anna’s probing questions about her work, her growing involvement with Shaw, and her parents’ deaths only made Mia’s internal turmoil worse.By the time she closed her suitcase and stuffed it under her bed, she felt no more clarity than she had when she’d left. Sighing, Mia glanced at the clock. It was late, and she would need to wake up early for work. Shaw would surely want updates on the project, and with everything happening lately, she needed to be sharp.The next morning, Mia’s alarm blared, jolting her out of a restless sleep. She rubbed her eyes and pulled herself out of bed, dragging her feet to the bathroom. As the warm shower water ran over her skin, she tried to prepare herself for the day ahead.Her reflection in the mi

    Last Updated : 2024-12-03
  • The Billionaires Rival Heir   CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

    The soft glow of Mia’s desk lamp cast long, flickering shadows across her room. It was late, well past midnight, but sleep was a luxury she could no longer afford. The muted hum of her laptop filled the quiet space as she leaned over it, her eyes darting across the screen, her mind sharpening with every discovery. The past few days had been an exhausting whirlwind of revelations, each one more shocking than the last. Yet, despite the weight of it all, an unrelenting energy coursed through her veins. She was close—closer than ever to unraveling the truth.A nearly empty coffee mug sat precariously close to the edge of the desk, a testament to her sleepless nights. Stacks of papers, hastily scribbled notes, and highlighted printouts surrounded her. This was her war zone, and she was determined to win.Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, pausing as she opened yet another file from Ahmed’s seemingly endless cache of emails. Each message was like a puzzle piece, and she was piecing them

    Last Updated : 2024-12-04
  • The Billionaires Rival Heir   CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

    Mia took a deep breath as she found a place to park her car right in front of the company. She had been gripping the stirring wheel the whole time. Her knuckles had turned white. She quickly wrung them together and looked at her face through the rear view mirror. If she was going to find out the truth and deal with Shaw just the way she wanted, she had to behave normal. Just that she didn’t know how to do that anymore. She was expecting her baby. She knew that it wouldn’t be long before she started showing. How long was she going to hide? How long was she going to keep the fact that Shaw might actually be the father of the baby?“Grace would have known what to do,” she whispered to herself. She smoothened her hands over her dress before walking right into the office. She had a fake smile plastered on her face as she knocked on the door to Shaw’s office. The office was half open, so she saw how his pupils darkened across the room, his eyes running though her body. She felt her toes cu

    Last Updated : 2024-12-05
  • The Billionaires Rival Heir   CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

    “You look stunning,” Grace said. She was on her day off and Mia couldn’t help but be happy about it. she needed her best friend to give her the confidence she needed. She felt weird in such an expensive dress. And she was going to be in the midst of popular people once more. She couldn’t help but feel nervous. “Thank you,” Mia said, as she stood up, admiring how the dress kissed her curves, leaving her flawless back for show, before tightening at the lower end. She had also found the black heels that he had gotten for her. She quickly tied the straps around her ankles as Grace helped her tie her hair in a high pony tail, displaying her baby eyes. Her makeup gave dark feminine vibe and she couldn’t help but love it.“Shaw would be speechless,” Grace said, smiling to herself. “He bought the dress anyway,” Mia said, shrugging. She couldn’t help but wonder how he always knew what her size was. Even her shoe size. He never got it wrong and disappointed her for once.They heard a car honk

    Last Updated : 2024-12-06
  • The Billionaires Rival Heir   CHAPTER THIRTY

    Mia’s heart was in her mouth as Liam’s smirk increased. She watched as he took a huge gulp of his drink and duped the glass cup on one of the tables close by.“We can leave if you don’t want to meet him,” Shaw said, looking down at her with an expression that she couldn’t quite place. She tipped her chin. The last thing she needed was the help of a murder accomplice. “I can obviously handle things myself,” she said in a tense voice before adding “Sir” as if that would soften the effects of her words. Shaw on his own part couldn’t help but wonder what was up with the new attitude that she was giving to him. There was nothing more that he wanted to do for her than to help. And he just needed to hear one thing from her. The one thing that she wasn’t willing to spill just yet. He took a step away from her, glad that the media had already captured everything that he wanted them to. He didn’t miss the way Mia flinched. “What does she want then?” he found himself asking. His hands were ba

    Last Updated : 2024-12-08
  • The Billionaires Rival Heir   CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

    The usher helped her stand up, with her hands firmly on Mia’s lower back as she led her to the back room, where other rich women were standing, adjusting their makeup, and complimenting each other on their perfumes. She knew that there was no need of saying a thing to those women. Mia knew she would never fit in.She stood at a corner of the room, waiting to be called to the front. The usher came into the room again, attaching numbers to the clips of their dresses. Mia was number 17. It was boldly clipped to the front of her expensive dress. She swallowed hard, knowing that she could help donating a whole lot of money to a group of children that she didn’t even know. She was mulling over getting another job. She knew how much her sister needed money, but she didn’t know if Shaw was going to be okay with that.She was barely even aware that the auction had already started.“And now, we call on Lady M, Number 17.” Everything was muffled in her head. Somebody had to tap her for her real

    Last Updated : 2024-12-09
  • The Billionaires Rival Heir   CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

    Liam was losing his patience as time went by. He didn’t plan on coming to meet Mia and threaten her like that in the female toilet. But it seemed to be that his plan was working after all. She was now looking at him with fear in her eyes. He was already planning on going to meet up with a wedding planner since Mia was going to give birth soon. He was already planning on using everything that he could to get married to her. Whether she wanted or not, he was definitely going to take that child and get his hands on the inheritance that was solely his. Shaw was looking around, wondering where Mia was. “She couldn’t have probably run away because she didn’t want to dance with me, could she?” he thought to himself. The coordinator and the host were already arranging the dancefloor for the people that were auctioned. He decided to hold on, since there was no sign of her. Or maybe she was just taking a long time in the bathroom. He went outside and tried calling her, but she refused to answ

    Last Updated : 2024-12-12

Latest chapter

  • The Billionaires Rival Heir   CHAPTER SIXTY

    Father John stood there in shock. Did Liam really just say that? “Liam, can we have a word?” the priest asked, his voice calm but firm.Liam met his gaze before giving a small, almost mocking smile. “Of course, Father.”He followed Father John to a quiet corner outside the room. The dim lighting of the warehouse cast long shadows against the walls, the air thick with tension. The faint hum of the generator in the background was the only sound accompanying their conversation.“What are you doing, son? This isn’t like you,” Father John said, his voice laced with disbelief and disappointment.Liam scoffed, running a hand through his hair. “This is exactly who I’ve always been, Father. When I see an opportunity, I make sure to grab it with both hands.”Father John’s brows furrowed. “By kidnapping a lady and forcing her into marriage? This goes against the will of God, and you know it.”Liam let out a dry chuckle. “Let’s not even go there, Father. Right now, there’s only one person’s will

  • The Billionaires Rival Heir   CHAPTER FIFTY NINE

    Kim got back home around 7:30 AM, her heels clicking against the marble floor as she stepped into the dimly lit living room. The weight of frustration and jealousy burned inside her, and before she could stop herself, she grabbed a porcelain flower vase from the coffee table and hurled it against the wall. The shattering sound echoed through the house, the fragments scattering across the floor like her broken patience."Why is he still thinking about her?" Kim seethed, her breathing ragged. "Why can't he just focus on me?"She squeezed her fists, her nails digging into her palms. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to calm down. Losing control wouldn’t get her what she wanted. She straightened her posture, smoothing down the hem of her silk robe, and reached for her phone.She dialed Liam’s number, her fingers gripping the device tightly. He picked up after the first ring."Talk to me," Liam's voice was sharp, impatient."Shaw is onto me. We have to be more careful," Kim warned.

  • The Billionaires Rival Heir   CHAPTER FIFTY EIGHT

    SHAW POVIt didn’t take long before the inspector began investigating. I texted Kim to come over so we could chat, and she agreed almost immediately.After speaking with Alicia, I had found a nice boarding school for Jake and sent him there. I didn’t want him involved in all this mess. He had already been through too much, and with Mia missing, things were getting more dangerous by the second.‘I’ll be at your place soon,’ Kim replied. I informed Jack, who was calling in for some support from his station. Then I turned to Grace and said, “It’s really good she has you as a friend. We’re going to find her. That’s a promise.”Grace gave me a slight nod, her expression unreadable. She had barely spoken since we left the station, but I knew she was just holding everything in. If she let it all out, she’d break down completely.Jack called me over, snapping me out of my thoughts. “So, backup is on their way. This is the plan: when she arrives at your place, try asking her some questions ab

  • The Billionaires Rival Heir   CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN

    SHAW POVHearing that was shocking. Immediately after ending the call, I tried dialing Mia’s number, but it didn’t go through. I tried a few more times, and it went straight to voicemail. A sinking feeling settled in my stomach.I had just finished having my bath and was about to head to the office when I received Grace’s call. I stopped everything I was doing and immediately began my journey to Grace’s place, my mind racing with possibilities. Something wasn’t right.In a few minutes, I was at her apartment. I knocked on the door, and she opened after the third knock. As soon as I saw her, I could tell she was in a state of panic. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and her hands trembled slightly as she stepped aside to let me in.“What happened?” I asked as I walked inside, my voice sharper than intended.Grace shut the door behind me and took a deep breath before speaking. “Yesterday, I went out to get some groceries, and when I got back, I noticed that she was gone. At first, I thought she

  • The Billionaires Rival Heir   CHAPTER FIFTY SIX

    Mia’s POVDarkness. That was all I could see. The space around me was tight, the air thick and suffocating. Every bump in the road sent sharp jolts through my body as I lay curled up inside what I could only assume was the trunk of a car. My hands were bound, the rope digging into my wrists, and a rough sack covered my head, making it impossible to see where I was being taken.I tried to steady my breathing, but panic clawed at my throat. The scent of gasoline and something metallic filled my nostrils, and my stomach churned. My baby. I had to protect my baby. I shifted slightly, trying to find a more comfortable position, but the trunk was too small, the hard surface unforgiving.After what felt like an eternity, the car came to a sudden stop. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come next. I heard the sound of doors opening, footsteps crunching against gravel. Then, the trunk popped open.Rough hands grabbed me, dragging me out. I struggled, kicking out blindly, but my ca

  • The Billionaires Rival Heir   CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE

    “I’m done with her, Liam. It’s time for Plan B,” Kim said, her voice low and full of venom as she held her phone close to her ear.Liam was silent for a few seconds before he finally replied, “Alright. Where do we meet up?”“We don’t need to meet up. You already know the plan,” Kim responded coldly before ending the call.inside Shaw’s house, Mia and Shaw were enjoying some alone time, but their moments were constantly interrupted. Alicia had been intruding, and Mia was growing frustrated. It was clear that Alicia didn’t want her and Shaw reconnecting.A knock on the door made Mia roll her eyes. “I thought she was here to see Jake,” she muttered.“She is,” Shaw replied, slowly getting off the bed.“So why does she keep knocking here? This is the fourth time already,” Mia complained, folding her arms.“I’ll take care of it,” Shaw said, his voice firm as he walked toward the door.Opening it, he immediately grabbed Alicia’s wrist and pulled her out into the living room. “Jake is asleep

  • The Billionaires Rival Heir   CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR

    Mia woke up to the soft morning light filtering through her curtains. Today was the day. For the past two days, she had ignored Shaw’s calls and messages, trying to sort through the whirlwind of emotions that had overtaken her. But after much convincing from Grace, she had finally decided to hear him out. Avoiding him forever wasn’t an option—especially not when she was carrying his child.As she stood in front of her mirror, she gently placed a hand on her stomach. It had grown significantly since the last time she checked. Her lips curled into a small smile, but the moment was fleeting. Her mind was clouded with doubt and uncertainty. Would Shaw be the kind of father she hoped he would be? Could she trust him not to break her heart again?Shaking the thoughts away, she grabbed her handbag and headed out.The office was buzzing with activity when she arrived, but she kept her head down, avoiding any unnecessary interactions. She didn’t want to go to Shaw’s office first; she wanted to

  • The Billionaires Rival Heir   CHAPTER FIFTY THREE

    Shaw woke up early, his body aching with exhaustion, but his mind refused to let him rest. The events of last night replayed like a broken record—Mia’s heartbroken face, the anger in her voice, the way she walked out without looking back. The sting of her absence was unbearable.He turned his head and found himself staring at Jake, who was still asleep on the couch. His small chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, his little fingers curled into the blanket. Shaw studied him, memorizing every feature—the same dark brown hair, the familiar sharp nose, and those piercing blue eyes. His eyes.For four years, he had a son and never knew. How different would things have been if Alicia had told him? Would he have been a good father? Would he have been there for Jake in all the ways he needed?A heavy sigh left Shaw’s lips as he rubbed his tired eyes. There was no use wondering about the past. The only thing he could do now was figure out how to move forward. But could he fix the damage that

  • The Billionaires Rival Heir   CHAPTER FIFTY TWO

    Shaw stood in the middle of his living room, his mind still racing from the chaos Alicia had just dropped into his life. His breath was uneven, his fists clenched at his sides. The silence in the room felt heavier than ever. The only sound was the ticking of the clock, each second a reminder that Mia was gone.His gut twisted.He wanted to chase after her, to explain everything, But what could he even say? Mia had been right—this changed everything.A small voice broke through the tension.“Mister?”Shaw turned slowly, his gaze falling on the boy standing in the doorway, his little hand still clutching Alicia’s. His wide blue eyes—very much similar to Shaw’s own—were filled with curiosity, maybe even a little nervousness.Shaw’s heart clenched.This was his child.His son.He exhaled, running a hand through his hair before glaring at Alicia. “You need to start talking. Now.”Alicia sighed, stepping further into the house. “I know you’re angry. You have every right to be. But let’s no

Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status