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Chapter Thirty-two:A line in the Sand
Last Updated:
2025-03-14 18:20:30
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Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Thirty-three: The Devil's Final
Gunfire shattered the stillness of the deserted steel mill, each shot echoing loudly against rusted beams and damaged machinery. Sparks flew as bullets hit off steel, and the burning oil filled the air with a sharp odor. Smoke curled upwards, mixing with the dust stirred up by the battle raging within.Adrian barely noticed much around him. His focus was solely on a single target—one man.Dante Rossi.The man who had haunted his family for years, who had twisted the rules of the underworld to suit his own ambition. What had once been a mere shadow in Adrian's past had grown into a storm threatening to destroy everything he held dear.And now, that storm was dying.Dante clutched as he pressed his injured shoulder against a thick metal pillar for protection. He was out of breath and running out of time and options.Leila crouched next to Adrian, swiftly reloading her firearm. Her dark eyes met his with an intensity that conveyed urgency. “We need to move. Now.”Adrian tightened his gri
Last Updated : 2025-03-14Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Thirty-four: Aftershocks
The night was far from quiet. Flames still licked at the sky, thick plumes of smoke rising from what remained of the steel mill. The fire cast an eerie glow over the city’s outskirts, a grim beacon signaling the end of Dante Rossi’s reign.Adrian stood near the SUV, his gaze locked on the fire. The heat from the flames wasn’t enough to thaw the cold settling in his chest.For years, he had imagined this moment—envisioned the satisfaction of pulling the trigger, of watching Dante fall. Of knowing the man who had tormented his family, orchestrated their suffering, was finally dead.But there was no relief.Only a quiet, unsettling emptiness.The war against Dante was over.So why did it feel like something was still missing?A familiar voice pulled him from his thoughts.“Adrian.”Leila stood nearby, her expression unreadable, but he could hear the exhaustion in her voice. She had fought beside him every step of the way, and the weight of it all was beginning to show. “We need to get yo
Last Updated : 2025-03-15Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Thirty-five: A New Player
The voice on the other end of the phone was unfamiliar but smooth and purposeful—threaded with danger.“Did you really think it would be that simple?”Adrian tightened his hold on the phone, his knuckles paling. He had faced countless threats in his life, varying in seriousness, but there was something about this one that triggered a deep unease within him.This wasn't just another power-hungry nobody trying to exploit Dante Rossi's downfall.This was something personal.“Who are you?” Adrian asked, his tone cold and unwavering.A low, methodical laugh resonated from the speaker. “I’m the one Dante trusted more than anyone. And with his absence…” The pause was long enough to heighten Adrian’s tension. “You possess something I want.”Leila, a few feet away, instantly noticed the shift in Adrian’s demeanor. She didn’t need to inquire about what was wrong; she was already aware. Her gaze sharpened, her posture leaning closer to him as she prepared for whatever was to come.“What do you w
Last Updated : 2025-03-15Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Thirty-six: Vanishing Point
The city never truly rested. Its vibrant energy coursed through the streets, constantly reminding everyone that power never remains unchallenged for long. But tonight, something felt different—an unsettling calm covering the skyline like fog. It was as if the city itself prepared for an imminent storm, one that didn’t come with warning sirens, but rather murmured threats and hidden dangers lurking in the dark.The conflict with Dante had concluded, yet peace had never been an option. A new enemy had already emerged, eager to seize the empire left in tatters by Dante. Matteo Ricci had been observing, waiting for the right moment to strike. Adrian understood now that this moment had arrived.Before he could direct his focus on Matteo, there was another pressing issue—one much more personal and impactful than any business feud.His father could not stay.Standing by the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse, Adrian gazed out over the sprawling city beneath him. The streetli
Last Updated : 2025-03-16Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Thirty-seven: Matteo's Initial Move
The city stretched out below, its golden lights shimmering against the night like an endless expanse of movement and shadow. Yet, amid the city's restless energy, an unsettling silence prevailed. Adrian knew it wasn't a sign of peace. It was the calm before the storm. Standing on the penthouse balcony, he felt the cool breeze brush against his face, the distant city noises faintly reaching him from this vantage point. His keen eyes roamed the skyline, searching for any hint of the threat he anticipated. Somewhere out there, Matteo Ricci was lying in wait, plotting his next action. Adrian's phone buzzed again, the vibrations piercing the stillness. Another text. "You should have kept your father close. Now I know exactly how to strike at you." His grip on the device tightened, his heartbeat steady but quickened. Matteo had acted swiftly. Sending his father away had been wise, but it was evident his enemy had alternative methods of attack. A figure stepped beside him. Leila appear
Last Updated : 2025-03-16Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Thirty-eight:A city in Flames
The pungent odor of burnt metal and scorched wood hung heavily in the air, oppressive even after the fire had long been extinguished. Wisps of smoke drifted lazily from the remnants of the east-side warehouse, rising into the night sky like the fading breaths of a once-essential part of Adrian Blackwell's empire.He stood at the edge of the wreckage, his expression portrayed nothing, his keen eyes meticulously assessing the destruction with a chilling detachment that concealed the fury boiling beneath. The ruins before him represented more than just a financial setback—it was an unmistakable statement.Matteo Ricci hadn’t merely damaged his business; he had sent a clear signal.The fire had consumed everything—his inventory, his supplies, years of carefully constructed infrastructure created with considerable effort and cutthroat determination. This was not random violence; it was a deliberate strike, the first move in what Ricci seemingly intended as a full-scale dismantling of Adria
Last Updated : 2025-03-16Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Thirty-nine: Into the Fire
Neon lights and shadows raced by as Adrian gripped the steering wheel, the streetlamps flickering over his knuckles. The engine purred beneath him, vibrating with a barely restrained rage that mirrored the turmoil inside him. His heartbeat thudded steadily in sync with the revving engine propelling him toward confrontation.The safe house in the south was not only compromised—it was now under the control of Matteo Ricci. This meant Adrian wasn’t just stepping into danger; he was walking directly into a trap.Yet there was no hesitation.Ricci had initiated the first move and positioned himself favorably, but Adrian was determined not to let him dictate the outcome. He had thrived in this world by constantly staying ahead, adjusting, and cleverly turning his enemy's advantages against them.Leila had protested, insisting she should not be left behind, but Adrian had remained firm.“This isn’t like before,” he had said, his voice steady and assertive. “Ricci’s not merely trying to intim
Last Updated : 2025-03-16Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Forty: Restless Nights
The penthouse was eerily silent—too silent. It was the kind of stillness that settled over a space when something vital was absent, when a presence that should have been there was missing.Leila lay on the king-size bed, gazing up at the ceiling, her body drained yet her mind buzzing with unrest. Whenever she closed her eyes, all she could visualize was Adrian striding out the door, his posture upright and assured, with Luca and Connor trailing behind him.His words rang sharply in her head, sharp and final. “Not this time. Stay here.”She hated it.She hated that he believed she was incapable of handling it. She loathed that he was out there, confronting Ricci’s men, while she felt confined in the penthouse, suffocating in its safety. She had fought alongside Adrian before, faced danger, bled for him, and witnessed the dark world he controlled.But this time?This time, he had completely excluded her.Her fingers clenched into the sheets, frustration coursing through her.She recogn
Last Updated : 2025-03-16
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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
