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CHAPTER 153
Last Updated:
2025-04-19 00:33:18
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The Ruthless CEO'S Chosen Wife CHAPTER 154
As Michelle stepped out of the black SUV that Raymond insisted she use, the city felt unusually quiet. The car was sleek and unmarked, with a driver Raymond trusted completely, but tonight, Michelle was going in alone.The meeting spot was an old estate on the city's edge, covered in ivy and wrapped in shadows and silence. Surrounded by tall iron gates and high walls, the building gave off an air of power and secrecy. Michelle’s shoes clicked on the gravel in the main courtyard, her heart racing and her head full of questions. Why was this happening now?Why involve Chloe? And why had the Ashfords dismantled Vivian so thoroughly? A tall man in a dark suit approached her. Mrs. Hawthorne, he greeted with a nod. This way. Michelle followed him inside the estate, feeling tense with each step. She had left her phone in the car, as requested, which felt like giving up her lifeline.Inside, the hallways were dimly lit, with oil paintings of the Ashford family lining the walls, their eyes see
Last Updated : 2025-04-19The Ruthless CEO'S Chosen Wife CHAPTER 155
Michelle woke up slowly with a headache and dry mouth. Around her, broken glass glittered like stars. In the distance, she heard sirens. The SUV lights flickered, casting an eerie glow. The driver was slumped over the wheel, groaning but clearly alive. Michelle felt aches everywhere, yet was relieved upon checking—no bleeding or sharp pain, just some wounds for now.Her hands trembled as she unbuckled the seatbelt. The SUV door was ripped open, letting cold air whip her hair as she struggled to sit up. A velvet box was on the floor, its lid open but otherwise intact. Inside, Chloe’s mother’s locket shone in the dim light. She reached for the locket as car headlights lit up the street. Another car screeched to a stop nearby. The driver had Informed Raymond about what happened.Michelle! Raymond's voice was loud and filled with panic, making her heart race. Moments later, he was beside her, arms around her with trembling hands. Oh my God, Michelle… What happened? Are you hurt? Talk to m
Last Updated : 2025-04-19The Ruthless CEO'S Chosen Wife CHAPTER 156
The morning sun streamed through the large windows of the penthouse, but it didn’t ease the tension in the room. Michelle moved quietly and went to check on Chloe in the guest room. She found Chloe sitting on the bed, holding a locket tightly, a worried look in her eyes.You don’t have to do this, Michelle said softly, stepping inside. Chloe looked up and spoke quietly. But I want to... I need to. Michelle sat down next to her. We’ll do it your way then. Go, listen, and leave if it becomes too much. You don’t owe them anything—not even a smile.Chloe took a deep breath and nodded. Okay. A couple of hours later, they found themselves in a fancy private lounge in Midtown. It was a quiet and private place. Michelle had chosen it because it didn’t belong to anyone involved. No reporters or surprises, just them and the past they needed to face. Roxanne Ashford was the first to arrive.She once ruled an empire, but now she moved more slowly and looked thinner. However, her sharp blue eyes
Last Updated : 2025-04-19The Ruthless CEO'S Chosen Wife CHAPTER 157
The next morning, the penthouse was very quiet. Michelle sat at the kitchen island, holding a warm cup of herbal tea. The stress from the night before was still there, filling the air around them. She looked towards the guest wing where Chloe had spent the night, hoping Chloe had managed to get some rest.The silence was suddenly broken by footsteps. Chloe appeared, wearing jeans and a simple sweater, with the envelope from the previous night in her hand. Her face was pale, and her eyes were red, showing she hadn't slept well.I need to talk to her, Chloe stated plainly. Michelle stood up, asking, Roxanne? Chloe nodded. If she knew about this and truly wanted to help me, she needs to tell me face-to-face. I'll come with you— No, Chloe interrupted firmly. I need to do this on my own.Roxanne Ashford was staying in a city high-rise, with security guards discreetly positioned at every entrance. When Chloe arrived unexpectedly, the guard at the door hesitated until Roxanne's voice came t
Last Updated : 2025-04-19The Ruthless CEO'S Chosen Wife CHAPTER 158
The board meeting was planned for Monday morning, but preparations were already underway. Calvin was sitting comfortably in a leather chair in a private room on Hawthorne Enterprises top floor, legs crossed, with a confident grin. Opposite him, Eleanor Hawthorne studied printed photos with a focused, critical eye.These photos are damaging enough,she said, turning each one over carefully. They’re a bit blurry, but believable enough. Calvin leaned in. It’s not about facts, Eleanor. It’s about how people see it. These photos will cause doubt. Her image looks perfect now. All I need to do is make it look bad—show her as unstable, irresponsible. The board won’t gamble the company’s future on someone like that.And Raymond? Eleanor asked, raising an eyebrow. Do you think he’ll step aside? No, but when the board starts doubting his choices—especially because he chose a wife with a messy past—they’ll doubt everything else about him. His leadership. His decisions. That’s our opportunity to ac
Last Updated : 2025-04-19The Ruthless CEO'S Chosen Wife CHAPTER 159
Michelle gripped the letter tightly, her eyes moving over the clear handwriting in Dominic Ashford’s familiar style. Chloe, standing across from her, was frozen with confusion and rising fear.Michelle carefully put the letter down. It says someone in the Ashford family didn't just want you to disappear, she said softly. They wanted you dead because they saw you as another competitor in the family. Chloe took a shaky step back, her face going pale. Dead? But why? I was just a kid.There was a family power struggle, Michelle explained, her voice calm but serious. Dominic suspects someone wanted you out of the way, thinking you were a threat in their plans. But I wasn’t a threat. I had nothing to do with the family business, Chloe said, her eyes searching Michelle’s face for reassurance it was all a mistake.Michelle stepped closer and gently held Chloe by the shoulders. That’s why they kept you hidden. Your innocence made you an easy target. Your existence threatened someone who didn't
Last Updated : 2025-04-20The Ruthless CEO'S Chosen Wife CHAPTER 160
In the main bedroom, Michelle stood anxiously with the guest list in her shaky hand. She couldn't take her eyes off it since it slipped out of Dominic’s invitation. The name Isabella Hawthorne on the list felt like a ghost from her past she couldn't escape.Raymond watched her from his spot against the dresser, arms crossed. You’re sure about this? he asked in a serious, quiet tone.Michelle held up the list to show him. It’s definitely her name, printed brightly, or is there another Isabella with the same last name “Hawthorne” we don't know about? Why would Isabella get an invitation to a private Ashford event? I don’t see any link between her and them, at least not one I know of.Raymond moved closer to see for himself. Dominic doesn’t make mistakes. If her name is there, it means something. Michelle was deep in thought, frowning. But what reason could there be? She doesn’t like me and is loyal to Eleanor. Why would an Ashford family event, especially about legacy, include her?Raym
Last Updated : 2025-04-20The Ruthless CEO'S Chosen Wife CHAPTER 161
Gasps filled the ballroom, creating a sound like ripples on a stormy lake. Chloe’s whispered words had sparked something huge, something that neither music nor money could stop. The guests were staring at her, at Michelle, at Dominic, and then at the black screen that had just shown a shocking video capable of ruining a powerful family.Michelle acted quickly. She took Chloe’s trembling hand and led her away from the crowd to somewhere more quiet. Raymond moved with them, protecting them with his body, while Dominic stayed close behind. They went through a side door into a smaller lounge, where the music faded into the background due to thick walls, and the noise of the scandal was left behind.Dominic closed the door. Everyone will be talking about this now. Chloe sat down, wrapping her arms around herself. That was her. I know that voice. Michelle knelt in front of her, gently moving Chloe's hair back. You don't need to prove anything. You were there.Dominic paced, his phone in han
Last Updated : 2025-04-20
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The Hawthorne estate was full of activity that Saturday morning. Gentle music from a string quartet could be heard in the gardens as staff rushed around setting up floral arrangements, hanging golden balloons, and pitching elegant white tents with pastel ribbons. This was no ordinary celebration—it was a double event.Raymond had meticulously planned everything for the special occasion: a grand birthday party for Oliver and Olivia, along with a surprise announcement about Michelle's latest accomplishment. He wanted everyone to know that his wife was not only the love of his life but also a trailblazer in her field.Michelle stood on the balcony outside their bedroom, holding Oliver while Olivia held onto her leg. The twins were dressed in matching birthday outfits—Oliver in a tiny navy-blue suit with suspenders, and Olivia in a lacy blush dress that matched the roses in Michelle’s hairstyle.“They’re going to steal the show,” Raymond said softly as he wrapped his arms around her waist
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Michelle kept looking at her phone after the call ended. Her heart was racing, and her mind was filled with thoughts. Adrien Vale—yes, the famous Adrien Vale—wanted to be her mentor. He saw her not just as someone’s wife or daughter-in-law but as a talented architect with her own ideas and potential.Eventually, she turned to her friend Chloe and her sister Millie, her face glowing with disbelief.“Well?” Chloe asked eagerly. “Don’t keep us waiting!”Michelle tried to speak, but it felt unreal. “Adrien Vale wants to mentor me. He saw my work and has offered me a summer mentorship in London.”Millie gasped. “Adrien Vale, the renowned architect?”Michelle nodded, still surprised. “Yes, that one.”Chloe squealed, grabbing Michelle’s hands with excitement. “This is incredible! Many architects dream of meeting him, let alone working with him.”Michelle nodded, wiping her misty eyes. “I don’t even know how he got my portfolio…”Millie smiled warmly. “You’re that talented. Your work stands o
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The afternoon sunlight gently warmed the sunroom where Michelle lounged on a wide cream loveseat. Beside her, a folder held important trust documents. Olivia slept peacefully in her crib, thumb in mouth, while Oliver quietly amused himself with a rattle.Across from Michelle, Chloe let out a whistle after finishing Eleanor’s letter. “Wow, Michelle! This is incredible. A trust fund and to support your firm? That's huge!”Michelle tried to absorb it all, her smile a mix of disbelief and happiness. “I know, it feels like a dream.”Chloe leaned closer, resting her chin in her hand. “And Eleanor did this all on her own? Even after everything?”Michelle nodded. “She couldn’t change the past, but she wanted to give something that mattered, something lasting.”Chloe’s eyes gleamed. “Well, she absolutely succeeded. You’re going to create something amazing with Davenport Designs. That name sounds impressive.”Michelle laughed. “It sounds too formal. I want it to feel softer, more like me. I pla
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Michelle read Eleanor’s note again, tracing the beautiful handwriting with her eyes. Her heart was a mixture of emotions. It felt so strange. Words from someone she used to fear and misunderstand now felt like a gentle comfort. The apology wasn’t flashy or begging for understanding; it was honest, vulnerable, and human.Did she really write this? Michelle asked quietly, looking up at Raymond, her fingers brushing the paper’s edge. She did, Raymond replied, gently tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. Jonathan gave it to me today, together with that pocket watch.Michelle's gaze shifted to the watch, which gleamed softly in the afternoon light. It was a symbol from the past, now unexpectedly connecting her to Raymond’s family—not through marriage or duty, but through acceptance. She said I gave you something she never could, Michelle said, her voice filled with emotion. Peace. Family. A future.Raymond nodded, his hand wrapping around hers. And she's right. You’ve given me every
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The morning sunlight created long, golden shadows on the private golf course behind a quiet estate just outside the city. Raymond swung his club smoothly, and as the club hit the ball, a soft sound filled the air, sending the ball high into the sky. Nearby, Jonathan watched with his arms crossed, a small smile on his face. You still have that perfect Hawthorne swing, he said as Raymond stood up straight. Raymond chuckled and stepped aside. I had a good teacher. Jonathan grabbed his club and aimed for the green. I wasn't always a good teacher, but I tried. I realized the real legacy wasn't just in the business; it was in the people who kept it going. They played a few more holes quietly, with the occasional laugh shared between shots. There was no stress or business talk—just a father and son reconnecting. At the eighth hole, Jonathan finally spoke. Eleanor has made her decision. Raymond looked up, surprised. She and Isabella are moving abroad to someplace quiet and peaceful. She wan
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Raymond sat on the edge of a marble bench outside the café, holding his phone to his ear. Millie's voice was steady, but there was a hint of sadness that lingered in his mind. I’ve been thinking a lot, she said. I really needed to talk to someone who knew me before I lost my way. Raymond looked up at the golden afternoon clouds. I’m here, he said softly. Tell me what’s on your mind.After a pause, Millie continued quietly, I’m not proud of my actions, Raymond. What I did to Michelle and you—I've spent too long being angry and jealous, fighting pointless battles. Now I wonder what I was trying to prove and to whom. Raymond let the silence linger, giving her words space. You have your own journey, he said gently. Seeing it takes strength.She sighed. I wanted you to know I’m trying to be better. For me, not anyone else. Maybe one day, Michelle will see that too. Time can soften things, Raymond replied. And Michelle… She's compassionate. Millie laughed softly, almost surprised. Yes, she
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A few months had passed quietly since that emotional night at the Hawthorne estate. Raymond and Michelle finally felt relaxed and happy, as if wrapped in a warm, comforting blanket. The tough times were over, and their days were now filled with love, growth, and new memories. Their twins, Olivia and Oliver, were almost one year old—a big milestone that brought both laughter and a bit of chaos into their lives. But in a fun way.Raymond was deeply involved in a new project at Hawthorne Enterprises. This project was a departure from the stressful boardroom battles of the past. It represented a new beginning, supported by forward-thinking investors who believed in Raymond's vision and leadership. A key figure among these investors was Victor Calloway, a trusted family friend whose support came at just the right moment.On a calm Thursday morning, Raymond was in his office reviewing design proposals when he received a message from Victor. It said, Can we meet? There’s something I think yo
The Ruthless CEO'S Chosen Wife CHAPTER 198
The grand entrance hall of the Hawthorne estate looked like it hadn't changed in years. The ceiling was high, a beautiful crystal chandelier hung from it, and the shiny marble floors all showed the family's rich and powerful history. But now, the air felt different, as if something important was about to happen. Michelle held onto Raymond’s hand tightly as they entered. Her heart was beating quickly with nervous excitement. She had been here before, but now everything was different. She was Raymond’s wife and the mother of his children, standing as his equal. Whatever happened in this meeting, she wouldn't face it alone. Isabella stood near the door, looking small in the enormous room. She no longer wore fancy clothes or makeup. Today, she looked normal and tired. Her blouse was neatly pressed, but her sagging shoulders and lack of perfume made the room feel quieter and more serious. Thank you for coming, Isabella said softly. I wasn’t sure you would. We weren’t sure we should, Ray
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Life had taken a pleasant turn for Raymond and Michelle, allowing them to slow down and appreciate the small joys. After experiencing a period filled with stress and constant busyness, they now savored the calm. Their home, once bustling with work calls, had transformed into a sanctuary filled with the gentle songs and laughter of their young children, Olivia and Oliver. The twins were growing quickly, filling each day with new surprises. Olivia loved playing games, especially hiding behind the curtains and jumping out with a loud Boo! to startle her brother, which made both of them giggle endlessly. Oliver, determined to keep up with his sister, had finally learned to walk without tumbling over. He proudly marched around the house, holding random objects like they were treasures. Michelle cherished these daily joys—morning giggles, warm hugs, and the comforting smell of pancakes. Their home had become a world of its own, with each day bringing new firsts. From first words to first
