MasukShare
Chapter Fifty-one: No turning Back
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-03-19 21:58:45
Bab terkait
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Fifty-two: The First Domino Falls
The war was no longer a future event—it had already begun. In the dim light of his office, Adrian observed the screens before him, fingers steepled in thought. The only sound was the quiet flickering of data scrolling across various monitors. Luca and Connor had done their jobs efficiently. The encrypted files they had gathered from Seraphim were not merely evidence; they were a sentence of doom. Names. Dates. Transactions. Everything Ethan had worked so hard to hide was now in Adrian’s possession. Meanwhile, Gwen was busy, channeling crucial evidence to trusted journalists and anonymous whistleblower platforms. Each leak was meticulously executed, intended not just to expose Ethan but also to destabilize him. Adrian wasn’t aiming for a mere scandal. He wanted chaos. If Ethan's business partners began to withdraw, if his allies started fearing for their security, the very foundation of his empire would begin to crack. And once the first cracks appeared, it would all come crash
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-19Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Fifty-three: The Edge of the Abyss
Leila was gone.Adrian stood still for a brief moment, Luca's word slamming into his skull like a bullet.She’s missing.The weight of those two words shifted something profound within him. The war had been brutal already, but now it felt deeply personal, in a way that went beyond strategy and power games.An oppressive silence hung in the penthouse, weighted by the gravity of the situation. Connor stood alert, awaiting Adrian’s next move. But he didn’t panic. He didn't lash out.Instead, his mind became sharp, cool, and strategic.Ethan had her.And that meant there was only one possible response.His voice was steady, imbued with a deadly focus. “Tell me everything.”Luca sprang into action, pulling up security footage on his tablet. His jaw was clenched, movements deliberate. Though he had reviewed the recordings before, he now scrutinized them this time with a fresh level of attentiveness.“I checked the cameras,” Luca reported, tension evident in his voice. “Leila went to take a
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-19Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Fifty-four: Into the Fire
Adrian's SUV sped through the city, lights and shadows merging as he raced toward Ethan—and Leila. The tension inside the vehicle was thick, like an electric charge in the air, but Adrian forced himself maintained his composure. He suppressed the cold rage brewing within him, refusing to allow his emotions to influence his decisions.Ethan wanted him to act impulsively.But Adrian would not fall into that trap.He rhythmically drummed his fingers on his thigh, his focus fixed on the dim skyline outside. His mind was already strategizing, evaluating every potential move Ethan might make.“Gwen, what’s the situation at the estate?” he asked, his voice steady.Gwen’s response came sharp and focused through the speaker. “It’s an old pre-war structure, but Ethan has upgraded the security features. There are motion sensors, reinforced entry points, and a heat-mapping perimeter.” After a brief pause, she added, “He’s fortified it—this place isn’t just abandoned; it’s a fortress.”Adrian clen
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-20Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Fifty-five: No Way Out
The atmosphere in the room was stifling, filled with a tension so oppressive that it felt on the verge of breaking with the slightest breath. The silence that streched between Adrian and Ethan was electric, reminiscent of the calm before a storm.Adrian’s thoughts raced, weighing possibilities and strategizing ways to turn the dire situation to his advantage. He and Connor were encircled by twelve armed men, their weapons aimed with lethal accuracy. The red laser sights aimed at his chest served as a grim reminder of the overwhelming odds they faced.Then there was Leila.Bound and exposed, just feet away from Ethan. Fear flickered in her dark eyes, but beneath it, Adrian discerned something deeper—trust. She had faith that he would rescue her. He had no choice but to prove her faith right.Ethan’s smirk grew as he scrutinized Adrian like a predator toying with its prey. “Come now,” he jeered, tilting his head slightly. “Don’t look so grim. You knew how this would end the moment you
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-20Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Fifty-six: Aftermath
The SUV tore through the dark night, its powerful engine rumbling as it wound along the twisting roads. Each mile increased the separation from the estate and Ethan, but being farther away didn’t mean they were safe—at least, not yet.Tension filled the vehicle like smoke, thick and oppressive.Adrian sat tense, his body taut and his keen eyes fixed on the shadows outside the window. His arm rested lightly around Leila—not for comfort, but out of necessity. She trembled, her wrists raw and stained with blood from where the zip ties had cut into her skin. Still, she hadn’t made a sound since they escaped. No tears or words—only silence.Connor occupied the front passenger seat, methodically reloading his gun, his movements quick and practiced. Luca gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white as he pushed the SUV to its limits.No one uttered a word.Adrian forced himself to look at Leila. She was staring at the floor, her face ghostly pale in the dim light. He exhaled slowl
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-21Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Fifty-seven: Glass Walls
The silence in the safehouse pressed heavily against Leila, cold and suffocating. It clung to her, penetrating deeply into her bones, curled around her lungs until each breath felt increasingly burdensome.She remained on the worn couch where Adrian had left her, her gaze fixed on the cracked concrete wall before her. Her body felt alien, as if it no longer belonged to her but to the chaotic events of the past few hours—events that had drained her emotionally, leaving her feeling hollow.Above, she could hear Connor moving deliberately—his footsteps steady, each step filled with intent. He was securing the area, setting traps, ensuring their safety with the unwavering focus of someone trained for battle. The sporadic clicks of weapons being checked and loaded interrupted the silence, a stark reminder that safety was merely an illusion.And Adrian?He hadn't looked at her since he turned away.Perhaps that was easier.Leila exhaled unsteadily, pressing her fingers to her temples. The r
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-21Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Fifty-eight:Fault Lines
The door clicked shut behind her, yet Adrian remained motionless.The absence of Leila made the room feel colder, the silence surrounding him intensifying like a vice. His jaw tightened as he exhaled, struggling to stay composed despite the turmoil within. But it was futile.Leila’s words reverberated in the stifling stillness, sharp as blades, piercing like needles, cutting deeper than he would ever dare acknowledge.I decide who I am when this is all over.The fear that gripped him was almost unbearable.Because he no longer knew who she really was to him.Is she just a pawn that he acquired by a contract marriage? Or someone more than what he assumes she is?At some point, this had ceased to be about power or pride. Somewhere amid the violence and betrayal, during every glance she cast his way as if awaiting his abandonment—Adrian lost sight of the man he once was.The man who could walk away.The ruthless billionaire that doesn't do attachments or feelings.Now, every decision fe
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-21Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Fifty-nine: Kingdom Falls
As dawn's first light began to break, Leila sensed a change in the air. It was subtle, an unspoken tension weaving through the silence, but it was there heavy and suffocating. Outside the safehouse, the world was beginning to stir, yet time felt frozen within its walls.Adrian hadn’t slept. She didn’t need to ask to confirm it. He was by the window, aloof and tense, staring at the floor as if it held the answers he sought. There was a deeper darkness about him, a weariness that hinted at something more dangerous than mere tiredness.The door creaked open, revealing Connor, who entered cautiously. He quickly assessed the room before asking, “Are we moving?”Adrian continued to gaze out the window. “Yeah.”Leila forced herself off the bed, ignoring the dull ache in her body. Every part of her urged her to stay put, to rest a little longer, but she understood that stillness was an illusion. Safety was a lie, and postponing action would only make their inevitable fall harder when it came
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-21
Bab terbaru
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Five — When Familiar Comes Home
Gwen's Arrival Gwen arrived on a cloud-covered afternoon, when the world seemed to hold its breath. Leila stood on the sacred-feeling brownstone steps, her pale wool scarf wrapped around her, her coat partially zipped over her gently rounded stomach. The air was infused with the scent of wet stone and lavender, faint traces of the cleaning oil lingering around the house's edges.When the cab arrived, Leila remained still, watching Gwen emerge, carrying a worn canvas bag. Gwen's thin coat appeared more appropriate for warmer weather, and her hair was pulled up in a messy knot, strands flying loose in the breeze.They exchanged silent glances across the distance for a moment.Then Gwen dropped the bag and bounded up the stairs in two swift strides.Leila stepped forward just in time to catch her, and they embraced—tight and sudden, yet utterly right. Gwen's arms wrapped around Leila's back, her breath hitching against Leila's shoulder."You look like spring," Gwen murmured, her voice t
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Four — The Spaces We Fill
Few days later, they navigated the renovated brownstone as if they were gliding through the pages of a story they'd once only dared to imagine.The floors, once scattered with splinters and gaps, had been replaced with reclaimed wood that hummed gracefully beneath their feet. The staircase—rebuilt, sanded, and stained—no longer creaked under their weight but instead welcomed them into their newly crafted existence. Each room exuded the lingering aroma of fresh paint, pine wood polish, and lavender oil—an unusual yet soothing blend that lingered in the air like a cherished memory.Leila paused in the entryway, running her fingers along the newly fitted doorframe. Her other hand rested on the slight curve of her belly, subtly hidden under her sweater but undeniable to her. She watched as Adrian moved through the living room, skillfully opening the windows to let in the gentle spring breeze.She smiled slightly. “It feels like it’s alive.”Adrian looked back at her, his gaze softening. “
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Three — What we're Building
LeilaThe nausea didn't creep in-- it slammed into her suddenly, like a crashing wave.One moment, she was on the gallery floor, crouched in a patch of warm light, her hands buried in fabric samples she'd been collecting over the past week. She had midnight blue for the reading nook and a muted rose she hoped would work in the nursery—gentle and grounding. This task felt reassuring, providing a rare sense of control amidst the chaos.Then, without warning, everything shifted.The room spun violently, causing her stomach to turn with it. Her hands slipped off the pile of swatches, and she barely managed to get to her feet and rush to the bathroom, gripping the doorframe for support as her heart raced. She felt clammy and disoriented, as if her own body had betrayed her.Nausea struck in relentless waves while she leaned over the sink, gripping the cold porcelain and breathing shallowly through her nose. Her reflection revealed pale skin and heavy, shadowed eyes.By the time Adrian arri
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Two: Told in Gentle Light
Pregnancy RevealLeila dialed Gwen from the gallery, her fingers quivering slightly as she made the call.The space was empty that morning, still resonating with the echoes of laughter and footsteps from the other night’s opening. Sunlight filtered through the tall windows, creating long, golden lines on the smooth concrete floor. Her latest collection adorned the walls—images that felt like fragments of her heart captured in ink and shadow. Yet none of these works, not even the proudest or most vulnerable work she'd hung there, compared to what she felt within her now.Gwen picked up on the third ring, her voice thick with sleep and that familiar, dry-edged affection.“Hello?” came the croaky murmur.“I didn’t wake you, did I?” Leila asked, slowly pacing between two canvases. She paused in front of one featuring Adrian at the lake, wind tousling his hair and vulnerability etched in every feature. It was one of the few photos she had been unable to let go of.“You did,” Gwen replied w
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-One-Laying the Foundation
----LeilaThat morning, their conversation was sparse—not due to avoidance or a lack of topics, but because the weight of what had just shifted between them made words feel.....too small.Silence wrapped around them like a comforting blanket—not chilly or distant, but respectful. It felt as if speaking too soon might shatter the delicate truth lingering between them.Leila retreated to the window seat, captivated by the view even though she barely noticed it. She curled her knees beneath her, a throw blanket resting on her legs, while an untouched cup of tea—over-steeped and cold—sat on the windowsill. Thirst was not her concern; she wasn’t even sure what she felt. Just that something within her was in flux, rearranging.Across the room, Adrian quietly moved around the kitchen, the sounds of a mug clinking, water boiling, and his soft footsteps creating a soothing background. He didn’t press her with questions or attempt to fill the silence, but every so often, she sensed his gaze on
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty – Foundations
The Brownstone Restoration The rhythmic sound of hammering resonated through the old walls, reminiscent of a heartbeat—steady and alive.Leila stood barefoot in what used to be the sitting room, now stripped to its bare frame. The plaster had been removed, exposing wooden beams and weathered brick. The floorboards had been taken up days earlier, leaving an uneven subfloor covered in old nails and bits of insulation. Light streamed through a gap where a windowpane had been taken out, casting long, flickering shafts that danced along the dust-laden walls.The air was filled with the scent of sawdust, earth, and memories.Adrian had kept the crew minimal—just four carefully selected individuals, chosen through contacts Connor trusted—experts in restoration rather than demolition. Skilled craftspeople who recognized when a building was more than just timber and stone; when it carried significance, a legacy, or grief.No one asked questions; they didn’t have to. The house communicated its
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Nineteen – The Letters
AdrianThe envelope in his hands felt incredibly delicate, as if it would crumble if he applied too much pressure. It wasn't just the paper; it was the significance of its contents. The burden of long-hidden truths, something treasured. The past was enclosed in fading ink, infused with the gentle quiver of a woman who hoped her words would eventually reach him.Adrian Michael Blackwell.She had written out his full name in cursive, slightly slanted, demonstrating a carefulness he hadn't seen since he was a child when he used to watch her write grocery lists and school permission slips. Though years had passed since he heard her voice, as he gazed at those letters, he could almost hear it—soft, steady, a bit weary, yet filled with warmth she hadn't dared show too openly.He sat on the edge of the couch, his elbows on his knees, a shoebox of letters resting like an artifact between him and Leila. She hadn't broken the silence since their return home. Instead, she had made tea, draped a
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Eighteen – Echoes
----LeilaThe studio's light always conveyed honesty.Morning light, in particular, arrived gently and contemplatively, filtering through the frosted panes of the warehouse windows and slicing through the dust motes like unresolved memories. Leila stood barefoot on the well-worn oriental rug at the room's center, camera held delicately in her hands, her eyes focused on the framed photo hung on the opposite wall.The lake.And Adrian.He was sitting on the edge of a dilapidated dock, his profile directed toward the horizon, one arm resting on his knee. His expression was difficult to interpret—not because it lacked emotion, but rather due to its complexity. It contained a blend of quiet longing, newfound tranquility, and an underlying hint of regret. She had captured that moment instinctively—without poses or prompts.Simply, it was truth.She couldn’t explain why she kept coming back to that specific photograph. She had many from that trip and countless more that followed. But this o
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Seventeen – The Weight of Quiet Things
The aroma of coffee clung to the penthouse like a lingering memory.Dark roast. Rich. Intense. With just a trace of cinnamon—Leila’s quiet rebellion against his typical straightforward tastes. He’d initially rolled his eyes at her first attempt but now found himself missing it when it was absent.The atmosphere was calm. Not dead still—unlike the oppressive silence that once made him instinctively reach for hidden weapons. This silence—warm and inviting—felt domestic.It came from the freshly brewed coffee and the soft ticking of water in the radiator, accompanied by the sounds of a city gradually waking. The soft sound of bare feet on polished hardwood broke the stillness.Leila.She moved seamlessly—her hair still tousled from sleep, one sleeve of his shirt slipping off her shoulder, a lazy half-smile on her lips as she entered the living room with a mug in hand. She kissed him earlier, instinctively, a gentle press of lips against his jaw, still in a dreamy state. It was spontaneou
