Share
Chapter 58
Related chapters
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
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 65
Homecoming HeartacheThe Fernandez mansion was silent, a far cry from the bomb that had gone off a few days before inside those very walls. Jack's revelation and his consequent exit seemed to leave behind an almost palpable feel of vacuum that echoed through every single room.Isabelle stood at her study window, her eyes on the horizon, her mind far away. It was almost as if a video of those last week's events played in her head: that stunning revelation concerning Jack's true heritage, the pain and betrayal in Carlos's eyes, and that awful moment when Jack walked out the door forever.A soft knock broke into her reverie. "Mom?" Sophia's voice was tentative, almost fragile. "Can we come in?"Isabelle turned to see her twins hovering in the doorway, their faces etched with concern. "Of course, darlings," she said, managing a small smile. "Come here."As Sophia and Alex sat down on the couch, Isabelle could only admire their strength. Through everything, they had clung to one another—a
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 66
For days following Jack's emotional homecoming, life inside the Fernandez mansion had become a tender dance of healing and reconciliation. While the bonds proved tight, tension still seemed to run at current pace, along with that cold feeling of treading on eggshells around one another.Particularly, Carlos had hardly held up. The revelation of Project Legacy and Jack's true heritage had torn him apart by the same guilt knotting his insides with an identity crisis. He watched his husband growingly alarmed by the dark circles, how he went falling into himself for large periods of time.It is in one of such brooding sessions that Carlos decided on matters that would turn their lives three-eighty."I would like to revive my father's old charity project," he declared one evening as they sat over dinner.What?. "his family received him with a surprised silence. Sophia spoke first. "What charity project, Dad?"Something in Carlos's eyes flickered, and for a moment a glitter of interest that
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
