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16. Media Chaos
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 17. Unexpected Warning
I sat on the edge of my bed, staring blankly at the wall, my mind racing with thoughts. Everything was spinning out of control. The events of the past few days had shaken me, and I wasn't sure how much longer I could hold it together. I had agreed to this crazy plan to pretend to be Carmen Dela Cruz for my family's sake, to help Max, to secure our future. But now, with the media frenzy, the constant pressure, and the lingering fear of being exposed, I felt like I was suffocating.I thought about last night, the incident with the mask being ripped off, and the chaos that followed. The media was all over me, digging into every detail of my life—or, at least, the life they thought belonged to Carmen. I couldn't let them find out who I really was. If they did, everything would collapse. My family's chance at a better life would be gone. But the weight of it all was getting heavier by the minute.I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves, when suddenly, the door to my room swung
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 18. A Walk In The Garden
The next morning, I woke up feeling drained. My head was heavy, and my body felt sluggish. I hadn't gotten much sleep. My mind had been racing all night, replaying the argument with Alice, the conversation with Mr. Dela Cruz, and the heavy weight of everything I had taken on. Pretending to be Carmen was harder than I thought. The fear of getting caught gnawed at me constantly.I decided I needed some air. The room felt too small, too suffocating. I figured a walk in the garden would clear my head. Maybe I could find a moment of peace away from the chaos inside the house.As I stepped outside, the crisp morning air hit my face, and I felt a little lighter. The garden was quiet, just the sound of birds and the rustling of leaves in the wind. I walked slowly, trying to let my mind relax. The flowers, neatly arranged in bright rows, felt like a different world compared to the tension inside the house.I wasn't expecting anyone to join me, so when I saw Mrs. Dela Cruz walking toward m
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 19. Spotlight
Sitting in my room, my thoughts were filled with worry about my aunt and Max. I had been here for a while now, playing this role as Carmen, but I hadn't had any real contact with my family since I stepped into this life. What if something went wrong? What if they weren't being taken care of as promised? It wasn't like I could just walk out and check for myself.I glanced at the maid, Maria, who was quietly tidying up the room. She seemed kind, and I wondered if maybe she could help me. "Maria," I said hesitantly, my voice soft. "I… I was wondering if you could lend me your phone. Just for a quick call."Maria stopped what she was doing and looked at me, her expression a little startled. "Ma'am, I… I'm really sorry, but I can't do that."I blinked, a bit taken aback. "Why not?"Her face softened with sympathy as she stepped closer, lowering her voice. "If I gave you my phone, and they found out, I'd be fired immediately. No questions asked."The realization hit me hard. Of course, t
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 20. Victory For Now
I stood there, my legs trembling, as fear wrapped itself around me. The crowd before me seemed endless, their eyes all focused on us as we made our way toward the podium. My heart raced, and I tried to calm myself, but it felt impossible. 'How can I do this? What if I mess up? What if they see through the mask and realize I'm not Carmen?'I took a deep breath, but the nerves wouldn't let go. I felt the pressure building inside me, threatening to overwhelm. 'I can't fail. Not here. Not now.*'Then, I thought about Max. I thought about my aunt and how they were depending on me to get through this. 'If I do this right, if I succeed, they'll be okay. They'll be taken care of.' That thought alone gave me the courage I needed. I closed my eyes for a brief moment and whispered to myself, "This is for them. This is for Max and Auntie."When I opened my eyes, I saw Mr. Dela Cruz giving me a nod from across the room. It was time. One of the event organizers stepped up to the microphone and
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 21. Unknown Friendship
After Mr. Dela Cruz handed me the documents, I felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility. I held the folder tightly in my hands, not daring to open it in front of him. As soon as he left me alone, I quickly made my way back to my room, my heart pounding in my chest. 'This is it', I thought. 'Another big test, another chance to either succeed or completely mess things up.'Once I was in my room, I closed the door and sat on the edge of the bed, opening the folder with shaky hands. The name on the top of the first page caught my eye immediately: 'Alberto Alfonso'. My breath hitched. 'He's the CEO of A&A Technology'—one of the biggest tech companies in the country. I'd heard of him before, of course. Who hadn't? But to actually meet him and convince him to agree to a business merger with the Dela Cruz family? That felt like a different level of pressure altogether.I flipped through the pages, scanning his background, business ventures, and most importantly, his personality trait
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 22. Relieved For Now
As I stepped into A&A Technology's headquarters, my heart was racing, but I kept my head high and tried to act confident. The building screamed success—from the sleek, modern design to the massive screens showing the company's latest products and breakthroughs. The air itself felt charged with innovation, and it made me more aware of the enormous task ahead of me. This wasn't just any company; it was the top of the line, and I was about to meet the man behind it all.The receptionist led me through glass hallways, and I could see employees busily typing away or in serious discussions. The company's heartbeat was loud and clear: it was fast-paced, efficient, and driven. 'Just like how I need to be', I thought to myself. We reached a large, imposing door, and the receptionist knocked before opening it. "Mr. Alfonso is expecting you," she said with a polite nod, ushering me into his office.There he was—Alberto Alfonso, the man I had read so much about. He was seated behind a large
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 23. Fearsome Quest
The past two days had been quiet. Too quiet. After securing the deal with A&A, I expected the pressure to keep coming, the demands to increase, but nothing happened. It was almost as if everyone was waiting for something. The calm felt unsettling. I found myself thinking about what might be going on behind closed doors. 'What are they not telling me?' I had been thrown into this world so fast that it felt strange when there was no new task, no drama to deal with. Mr. Dela Cruz had always had something for me to do, but now, the silence made me feel like I was missing something important. To clear my head, I decided to take a walk in the garden. The fresh air would do me good, I thought. As I walked along the stone pathway, surrounded by perfectly manicured plants and blooming flowers, I spotted Mr. Dela Cruz sitting on a bench. Next to him was the man who had recruited me into this whole mess. The one who handed me over to the Dela Cruz family and made me become "Carmen." Thro
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 24. Unfriendly Quest
When I arrived back at the Dela Cruz mansion, the familiar sight of the grand entrance and the ornate living room didn't comfort me as much as it used to. I knew that once I stepped inside, Mr. and Mrs. Dela Cruz would be eager to hear about my meeting with Miguel Rodriguez. The memory of our tense conversation replayed in my head, especially the part where he demanded to see me without the nose mask. That one sentence had set my mind spinning, and I hadn't yet figured out how I was going to handle it.As I entered the living room, I found them seated together, waiting expectantly. Their expressions were calm but curious, and I knew that they wanted a full update. Part of me wanted to tell them the truth—that things with Miguel hadn't gone smoothly, that he had questioned me in ways I hadn't anticipated, and that his arrogance had nearly made me snap. But I stopped myself. For some reason, I didn't want to seem unsure in front of them. I needed them to believe I could handle thi
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The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 51. Take Over Game
Miguel took a deep breath before continuing, "There's been a lot of unusual activity on some of the Dela Cruz accounts. Small, frequent transfers. Almost like someone's trying to hide the movement of money by spreading it out."My stomach twisted. "You think it's Alice?""I can't say for sure. But it's suspicious, especially given everything else going on."I glanced over at Mr. Dela Cruz, who was watching me intently. "Miguel, can you track where the money's going? Any way to trace the recipient?""I'm working on it, but it'll take some time. Whoever's behind it is covering their tracks well.""Thank you, Miguel. Let me know if you find anything else."I hung up, relaying Miguel's information to Mr. Dela Cruz. He sighed, rubbing his temples. "She's moving money now? What's her endgame here?""I don't know," I said, my voice full of frustration. "But it feels like she's preparing for something big."The car pulled up to the hotel, and we stepped out, still deep in conversation. As
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 50. Suspicious Bracelet
I sat silently in the car, my mind spinning. The name "Elena" echoed in my head, each syllable heavy with mystery. The last thing we needed was another unknown player in this already chaotic story. Carmen's unexpected visitor, the mysterious bracelet, Alice's whereabouts—all of it felt like pieces of a puzzle scattered everywhere. And I didn't know where to start.Mr. Dela Cruz was quiet beside me, staring out the window, his face etched with worry. As we drove back to the hotel, I could see him lost in his own thoughts. Finally, I broke the silence."Mr. Dela Cruz," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "What if Alice has more people working with her? What if she isn't working alone?"He turned to look at me, his expression serious. "It's crossed my mind, Andrea. But who could she trust enough to pull off something like this? Alice… she's always been stubborn and independent. And now, it seems she's desperate, too."I nodded, feeling a pang of frustration. "That name, 'Elena,'
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 49. The Package
The morning of the press conference came faster than I expected. I dressed carefully, choosing a simple but professional outfit that exuded confidence. Today wasn't just about proving my loyalty to the Dela Cruz family; it was about showing the world who I was and what I stood for. Whatever Alice had planned, I needed to be ready. As I checked my reflection in the mirror one last time, I couldn't ignore the nervous flutter in my chest. This was it.Miguel was waiting for me downstairs, his face serious but encouraging. "You look ready," he said with a small smile. "Remember, stick to the truth. Alice will have her lies prepared, but if you stay calm, she'll slip up."I nodded, feeling the weight of his words. "Thanks, Miguel. I'm not just doing this for me—I'm doing this for Carmen, too. She deserves a sister who will protect her, even if she's not here to see it."Miguel reached out and squeezed my hand. "Let's go show them who you are."As we walked into the press conference r
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 48. Game for the strong
Mr. Dela Cruz glanced at her warily. "Alice, this is a serious matter. We're handling it."Alice smiled sweetly. "Of course, Father. I only want to help." She turned her gaze to me, her eyes glinting with a hidden challenge. "And I'm sure Andrea is ready for all the responsibility, right?"I bit back my irritation. She was testing me, waiting for me to make a mistake. But I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction."Yes, I am," I replied firmly. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect this family and the company."Alice's smile widened, but there was no warmth in it. "I'm glad to hear that. Because if this doesn't go well, the consequences could be… severe."Miguel shot her a sharp look. "Let's focus on solving the problem instead of pointing fingers, Alice."She shrugged, unfazed. "Just making sure we all understand the stakes."The tension in the room was palpable, each of us on edge, waiting for the next bombshell to drop. I couldn't shake the feeling that Alice had more up her sl
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 47. The Ally and the Attack
I walked to the greenhouse that night, my mind racing. Alice's note still weighed heavy in my pocket, her words running through my head over and over. *"Meet me in the old greenhouse tonight. Alone."* It felt like a trap, but I had to go. If there was any chance to get to the bottom of her lies, this was it.As I pushed open the door, I was greeted by the musty smell of damp soil and old plants. Shadows played along the walls, and the air was thick with an uncomfortable silence. In the dim light, I saw Alice standing near the back, her arms crossed, looking entirely too calm."Alice," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Why did you want to meet here?"She gave a sly smile. "Oh, Andrea. I thought it was time we had a little… chat." Her eyes held a gleam I didn't like, a kind of cold amusement that made my stomach churn.I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. "What's this all about, Alice? Why the games? What do you really want from me?"Alice's smile faded, and her
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 46. Unending Chaos
Miguel leaned in, reading over my shoulder. "Do you think…?"I looked at him, my mind reeling. "Miguel, what if Carmen isn't my sister? What if… what if 'Elena' is?"The realization hit us both like a thunderbolt. If there was another sister, another person who had been hidden away, then everything I knew about my past could be a lie. The family, the secrets, even Carmen's illness—what if it was all connected?Just then, footsteps echoed in the hallway. We froze, quickly shoving the letter back into the envelope and hiding it under a stack of books. The door creaked open, and Mr. Dela Cruz stepped inside, his eyes narrowing as he saw us."What are you two doing in here?" he asked, his voice calm but with a dangerous edge.I forced a smile, trying to look casual. "Oh, we were just… looking for a book."Mr. Dela Cruz's gaze lingered on us, suspicion flickering in his eyes. "This is a private study," he said slowly. "If you need anything, you can ask me or your mother."I nodded, my h
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 45. A dose of reality(2)
As Miguel left the room, I sat there, letting his words sink in. But doubt still lingered. I wanted to believe I belonged here, but everything seemed so fragile. One wrong move, and everything could shatter. And with Alice? I didn't even know where to start.I decided to give myself a moment to breathe, to try and clear my mind. Maybe some fresh air would help. I made my way to the garden, finding a quiet spot on a stone bench surrounded by flowers. The air was cool, and the scent of jasmine filled my senses, calming me slightly. I was so lost in thought that I didn't hear anyone approaching until a voice startled me."You know, for someone who's supposed to be family, you're really good at keeping secrets."I looked up to see Alice standing there, her arms crossed, her expression colder than I'd ever seen it. My heart sank. This conversation wasn't going to be easy, but I knew I couldn't avoid it."Alice, I'm sorry. I didn't want to keep anything from you," I said, trying to ke
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 44. A dose of reality(1)
The moment I opened my eyes that morning, I knew today was going to be different. There were still so many questions hanging over me, making it impossible to feel completely settled. No matter how much I tried to fit in here, every new answer seemed to come with a dozen more questions. Today, I was going to get some real answers, or at least try my best.I took a deep breath, got dressed, and made my way out of my room. As luck would have it, I spotted Mr. and Mrs. Dela Cruz seated together in the living room, leaning in close as they spoke quietly. They looked deep in conversation, almost like they were discussing something serious.I approached them, taking a moment to compose myself before saying, "Good morning, Dad. Morning, Mom."They both looked up, and the warmth in their eyes was instant. Mrs. Dela Cruz's face lit up with a proud smile, and Mr. Dela Cruz looked at me with that same approving gaze. There was something so genuine about the way they looked at me that I coul
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 43. Dawn of a new era
The next day, I woke up with a knot of nerves in my stomach. Today was the board meeting. Today, I was officially stepping into the Dela Cruz world. I got dressed, choosing a sleek, professional outfit, and mentally prepared myself for whatever was coming.Just as I was adjusting my blazer, Alice barged into my room without even a knock. Her eyes were sharp, and her face was twisted into a sneer."So, you think you're one of us now?" she spat, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You can never be part of this family. You're nothing but an outsider."I took a deep breath, feeling a surge of anger rise within me. I wasn't going to let her intimidate me, not today. I stood up, meeting her glare head-on."Alice," I said, my voice steady and cold, "you're the one who doesn't belong. I am their real daughter, and you're just… adopted. Remember how you love to say that 'fake can never be real'? Maybe it's time you take your own advice, little sister."For the first time, I saw her face go pal
