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Chapter 056
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The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 057
Shifting SandsThe early morning sunlight pierced through the drapes and reached long shadows across the floor in Carlos's home office in the Fernandez mansion. Standing in the doorway, Isabelle fastened her eyes on her husband, who was hunched over his laptop, furrows etched into his brow. She coughed softly, and Carlos flinched, reaching quickly to minimize whatever he'd been working on."Isabelle," he said tightly. "I didn't hear you come in.""Clearly," she said, trying to filter out the hurt from her voice. "You have been distant lately, Carlos. Is everything okay?"Carlos ran a hand through his hair, speaking volumes for the fact that he was stressed. "Just work stuff. Nothing for you to worry about."Isabelle moved further into the room, her concern growing. "We're partners, Carlos. If something's bothering you, then I want to know."The sudden racket from downstairs broke the spell. Shouting could be heard from within the house."I told you to keep your hands out of my room!"
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 58
Fraying ThreadsSophia stood in front of the ornate mirror of her bedroom, fumbling with the clasp of her necklace. What had been a special piece of jewelry—her birthday gift from her father, Carlos—now felt heavy around her neck. She let out an angry sigh as her eyes fell on the picture frame of the family on her dresser. Those smiling faces seemed to dare her, so far from the tension that now sieved through their household."Need help with that?" Jack's voice seemed to erupt from nowhere as she spun around, dropping to find her new half-brother propping against the doorframe.Sophia's jaw clenched. "I've got it," she snapped, finally closing the clasp with a little too much force.Jack's easy smile faltered for a moment before he recovered. "Of course, sure. I just thought that—""You thought what?" Sophia cut in, her tone sharp. "That you'd ride in and play hero? Well, let me let you in on a little news flash, Jack. We were getting on just fine before you arrived."The hurt which c
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 59
Fault LinesIsabelle's pulse raced as her eyes skimmed over the contents of the "Project Legacy" file. Her screen was covered in graphs, spreadsheets, and cryptic notes that painted a picture she struggled to understand. One thing, however, was clear: this was way more than just family drama. She went deeper, and then a notification appeared on her phone—an alert from the news that hit her like a bucket of ice-cold water."Breaking: Anonymous Source Exposes Fernandez Holdings' Unethical Business Practices"Isabelle's hand shook as she reached for her phone, scrolling through the article. The accusations that cropped up included bribery, environmental misdeeds, and labor exploitation. There was no concrete evidence to back up such allegations; light on story but insinuation filled every word, an arrow pointed squarely at the heart of everything Carlos had built.It was as if her racing thoughts had summoned Carlos into the room, white-faced. "Isabelle, have you seen—" He froze, his eye
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 60
The sharp fluorescent lights of the Fernandez Holdings boardroom brought out in sharp relief dark shadows across the face as Carlos stood before his executive team. A place that used to be power, confidence, and reign now sounded more like being smothered by a blanket. Now, pairs of eyes that turned back on him with respect and admiration turned inward, filling themselves with disappointment and barely concealed anger."I understand your concerns," Carlos said wearily; he had not slept a wink the previous night. "But let me assure you, the allegations against me and this company are grossly exaggerated."The chief financial officer, Marcus Reeves, made a face and snapped at Carlos, "Exaggerated or not, Carlos, the damage is done. Our stock has plunged 30% since the market opened. Clients are jumping ship left and right."Vivian Chen, head of marketing, nodded in agreement. "With every minute, we are losing public goodwill. Every news channel is carrying our story. In social media, it'
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 61
The yellow crime scene tape adorned the front gate of Fernandez mansion, with plain-wrap vehicles rimming the street. Inside, the family sat stunned, silenced, in the living room while the FBI fluttered around.Isabelle's hands jittered around a cup of cold coffee. Her actions pressed on her like a press, and she was smothering. Facing her sat Sophia, stiff in her chair, in an attitude of defiance, her eyes red-rimmed. Alex huddled beside his sister; his young face portrayed a picture of confusion and fear.Jack paced up and down in front of the window. His earlier confidence was fast giving way to visible anxiety. He couldn't help looking at his phone, which had suspiciously remained silent since the raid began.Breaking the tight silence, the sound of approaching footsteps turned all heads as Carlos was led into the room flanked by two stern-faced agents. He was bedraggled—his normally immaculately dressed suit rumpled, his eyes sunken."Dad!" Alex exclaimed and started to run towar
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 62
Rebuilding TrustThe panic room seemed to close in with every second that passed. Tension and unsaid fears hung heavy in the air. Jack's bombshell hung heavy in the air, as each of the Fernandez family digested his information in their own way. Only Carlos remained standing with his back against the wall, his face a picture of confusion and betrayal. Isabelle moved to stand protectively in front of her children, her eyes not wavering from Jack's face.Sophia was the first to speak. She was quick-tempered, anyway. "What do you mean he is not your son? Who are you?"Jack lowered his gun and put it on the shelf nearby, a gesture of goodwill. "The name's Jonathan Reeves, Marcus Reeves' son."The name hit him like a blow in the face. "Marcus? My CFO? But how... why?""It's complicated," Jonathan muttered, running a hand on his hair. "My father...he's been working against you all these years, Carlos. Him and my mother. He's one of the main architects of the real Project Legacy."Isabelle fr
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 63
Media StormOn the launching of Allison's reality TV show, the Fernandez family was now more under the public eye, where they had to keep appearances as a united family. Carlos was caught in excruciating indecisiveness regarding how and when to come out to the world about knowing who Jack was and how to do it, with all the backlash it could hold, against the freedom of living honestly.Isabelle had stepped in to handle the public side of the family image and extend the necessary fortitude and flexibility during crises. She knew that Allison's star was just starting to rise and that they had to be prepared."It is impossible Vanessa would come all the way up here for a mountain hike," Isabelle murmured. She paced the study in circles. "We need to get out in front of this before the media tears us apart."Carlos's brows furrowed in worry, and he raked a hand through his hair. "I don't know if I'm ready for that much exposure. Jack's past is…complicated. I'm still trying to wrap my head
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 64
The atmosphere grew heavy as the Fernandez family congregated together in the living room. Sophia and Alex scooted closer to each other on one of the couches, their eyes beginning to water as they nervously glanced at each other and their parents standing before them, their faces really serious.Isabelle took a deep breath and turned her gaze away from the faces of her children and into Carlos's. "Your father has something he needs to share with all of us."Pained, Carlos stepped forward. "I. I haven't been entirely truthful with you about Project Legacy. It was a secret kept within for so many years, and now it has come to haunt us."Sophia frowned. "What is Project Legacy?"Carlos ran a hand through his hair, a nervous gesture. "It was an initiative my father started, a way to ensure Fernandez dynasty would go on through generations. He believed in building a lasting legacy, no matter the cost."Alex's eyes widened. "What kind of cost?""The kind that led me to make a few… questiona
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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
