Share
Chapter 015
Related chapters
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire 016
Corporate ConscienceThe Los Angeles skyline was ablaze with the late-afternoon sun as Carlos leaned back in his leather chair, scanning the proposal before him. His gaze wandered momentarily to the silver-framed photo on his desk: Isabelle beamed radiantly with a smile as her hands rested on her small, rounded belly. A small smile nibbled at his lips before focusing once more onto the pages before him.A knock at the door broke into his reverie. "Come in," he said.Isabelle entered. Her pregnancy glow was palpable. "You wanted to see me?"Carlos nodded and gestured for her to take a chair. "I've been thinking a great deal about our conversation regarding community engagement and social responsibility. I think the time has come to really do something about it."Isabelle's eyes brightened. "Really? That's terrific, Carlos!""I want you to head the new corporate social responsibility initiative focused on our redevelopment project," Carlos continued. "It's an opportunity to make a real
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 017
Shadows of Corruption"Mrs. Fernandez?" The voice behind her drew her back to reality. Elena, the urban planner she had befriended weeks ago, came up to her, a look of concern etched on her face. "I think there is something you need to see."The California sun beat down relentlessly onto the site of Fernandez Holdings' newest project. Isabelle shielded her eyes, looking out over the activity, her hand unconsciously resting on her now-prominent baby bump.The heat and physical discomfort of advancing pregnancy couldn't detract her from the sense of purpose she felt here among the scaffolding and heavy machinery.Isabelle followed Elena to a quieter part of the site, away from all the noise and prying ears. "What is going on?" She noted the etched worry on her friend's face.Elena hesitated before she pulled out a folder. "I've gone over the bidding documents for this project, something doesn't feel right. Look at these figures."She wasn't halfway through the papers when her brow furro
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 018
The Price of HonorThe home office was fraught with tension when Carlos finally lost his cool to the incessant pacing and calm. Isabelle sat in the arm chair, cradling protectively her protruding stomach, eyes alertly focused on her husband, with concern."We have to expose them," Carlos said at last, the first time he'd been firm all day, but with a voice underlying with defeat. "Being truthful, that's before I can go on living with myself."Isabelle felt a wave of relief wash over her. "I'm so glad you have come to that decision, Carlos. It is the right thing to do."He paused in his pacing, turning around to face her, his expression torn. "It is. But understand, Isabelle, this decision will be risky. We could lose everything we've been building here in LA.""I know," Isabelle said softly. "But isn't that better than compromising our values? Than becoming the very thing we came here to escape?"Carlos nodded, a small grin pulling at the crooks of his mouth. "Since when did you becom
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 019
Rising from the Ashes"Ready for another day in the trenches?" Carlos asked this time. With a wry smile on his face, he handed Isabelle a cup of herbal tea.The early morning sun casted long shadows across the Los Angeles skyline as Carlos and Isabelle Fernandez stood in their office, looking out at the city. Three weeks ago they blew the lid off the corruption inside their company; since then, all hell had broken loose. The stock price at Fernandez Holdings still tried to struggle its way from where it had been; the high-stake projects are now put on hold, and the media just wouldn't give them a break.Isabelle nodded, her free hand going to her ever-growing baby bump. "Always. We have so much work ahead of us to rebuild trust."A first meeting of the day with a group of community leaders and local non-profits, working to build relationships for them in connection with their new strategy to more meaningfully engage with communities impacted by their projects and demonstrate their co
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 020
Unexpected TurnsIsabelle stood at the window of their hotel room, a hand resting on her very prominent belly, watching as the Singapore skyline glittered early in the morning light. She winced as she felt a gentle kick, excitement and nervousness moving through her.She heard Carlos adjusting his tie behind her. "Ready for this?" he asked, his voice giving away a hint of anxiety.Facing him squarely, Isabelle forced a smile. "As ready as we'll ever be. This could change everything for us."Today they were due to present their proposal for a major international contract regarding a sustainable urban development project in Singapore. It was their first big opportunity since the corruption scandal and potentially their chance to prove Fernandez Holdings was back on track.Walking up to the Urban Redevelopment Authority headquarters, Isabelle felt expectation weighing heavily on her shoulders. Their team had worked nonstop on this proposal, roping in all of the lessons that they had lear
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 021
Growing PainsThe gentle nightlight cast its rrays across the nursery as Carlos was dutifully and gently patting his son, Alexander. He was trying everything possible to make the crying child go back to sleep. On the other side of the room sat Isabelle in the rocking chair, nursing their daughter, Sophia. On the wall, the clock read, 3:17 AM— yet another sleepless night in the Fernandez household."Shh," whispered Carlos, his voice rough from his lack of sleep. "Papá's got you."Isabelle looked at her husband, the love teeming out mingled with great frustration. Since the twins had finally come three months ago, Carlos had been almost obsessively overprotective. While she was thankful for it, deep down inside, she felt he was somehow pushing her away.Finally, as Alexander's cries began to subside, a sigh of relief came from Carlos. He turned to Isabelle, the weariness that had etched itself into his face emerging in a smile. "I think he's finally calming down."Isabelle nodded wear
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 022
Carlos and Isabelle were dancing around each other in the living room, their intricate choreography of avoidance made tenser by the tension still hanging precarious in the air from the previous fight. Isabelle was working on her laptop on the kitchen table, with the twins playing in their pen at her feet. In walked Carlos in his little tie, off-center, which spoke volumes in itself: the Loom of Distraction."I've got one meeting after another all day," he said, avoiding meeting her gaze. "I might be late tonight."Isabelle nodded, that old stab of frustration touching her chest. "Of course. Don't worry; I have everything taken care of here."Carlos hesitated, wanting to say more but awkwardly searching for how to bridge that chasm that seemed to have opened wide between them. He nodded finally and headed for the door.As it closed behind him, Isabelle let out a really emotional sigh. This space between them was starting to become unbearable. She looked through to the twins—Alexander t
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 023
CrossroadsThe soft glow of the laptop screen cast its blue rays on Isabelle's face as she stared back at the email incredulously. Her heart raced from the initial excitement to a stringent trepidation. There it was - a new job offer to head some groundbreaking sustainable energy project, setting a new course of pioneering in the industry. Then attached to this kind of expectation, came the catch: extensive traveling for at least six months in a year.Her gaze fell into the twins' room where Alexander and Sophia lay sleeping serenely, and she felt her tummy turn at the thought of being away from them like this. Yet professional fulfillment beckoned irresistibly.She heard the turn of Carlos's key in the lock and slammed her laptop shut. He came into the room, looking drained but able to raise a smile on seeing her."You're up very late," he said, his tie coming loose.Isabelle nodded, thinking of telling him about the job offer now or after. "How was your day?"Carlos blew a sigh and
Latest chapter
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 86
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 85
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 84
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 83
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 82
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 81
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 80
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 79
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 78
