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Chapter 73
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The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 74
Shadows of DoubtThe sun had barely risen over the vast Fernandez estate when Carlos Fernandez lay awake, his mind racing with thoughts from which he couldn't turn his attention. He glanced sideways at the empty space the king-sized bed held beside him, noticing that she had risen early—again—ahead of him. He didn't find that unusual for his wife, but lately. .. well, something didn't feel right.Carlos padded down the hall; the plush carpet was muffling his footsteps. He came around into the kitchen to find Isabelle's low voice, once more on the phone, speaking in that low, urgent tone he had become so used to in the past few weeks."I understand. Yes, I'll meet you there. Don't worry, I'll be very careful," Isabelle was saying. When Carlos came into the kitchen, she hastily concluded the call with a quick, "I gotta go. Talk soon.""Good morning," said Carlos, trying hard to keep his voice neutral. "Early call?"Isabelle turned, the practiced smile in place. "Oh, just some foundation
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 75
Isabelle surreptitiously gazed at the dial of her watch from the dark recess of a corner in a small café, which was situated in the industrial area of the town. She had picked up this place for the very reason that it was far removed from prying looks that seemed to follow every move of any of her family members these days. The bell above the door chimed, and she looked up to see Morris take entry."I'm really pleased you wanted to meet for lunch," Isabelle said after he had seated himself in the booth opposite. "I know this can't possibly be an unbiased setting for the two of us."Morris nodded outwards, a mixture of worry and curiosity crossing his face. "You did sound a bit upset over the phone. If you wish, then what is it, Isabelle?"She exhaled, gathering her thoughts. "The family's in a jam, Morris. We need help, and I think through you, I know where to find it."As she started to tell him about the sensantionalism, the public anger, the fight it had been to salvage her reputat
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 76
Media ManipulationAllison's presence had an intrusion that was much feared by the household of the Fernandez. At this moment, her entrance into the room had almost become just a matter of course in relation to the chaotic circumstances that had lately risen."Okay team," she said and clapped her hands together. "Let's talk strategy."Carlos, Isabelle, and Jack each looked up from some combination of papers and laptops. The tension in the room was weighty, a suffocating silence that could have easily been cut through—in particular, that current residing between Carlos and Isabelle."As much as that realization sickens me," Carlos spat, "your stupid reality show may be our best bet to get out of this mess, seeing that public opinion can still be swayed." Allison's eyes fairly glowed with satisfaction. "It's nice to see you came to realization, Carlos. Now, here is what I am thinking."As Allison spoke about how she had predicted her show could save the reputation of the Fernandezes, C
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 77
Trust ErodedIsabelle's heart raced as her eyes locked with the unexpected visitor who stood in her doorway. The silhouette belonged to none other than Allison, her face a mix of victory and barely concealed anger."Allison?" Isabelle managed to choke out. "What are you doing here? Where's Carlos?"Allison's heels crept ominously upon entering the room. "Oh no, Carlos is a busy bee right now. He's having such an interesting conversation about you."Isabelle felt her stomach start to turn on her. "What are you talking about?""Don't play dumb, Isabelle," Allison snapped. "I know about your little meetings with Morris. Did you really think you could keep that a secret?"Before Isabelle could reply, the front door burst open once more. Carlos strode in. His face seemed a portrait of anger, and behind him trailed a shamefaced Morris."Carlos!" Isabelle said, relief and fear fighting in her voice. "I can explain—""Explain what?" Carlos thunders. "How you've been sneaking around with your
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
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 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 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
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