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34. A Determined Mindset
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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
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 37. Face the fear
As soon as I stepped into Miguel's study room, I felt an odd tension in the air. We had never met here before, and the fact that he had called me in like this only added to the uneasy feeling swirling in my gut. My mind raced, trying to piece together what could possibly be so urgent that he brought me here, to this unfamiliar setting. Miguel wasn't one to panic, so whatever it was, it had to be serious.He didn't say much as I sat down, which only heightened my anxiety. He simply pushed a laptop toward me, his face unreadable. I glanced at the screen, and the moment the video started playing, my blood ran cold.On the screen were a group of men, their faces shadowed in the dim lighting of some run-down room. They were talking in low, conspiratorial voices, and though I couldn't make out all their words clearly, the message was unmistakable. They were planning to destroy me—and the Dela Cruz empire. The person they kept referring to as "queen mother" had hired them, though her
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 38. Masked of secrets
The day of the press conference had finally arrived, and I felt my nerves buzzing from the moment I woke up. The whole mansion seemed charged with the same energy—everyone moving around, giving quick instructions, and offering their best wishes. But nothing could settle the nervous storm brewing inside me.As I dressed, I glanced in the mirror, adjusting my makeup and pressing down the edges of my carefully applied wig. I'd put extra effort into looking like Carmen today, knowing that the cameras would pick up on every small detail. Every movement, every blink, every slight expression—they would be studying it all."Focus, Andrea," I muttered to myself. "You're Carmen today. Carmen is confident. Carmen knows what she's doing."Taking a deep breath, I headed down the grand staircase to the main hall, where Mr. and Mrs. Dela Cruz were waiting for me. Mrs. Dela Cruz looked up, giving me an encouraging smile as I reached the bottom step. She straightened the collar of my blazer and n
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 39. Dangerous Offer
The room felt eerily quiet after Alice left, her words lingering in the air like a bad taste. I sighed, leaning back on the bed, trying to shake off the tension. Moments later, there was a knock at the door, and the doctor entered. She was a woman in her mid-forties, with sharp eyes and a gentle smile, carrying a small medical bag. "Good evening, Ms. Dela Cruz," she greeted me politely, her voice calm and professional. "I'm here to check on your shoulder.""Please, come in," I said, sitting up and trying to shake off the nervousness Alice had left me with. She pulled over a chair and opened her medical bag, taking out some gauze and antiseptic. Her hands were steady and careful as she began to inspect the wound.As she worked, I noticed her eyes flickering to the birthmark on my shoulder. It was faint, just a small crescent shape, but she stared at it as if it were the most curious thing she'd ever seen. After a moment, she cleared her throat and asked, "Is that… a birthmark?"
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 40. The Dilemma
My heart pounded as I stared at the document, my hands trembling as I tried to process the words on the page. Adopted? The word itself felt foreign, unreal, like something that couldn't possibly be connected to me. I'd spent my whole life thinking my parents were mine by blood. How could this possibly be true?"Aunty, what is this?" I managed to choke out, my voice shaking as tears started to blur my vision. I felt like my world was splintering right in front of me, the life I thought I'd known slipping through my fingers.She looked at me with a mixture of sorrow and something I couldn't quite understand—maybe relief? Guilt? "Andrea…" she began softly, her voice laced with a pain I'd never noticed before. "Please understand, I didn't want to keep this from you. Your parents… they never wanted you to know. They wanted you to have a normal life.""A normal life?" I echoed, my voice rising in disbelief. "A life built on lies?"Mrs. Dela Cruz, who had been silent until now, finally
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 41. A blast of revelation
Mr. Dela Cruz's words hung in the air, their weight sinking deep into my mind. "Andrea, we need to talk, and I hope all that's been happening recently doesn't break you," he said, his voice laced with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. His gaze met mine, so serious and piercing that I had to look away for a moment. My heart pounded, and a strange sense of foreboding crept over me. They both walked into my room, and I noticed an envelope clutched in Mrs. Dela Cruz's hands. Was this some new task, some fresh burden for me to carry? My mind was already overloaded—I didn't know if I could handle anything more. They sat on the edge of my bed, and I took a seat on the small couch nearby, waiting anxiously. Mrs. Dela Cruz reached into the envelope and pulled out a photo, setting it carefully on my lap. I picked it up with trembling fingers and stared at it, disbelief flooding through me. It was me—a younger, two- or three-year-old version of me—standing next to a
The Contracted Billionaire Heiress 42. Rescue Call
"We don't know yet," he admitted, frustration clear on his face. "Whoever took you… it wasn't random. Someone wanted you gone from our lives."The room seemed to grow colder. "So, you think… someone wanted me to disappear?""Yes," he said, his voice heavy. "And whoever it was… they might still be out there."My heart pounded in my chest. I didn't know what to say, didn't know what to think. The idea that someone had purposefully taken me, hidden me, even faked my death—it was too much to handle."Why… why would someone do that?" I whispered, my voice barely audible."We don't know, Andrea," Mr. Dela Cruz said. "But we're going to find out."For a moment, the anger and confusion faded, replaced by fear. Whoever had done this was still out there. And now, after all these years, they might come back.I looked at them, my walls finally breaking down. "And what if… what if they try to take me again?"Mrs. Dela Cruz leaned forward, her voice fierce. "We won't let that happen. We'll protect
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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
