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Expendable
Last Updated:
2024-07-28 05:55:07
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The son of a billionaire in disguise I came, I saw, and I heard
At exactly ten o'clock, the polished black SUVs pulled up to the grand entrance of Rossi Enterprise. The morning sun glinted off the building's glass façade as Rene, flanked by a group of serious-looking men in black suits, got out and strode towards the entrance. Gunnar, looking equally composed but slightly more nervous, followed beside him.The revolving doors swung open, and they were greeted by the Rossi family standing in the lobby. Mr. Rossi stood at the forefront, his stern expression softened into a practiced smile. Next to him were his three sons, Josh, Antonio, and Juan, and behind them, the younger generation, Luca, Jason, Princess, Maria, José, Luis, Alejandro, and Bianca... they were all impeccably dressed."Mr. Gunnar, welcome to Rossi Enterprise," Mr. Rossi greeted, extending a hand with a warm but slightly strained smile. "It’s a pleasure to have you here."Stopping before him, Gunnar shook Mr. Rossi's hand firmly, giving a polite nod. "Thank you, Mr. Rossi. It's goo
Last Updated : 2024-07-28The son of a billionaire in disguise Permission
"Mr. Gunnar, please wait!" Maria's voice rang again through the conference room, breaking the stunned silence.Hesitantly, Gunnar paused, turning back to face Maria. His expression softened slightly, recognizing the worry in her eyes. "Mrs. Flores, I understand you're passionate about this, but I can't accept Antonio's proposal. It simply doesn't meet our standards."Darting her gaze around the room, Maria took a deep breath, her heart pounding, and she let out, "I know, Mr. Gunnar. But you seemed intrigued by my responses earlier. I believe we can find a solution that works for both parties. Please give us another chance."For a moment, Gunnar studied her, his gaze thoughtful. "I was impressed by your insights, Maria. You showed a depth of understanding and a practical approach that I found refreshing. But as much as I'd like to honor my word to you, I can't proceed with a proposal that lacks substance."Suddenly, Mr. Rossi looked up sharply. "If you won't work with Antonio, and you'
Last Updated : 2024-07-29The son of a billionaire in disguise A look of dread
As Rene escorted Gunnar to his car, the tension of the meeting gradually dissipated into the warm morning air. The black SUV gleamed in the sunlight as the driver opened the door for them.Gunnar settled into the back seat with a sigh, running a hand through his hair. "That was quite the meeting," he said, his tone more relaxed now that they were outside the confines of the conference room.Rene nodded, his face still composed as he slid in beside Gunnar. "Indeed, it was. But there's more to be done."Gunnar glanced at Rene, curiosity piqued. "What's next on the agenda?""I think you should head back to the company first," Rene suggested, his voice calm and deliberate.Gunnar raised an eyebrow. "Why's that? Aren't you coming with me?"Rene shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. "No, I need to go back in for Maria. Now that she decided to take a stand, I don't need their negativity corrupting her mind."Understanding dawned on Gunnar's face, and he nodded slowly. "Ah, I see
Last Updated : 2024-07-30The son of a billionaire in disguise The dreaded phone call
Rome's eyes darkened with concern as he watched the fear spread across Catherine's face. He quickly reached for her hand, holding it firmly in his. "Hey, it's alright," he said softly, trying to soothe her. "It's just a glass of wine. Don't let your mind run wild."Catherine's gaze remained fixed on the shattered glass, her breath coming in shallow bursts. "But... Rene," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I just... I have a bad feeling. What if something's wrong?"Rome squeezed her hand gently, trying to steady her. "You're letting your motherly instincts get the best of you," he said in a calm, reassuring tone. "Rene is a grown man. He can handle himself. You know how strong and capable he is."Catherine bit her lip, her eyes still wide with anxiety. "I know, but... you know how it is. Sometimes, as a mother, you just feel things. And right now, I feel like something's not right."Rome sighed inwardly, knowing how deeply Catherine's instincts ran when it came to their son. He didn't
Last Updated : 2024-09-01The son of a billionaire in disguise High speed race
In the silence of his office, Jason leaned back in his chair, still nursing the ache in his nose, a scowl etched on his face. The taste of blood was still fresh in his mouth, but the ringing phone on his desk demanded his attention. He glanced at the screen and recognized the number.He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and pressed the answer button."What’s the update?" he demanded, his voice clipped and cold."We've got eyes on him," the voice on the other end reported. "But there’s a problem. It looks like Kia is aware we're tailing him."Jason sat up straighter, a spark of irritation flashing in his eyes. "He knows?""Yeah, boss. He’s checking the mirrors, and his driving is getting a bit erratic like he’s trying to shake us off."Jason’s scowl deepened. This was supposed to be simple, and now Kia was making things complicated. "What about Maria?" he asked, his tone dismissive."She's in the car with him," the voice replied. "They seem to be heading out of the city."Jaso
Last Updated : 2024-09-02The son of a billionaire in disguise The injured and the missing
As the clock ticking got louder, Jason tapped his fingers on the edge of his desk, his patience wearing thin. Each second felt like an hour. He had expected an update by now, something to confirm that the plan had gone off without a hitch. Instead, there was nothing but silence, and it was gnawing at him. “Where the hell are they?” he muttered under his breath, standing up abruptly. The silence in the room felt suffocating, the only sound was the rhythmic thud of his boots against the hardwood floor as he began pacing. He tried to distract himself, focus on something else—anything—but his mind kept circling back to the same question: 'Why hadn’t they called?'Anxiety was creeping in, an uncomfortable itch he couldn’t shake. His gut told him something wasn’t right, but he shoved the thought aside. He had learned to trust his instincts in this business, yet today, his nerves felt raw, and exposed. His jaw clenched. It was supposed to be a simple job. Why the hell was it taking so lo
Last Updated : 2024-09-08The son of a billionaire in disguise Suspicion
Ignoring his father's question, Jason stood motionless, staring at the TV in disbelief. The reality of what had just happened hit him like a punch in the gut. His men were the ones critically injured in the accident, not Kia or Maria. Everything had gone wrong, horribly wrong. He could feel his father’s eyes burning into the side of his face, but he couldn’t bring himself to meet his gaze."Jason!" Antonio snapped, his voice sharp and commanding.Jason flinched, finally tearing his eyes away from the screen. His father, Antonio, was no longer smiling. His face was a mask of fury, the vein in his temple pulsing visibly."How the hell did things get this out of hand?" Antonio demanded, his voice low but seething with anger. "This was supposed to be clean! A warning at most, not this... mess!"Staring blankly at him, Jason opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. He was still reeling from the realization that his men were the ones lying in the hospital, and he had no idea wh
Last Updated : 2024-09-09The son of a billionaire in disguise Zeroing in
Drawing a deep breath, Rene stood by the restaurant window, the phone pressed to his ear as he stared out into the evening glow.The conversation with Catherine had barely registered in his mind. His thoughts were a whirlwind, trying to piece together the events of the past hour—the chase, the black vans, the unsettling calmness he’d felt when they’d narrowly escaped."Are you alright, Rene?" Catherine’s concerned voice came through the phone, pulling him back to the present.With a deep sigh, Rene blinked, his eyes focusing on his reflection in the window. He was about to answer when something behind him caught his attention.He turned and saw Maria sitting at the table, her posture stiff, and next to her was a man he didn’t recognize, leaning casually in the seat Rene had vacated. Maria’s face was tight with discomfort, her hands balled into fists in her lap."I’m going to have to call you back," Rene said abruptly, his tone hardening as he tucked his phone away without waiting for a
Last Updated : 2024-09-09
Latest chapter
The son of a billionaire in disguise His truth?
The silence stretched, taut and expectant. The question lingered in the air like smoke... where was he this morning?Rene’s gaze swept the room, pausing momentarily on each face. They were waiting. Wanting. Ready to pounce.He could feel Maria beside him, her stillness louder than any words she could speak. And that silence... her silence, was what cut the deepest.He inhaled slowly, deliberately. “I wasn’t with Layla.”“Then who?” Madam Rossi’s voice cracked through the air like a whip.Staring at the stone-cold faces in the room, Rene hesitated, knowing full well the weight of the name he was about to speak. “Mr. Gunnar.”The room went still. Like a spell had been cast. Even the distant ticking of the grandfather clock seemed to pause.Mr. Rossi’s expression barely shifted, but Rene saw it. A flicker. Not a surprise. Not suspicion. Fear.It was enough.Rene locked eyes with the family patriarch and took a step forward, voice steady. “Yes. I was with Mr. Gunnar this morning. He reque
The son of a billionaire in disguise The question
The sun dipped low over the horizon as Rene guided the car along the winding road back to the Rossi estate. Shadows stretched long across the dashboard, golden light dancing on Maria’s face. She hadn’t said much since they left the restaurant.Instead, she kept her gaze fixed on her phone, screen dimmed but not turned off. Her thumb hovered near the edge, as if deciding whether to press the number or not.Rene glanced at her, his fingers lightly drumming on the steering wheel. "You’ve been quiet."Maria didn’t look up."Everything okay?" he asked."Mmm.""That the same 'mmm' you give when you’re lying to me or the one when you’re annoyed at me?"She finally looked at him, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes. "Neither. Just thinking."Rene tilted his head, eyebrows raised. "About?"Maria took one last look at the number glowing faintly on her screen. Then slowly, deliberately, she pressed the side button. The screen went black."Nothing," she said.Rene didn’t believe her. He didn’t pu
The son of a billionaire in disguise His side of the story
The elevator doors slid shut, sealing Jason inside with his grandmother. The silence settled thick between them, unforgiving, heavy, like a noose tightening with each breath.Madam Rossi turned slowly, her gaze fixed on him with the cold weight of generations behind it."You should be ashamed," she said, her brows snapping together. "You stand there, hands in your pockets, watching your fiancée crumble under scrutiny... and you say nothing? You let her lie to you-to us. Do you think silence makes you honorable?"Jason’s jaw clenched, but he said nothing.Madam Rossi’s lips curled into a scowl. "You are a Rossi. You were raised better than this. If Layla is slipping, you are the one who should rein her in. It is your responsibility to keep your woman in check."His nostrils flared. “And what about Maria?” he snapped.Looking away from him for a second, Madam Rossi’s eyes narrowed.“She’s married, isn’t she?” Jason pressed. “To a man who doesn't even act as a Rossi should. But do I see
The son of a billionaire in disguise Guilty
The sharp slam of Juan’s voice still echoed in Madam Rossi’s ears as she sat motionless behind her desk.Her nails tapped against the armrest... an erratic, frustrated rhythm. For a moment, she thought about pouring herself a drink, something dark and bitter to match the aftertaste of that conversation. But even that felt too indulgent.Instead, with a sharp breath, she stood.The air in her office was thick... thicker than it had any right to be. She needed out.Throwing on her tailored black overcoat, she moved to the door, pushing it open with more force than necessary. Her assistant, a young woman named Eloise, perked up from her desk outside, immediately rising.“Ma’am-”“I’m going for a walk,” Madam Rossi snapped without breaking stride.“Should I call for the car? Or-”“No.” The word came like a tense command. “Do not follow me.”Eloise froze, halfway to grabbing her clipboard. “Of course, ma’am,” she said softly, bowing her head.Madam Rossi didn’t bother to respond. She march
The son of a billionaire in disguise A child
The soft clink of silverware and the murmured conversations of other customers barely reached Maria's ears as she followed Rene through the charming little bistro he had chosen.The place was tucked away on a quiet street... one of those trendy new spots where the lighting was warm, the walls were lined with eclectic art, and the staff treated every customer like royalty. It was the kind of place Rene always gravitated toward... intimate, curated, just a little indulgent.“Here we are,” Rene said gently, pulling her chair out with a flourish. “The best seat in the house.”Meeting his gaze for a second, Maria allowed a small smile as she sat, smoothing the hem of her skirt as she settled in.She wasn’t fully relaxed, but she appreciated the gesture. He always knew how to charm. Even now, after the tension that lingered like a fog around them, he knew exactly how to make her feel special.The waitress approached with a practiced smile. “Welcome to Villa di Fiore. May I get you started w
The son of a billionaire in disguise Delusional
As the ticking sound of the clock echoed in the room, Maria sat hunched over her desk, the golden afternoon light casting long shadows across the stacks of documents she’d been ignoring for a while.Now, they were her fortress. Every page she skimmed, every note she scrawled, every report she pretended to analyze, it was all a battle tactic. A desperate attempt to quiet the gnawing ache in her chest. She wouldn’t let herself think of Rene. Not his voice, not his absence, not the way the silence of the morning had stretched like a cruel whisper through her bones. She buried herself in figures and forecasts, anything to dull the truth: she was worried. And even though she dreaded the thought of it, she was scared.As she was about to sign the document, her office phone rang.Maria flinched, her pen freezing mid-word. She swallowed hard and forced herself to answer, her voice calm. “Yes?”“Ma’am?” Cassie’s voice chirped from the other end. “Your husband just walked into the building.”M
The son of a billionaire in disguise A Raising Smoke
Maria didn’t flinch. Not even a blink. Jason’s voice and words were provoking enough, but she was far too seasoned, too calculated, to give him the performance he wanted.“Harassing?” she repeated, her tone light, almost amused. She looked up at him with a faint, pitying smile. “Jason, you really should stop mistaking concern for confrontation. It makes you look… insecure.”Clarisse’s eyes widened slightly, her lips parting in quiet surprise at Maria’s restraint, though Maria caught the small twitch at the corner of her mouth.Still trying to push his narrative, Jason scowled. “You have no business interrogating her like that.”Maria turned to Clarisse, giving her a small, respectful nod. “My apologies, Mrs. Leonti. I let worry get the better of me.”Clarisse placed a gloved hand gently over Maria’s wrist. “No harm done, dear. I understand.” Her gaze flicked briefly to Jason, a flash of something critical behind the practiced warmth.Without another glance in his direction, Maria walk
The son of a billionaire in disguise Harassment
With each passing second, Maria stood in the marble hallway of the building, her heels clicking too fast against the polished floor as she turned another corner. Her eyes scanned every face, every office, every shadow like they might conjure Rene from the ether if she just looked hard enough.Nothing.Still nothing.'Where the hell was he?' The words echoed in her head.She paused, hand on her hip, the other clutching her phone like it might suddenly buzz and fix this spinning feeling in her chest. It didn’t.He hadn’t shown up. No one had seen him. His office was untouched. And her voicemail sat unheard in the void.Her heartbeat was too loud in her ears.'This isn't like him. Not even close.'And just as she turned, eyes narrowing and steps quickening-She stopped dead in her tracks.There, in the lobby near the towering glass windows, stood a woman dressed in pristine cream and pearl. Hair swept elegantly into a twist, a delicate pair of gloves tucked into her clutch. A familiar wa
The son of a billionaire in disguise Missing
The silence following Maria’s biting remark clung to the air like smoke.Layla didn’t move. Couldn’t move. Her mouth parted like she was about to respond, but nothing came. Her fingers twitched against the back of her chair, but she stayed rooted in place, her wide eyes locked on Maria’s with a hesitance that made her look smaller than she ever allowed herself to appear.Maria, meanwhile, didn’t flinch.She didn’t gloat, didn’t even blink. Her gaze remained smooth and unwavering, like a woman watching a spider try to spin a web in the wrong corner of her domain. She didn’t have to speak again. The words had already landed. Echoed. Bruised.And it was all because of Rene.Because of the way he whispered “Love you” like it was a promise no one could shake. Because of the way he kissed her forehead like it meant something more in front of those who wanted it to mean nothing. Because of the way he stood, strong, calm, and unbothered, against her cousin and uncle.Maria sat with new air ar
