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The neglected child
Last Updated:
2024-09-18 21:28:50
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The son of a billionaire in disguise Your prized heir
Without a word, Carlo led Maria down the hallway, his stride steady, his hands clasped behind his back. She walked beside him, her pulse quickening as the silence settled between them. She stole a glance at her grandfather, still trying to wrap her mind around the fact that he was taking her to lunch... just the two of them.The elevator doors opened with a soft chime, and they stepped inside. The silence stretched on, but it didn’t feel uncomfortable. Still, Maria couldn’t help but wonder what this was really about. Was there an ulterior motive, or was her grandfather genuinely trying to spend time with her? She pushed the thought away, focusing on the moment.As the elevator descended, the polished steel doors reflected their stillness. Carlo’s expression remained as unreadable as ever, but Maria’s heart swelled a little, being this close to him.When the elevator finally opened into the front lobby of the company, the usual hum of activity greeted them. News about her getting th
Last Updated : 2024-09-19The son of a billionaire in disguise It's in the contract
Before Carlo could respond, the black SUV glided to a stop in front of them. The driver, dressed in his usual crisp black suit, stepped out and opened the door with a polite nod. With calm eyes, Carlo gestured for Maria to get in, and with a soft sigh, she slipped into the backseat. Her grandfather followed, settling in beside her. The car pulled away from the curb, merging smoothly into traffic.Keeping her silence, Maria stared out the window, her thoughts racing as her grandfather sat there, hands folded neatly in his lap, his gaze fixed ahead. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, a dozen questions swirling in her mind, but she kept them at bay for now.As the car drove through the city streets, Maria’s eyes drifted to the rearview mirror, catching glimpses of the buildings fading into the distance. Finally, the car slowed to a stop in front of an upscale restaurant nestled on a quiet street corner. 'La Maison Étoilée?' Maria thought, swallowing her nervousness.It was flashy
Last Updated : 2024-09-20The son of a billionaire in disguise You are scared
Trying to keep it all in, Maria’s fingers tightened around the edges of the menu, her eyes scanning the options but not really seeing any of them. Her mind was elsewhere, replaying her grandfather's words over and over.Then finally, she glanced up, catching Carlo watching her from across the table, his expression calm but calculating. Immediately, her heart started to pound in her chest as the realization slowly crept over her. 'This entire lunch... You parading me around like some prized asset wasn't about celebrating my success. No, this is about Kia. This is all about manipulating me to bring Kia back under your control.'The realization hit her like a punch to the gut, and the truth was suddenly glaringly obvious as her lids lowered, 'You are scared. Kia defied you this morning, standing his ground... this is what this is really about. Despite everything, he's gaining a foothold in the Rossi family with his new job. And you hated it. you wanted him back under your thumb... want
Last Updated : 2024-09-21The son of a billionaire in disguise His terms
Suddenly, Bianca’s fork clattered against her plate as she blurted out, “You can’t be serious, Grandfather!”Her voice rang out through the room, drawing everyone’s attention. The tension at the table escalated instantly, but Bianca wasn’t backing down. She turned to her father and brother, both sitting in stoic silence, their gazes fixed on Carlo. Frustration bubbled within her. “Dad? Jason? You’re not going to say anything?”Neither of them moved. Antonio sipped his wine, eyes lowered, while Jason’s expression remained unreadable, his jaw tight but still not a word. Bianca’s eyes widened in disbelief, and she scoffed, throwing her napkin down in frustration.Before she could utter another word, Carlo cleared his throat, his voice cutting through the room. “Bianca, that’s enough.”Her mouth snapped shut as her grandfather’s cold, authoritative tone silenced her. She knew better than to push further when he spoke like that. There was a weight to his words that made defiance feel fut
Last Updated : 2024-09-22The son of a billionaire in disguise This is insanity
Locking eyes with Rene, Carlo's expression remained calm, but there was a new intensity in his eyes. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as if considering Rene’s proposition carefully. The silence in the room grew with the tension, everyone waiting for his next move."Alright," Carlo said slowly, his voice smooth. "Perhaps the head of management isn’t the only path. There are other positions available, Kia. Important ones." Then he leaned forward, his gaze locking onto Rene's. "What if I offered you the role of head of marketing? It’s a prestigious position, one with a lot of influence."Before Rene could respond, Bianca’s eyes widened, and she practically jumped out of her chair. “What?!” she exclaimed, her voice shaking with disbelief. “You’re going to give him my position? I’ve worked for years to build the department! You can’t just hand it over to him.”Without meeting her eyes, Carlo waved a dismissive hand in her direction. “Bianca, calm down. It’s just business.
Last Updated : 2024-09-23The son of a billionaire in disguise The mocking silence
The heavy oak door of their bedroom clicked shut behind them, the soft thud reverberating through the quiet but Maria didn’t turn around. She stood rigid, her back to Rene, staring out the large bay window that overlooked the sprawling Rossi estate. The night was dark, with only the faint glow of the moon casting shadows across the room.Rene sighed, slipping off his jacket and tossing it onto the chair by the door. He could feel the tension radiating off her, even from across the room. Her shoulders were tense, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. He knew what was coming... she had barely spoken a word to him since they left the dinner.“I had to do it,” he started, his voice calm but cautious.With each passing silent second, Maria’s posture stiffened even more, her silence a sharper weapon than any words she could have thrown at him. "Maria, look at me," Rene called out softly.The room felt heavy, but finally, after a long pause, she finally turned around, her eyes blazing
Last Updated : 2024-09-24The son of a billionaire in disguise He’s your man
At the sound of the shower turning on, Rene woke to an empty bed. The sheets beside him were cold, and the heavy feeling in his chest from the night before still lingered.The sound of water running in the bathroom made him rub his face, trying to shake off the heaviness. The argument played over and over in his mind. He knew she was hurt, and he hated that he couldn’t fix it right now. Not without making choices he wasn’t ready to make.A moment later, when Maria finally walked out of the bathroom, her hair damp and her robe wrapped tightly around her, she didn’t say a word. She barely glanced at him, her movements brisk as she moved about the room. The silent treatment had begun.“Morning,” Rene ventured cautiously, sitting up in bed, his voice hesitant, testing the waters. No response. Maria continued getting ready, her back to him, brushing her hair in front of the mirror. The soft swoosh of the brush against her hair was the only sound in the room, the tension between them ris
Last Updated : 2024-09-25The son of a billionaire in disguise That’s not enough
Without knocking, Benjamin barged into his father’s office, his anger barely contained as he swung the door open. Inside, he saw his father, Mr. Leland, standing by his desk, phone pressed to his ear, brow furrowed in frustration. The man on the other end of the line was none other than the bank president.After a brief silence, Mr. Leland's voice came out tight with desperation. "Yes, I understand we’ve been late on the last few payments, but we're doing everything in our power to rectify the situation."There was a long pause, the bank president's voice too muffled to make out, but Benjamin could tell by the frown on his father’s face that it wasn’t going well. The older man rubbed his temples, clearly struggling to keep his composure. "Just give us more time," Mr. Leland pleaded. "We’ve never been this far behind, but it’s temporary. The business will bounce back."The frustration in the bank president’s tone was unmistakable, and after a few more back-and-forth exchanges, the li
Last Updated : 2024-09-26
Latest chapter
The son of a billionaire in disguise A crack
The morning sun spilled through the tall windows of the Rossi estate, its light bouncing off the polished wood floors. The house was unnervingly quiet except for the low murmur of conversation coming from Jason's study. Inside, Jason and his father, Antonio, sat in heavy leather chairs, each nursing a glass of expensive whiskey, their expressions grim but contemplative.The heavy oak door creaked open without warning, and in popped Bianca, her face flushed with excitement. She didn’t even bother to close the door as she practically bounced on her heels."You won't believe it!" she announced loudly, her voice spilling into the hallway. "Maria and Kia fought last night! I heard it with my own ears!"Jason’s head snapped up, his eyes narrowing into slits. He rose swiftly from his chair, crossed the room in two strides, and grabbed Bianca by the wrist, yanking her inside. With a rough jerk, he slammed the door shut and turned the lock with a loud click. He glared down at her, his voice a
The son of a billionaire in disguise A promise
“I don’t care!” Maria’s voice cracked.Rene blinked, caught off guard. She wasn’t yelling to be dramatic. This wasn’t some jealous outburst she’d regret in an hour. This... this was different. Her eyes were wild and wet, her chest rising and falling in sharp waves. Her hands were clenched so tightly at her sides, it was like she was holding herself together by sheer will.“Then avoid her,” she snapped. “Leave the room. Walk the other way. I don’t care how awkward it is or who notices. I’m telling you right now... If you ever willingly share space with her again, we’re done. Do you hear me? Done.”His mouth opened, but no words came out.She meant it.Every syllable landed like a punch, and he could see in her eyes she wasn’t bluffing. There was no fire-and-ice whirlwind here, no threat tossed into the air just to watch it fall. This was real. This was her drawing a line in the sand with shaking hands.“You don’t understand what this does to me,” she said, stepping closer. Her voice ha
The son of a billionaire in disguise The forbidden word
As the seconds passed, Maria stood there, frozen, her hands hovering over the now-open pink box.Watching her a few feet away, Rene didn't move. He stood at the edge of the room, his fists clenched at his sides, as though bracing for impact.Inside the box, carefully folded and stacked with painstaking intention, were pieces of a life Maria had never lived… Rene’s life before her.At the very top sat an oversized navy blue hoodie, the fabric soft and worn at the elbows. Maria touched it like it might burn her. The faint smell of cologne still clung to it. Her fingers trembled as she picked it up and beneath it, she saw more... another hoodie and more stuff that seemed to belong to him.“She kept your clothes.” Maria chuckled, eyeing Rene. Underneath them were some pajamas… soft flannel ones in faded pinks and creams, obviously too small to be Rene’s. Folded beside them were a couple of plush teddy bears, the kind you win at a fair, with one having a crooked little bow.Then came the
The son of a billionaire in disguise A gift from his ex
The tires had barely stilled when Rene turned off the engine. The quiet hum of the Rossi estate’s grand driveway didn’t soothe the storm rising in his chest.He glanced at Maria beside him.She hadn’t spoken much during the drive. She was staring straight ahead, lips pressed into a thin line. Her hand was resting near the console. He tried to reach for it, brushing her knuckles lightly, just to feel her warmth. But she didn’t flinch, didn’t look at him.Then she blinked.And her entire body stiffened.“Don’t tell me…” she muttered.Rene followed her gaze and his jaw clenched.Their eyes locked on Layla, standing in front of the mansion, leaning against her car like she’d been planted there for hours. Her arms were crossed, her knuckles white, like she’d been gripping something too hard for too long. The moment she spotted them, her lips curved into a sweet, slow smile.Pushing the car door open, Rene’s entire body went tense.He stepped out of the car first, moving toward Maria’s side
The son of a billionaire in disguise Ready... Set... Action
The room was too quiet now. Too still.Layla’s heart pounded as she stood slowly, hoping Jason wouldn’t notice the tremor in her steps. Her voice was calm, “I got rid of everything.”Jason didn’t respond at first. He simply stared at her with a predator’s stillness. Then he nodded slowly, lips twitching into a faint smile.“Everyone out,” he said, not taking his eyes off Layla.Smiling at her brother, Bianca’s brows lifted, amused. “All of us?”Jason didn’t blink. “Except her.”With a deep sigh, Antonio paused, narrowed his gaze toward his son, and then at Layla, whose face had paled. He was quiet for a moment before setting his drink down with a heavy clink.“Be careful,” he muttered, then turned and walked out.Holding in her breath, Bianca lingered, an eyebrow raised, clearly enjoying the tension before Jason snapped, “Bianca.”“Alright, alright,” she said, smirking as she glided past Layla. “Have fun, lovebirds.”Watching them with desperate eyes, Layla’s breath hitched as the doo
The son of a billionaire in disguise This is sick. I love it.
The office smelled like cedarwood. The heavy oval desk gleamed beneath the amber lights as Jason stood at the head of the room now, sleeves rolled up, tie loosened, the embodiment of calm arrogance as he paced slowly before the others.Eyes glinting with mischief, Bianca lounged on the leather sofa, glass of wine in hand, already smiling at her brother’s smug expression. Antonio stood by the liquor cabinet, refilling his drink but watching Jason closely. Layla sat stiffly, arms crossed, her gaze wary but silent.Finally, Jason stopped pacing and turned toward them, a smirk creeping across his face.“Well,” he said, voice rich with satisfaction, “it worked. Exactly like I said it would.”Pausing the wine glass to her bottom lip, Bianca’s smile widened. “What? You mean you actually getting Maria to question him?”When their eyes locked with such a sinister glance, Jason let out a short laugh.“I didn’t just make her question him,” he said. “I planted doubt in her like a slow-burning fus
The son of a billionaire in disguise No clever answer
When Rene didn't utter a word, Maria’s voice cracked again. “Would you stay away from her? Completely. If it comes to me or her?”Rene looked at her... really looked at her... and something in his eyes shifted. It wasn’t anger. It wasn’t guilt. It was something much heavier. Something sad.He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he drew in a breath, slow and deliberate, before speaking in a voice so quiet she almost missed it.“If I have to cut someone out of my life just to prove that I love you... then what we have isn’t love. It’s fear.”Maria blinked, stunned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”“It means,” Rene said, tone still calm, but laced with an ache she hadn’t expected, “that if you don’t trust me… if you honestly believe that I’d cross a line with Layla, then we don’t have the kind of foundation a marriage is supposed to be built on.”Her throat closed around a lump she couldn’t swallow. Every breath started to feel heavier.He stepped closer, slow and steady. “You’re asking m
The son of a billionaire in disguise No In-Between
When Rene suddenly locked eyes with her, Maria’s breath hitched. Again.The words Jason had thrown at him, felt like daggers dipped in honey, sliced through something fragile in her chest. She could feel her heart pounding against her ribs, loud, loud, too loud.And Rene… he hadn’t moved.Hadn’t spoken.But his fists were clenched so tightly at his sides that it was a wonder his knuckles hadn’t split open.“Maria-” Vittoria tried again, her voice concerned now. “Say something.”“I…” Maria started, glancing at her mother.But her voice cracked. Broke like glass under pressure.Rene turned his head, eyes meeting hers for the briefest second.And she knew.He’d heard the silence too.She opened her mouth again, but-Rene stepped forward, quiet but purposeful, reached for her hand, and gently pulled her to her feet.Everyone’s heads turned. Gasps. Whispers.Mad at her daughter humiliated because of Rene again, Vittoria reached forward slightly. “Maria, wait-”But Rene didn’t even glance b
The son of a billionaire in disguise The effect of History
The silence after Jason's question clung to the room like smoke after a fire. All eyes turned to Maria.Her gaze was locked on Rene.She didn’t speak.Didn’t blink.Didn’t move.And that alone said more than any answer she could have given.Jason saw it.The hesitance.The falter.The smallest stutter in her usually calm facade.He smiled, the kind of smug only someone who knew he had struck the right nerve could smile.“Maria?” he said softly, feigning confusion. “Cat got your tongue?”Lowering her gaze, Maria opened her mouth, then closed it again.Her lips parted just slightly, her throat working around the words she couldn’t quite force out.“I–” she managed.One syllable.Choked.Unable to restrain the rage burning his chest, Rene turned toward her slightly, his jaw flexing just once, but Jason cut in before he could say anything.“Don’t feel pressured,” Jason added smoothly, shrugging a little. “It’s not like anyone’s expecting you to defend him. After all, it’s not like he’s gi
