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Chapter 007
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2024-06-30 23:03:45Related chapters
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 008
"There should be something, anything," he murmured, continuously scrolling through financial reports and news articles from recent and past publications.Then his gaze fell on one headline: "Controversial Medical Research in Connection with Fernandez Holdings." His heart was thumbing hard against his chest, as he clicked on the article published about a week ago.The article discussed a series of allegations concerning unethical medical practices and court injunctions pointing to Fernandez Holdings. Though Fernandez Holdings denied having something to do with all that and described them as false information, the journalist hinted at some cover-up or hush money for those events."Bingo," Morris whispered; on his lips, there was a grim smile. He continued reading through the pages and other related articles in search of further information, following a trail of shell companies and offshore accounts that did unsuitably seem to link back to Carlos.The morning sun was already boring out t
Last Updated : 2024-07-01The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 009
The sun had long since set, the rays filtered across the room, as Isabelle slipped out of the Fernandez mansion. Her heart pounded toward each step. She pulled her coat tightly to her body for warmth and also to cover her growing belly. Pressing hard on her mind was the weight of her decision to meet with a woman whom she'd lost trust in.As she reached the venue for the meeting — the dimly lit park on the outskirts of the city that looked like a deserted area, Isabelle's nerves were on edge as the shock of the scary surroundings battled across her features. It seemed like every rustle of leaves made her jump, and every shadow seemed to hide a potential threat she couldn't seem to understand."Isabelle," a voice she knew too well called softly from behind a large oak tree. Allison emerged, her face half-hidden by a hoodie. "I wasn't sure you'd come."Isabelle steeled herself, trying to keep her voice steady, even as her heart was thumbing like it was going to escape its bony cage. "Yo
Last Updated : 2024-07-01The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 010
Isabelle was still frozen in Carlos' study, her heart racing as her eyes locked with his burning ones. The air was charged with tension, anger, and betrayal on his part, and something else — electrifying and undeniable.After the incidence at the park, Carlos had given it a deep thought and released Allison to go, warning her not to come any close to his wife again if she really valued her life."I trusted you," Carlos said in a low voice. "I brought you into my home, my life. And this is how you repay me, huh?" His face was turning red and his eyes darker. Isabelle swallowed, fighting for words. "Carlos, I. I was just curious. I never meant to—""To what?" he cut her off, advancing on her. "To pry into my personal affairs? To betray my trust? What have I not done for you to make your stay under my roof hospitable than I had earlier planned?”As he drew closer, Isabelle found herself backing up until she hit the edge of his desk. Carlos braced his hands on either side of her, trappin
Last Updated : 2024-07-02The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 011
The Fernandez Holdings boardroom came alive as Carlos strode in, a picture of calm determination. The rest of the board members fidgeted in their chairs, having heard the rumors that preceded Helix Innovations, their newest and most promising partner."Gentlemen," Carlos launched into his speech with great composure, "I've called this emergency meeting on account of the situation with Helix. We must get to the bottom of these allegations."As the conversation progressed, Isabelle meandered around the halls of the Fernandez mansion as her mind raced a mile a minute with all that she had uncovered. The weight of her discoveries sat heavily upon her shoulders, and in so many ways, she felt more alone than ever.Her phone buzzed, startling her. Dr. Kim's reply shone on the screen: "Meet me at the clinic. Come alone."Isabelle found herself sneaking out of the mansion, elusive of Carlos's security team's view, as her heart nearly raced out of her bony chest. The drive to the clinic felt en
Last Updated : 2024-07-02The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 012
The Fall of HelixLong shadows crawled across the Fernandez mansion as the morning sun peeked into the windows of the study where Isabelle was pacing nervously. Her heart raced as her fingers nervously fidgeted on the USB drive Dr. Kim had handed her that morning. Behind his desk, Carlos looked a bit taciturn, somewhat cracked at what was about to happen."Are you so sure about this, Isabelle?" Carlos asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Once we open this, there's no going back."Isabelle met his gaze; in her eyes burned a determination that seemed almost fierce. "We have to, Carlos. For the twins, for all the others affected by Project Chimera, for the sake of humankind. We can't let Helix continue their experiments."Carlos nodded in affirmation as he plugged in the drive. The files loaded as their faces were bathed in the rays of light from the screen. What they saw there made their blood run cold.Detailed reports of genetic manipulation, failed experiments, and human rights
Last Updated : 2024-07-03The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 013
Shadows of the PastThey took a deep sigh of relief when Rodriguez batched in, panting like a wounded lion. Carlos almost pulled the trigger.He quickly apologized for batching in that way. He thought he heard some cryptic sounds of people around the hallway entering a room.Hours later, as day break, Isabelle sat in a hospital bed, her hands protectively cradling her swollen belly. The twins were safe—the pain came from nothing other than contractions timed and squeezed into chaos by stress alone. Carlos paced across the room, his phone pressed to his ear, shouting orders at Rodriguez."I want every inch of that mansion swept," he growled. "And find out how they got past our security!"Isabelle watched him, noting the circles under his eyes and the stiffness in his shoulders. The attack had shaken them both, but Carlos seemed to be taking it particularly hard."Carlos," she said softly. He turned to her, his expression softening. "Come sit with me."He shrugged and dropped down besid
Last Updated : 2024-07-03The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 014
New HorizonsThe day was still young, and the sun had barely started its travel over the horizon. In his home office, his face marked with nothing but resolve. Whirlwind weeks of personal drama - they'd moved to Los Angeles to start a new life.The chaos that erupted in New York and the potential danger it poses on their unborn kids motivated their decision to relocate. Carlos was filthy rich. Relocating to any of the world wouldn't pose any slack back to his business. He'd got many reliable and competent staff to run his business even in his absence.He had a branch of his business in Los Angeles and found it worthy to grow it into something bigger.It was time to refocus into business. In his home office, in response to reading the plans of their downtown redevelopment sprawled over his desk that he slightly loosened his tie.A soft knock at the door called his attention. It was Isabelle, her pregnant form backlit in the hallway light. "You're up early," she said, a hint of concern
Last Updated : 2024-07-05The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 015
New Opportunities The California sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Carlos and Isabelle's new penthouse apartment in downtown Los Angeles. Isabelle rested one hand on her growing belly, propping herself up by one of the windows, while with the other she brought a mug of herbal tea up to her lips. The city lay below her—one that was peaceful, presumably, very much different from the New York skyline."Cared to share your thoughts?" Carlos spoke up from behind her.Isabelle half-turned to him, a faint smile in evidence. "Just that I mean, everything around here is so… different. It's… calm and peaceful."Carlos reached out to her and hugged her lightly, cradling her bump. "See, that was the point. New beginnings for us all."It is three weeks since they hastily moved to Los Angeles. The decision was fast, driven by the urgency to get away as quickly as possible from the building pressures and danger in New York. Here, they thought they would be safer until the twins i
Last Updated : 2024-07-05
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The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 86
The End Morris sighed and looked at the floor, “Carlos, I. . . I owe you an apology.” He was feeling regretful standing in front of the Fernandez family’s large living room. ”I’ve been wrong about you for far too long. ” The man, who once was called the ruthless billionaire Carlos Fernandez, stared at Morris in surprise. The passage of time had made him bitter and a little less cruel; the man had a glimmer of humanity in his gaze. "Morris, we have both sinned, and maybe it is time that we let that go, and start afresh." ,. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . Two days later, there was a tense atmosphere in the Fernandez mansion as the family got ready for the last day in court. Isabelle walked around the room, her twins, Sophia and Alex watched their mother with concern. They were teenagers, still they were not dumb enough not to feel the gravity of the situation although not wise enough to understand it fully. “Mommy, are we going to be okay?” Sophia asked, her face registered with concer
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 85
Price of Redemption In the airport lounge as they waited for their flight back home, Carlos turned to Isabelle, out of the blue it seemed, deadly serious."We need to talk, Isabelle," he said, with the voice just loud enough despite the background noise of the terminal.Isabelle put down her magazine, knowing whatever he would say next carried weight. "What is it, Carlos?"He paused again and looked over to the kids, who were all busy with their phones and snacks, apparently noticing nothing of the tension palpably drawn between their parents. Then he turned back to Isabelle, his fierce gaze softening. "This trip. I realize now more than ever how much we have run away from facing things. I mean, we have been so ensnared with the trial, that we paid no heed to how much we needed each other."Slowly, Isabelle nodded and put the magazine aside. Of course they would have had to discuss it sometime. This vacation had been an escape route for the time being, but they had not been able to
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 84
Isabelle's POV A Change of SceneryCarlos had grown distant and busy, and Isabelle could barely remember the last time that they had really spoken.The children were affected by this too—reportedly. Alex, who was otherwise so cheerful and full of life, grew into a quiet individual who spent more time in his room compared to before. Sophia watched her parents with a worried look in her eyes, which seemed to pick up on an air of tension.She knew something had to give. They couldn't go on much longer this way, dancing around each other and barely holding together as a family unit. One evening while they sat around the dinner table almost in complete silence, Isabelle cleared her throat to speak."I think we need a break," she said, her voice slicing through the tension. "A real break. I've booked us a vacation; just the four of us. We leave tomorrow." Carlos's head jerked up from over his plate, his eyes flashing with surprise. "A vacation? Now? Isabelle, with the trial coming up, I d
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 83
Double CrossIsabelle's POV While Carlos and I pretty much were picking our way carefully through a brittle truce, truth got entangled—an undercurrents of mistrust and suspicion run too deep underneath.Morris was back in our lives, busy with Carlos, planning an appeal that hung over us all like the sword of Damocles. I played the supportive wife, but my stomach twisted with each glimpse of the two of them huddled together in strategy sessions. Not to forget Allison—always there to remind me things were not just as they seemed.Somehow, Allison had wormed her way back into Carlos's favor. Now, she just made herself useful in ways that left me wondering at her motives. There wasn't much I could do, though, I didn't have a lot to argue with results for. We needed all the help we could get.Yet something in the way she smiled at Morris, maybe something about it, in her eyes' glitter, when she thought herself unobserved jarred on me. I could see that she was plotting something. I only wo
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 82
Unlikely AlliesIsabelle's POV As I came home after the trial, the silence was palpable. Carlos and I had sort of reached a compromise to work things out, but the chasm of distance between us now seemed larger than before. We tiptoed around each other, trying not to detonate the fights that had become all too frequent. The weight of everything that had happened hung over us like a dark cloud, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to give.It was late in the day, but I found Carlos in his study, nursing a glass of whiskey. His face seemed to hold more etchings of worry lines than even a few days ago. Hesitating at the door, unsure if I should intrude, before I could retreat he looked up and caught my gaze."Isabelle," he said, his voice soft, almost vulnerable. "Come in."I walked into the room and sensed the tension in the air. "What's on your mind?" I inquired, attempting to keep my tone light.Carlos let out a sigh and raked a hand over his hair. "It's everythin
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 81
Hidden AgendasIsabelle's POV The silence was so thick, so palpable, you could cut it with a knife in that courtroom. Then the voice of the judge finally broke the quiet, reading the verdict. It was almost as though time had slowed down—draggy, very long words. There it was, folks; the last words: "Not guilty." The disbelief was hard to digest. Wave upon wave of relief washed over me, and then I was numb the next moment.We had finally won, and we were clean for sure this time. But something didn't feel quite right in this wave of relief. What was wrong?Carlos turned to me with a mix of victory and exhaustion on his face. "We did it," he whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion.I nodded to him with a try at a smile. "Yeah, we did."In a flash, Morris was beaming reassuringly upon Carlos, shaking his hand, and at my side. "That is a victory for all of us," he declared, quite assured and composed in voice but with eyes that gave a flicker, the very doubt which was gnawing at me.As
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 80
Courtroom DramaIsabelle's POV Carlos had already been downstairs in his suit, impeccable, with an artfully done-up tie, sitting at the kitchen table with an empty, long stare into his coffee. His suit was impeccable, the tie artfully neat, but in his eyes, I could feel the tension. This trial was getting to all of us, I thought, but with Carlos, it felt like it was bearing down on him the most."Ready?" I asked softly, trying to sound surer than I was.He looked up at me then, his expression a mix of determination and exhaustion. "As ready as I'll ever be."We rode to the courthouse in dangerous, silent words. I felt there was some unseen poison spreading between the two of us. The pressure of our relationship overworked by the months tugged tighter and tighter until finally, the impending trial was just enough. Across the chasm in my mind, stretching between us, I could feel the impossible divide to bridge; at least that was what I felt right now.By the time we got there, the cou
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 79
Race Against TimeIsabelle's POV Among other things, this document we just received was something game -changing, this last bit of evidence, which would finally shift the tide in our favor. But as much as it brought hope, it also put an immense sense of urgency into the situation. We knew our opponents—all those dark figures who had set this whole scandal up in the first place would move heaven and earth to discredit or suppress it. Every second counted.That evening, we all sat in the living room. The air was heavy with tension; the fear was unsaid. I could see the worry etched on everyone's faces: Carlos, Jack, Sophia, Alex, even Morris, who had rapidly turned into an indispensable part of our efforts."We have to authenticate this evidence now," Morris said, his voice steady, but urgent. "If we don't, they'll find a way to discredit it before we can ever present it." Carlos leaned forward, his elbows propped on his knees, and deep stress lines etched on his face. "Do we have the
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 78
Damage ControlIsabelle's POVHere I was in my old familiar role as the squall of accusation and scandal reared its ugly head all over again, trying to hold everything together. An apparent impulsive act on the part of Carlos to issue a press statement without consulting any of us boomeranged. Far from quietening the rumors, it stirred the embers and set them even higher in the public perception of our family.Early the next day, the dawn was breaking right after the news along with a hundred calls, emails, and messages. In my mind, a thousand thoughts raced, but then I realized that I really had no time to panic; I needed to act."Carlos, we need to talk. I almost bumped into each of his study doors. His eyes were black with fatigue, his features etched with stress. The weight of the world seemed to be sitting on his shoulders."What's there to talk about, Isabelle? The damage is done."I took the deep breath of courage to say, "Yes, but we can still manage the narrative. We can't le
