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Chapter 76
Last Updated:
2024-12-04 23:01:31
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Trade Breaker Chapter 77
Aralise continued to press the call button for Dominic’s number over and over, listening to the automated message repeat that he was unavailable as she sat on the edge of her couch, her leg jerking.She hissed and threw the device onto the seat next to her. Her mother, Cassandra, sat opposite her. She raised her brow at Aralise's action, but her expression was calm, and her eyes were calculating.“It’s been three days,” Aralise said, her voice tight as she sighed with frustration. “Why hasn’t he called?” Initially, she thought her mother’s plan was foolish, but she went along with it anyway, seeking her approval—always seeking her mother's praise since childhood.Cassandra sipped her tea, her movements measured. “He’s thinking. Men like Dominic don’t act impulsively. He’s weighing his options.”“Well, he’s taking too long,” Aralise said, her voice clipped. Had her mother been straight with her, she would have put in more effort from the get-go. “What if he decides to ignore us altoget
Last Updated : 2024-12-05Trade Breaker Chapter 78
Solo leaned back on the couch, what felt like a rare moment of peace settling over her as she cradled a warm mug of tea in her hands. Across from her, Kirael stretched out lazily, her bare feet resting on the edge of the coffee table.The bassinets holding the babies were arranged nearby. The gentle rise and fall of their tiny chests reassured the two women. The living room was bathed in soft, golden light from the setting sun. The faint chirping of birds outside added to the serene ambiance.There was no Aralise to disrupt the harmony. Her absence left the house quieter but also... emptier. Solo hated to admit it, but part of her missed the constant background noise of Aralise’s antics. Most of all, she missed Daryl. The house felt soulless without her.She glanced at Kirael, noting the slight furrow in her friend’s brow as she stared at the ceiling.“Penny, for your thoughts,” Solo said, her voice light but curious.Kirael turned her head, smirking. “Not sure they’re worth that much
Last Updated : 2024-12-07Trade Breaker Chapter 79
“Dad!” Solo’s voice raised an octave at the sight of her father. “What are you doing here?” she asked, grinning and pulling him through the door for a hug, not waiting for him to answer. He held her as tightly as she held him.Then, stepping back a little, Ralph Delaney gripped her shoulders and pushed her away so he could examine her. His gaze flew up and down over her body as he spun her around.“I’m here because I miss my baby girl, and I wanted to see my grandchildren. Are you okay? Is your body all right? I know the twins came early. How are they doing?” After he had spoken, his eyes darted around the room as if searching for something.”“What are you looking for?”“My grandkids, where are they?”"They are in the living room. This way, I'll introduce you to them." Solo said, pulling her father by the sleeve toward the open doorway.”"Your grandmother should be here in an hour." He said as he let her drag him into the room—hearing this, Solo raised a brow but said nothing."Hi, Ki
Last Updated : 2024-12-08Trade Breaker Chapter 80
Solo shook off the bitter thoughts and focused on packing. She grabbed a large suitcase from her closet and began packing clothes, toiletries, and other essentials. As she packed, she could hear muffled voices from the living room—her father's rumble and an unfamiliar female's refined tone—her grandmother, no doubt.Kirael appeared in the doorway, arms full of baby supplies."I've grabbed some more of the boys' things," she said. "How are you doing?""Almost done," Solo said, zipping up her suitcase. "I just need to grab the diaper bag."Kirael nodded. "Good. Your grandmother's here. She seems...intense."Solo snorted. "I bet. I've never met the woman, and now we're fleeing the country together.""Life's funny that way," Kirael said with a wry smile. "Come on, finish up, and let's go meet her."They made their way to the living room, where Ralph stood next to an elegant older woman. Her silver hair was styled in an intricate updo, and she was dressed in an expensive-looking pantsuit.
Last Updated : 2024-12-09Trade Breaker Chapter 81
As the car sped toward the private airport, Vivian’s mind wandered to when everything began. She and Clara Washington, now known as old Madam Hale. They grew up together and were the best of friends. Having lived next door to each other, they went to the same schools and college and worked for the same intelligence team.When Clara married Albert Hale, the two women couldn’t have predicted the outcome of such a union, but their lives were never the same again. Only the firstborn, Hale children, are told the secret to the family fortune—where it exists and how to access it should the need arise.It was rumored to be a never-ending supply of wealth.Most people believe it to be folklore as the story has been handed down throughout the centuries, and only a handful of family members know the truth, mainly the second branch of the Hale family, Albert’s twin brother Gilbert.No one knew the level of Gilbert’s greed until he attempted to kill Albert and Clara’s soon-to-be-born and only chil
Last Updated : 2024-12-10Trade Breaker Chapter 82
A bump in the road jolted Vivian out of her reverie and back to the present. She gazed at the other passengers—her son, granddaughter, and great-grandchildren. She’d missed so much of their lives already. Sadness and regret seeped into her. How much more of their lives will she have to miss before this madness is over?Why did the greed and ambitions of contemptible people have to affect everyone else's life? To protect their son, she and Clara had to remove themselves at different stages of his life. She allowed her mind to return to the day before when Clara visited her.She had stood by the large bay window of her drawing room, the silk curtains brushing against her arm as a cool breeze filtered in. She held a cup of chamomile tea, the porcelain warm against her palm as Clara's previous words had sent her mind elsewhere.The soft hum of Clara’s voice drew her back to the present. Clara sat in an armchair nearby, her back straight, her sharp eyes scanning a file of papers spread acr
Last Updated : 2024-12-12Trade Breaker Chapter 83
Chapter 82The hum of the jet engines filled the cabin, a steady rhythm against the soft leather seats and polished wooden accents. Solo sat by the window, gazing at the endless clouds.The sharp scent of fresh espresso mingled with the faint tang of aviation fuel, grounding her in the surreal reality of returning to the States after months of hiding in Florence.Her father settled into the seat across from her, a glass of scotch in his hand. He studied her, a smile tugging at his lips.“I meant to say this earlier…seeing you again after all these years, I almost didn’t recognize you,” he said, breaking the silence. “You’ve grown into quite the woman, Solo.”Solo turned to face him, a faint smile gracing her lips. “Don’t exaggerate, Dad. It’s only been a few years—you’ve seen me plenty of times. We’ve had hundreds of video calls over the years I spent with Dominic. It’s only been this year that we couldn’t do that.”Ralph chuckled, his gaze softening. “Even if it is a little under a
Last Updated : 2024-12-15Trade Breaker Chapter 84
Kirael shifted in her seat, adjusting the snug airline seatbelt as the hum of the plane’s engines filled the cabin. The faint scent of reheated airline meals wafted through the air, mingling with the occasional coos from the baby carriers beside them. She glanced at Solo, whose face was turned toward the window, her profile a mask of tension as clouds rolled by them. The dim cabin lights highlighted the shadows under Solo’s eyes, a sign of the burdens she carried.Kirael placed her hand tentatively on Solo’s knee, her touch warm and grounding against the denim. “I heard what your dad said,” she began softly, her voice tinged with concern and curiosity.Solo didn’t respond immediately. Her jaw clenched, the lines of her profile etched with defiance.Kirael’s lips pressed into a tight line, determination flickering in her eyes. She gently patted Solo’s thigh and let her fingers trail upward to touch Solo’s cheek. The gesture was careful, almost maternal, as she turned Solo’s face toward
Last Updated : 2024-12-17
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Trade Breaker Chapter 99
Sapphire sat in her wheelchair outside Aralise's door, her hand hovering mid-air before rapping her knuckles against the worn wood. As she waited, her heart pounded with nervous anticipation. She was tired of the facade and the constant dance of half-truths and veiled intentions. Tonight, she would get answers.The door creaked open, and Aralise's face appeared in the dim light of the hallway. Her eyebrows raised in mocked surprise at the late-night visitor."Sapphire? Is everything alright?" Aralise asked, her voice tinged with a tone Sapphire couldn’t quite work out.Sapphire took a deep breath, steeling herself. "We need to talk," she said. "May I come in?"Aralise hesitated, then nodded and stepped aside. As Sapphire entered the room, her gaze darted around it, briefly pausing before landing on the pile of discarded clothes on the floor and draped over furniture. It was evident that Aralise's understanding of tidiness was woefully lacking.Turning to face her host, Sapphire met Ar
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Sapphire wheeled herself into the confines of her mother's house, the familiar scent of cinnamon and vanilla greeting her as the door clicked shut behind her. Once inside, she glanced around, something she had become used to doing over the years to ensure she was alone.Satisfied, she rose from the wheelchair, her legs stiff from disuse. She made her way to the kitchen, her footsteps echoing in the empty hallway.As she entered the sun-drenched kitchen, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. She had just poured herself a cup when she heard the front door open and close."Sapphire, are you here?" her mother asked."In the kitchen, Mom," Sapphire said, settling back into her wheelchair.Her mother appeared in the doorway, concerned and exasperated. She sighed and shook her head as she took in the sight of her daughter in the wheelchair."How long are you going to keep this up, Sapphire?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry. "This pretense... it's not healthy."Sapphire's
Trade Breaker Chapter 97
“How was your weekend? Did you do what I told you?” Aralise’s mother asked, her voice laced with excitement.“I tried, Mom, I did. But he left with Daryl.” Arlise’s tone was flat with a hint of defeat.“What do you mean he left with Daryl?”“I told him I was coming to the manor to spend time with Daryl because I miss her. And he agreed.” Aralise moved to the window and stared out, looking at nothing in particular. She just needed to move away from feeling stagnant.“If he agreed, why did he leave?”“I don’t know. When I got there laden with gifts, Isabella told me Dominic and Daryl had gone out. She didn’t know when they’d be back and that I could wait in the drawing room.” She exhaled.“Then what happened?” Casandra’s voice held a note of impatience.“Nothing happened. I waited, but they never came back.”“Waited?” There was a pause on the other end. “How long did you wait?” Disbelief could be hurt in her voice.“I waited the entire weekend. They never came back. It was so humiliatin
Trade Breaker Chapter 96
Dominic stood in the foyer of the mansion, his fingers trailing along the polished banister as he ascended the staircase. The sound of a violin drifted down from the upper floor, its melancholy notes tugging at his heart. He paused midway, closing his eyes to listen.Five years had passed since Solo left him, but the ache lingered. Dominic had devoted himself to raising Daryl and nurturing her musical talent. He'd watched with pride as she collected award after award, her name becoming synonymous with virtuosity in classical circles.As the violin's song reached its crescendo, Dominic resumed his climb. He approached Daryl's practice room, the door ajar. Through the gap, he could see his daughter—eyes closed in concentration as her small fingers danced the bow across the strings.The sunlight streaming through the window caught the golden highlights in her hair, reminding Dominic of autumn leaves.He leaned against the doorframe, content to watch in silence. As he studied his amazing
Trade Breaker Chapter 95
Vivian's hands trembled as she dialed the number, her heart pounding with excitement and trepidation. The line crackled to life, and she heard the familiar voice of her old friend on the other end."Clara, it's me," Vivian whispered, glancing over her shoulder to ensure she was alone."Vivian? What's going on? Your message sounded urgent," Clara replied, concern evident in her tone.“Is the line secure?”‘Yes, what’s wrong?”Vivian took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation ahead. "I need your help. It's about the babies, our grandchildren. There's something... different about them."She paused, searching for the right words to explain the inexplicable. "They’re gifted, Clara. Their intelligence could be off the charts. I've never seen such potential in children so young."Clara remained silent on the other end, waiting for Vivian to continue. Vivian's voice grew hushed as she recounted the incidents she had witnessed of the children playing in the sandbox.“I’m not sur
Trade Breaker Chapter 94
Solo and Kirael stepped outside, the sun warming their faces as they surveyed the scene. In the sandbox, the children immersed themselves in their creations, each enthusiastically pursuing their interests.Damien's hands moved as he sculpted a miniature version of the main house in the sand. His brow furrowed as he added details to the tiny windows and doors. His creation showcased his keen eye and budding architectural skills.Beside him, Daniel sat cross-legged, his finger tracing patterns in the sand. At first glance, the patterns appeared to be squiggles. Closer inspection revealed that the boy had etched what looked like lines of code into the granular canvas. The symbols and numbers flowed logically, hinting at Daniel's understanding of computer languages.Nora's tongue peeked out from the corner of her mouth as she twisted and turned a colorful Rubik's cube in her hands. Her eyes darted across the faces of the puzzle, her mind working through the algorithms to align the colors.
Trade Breaker Chapter 93
Solo smiled as she gazed out the window of their converted office and workstation. The afternoon light filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows across the lawn, where the children played in a sand pit supervised by the nanny Kirael’s parents insisted on.It had been a whirlwind year filled with resentments, regrets, challenges, rewards, and moments of joy.Her grandmother’s mansion was huge, consisting of a main house and a few smaller houses connected by long cobbled pathways leading to the main house.She remembered her time in Florence and the emergence of Solaire Designs, a contractual enterprise that started within the House of Ricci, which was just a fledgling dream of hers and was encouraged by Charles.After only one year, and with the help of her dear friends, it had blossomed into a thriving business, exceeding both her and Kirael's most optimistic projections. The successful completion of their contract with the House of Ricci and sub-contract with the House of L
Trade Breaker Chapter 92
Miles let himself into the office—he walked in carrying a keyboard, its keys gleaming under the office lights, and headed toward the play area. “Where’s my little sunshine?” he said, pretending not to see her chewing on the corner of a plastic brick. Daryl giggled at the tall man towering above her, her chubby hands dropping the brick as she staggered to her feet, wobbling toward him with arms outstretched. Her delighted squeals filled the room.“Ma, ma,” she called, her baby voice sweet and endearing.“Hey, ugly Mama, I’m here too. Did you miss me as you strolled past?” Dominic’s voice cut in, laced with mock indignation. He chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “What’s that you’re carrying?”“I noticed the last time I came how much she liked the music box I gave her and wondered if she wanted to create some music of her own,” Miles replied, setting the keyboard down on the floor.Dominic raised a brow, suspicion flickering in his eyes. “You mean you noticed how much that thing irrita
Trade Breaker Chapter 91
Closing his laptop, Dominic gazed at the play area in the corner of his office. A bittersweet smile on his face. He never imagined his life would turn out this way, but here he was, a single father doing his best to protect and nurture the precious little girl who had stolen his heart.He sighed, running a hand through his hair. He remembered moving the nursery to the room next to his, which Solo had once used for her artwork, and having to build an adjoining door to his bedroom after finding Daryl crying alone in her room.Aralise was nowhere to be seen while Sapphire played music in her room, which was so loud it could wake the dead. Appalled by their disgraceful, neglectful behavior, he called for the builders to do the necessary building work and moved Darryl’s cot into his room as a short-term solution.The mother returned several hours later, laden with shopping and a carefree smile. When he confronted them, both women said that the other was responsible. Aralise stated that Sap
