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THIRTY-EIGHT: A Meeting With The Royal Family
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2024-08-04 23:37:46Related chapters
The Surrogate's Vendetta THIRTY-NINE: Prince Éti— Étienne Leaves The Palace
"She can't stay here, Your Highness!" Chloe protested loudly as she burst into Cedric's study. "She won't stay here! I won't allow it!" Cedric already knew who she was referring to without asking. He peeled his eyes away from the computer's screen to glance at her. "The decision has been made, Chloe," he said evenly, shifting his gaze back to the monitor. "There's nothing more we can do about it." But Chloe was not listening. She was furious. Maybe a little anxious too. "But I see no point letting her stay in the Royal Palace," she snapped. "We could just take your son away from her. Why should we indulge her?" Cedric barely managed to keep his tone neutral as he replied to the seething woman, "Because that was her only condition. She won't let us take Hector unless was allowed to accompany him." "And why should we even listen to her absurd demands? She's even not his biological mother. She's just a surrogate. We don't even need a good lawyer to fight for full
Last Updated : 2024-08-05The Surrogate's Vendetta FORTY: Into The Royal Palace
The sun was already dipping below the horizon when Juniper arrived at the Royal Palace. She had only been to the palace once as a kid, but now that she saw it again, she had to admit that her definition of definition was rather limited. The royal palace rose proudly like a shimmering symphony of glass, steel, and stone. Its walls were made of white marble and glass, giving it a clean and sleek look. The palace had tall towers and big arches, like traditional castles, but with a fresh and contemporary twist probably proposed by innovative architects over the years. The roof, a marvel of engineering, appeared to float above the structure, its crystalline panels glinting like a thousand tiny diamonds, casting colorful shadows on the ground. The Royal Palace was beyond magnificent. Juniper looked down at her son, whose eyes shone with excitement as he clutched her hand. "Hey, sweetie, you ready to call this incredible castle home?" "Yaaay!" Hector squealed, bouncing u
Last Updated : 2024-08-09The Surrogate's Vendetta FORTY-ONE: The Emergency Board Meeting
It was already hours since Chloe arrived at work but she was still fuming by Juniper's sheer audacity. "That sneaky, little witch!" Chloe spat aggressively. "Bold of her to think we could be FRIENDS after all she'd done." What the hell was she thinking? That she would erase from her memory everything she'd done and just be friends? Chloe was still struggling to get used to the fact that Juniper was not only the mother of her fiancé's child but also living in the same space with her. AGAIN! What kind of ill-fated relationship does she have with that woman that she wouldn't just leave her alone? What did she have to do to get rid of that woman? AHHH! Chloe screamed out of frustration, ferociously shoving files and whatnot off her table. It was when the glass nameplate, bearing her name and her CEO title, crashed onto the floor, shattering into smithereens that she popped out of her anger bubble. She squeezed her eyes shut, breathing deeply as she tried
Last Updated : 2024-08-11The Surrogate's Vendetta FORTY-TWO: Welcome To The Top Of The Pyramid
Slowly, Juniper turned to the source of the voice, and there, standing behind her was Dylan Dupont in all his cockiness and flamboyant outfit. She exhaled inwardly. And just when she thought today was the best day of her life. "Juniper! It really is you!" Dylan exclaimed with a broad smile, striding towards her in that self-assured demeanor that she'd once admired, but now only irked her. Juniper strained a smile. "Hey, Dylan," she singsonged as cheerfully as possible. "Long time, no see. What brings you to B. Fragrance?" "I could ask the same." "Well, I'm here for business. What about you?" "Something along the same line!" A lazy smile swept across Dylan's face. "Wow, Juni! You look. . ." He dealt her an intentional appraisal. It felt almost as if he was stripping her naked with his gaze. ". . .so different." "And you look the same," Juniper said in return, her facial muscles hurting from keeping that forced smile on. The smile on his face dwindle
Last Updated : 2024-08-12The Surrogate's Vendetta FORTY-THREE: Suspicions Surrounding Vivienne's Accident
"You won't believe who I met today," Juniper spat as she walked into the SID. She flung her bag onto a table and dropped into a nearby chair, seething with uncontrolled fury. Ever since she left B. Fragrance building, she'd contemplated a thousand exceeding ways to kill that chicken shit. Camille glanced up from the pile of papers and printed photos she was going through, meeting her gaze with a leveled expression. She could detect the sizzling wrath glaring on the other woman's face, but she just arched an eyebrow and asked flatly, "Who?" Juniper's nose flared, her chest rising and falling heavily as she grounded out the infuriating name. "Dylan Dupont! That miserable excuse of a human!" She scoffed in exasperation. "Do you know what he said to me?" She made an ugly face and a horrible imitation of Dylan's voice, "‘Hey, you're not still hung up on what happened between us, are you?’ The nerve of that asshole!" "Please tell me you punched his face in," Camille blurted grimly. "
Last Updated : 2024-08-14The Surrogate's Vendetta FORTY-FOUR: Picnic and Memory Lane
"HELLO, DADDY! WHAT YOU UP TO?! Cedric's heart did a double flip the moment Juniper bursted through the door of his study letting those words out in a purr and wearing a sly smile. She lounged her hips alluring against the door frame and watched him with a leery look. She looked casual and soft in that flower-patterned off-the-shoulder top, displaying those sensuous collarbones of hers and a slender neck that was adorned with a narrow, silver choker. The top was paired with a pair of high-waisted, white linen shorts, the hem perfected with a delicate lace trim, as their loose and flowy silhouette fell right above her higher thighs, making it impossible to ignore those glossy, porcelain legs of hers. It took quite an effort not to drool and humiliate himself. He hardly saw her in such cheery outfits ever since she arrived. What was the occasion? Before he could make out the reason for her arrival, she shifted her body slightly from the door frame and made way
Last Updated : 2024-08-16The Surrogate's Vendetta FORTY-FIVE: Jealous Much?
[FEW WEEKS LATER: HECTOR'S BIRTHDAY PARTY] Cedric was right, after all, Juniper thought to herself as scanned the Royal Ballroom. Hector's birthday party was more of a grand Royal Introduction than an actual birthday party. The party had begun at 7: 30pm and the celebrant was already in his room—fast asleep—way before then. The royal ballroom was teeming with influential people from around the globe, mingling and networking in their finest, high-end outfits. Everyone exuded an aura of success, prestige, and glamour that it was hard to distinguish between royalty, nobles, celebrities, and business leaders. That was the great thing about having wealth in abundance. It opened doors to exclusive circles, allowing one to rub shoulders with the elite—the rich and powerful. People who seemed like kind and generous philanthropists on the surface, flashing warm smiles and adorned in stunning attire. However, beneath their polished facade, the purest form of evil nestled comfort
Last Updated : 2024-08-19The Surrogate's Vendetta FORTY-SIX: Ensnaring The Fox
Juniper wasn't the least bit surprised when she had walked into the restaurant minutes ago and found Dylan already waiting. The man was punctual, patient, thoughtful, charming with words, and often exhibited the disposition of a true gentleman. On the surface, anyone would deem him the perfect partner. . . the epitome of every woman's fantasy. . . yadda yadda yadda. But she knew him well. She was well-acquainted with the cunning and manipulative demon he skillfully concealed behind his polished, gentlemanly exterior. "So how has Forêt-Bleue been treating you since you arrived?" Dylan asked sweetly. Juniper's lips morphed into a smile as her shoulders lifted in a subtle shrug. "Hmm, so far, so good," she said casually. Then, her smile waned, her eyes narrowing as she added with comical seriousness, "But certainly not good living in the Royal Palace. Let me tell you this. . . Living in the Royal Palace is not as rosy as it appears to be. It's like a beautiful prison wit
Last Updated : 2024-08-20
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The Surrogate's Vendetta SEVENTY-EIGHT: The Autopsy Result
Camille's mind could barely focus on the road as she drove towards the location the investigator had sent her— Dr. Philippe's current address. It had taken several months of diligent searching, but finally, the doctor who had conducted the autopsy on Vivienne's body was found, living in a small, secluded village on the outskirts of Forêt-bleue. It had been so not an easy task to find the man. Apart from the fact he tended to relocate to a different location every three months, he had changed every single thing about himself. . . down to his identity. Camille was both relieved and anxious. Relieved that they were finally blessed with an opportunity to figure out Vivienne's actual cause of death. But then again, she was filled with anxiety that meeting Dr. Philippe may turn out to be a futile attempt, considering the man had done everything in his power to stay hidden from the world. But whatever the outcome, she was not leaving this village without the truth.
The Surrogate's Vendetta SEVENTY-SEVEN: Rejection
Camille never imagined Damien would kiss her, but what was even more unbelievable was the fact she was making no attempt to push him away. His lips were so soft and warm. They felt like plushies as they pushed pleasantly against hers. She knew she should stop him before things got out of hand, but his long fingers were already driving through her raven hair, cupping the back of her head, and nudging her closer to him. How exactly could she resist? And then, the kiss deepened. Warmth spread throughout her body like wildfire. The chilly wind about them now felt like hot steam as it awoke every dormant sense in her body. Her treacherous mind had always presumed he was to be a good kisser, but nothing prepared her for this level of perfection. There were no tongues, no sense of urgency, just needy lips against needy lips, yet he managed to make her heart— which had been stone-cold for quite a long while— do a couple of acrobatic stunts within her ribcage. She wa
The Surrogate's Vendetta SEVENTY-SIX: Confession
The entire Island was vibrating with loud music and celebration. This was supposed to be the night Damien would never forget, but why was he not feeling the mood? He still couldn't believe it. CAMILLE WAS JEROME'S EX? How small exactly could this world be? He downed another glass of wine at a go. He couldn't tell if it was his fifth or sixth. Not that it mattered, because all his attention was fixated on Camille and Jerome who were chatting and laughing at the grill stand. He didn't appreciate how "chained to the hip" they'd been throughout the day. She'd always pushed him away even when he'd maintained a ten-meter distance from her, yet there she was perfectly at ease with Jerome's close affection. And why the hell did Jerome keep calling her "Cammie"? And why was she not saying anything about it? Damien's face grew dark as he watched Jerome gently remove something from Camille's hair. His eyes narrowed, and his jaw tightened. He wasn't sure if his percepti
The Surrogate's Vendetta SEVENTY-FIVE: Island Party
Camille was sleeping in for the first time in forever when the insistent buzzing of her cell phone rudely interrupted her leisurely morning. Without seeing the name flashing on the screen, she knew who exactly was ringing. Who else would call her at this time on a Sunday morning but the man who thought he had the right to do pretty much whatever he wanted? Drowsily, she reached for the annoying device on her nightstand, wondering what the hell he was up to this time. "Hello, Damien," she answered the call, her tone filled with grudges. "C–Camille?" instantly, her senses went on high alert, every indication of sleep leaving her body when she heard the strain in his voice. He sounded. . . weird. Like he was in pain or something worse. "Damien?" Camille's voice took a sudden note of urgency. "Is something wrong?" "Attacked," he mumbled. "Attacked?" She sat up in the bed, her heart thundering against her chest as she heard the unmistakable twist of pain
The Surrogate's Vendetta SEVENTY-FOUR: Request For Cooperation
"So, what does that have to do with me?" Juniper asked, genuinely curious. "For the past year, I've been investigating Antoine and everyone connected to him," Jerome answered solemnly. "That's how I found you. Your relationship with him and his family seemed. . . unusual. You got involved with them through your surrogacy, then vanished for two years without a word. Now, you're back, and it seems you're working against them. I don't believe that's just a coincidence." Juniper scoffed inaudibly, crossing her arms over her chest. "I must say, you've done your research quite thoroughly," she said, a hint of sarcasm creeping into her voice. "So, is that why you've been tailing me all this while?" Jerome's face scrunched up in an expression of confusion. "All this while?" He repeated slowly. "I only started tailing you today." "Huh?" Juniper breathed, confusion apparent on her face as her thought traveled back to the past few days. Camille faced her. "Has anyone els
The Surrogate's Vendetta SEVENTY-THREE: What Have You Gotten Us Into?
Juniper paced restlessly in the hall of Camille's house, murmuring to herself. "What are we going to do? What have I gotten us into?" But nothing eased her anxiety than seeing Camille burst through the front door. "Oh, Camille! Thank God you're finally here." "What is it? What's wrong?" Camille asked snappily, her eyes searching the other woman's face. Juniper noticed the slight bruises and scratches on her face and neck, not to mention the large ruddy stain on her shirt, but there were more pressing matters. Besides, if she looked this much of a mess, her opponent must be resting in a morgue at the moment. "HIM!" she replied tersely, her finger pointing directly at the problem at hand. A horrified expression took over Camille's face as her gaze followed Juniper's gesture to the lifeless man on the floor. His wrists and ankles were tightly bound with duct tape, and a crumpled grocery bag covered his head, obscuring his face. "Did you kill him?" she asked hesitantly, h
The Surrogate's Vendetta SEVENTY-TWO: New Year Resolution
Camille let loose a heavy sigh when her phone rang, revealing her annoying boss' ID on its screen. "Hey, I need your help," Damien's voice poured from the other end as soon as she answered the call. "What do you want this time?" Camille drawled grudgingly. "Meet in front of your house, I'll give you the deets. I'm waiting." "How do you—" And he hung up. Truth to his words, Damien's sleek sports car sat outside her gate, its polished lines gleaming in the light. And there he was, leaning nonchalantly against the driver's side door, looking all gorgeous in a tan, woolly turtleneck sweater paired with light blue ripped jeans and tan shin-length boots. In addition, a luxurious beige fur coat draped elegantly over his shoulder, complimenting his casual ensemble and accentuating his handsome features. As soon as he noticed her, Damien flashed her a million-dollar smile and took off his designer sunshade, revealing his ever-glowing jade eyes. "Hey, you," he si
The Surrogate's Vendetta SEVENTY-ONE: Something Smells Fishy
It was quite a hassle to have a one-on-one conversation with the Queen due to the New Year's Feast yesterday, but now that the festivity craziness was gradually blowing over, Juniper got her chance. Juniper gave the lady-in-waiting a polite nod as soon as she permitted her to proceed into the Queen's Study. A meaningful smile took over her chocolate-tinted lips as she strode into the glamorous working space of Forêt-Bleue's monarchess. "Good evening, Your Majesty," Juniper said with a respectful bow before settling into the seat in front of her. Her gaze hovered around, taking in the splendor of the grand room. "I'm truly humbled to be granted this rare audience. I must have saved a nation in my past life. To be frank, I half-expected my request to be denied," she added with a soft chuckle, her fingers splaying across her chest. "It's really an honor to be in the presence of the Queen of Forêt-Bleue herself." Without her lifting her gaze from the documents before her,
The Surrogate's Vendetta SEVENTY: Fireworks!
Camille swiftly jerked her hand back, not because his head was burning like hot coals, but to escape the traitorous surge of "Mama Hen" tendencies that surfaced and made her go all soft around vulnerable people. She DID NOT want to feel that way around this complicated man. He was already dangerous enough hale and hearty, she didn't want to find out how much more dangerous he could get with that fragile expression plastered on his pretty face. "What did I say about boundaries, Damien?" She complained, her tone taking on its usual coldness. Ignoring her dismissive tone, Damien coughed raspily, cleared his stuffy nose into the napkin in his hand, and whined weakly, "I don't know what's wrong with me. I usually never get sick. I always take good care of my health." He scowled at her in feigned annoyance. "Maybe it's because I've been spending too much time with a certain frosty companion." "Or maybe because you thought it was cute to keep swimming in the wint
