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EIGHT: An Unexpected Proposal

Penulis: Bethel W.C Eke
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-06-18 09:58:03

Before their lips met, the thudding of someone's feet echoed through the foyer and Audrey's usually giddy voice boomed from the grand stairs. "Hey, are you guys back already?"

Instantly, Juniper and Dylan tore away from each other, turning to face her. They smiled awkwardly as their voices croaked in perfect sync, "Hey, Audrey!"

Their sheer abruptness made Audrey flinch backward, her eyes darting from one to the other. "Uh. . . is everything okay?"

"Mm-hmm! Yeah, everything's great!" Juniper's words tumbled out in a forced cheeriness.

"Absolutely! Perfectly fine!" Dylan concurred in the same spirit.

Audrey dealt both of them a look of downright skepticism. "Okaaay. . ." she drawled in a raw monotone. Her tone was laced with doubt, but she seemed to dismiss her concerns, turning to Dylan with a request. "Anyways, Lanny, can I steal you away for a minute? I really need your expertise with something."

Dylan nodded obligingly. "Of course, Audrey!" As he turned
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  • The Surrogate's Vendetta   NINE: His Royal Highness

    CEDRIC?! Juniper couldn't stop her jaw from crash-landing to the floor. PRINCE CEDRIC WAS CHLOE'S BOYFRIEND? Before her brain could even process what was happening, the entire household suddenly bowed in reverence. "Welcome to our humble abode, Your Highness," Antoine boomed with exaggerated enthusiasm. "We, uh, weren't exactly expecting you," he added in a light tone, each word dripping with a decent amount of sarcasm. "Thanks to our lovely daughter's thoughtful planning." Chloe giggled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Hey, I just wanted to surprise you all." Antoine shook his head good-naturedly at Chloe's antics, before turning his attention back to Cedric. "Please, accept our apologies for not giving you a proper welcome." Cedric let out a low, rumbling chuckle. "Oh, no need to apologize, really. And please, let's skip the formalities. I'll appreciate it if you treat me like. . ." His voice trailed off as his eyes shifted towards Juniper. As his

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-06-20
  • The Surrogate's Vendetta   TEN: Their Rendezvous Point

    Juniper's emotions had been all over the place lately, and she wasn't sure if it was just her usual ups and downs or the crazy hormones that came with pregnancy. But one thing was weird. . . For some reason, she was genuinely glad to see Chloe kicking it off with Cedric, even though he claimed it was just a "relationship of convenience". Yet, she felt a weird twinge in her chest whenever Chloe talked about their good times together. It was like her heart was saying, "Hey, remember when you two had a thing? Yeah, that was real." She wasn't proud to admit it, but she felt a lingering attachment she couldn't shake off. But when Chloe left for a corporate retreat a few days ago, she felt a wave of relief wash over her—no more sappy stories, no more accidental run-ins with Cedric. Or so she thought! Juniper was shuffling to the grand kitchen in her extra-fluffy Sherpa slippers to get a fresh can of whipping cream—her latest craving for the week—when the chime

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-06-20
  • The Surrogate's Vendetta   ELEVEN: I still want you, Juniper Laurent

    Juniper wasn't quite sure if her eyes were seeing correctly or if she'd lost her mind because there was no way she was witnessing Audrey and Dylan ravishing each other's bodies like starving dogs. Her hand flew to her mouth to muffle the leftover gasp that slipped off her widened mouth without warning. Luckily, they were too engrossed in their intimacy to notice anything. Without a moment of hesitation, she peeled her eyes from the horrendous sight and silently made her way back to the mansion. . . and straight to her room. What in the depths of hell did she just witness? The more she thought about it, the harder it was to wrap her head over it. AUDREY AND DYLAN?! That was beyond wild. Audrey was the sweetie-pie that was so considerate of everyone. . . and Dylan? He was one of the few best ones, so why? Why were they indulging in an act so insensitive when Vivienne wasn't even cold in her grave yet? Just then, something she didn't want to imagine

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-06-21
  • The Surrogate's Vendetta   TWELVE: Now, Cedric! I need you now

    Cedric met her willingness with the same urgency. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close to the extent that she felt every inch of his strong, masculine frame against her soft curves, with only a sliver of space left to accommodate the gentle swell of her baby bump. The warmth of his chest seeped into her skin, his heartbeat pulsating against hers as if their very lives were synchronizing in that moment, making her feel utterly enveloped in his love. Just when she thought it couldn't get any better, he deepened the kiss. His tongue skillfully delved through her parted lips, tracing the roof of her mouth, exploring its depths, sending shockwaves of pleasure through her entire being. Juniper's body practically turned to mush by the sheer sensation. Her gasp of delight was muffled by the pressure of his hungry lips as her slender fingers instinctively tangled in the golden strands of his hair, pulling him closer, craving more of the electrifying sensation

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-06-22
  • The Surrogate's Vendetta   THIRTEEN: Guilt

    Time seemed to fly by real quickly when people were at their happiest because before Juniper could blink, weeks had breezed past her like the wind. . . and Chloe was back home. All this while she'd tried to brush aside her secret trysts with Cedric due to Chloe's absence, but now that she was back, she couldn't help but feel the guilt stabbing violently at her conscience. To make matters worse, Chloe had been all sweet on her arrival, gifting her exquisite accessories that she'd picked up on her way back. And to make her feel even more guilty, Chloe had invited her to join the "Girl's Night Party" at the Bellerose family beach house to unwind. Juniper had been expecting a grand and extravagant bash, but it turned out to be an intimate and cozy gathering, filled with good food, refreshing drinks, great music, and juicy gossip shared among close friends. Chloe had invited a few of her friends and so did Audrey. In no time, the place was almost teeming with stunning

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-06-24
  • The Surrogate's Vendetta   FOURTEEN: Chaotic Confrontation

    The air was thick with tension as Juniper's foot hovered above the next step, her heart pounding in anxiety. Slowly, she turned to face him, her voice barely above a whisper. "What did you just say?" Dylan dealt her an intense look of aggression, his grey eyes shooting icicles through her. Without any words, he stormed towards her and snatched her wrist in a death grip, forcefully tugging her away from the porch. Instinctively, Juniper placed a protective hand over her bump as she struggled to be set free. "Dylan! Let me go, Dylan! You're hurting me!" She cried as he pulled her towards the annex building. Turning a deaf ear to her pleas, Dylan yanked the door of the annex building open, hauled her in with him, and slammed it shut behind him. Immediately as he flicked the light switch on, Juniper slung her hand free from his savage hold, shrieking furiously. "What the hell is your problem, Dylan?!" Dylan had an awful glower on his face as his nostrils flared i

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-06-25
  • The Surrogate's Vendetta   FIVETEEN: Obsession

    Dylan had been unrest for the past couple of days, unable to shake off the confrontation with Juniper. He was used to effortlessly charming and winning over any woman he wanted. Why was it so difficult to sway her? He couldn't deny nor ignore the fact that he was attracted to Juniper. For some reason, she reminded him so much of Vivienne, from their physical features to their mannerism. But, what seemed to set Juniper apart from her sister was her underlying fiery spirit and tenacity when she got mad, which he found irresistibly intriguing. Things had been going so well between them that he got the feeling she was just as into him as he was into her. But then, she'd begun to distance herself from me. AGAIN! Was it because she'd found someone else? Was that someone else the Crown Prince? The private investigator he had hired to keep tabs on her had sent him some damning photos of Juniper walking into a restaurant with the Crown Prince. But that was all he had to go

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-06-27
  • The Surrogate's Vendetta   SIXTEEN: Treading On Thin Ice

    Ever since Cedric went back to being the busy Crown Prince of Forêt-Bleue, Juniper had been finding it difficult to cope without him around. She'd barely been able to see him or speak to him over the phone more than once a day. And she really needed someone to rely on, especially with the recent happenings in her life. WELL, I GUESS I'M ON MY OWN FOR NOW. As she stepped into the foyer, Audrey came dashing towards her, panting heavily. "Oh, my God, Juni. Thank God, you're home," she exclaimed, her every move screaming urgency. "I really need your assistance." Juniper's eyes darted side to side, a little taken aback. "Uh, okay, with what?" Audrey's utterance spilled out in a hurry, each word accompanied by a pant. "It's a package which I desperately need for an audition this evening. Dylan has it. Can you please go to his house and get it for me? PLEASE." Without a second thought, Juniper shook her head slowly in objection. The thought of being in the same proxi

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-06-28

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  • The Surrogate's Vendetta   108: The Vote

    IN THE CHAIRMAN'S OFFICE. . . "I have decided and I can't put up with your scandals anymore, CEO Clermont," Juniper said firmly with zero shards of humor. "You have to step down from the CEO position." Chloe couldn't believe her ears. And so did her father, Antoine. "WHAT?!" They exclaimed simultaneously. Juniper met Chloe's gaze squarely. "You need to take responsibility for this situation. Your scandal is bringing bad press to the company. The best you can do at this point is to apologize to the public and resign from the CEO office." In a sudden outburst of emotion, Chloe vaulted to her feet. "You crazy bitch!" She thundered furiously. "This is all your plan, isn't it? This is what you wanted. Will any of this be happening if you haven't leaked that video?!" Juniper's face wrinkled with a grimace. "Mind your tone, Ms. Clermont," she grounded out, her voice vibrating with authority. "Don't you dare use such derogatory term on me, especially here in the company. I

  • The Surrogate's Vendetta   107: Approval

    Camille savored the soothing music emitting from the radio of Damien's car, nodding her head slowly to its melody. As Damien drove her home, one of his hands deftly controlled the steering wheel while the other was linked to hers perfectly. When he honked the car horn repeatedly out of impatience, Camille fluttered her eyes partially open to inspect the situation, only to find out they weren't on their way to her house, but to the Prime Minister's residence. "Uh, Damien. . . Why are we heading to your family house?" She asked lazily yet curious. He beamed, his eyes remaining fixed on the road. "My parents want us to have dinner with them." Camille's eyes immediately flew wide open and she turned to him. "What?!" she exclaimed, snatching her hands away from his. "And you're just telling me now?" Damien's lashes fluttered in confusion, his eyes unsteadily glanced from her to the road. "Why? Is something wrong?" "Yes!" Camille replied snappily. "You sho

  • The Surrogate's Vendetta   106: Altercation With The Queen

    THE FOLLOWING DAY. . . Throughout the night, Antoine boiled with rage. All he could think of was confronting the queen. But now that he was here, sitting before her in the palace's grand courtyard, he felt somewhat intimidated by her imposing demeanor to even relay his case. "Your Majesty, I beg to respectfully remind you that the union between our children is more than a mere marital bond," Antoine said. "It's an alliance between our families. You can't simply discard my daughter in this manner." Queen Catherine held his gaze for a short while that felt like hours, regarding him with nothing but sheer contempt. "Allow me to comprehend this correctly," she said haughtily, dropping her teacup on the table with a soft thud. "You expect me to still accept your daughter for my son after her scandalous behavior? Have you lost your mind, Antoine? Or do you not know what's at stake here?" "I'm well aware of what's at stake, Your Majesty," Antoine retorted, struggling to kee

  • The Surrogate's Vendetta   105: Driven Away

    Chloe hated that she was about to do the exact thing Juniper ridiculed her about, but what choice did she have left? If groveling meant she could remain in the Royal Palace, then she would grovel. And that, she did. The moment the Queen's lady-in-waiting opened the door to her, Chloe dropped to her knees and began to beg. "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I swear, I never meant any of this to happen. I'm so sorry." Queen Catherine barely acknowledged her presence as she slowly leafed through the pages of a magazine. "If you must know, Chloe, I've never had expectations of anyone— Not even once. But I had high expectations of you. I truly did," she said in a flat tone, her eyes never leaving the magazine. "However, you proved to be just like every other riffraff who was merely fortunate to step into the world of the elites. But what can I say? No one can truly leave their filthy background behind, can they?" "Your Majesty, I. . . I can explain—" "What's left

  • The Surrogate's Vendetta   104: Chloe's Waterloo

    "YES. OH, YES. FUCK ME! FUCK ME HARDER, DYLAN! AHHHH!!!!" Loud moanings of pleasure boomed through from the speakers, and slowly the large display TV cracked back to live, revealing random x-rated footage of Chloe being put in multiple positions as Dylan licked, sucked, and banged her in his bedroom. Chaos erupted in the hall as the audience clamored about the explicit video playing before them while the reporters hurriedly clicked their cameras, determined to capture every single detail. But all that noise was lost to Chloe, fading into the background as she stood frozen at the spot. Her hand instantly grew weak, causing the wine glass she held to fall to the ground, shattering to smithereens. What was going on? Chloe thought to herself, her eyes glued to the big screen. She remembered clearly every video that played before and every word she'd said. But all these had happened in the secrecy of Dylan's penthouse apartment. How exactly did these vi

  • The Surrogate's Vendetta   103: The Anniversary

    The magnificent ballroom room of the renowned Paradis Hotels shone with exquisite lighting and decorations, setting the tone for an unforgettable evening. The entire space buzzed with prominent guests of all ranks, dressed to the tens, and eager reporters, clicking away to capture every moment of the event. The gentle hum of conversation, the soft clinking of glasses, and the melodic background music all synchronized perfectly into an electrifying atmosphere of celebration. The Bellerose Fragrance 90th anniversary celebration was like no other occasion, packed with engaging and memorable programs that were bound to live rent-free in the attendees' minds. The event featured welcome addresses that highlighted the company's history and milestones, award presentations to honor long-serving employees, mesmerizing perfume exhibitions, educating video presentations, and a ceremonial cake cutting. The entertaining programs unfolded nonstop until the attendees were

  • The Surrogate's Vendetta   102: The Rumor

    Juniper's face scrunched up in an expression of utter disgust as she stared at her phone, scrolling through article after article of the daily news. Chloe's face was plastered across the front pages of nearly every media outlet, from reputable magazines to sensational tabloids and blogs, glorified with catchy headlines that were impossible to ignore. . . [ "Meet Forêt-Bleue's Youngest CEO Who's Changing the Game: Chloe Clermont" "The Unstoppable Rise of Forêt-Bleue's Youngest Female CEO" "The Future of Business: Chloe Clermont's Inspiring Story" "CEO Sensation: Chloe Clermont's Recipe for Success" "Chloe Clermont: The Face of Modern Leadership" "From Startup to Stardom: Chloe's Journey to the Top" "The Power Player: Chloe Clermont's Impact on Bellerose Fragrance" ] It didn't stop there. The headlines kept getting more and more annoying as they came. And the articles, themselves? Nothing but overexaggerated facts to cover up her lack of better a

  • The Surrogate's Vendetta   101: More Suspicions

    "Sorry, I couldn't call sooner," Damien's voice chimed through from the other end. "Did you get home safe?" Camille couldn't stop herself from grinning widely whenever she heard his voice— or stop her body from moving. I mean, how could she keep still when the entire zoo was parading in her belly? She beamed, slowly pacing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window as she interchangeably swapped the position of her phone from ear to ear. "Of course, I did. Thankfully, in one piece." "You're not changing your mind about us just because my mom disapproves, right?" He said, his voice laced with worry. "Let me apologize in her stead. She can be inconsiderate sometimes but she's totally harmless, believe me." "It's okay. I understand," she said with a smile. "And I'm never changing my mind about us. I didn't muster the courage to pour out my feelings before them only to relent afterward." A brief, silent fell at the other end of the line and Camille could bet her kidn

  • The Surrogate's Vendetta   100: "I'm in love with your son"

    A short while later, they were all seated around the kitchen table, enjoying the meal Damien's parents had brought. Gabriel appeared to be taking the news of their relationship a tad better than his wife, Alice, who couldn't hide her disapproval. She never missed the opportunity to cast nasty glances at Camille and make subtle, biting comments. Damien, however, seemed completely unfazed by his mother's behavior, all his attention was focused on the woman sitting beside him. A sweet smile lit up Damien's face as he placed a bite-sized slice of charred lamb on Camille's plate. "You have to try this, it's so delish," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. Returning his smile, Camille picked up the meat with her fork and savored the bite, blissfully unaware of the daggers Alice was shooting at her from across the table. The older woman cleared her throat emphatical, striving to gain their attention. When she succeeded, she spoke to Camille with a tone tin

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