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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
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 25. The Brief Reunion
The day before I was set to meet Miguel Rodriguez, I had spent most of the time trying to figure out how to handle him. The thought of meeting him without my mask, of pretending to be someone I wasn't, kept gnawing at me. I had to be clever, to outsmart him somehow, and I thought I might have come up with a plan that would work. As I was going over the details in my head, a knock on my door broke my concentration. One of the maids stepped in and said, "Mr. Dela Cruz requests your presence in the living room, Miss."I quickly gathered myself and made my way to the living room, curious and a bit anxious about what Mr. Dela Cruz might need from me. When I arrived, he was sitting there with a warm smile on his face, looking unusually relaxed. "Come, sit beside me," he said, gesturing to the seat next to him. I obliged, and as soon as I sat down, he turned to me with a soft look in his eyes. "Andrea," he began, his voice gentle, "I noticed you've been working very hard and… I think
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 26. Caught Off Guard
As soon as I got into my room, I closed the door behind me, letting out a deep sigh. My mind was racing. The thought of meeting Miguel Rodriguez without my nose mask was making my chest tighten with anxiety. The moment I stepped into his place without it, he would realize who I really was—Andrea, the journalist who had once interviewed him. He would connect the dots. And who knows how he might react?But I had no other choice. I couldn't afford to let the Dela Cruz family down, and I certainly couldn't let Miguel hold all the power in this situation. I needed to take control of this meeting. The last thing I wanted was for the press or anyone else to see me without the mask. If it got out that Carmen, the woman he was supposed to marry, was actually Andrea, everything would fall apart. So I made a quick decision—I would meet him, but on my terms.I sat on the edge of my bed, phone in hand, debating whether to call him. My fingers hovered over his number for what felt like an et
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 27. Dancing With The Devil
After what felt like an eternity, the tension in the room hanging heavy, I finally managed to speak. My words came out, but they weren't anything I would have said under normal circumstances. It was like I was outside myself, watching this desperate version of me trying to survive."The pay is good, and it will help me and my family," I said, my voice steady but my heart racing. "I wasn't born with a silver spoon like you."I locked eyes with Miguel, forcing myself not to break under his gaze. Deep inside, I was crumbling. Everything felt like it was slipping out of my control, but I couldn't let him see that.He studied me, his expression unreadable. Then, after what seemed like forever, he finally spoke. "So, you think I've always had everything easy, huh?" His tone was cold, but there was something else beneath it—something I couldn't quite place. "What happened to your job as a journalist?"My heart skipped a beat at the mention of my past. Of course, he knew. Why wouldn't he
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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
