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28. Romance or Not
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The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 29. Confused State Of Mind
As I stepped out of the shower, still feeling the warm steam around me, there was a knock at the door. It was one of the maids. "Dinner is served, and the family is waiting for you at the table," she said politely. I nodded, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling that had settled over me. The last few days had been overwhelming, with everything from my meetings with Miguel to Alice's strange behavior. Once I was dressed, I made my way to the dining room. As expected, Mr. and Mrs. Dela Cruz were already seated, along with Alice. I could feel her eyes on me as I approached, but I kept my expression neutral. Whatever game she was playing, I couldn't let her know she was getting under my skin. The dinner started off with casual conversation. Mr. Dela Cruz talked about business plans, and Mrs. Dela Cruz chimed in occasionally with questions about future events. Alice, surprisingly, was quiet for most of it, only speaking up to comment on the food or nod in agreement. I played
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 30. The Shocking Interview
It had been three days since I last heard from Miguel Rodriguez. Three long, uneventful days. No calls, no messages—just silence. And for some reason, that silence gnawed at me more than I wanted to admit. I didn't understand why my thoughts kept drifting back to him, or why I found myself wondering what he was up to. I didn't like it. During this time, there had also been no new "missions" from the Dela Cruz family. Since my last conversation with Mr. Dela Cruz, things had been awkward. I could barely meet his eyes whenever we were in the same room, and I felt completely out of place in the mansion. The once-luxurious surroundings now felt like a prison, and I was just counting down the days until I could leave and return to my normal life. But what was normal for me anymore? I wasn't sure.That morning, one of the maids came knocking at my door to call me down for breakfast. My first instinct was to refuse. I wasn't in the mood to sit around the table, pretending everything w
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 31. Confession
For a moment, we just stood there, staring at each other in silence. The weight of whatever he was about to reveal hung between us, heavy and suffocating. My pulse quickened, and I could feel the tension building in the room, but neither of us said a word.I couldn't read his expression. Was he testing me? Was this another one of his games? Or was this something far more serious?The silence stretched on, thick and suffocating, until I could hardly breathe. My heart pounded in my chest, and I realized, with a sudden, terrifying clarity, that whatever happened next would change everything.And for the first time, I wasn't sure if I was ready.After what felt like an eternity of staring at each other, I couldn't hold it any longer. The tension in the room was thick, and I needed to know what was really going on. I took a deep breath and spoke, trying to maintain my composure."Am I just here to play the staring game with you, or do you actually have something to talk to me about?" I
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 32. Unheard Secret
I sat on my bed, feeling a bit calmer than I had been in days, but Miguel still lingered in my mind. Questions swirled around, refusing to settle. How did he find out about me? About the deal I had with the Dela Cruz family? And what did he really want from me? Mr. Dela Cruz's warning replayed in my head, and I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more, something deeper at play here. I was in the middle of all these thoughts when a sudden knock on the door jolted me out of my haze.Before I could ask who it was, I heard Alice's voice from the other side. "It's me."I paused for a second, reluctant to let her in. What did she want now? I wondered if she was still suspicious of me, if she was up to something. But after a moment of hesitation, I walked over and opened the door, keeping my face as neutral as possible. If she was here to fish for information, I would have to play it smart.Alice stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room briefly before settling on me. S
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 33. Passionate Encounter
I finally made my way inside and quickly picked up the call to hear what Miguel had to say, as I couldn't control the urge to talk to him."Andrea, I don't have much time to talk... Can you meet me later today? we need to talk about something very important" Miguel said, as he sounded like he was in a haste.I agreed to his request, as I was also curious about a lot of things.As soon as I hung up the call with Miguel, I felt my heart racing. What could he possibly want to talk about that was so urgent? And why did he sound so hurried, so…nervous? I didn't know whether to feel anxious or excited. But whatever it was, I knew I couldn't let this chance slip by. Maybe Miguel had answers. Maybe he knew something about the Dela Cruz family that could help me understand what was really going on.I started getting ready, my mind running in a thousand different directions, but before I could even gather my thoughts, there was a knock on the door. My heart skipped a beat. I opened the door
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 34. A Determined Mindset
That night, sleep didn't come easily. I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind filled with Miguel. I couldn't stop thinking about the way he touched me, the way his lips felt against mine. It was like a pull I couldn't resist, even though I knew I had to. "Andrea, don't be stupid," I muttered to myself, turning over to my side. "He's way out of your league. He'll destroy everything." I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to push away the thoughts of Miguel. But they kept creeping back in. His voice, his eyes, the way he looked at me like he saw right through the act I was putting on. It was dangerous. I couldn't afford to think about him. Not with everything else hanging over me. The next day, I woke up feeling exhausted, but I knew I couldn't stay hidden forever. I got dressed, forcing myself to act like everything was fine. But then, one of the maids came to tell me that Mr. Dela Cruz was calling me to the living room. My stomach twisted into knots as I made my way downstair
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 35. Confession Time
The pressure in the room was suffocating. I could feel the weight of their gazes on me as I sat at the head of the table. Mr. Dela Cruz, seated beside me, was silent, his expression unreadable. The shareholders were skeptical, and I could see doubt creeping across their faces. I couldn't let them see through me—not now.I cleared my throat and began. "I understand there have been concerns about delays and unmet expectations. But let me be clear: the Dela Cruz family is committed to ensuring the success of all its ventures. The challenges we've faced were unforeseen, but we've learned from them, and we've developed strategies to ensure nothing like this happens again."Mr. Delgado, the smug, sharp-eyed shareholder who seemed to have taken it upon himself to grill me, leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowed. "And what assurances can you give us, Carmen? How do we know you have control of the situation?"I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "Because I am Carmen Dela Cruz," I sai
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 36. Panic and Control
The next morning came faster than I expected. As I got dressed, my mind was racing with thoughts about what Miguel might say or do. Would he still help me after everything? I knew I had to tell him the truth. There was no other way.As I descended the stairs, I saw Alice seated in the living room. I knew she was waiting for an opportunity to get under my skin, and today, I decided I wouldn't let her. She wasn't going to get away with it this time. Just as I reached the door, I heard her voice."Make sure you go with extra makeup today," she said with a snide smile. "The last time you looked like it wasn't a good ending."Her words were meant to sting, but instead of walking away, I stopped. I turned back, walking slowly towards her, a smirk forming on my face. She thought she could rattle me, but today, I was ready to put her in her place."If you had been a reasonable daughter—helpful, like a proper member of this family—they wouldn't have needed me," I said, my voice calm but cu
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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
