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Chapter 22: Cracks in the Portrait
Last Updated:
2025-02-05 04:51:17
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Used by my billionaire boss Chapter 22: The Unraveling
Leon stood outside the hospital room, his eyes locked on his daughter’s incubator. Two guards in black suits flanked the door, their faces stern. They checked every nurse, every doctor, every meal tray. Leon hadn’t slept in days. His tie was crooked, his hair messy, but he didn’t care. “You need to rest,” Stephanie said, touching his arm. He jerked away. “Not until she’s safe.” Stephanie frowned. “The doctors said the antidote worked. She’s stable.” “Adriana’s still out there,” Leon growled. “She won’t stop.” Stephanie opened her mouth to argue but stopped. She’d seen this look before—the clenched jaw, the wild eyes. Leon was breaking, and she didn’t know how to fix him. --- **Five Years Earlier** Leon came home early from a business trip, a necklace in his pocket. He’d missed Adriana’s birthday, and he wanted to surprise her. The penthouse was quiet. Too quiet. He found them in the bedroom—Adriana and Richard, his best friend since college. The sheets were tangled.
Last Updated : 2025-02-05Used by my billionaire boss Chapter 23: The Secret
Adriana sat at her sleek office desk, her red nails tapping against her laptop keyboard. The screen glowed with fake financial documents—transactions, emails, and spreadsheets all carefully crafted to ruin Leon. She smirked as she clicked *send*, leaking the files to every major news outlet. By morning, the world would believe Leon had stolen millions from his own company. Just like old times, she thought. --- Five Years Earlier Adriana opened her diary, the leather cover soft under her fingers. She wrote in bold, slanted letters: *Love is a game, and I play to win.* *Leon thinks he can ignore me? Let’s see how he ignores this.* She closed the diary and picked up her phone. Richard answered on the first ring. “Meet me at the hotel,” she said. “Room 407.” Richard hesitated. “Leon’s my friend, Adriana. This isn’t right.” She rolled her eyes. “You’ve been staring at me for months. Don’t pretend you’re noble now.” Twenty minutes later, they were in bed. Adriana made
Last Updated : 2025-02-08Used by my billionaire boss Chapter 24: Luxury
Adriana sat in the back of her limousine, her fingers tapping lightly against the leather seat. The city lights blurred past the tinted windows as she scrolled through photos of Leon’s daughter on her phone. The child’s smile—wide and innocent—made her lip curl. *Weakness*, she thought. Leon had always been too soft for his own good. She dialed his number, letting it ring once before he answered. “What do you want now?” Leon’s voice was rough, tired. “You know what I want,” Adriana said, smoothing her skirt. “Drop the custody battle. Sign over your rights, and I’ll make the fraud charges disappear. Keep fighting, and I’ll bury you so deep you’ll never see that brat again.” There was a pause. She could almost hear him grinding his teeth. “No,” Leon said finally. “I’m not letting you near her.” Adriana laughed. “You always were stubborn. But remember—I win. Always.” She hung up, tossing the phone aside. Stupid man. He thought he could protect his daughter? He didn’t know wha
Last Updated : 2025-02-08Used by my billionaire boss Chapter 25: Ghosts in the Mirror
The therapist’s office was quiet, the kind of quiet that made Leon’s skin itch. Sunlight filtered through the blinds, painting stripes on the beige carpet. He sat in a stiff leather chair, his hands gripping the armrests like they might fly away if he let go. Across from him, Dr. Ellis waited, her notebook balanced on her knee. Her silence was a question he didn’t want to answer. It had been six months since the divorce. Six months of sleepless nights, of pacing his empty penthouse, of staring at his phone like it might ring with Adriana’s laughter. But she was gone, and the only voice left was the one in his head, nagging him about all the ways he’d failed. “You said last week that you wanted to talk about control,” Dr. Ellis said finally. Her voice was gentle, but it felt like a scalpel peeling back his skin. Leon shifted in his seat. “I don’t know what else there is to say. I messed up. I pushed her away. End of story.” “You mentioned feeling… possessive. Like you needed to
Last Updated : 2025-02-11Used by my billionaire boss Chapter 26: The Serpent's Bargain
Adriana sat quietly in the dim light of her study as she let her thoughts drift back to the earliest lessons of her life. She remembered the stern voice of her mother as if it were a constant refrain echoing in her mind. Her mother had always believed that beauty was not merely a blessing but a tool to be used wisely and ruthlessly. In her youth, Adriana had listened intently as her mother declared that men were pigs and that a woman must make them pay for the privilege of loving her. Those words had stung even then, yet over time they had taken root in her heart and shaped her view of the world.In those early days, Adriana had been a timid girl who longed for affection and acceptance. But her mother had been clear that vulnerability was a dangerous liability. Every smile and every gesture of kindness from a man carried the hidden expectation of a price to be paid. Her mother had taught her that love was not a free gift but a transaction in which a woman had to demand what she was wo
Last Updated : 2025-02-11Used by my billionaire boss Chapter 27: Ashes to Embers
Leon stared out at the city skyline from his office window as the last light of day faded away. He felt the heavy burden of past mistakes and the sting of betrayal mingle with a renewed determination to fight back. The legal papers on his desk were not just documents but weapons in a battle that had been years in the making. Every clause and every precedent reminded him of the lessons learned during a painful marriage and of warnings long ago dismissed. In the quiet hum of his office, he recalled his father's somber words and the night before his wedding when those words had cut deep. His father had warned him that Adriana would hollow him out, that her beauty and cunning would leave him empty and broken. Back then, desperate to prove that he could fix her and determined to believe that love would conquer every flaw, Leon had ignored that caution. Now, as he prepared to use the legal loopholes once taught to him by the very woman who had betrayed his trust, he knew that the time had c
Last Updated : 2025-02-11Used by my billionaire boss Chapter 28: The Phoenix's Choice
Leon stood alone in the quiet darkness of the night, his heart heavy with the memories of choices made long ago and the weight of the future he had fought so hard to protect. The city around him was alive with distant sounds and flickering lights, yet he felt isolated as though trapped between two worlds. Every footstep echoed on the pavement, a reminder that time never stopped, even when his soul longed for the peace of bygone days. In his mind, faces and voices merged with the silent promise of what could have been, and the burden of regret mingled with hope for a new beginning. He remembered the laughter of days filled with promise, and he also recalled the painful secrets that had haunted him ever since the night that changed everything. This was not the first time the past had reached out to him in the darkness; it had followed him like a shadow, a constant companion reminding him that some wounds never truly healed. As Leon walked through the empty streets, his thoughts turned t
Last Updated : 2025-02-14Used by my billionaire boss Chapter 29: The First Glimpse of Hostility - flashback
Stephanie stepped into the grand foyer of the Phenoix mansion with a heart full of hope. She wore a soft blue dress and a gentle smile, determined to prove that she belonged. The large chandelier above cast a warm glow on the polished floors as she was led into the dining room for the formal family dinner. The room was filled with long tables set with fine china and gleaming silverware. The soft hum of conversation and polite laughter filled the space, but beneath the surface, Stephanie sensed an unspoken tension.Leon greeted her with a kind smile and a brief nod before disappearing into a side conversation with one of his relatives. Stephanie took a deep breath and tried to steady her nerves as she sat down at a table with a mix of curious and cold stares from the rest of the family. She had long dreamed of this moment, imagining a supportive family that embraced her for her love of Leon, but the expressions around her told a different story.Before the first course was served, an e
Last Updated : 2025-02-15
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Used by my billionaire boss Chapter 40: Blossom friend - flashback
The conversation drifted into a gentle silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Outside the café window, the afternoon sun began to wane, casting long shadows on the busy street. The soft murmur of other patrons became a distant lullaby for the two friends.Stephanie leaned back, her heart both heavy and hopeful. "I keep wondering what it would be like if things were different," she murmured. "If he were not so guarded, if his eyes could reveal more than just a hint of sadness. I imagine a world where we could talk without reservations, where our hearts would not be hidden behind walls of duty and regret."Clara listened intently, her gaze fixed on Stephanie’s face. "I know it is hard to accept that some things may never change," she said gently. "But sometimes, the very thing that makes someone seem unreachable is also what makes them human. It is their pain, their past, that shapes them. You may not be able to fix him, but you can offer him kindness from afar. Just be sure not to l
Used by my billionaire boss Chapter 39: Confessions Over Coffee - flashback
Stephanie sat in a quiet corner of the small café near the office. The room was warm with soft light and gentle chatter. The aroma of fresh coffee and baked pastries filled the air. Across from her sat Clara, a trusted colleague and friend whose eyes always held understanding.Stephanie cradled her cup with trembling fingers. She stared at the swirling cream in her latte as if it held all her secrets. For a long moment, she said nothing. The quiet between them was comfortable and safe, yet her heart pounded with the need to speak.Clara broke the silence. "Steph, you've been distracted lately. Is everything all right?" she asked softly.Stephanie hesitated. Her voice came out low and hesitant. "I need to tell you something important," she said. She took a deep breath and looked up into Clara's kind eyes."It’s about work. It’s about him," she added, the word catching in her throat.Clara leaned forward slightly. "Who do you mean?" she asked, her tone gentle and curious.Stephanie’s ga
Used by my billionaire boss Chapter 38: Lonely emotion - flashback
A few moments of silence passed. Then, a soft beep indicated another message from Clara: Remember, you are not alone, even if it feels that way sometimes. The message warmed her heart. She looked up from her phone and out the window again. The city was a quiet constellation of lights, each one a story, each one a secret.Stephanie closed her eyes for a moment, letting the calm of the night wash over her. "I hope one day you can share your burdens," she said aloud, her voice trembling slightly. "You deserve to be heard." The words were filled with a wish for him to open up, to let someone see the man behind the strength.The clock moved slowly. Minutes melted into the stillness of the night. Stephanie returned to her work, but her focus was split. Every time she heard a soft sound or saw a shadow move, her heart leapt with the possibility that Leon might be stepping out of his solitude. But the corridors remained silent, and his door stayed closed.At one point, the silence became too
Used by my billionaire boss Chapter 37: Late-Night Lingering - flashback
The office was almost empty. Most of the staff had already left. Stephanie remained at her desk, the soft glow of her computer screen lighting her tired eyes. She had a project to finish. The quiet of the after-hours building felt both soothing and heavy."I need to get this done," she murmured to herself. Her fingers moved quickly over the keyboard. The silence made every sound seem louder. The hum of the air conditioner and the clack of keys were the only companions in the empty corridor.As she worked, her mind drifted. Thoughts of Leon found their way into her head. She remembered his steady gaze during the day and the small smile that had warmed her heart. Now, in the stillness of the night, she wondered about the man behind that guarded expression.Her eyes left her screen. She leaned back and sighed. "I wonder if he ever feels the weight of his own loneliness," she said softly. There was no one to answer but the empty room. Her voice echoed in the quiet corridor.Stephanie save
Used by my billionaire boss Chapter 36: My frustrated boss - Flashback
In that quiet moment, the office seemed to shrink away from her. All that mattered was the memory of that call and the realization that even the strongest person could have cracks in his armor. It was a truth that made her feel both sad and strangely hopeful. Sad because it meant that the man she admired was in pain, and hopeful because it meant that beneath the layers of authority and pride, there might be room for healing. And perhaps, one day, there might be room for someone to share that healing.When she returned to her desk, Stephanie’s hands trembled slightly as she organized her notes. The soft clack of the keyboard seemed to echo the rhythm of her heart. She tried to focus on the work that lay ahead, but her mind kept drifting back to Leon. There was a strange pull in her heart now, a desire to know more about the person behind the mask. She wondered about the life he had once shared with Adriana and the events that had driven a wedge between them. Her curiosity was interwove
Used by my billionaire boss Chapter 35: Cracks in the Armor - flashback
The morning was quiet at Phenoix Enterprises. The office held a calm that belied the storm beneath the surface. Stephanie took her seat in the large conference room with the rest of her colleagues. Today, a routine meeting was scheduled. The topic was the quarterly report and updates from various departments. Yet, as the meeting began, something felt different.Leon sat at the head of the table. He looked as composed as ever at first glance. His posture was straight, his hands folded on the table. But as the discussion went on, a noticeable tension began to cloud his features. His eyes were fixed on the projector, his face set in a mask of professionalism. Still, Stephanie sensed a deep unrest beneath that calm exterior.Midway through the meeting, a soft vibration interrupted the silence. Leon’s phone began to ring. He hesitated for a moment before answering. As he lifted the phone to his ear, Stephanie saw his jaw tighten. His eyes narrowed slightly, and his shoulders stiffened. The
Used by my billionaire boss Chapter 34: Soft heart - Flashback
Stephanie’s heart raced at the memory. She knew that a smile like that was rare from him. The moment felt precious, as if it were a small break in the armor of his aloof demeanor. She wondered what thoughts lay behind those eyes, what memories or emotions could spark such a brief but significant change. For her, that fleeting smile was a conversation without words, a moment of vulnerability that spoke volumes in silence.The day wore on, and the sun began to lower in the sky, casting long shadows in the office corridors. Stephanie gathered her notes and tidied her desk, her thoughts still filled with the subtle signals from earlier. Even as she packed her belongings, her mind replayed the events of the day. The soft voices, the quick glances, and most of all, the delicate smile that had sparked a connection between two souls separated by duty and circumstance.Before leaving, Stephanie took one final look around the busy office. She glanced toward Leon’s office one more time. Through
Used by my billionaire boss Chapter 33: Subtle Signals - Flashback
The morning light crept into the office as Stephanie settled at her desk. The familiar buzz of printers and hushed voices filled the air. She opened her laptop and began to review her emails. Yet, even as she focused on her work, her eyes kept drifting toward the far corner of the room.There, behind a frosted glass door, Leon worked in his private office. His presence was constant even from a distance. His posture was upright and commanding, and every movement exuded a sense of authority. Even when he was lost in thought, Stephanie felt the weight of his presence as if it reached out to her from across the room.Stephanie greeted a few colleagues with gentle smiles as she made small talk near the coffee machine. Her voice was soft and friendly. She asked simple questions about the weekend and listened to lighthearted responses. Even in these moments, her mind wandered. She found herself sneaking glances over her shoulder, catching sight of Leon as he passed by. In the midst of busy c
Used by my billionaire boss Chapter 32: Wasted Emotion - Flashback
Stepping outside, the cool evening air greeted her as she made her way home. The city was alive with soft lights and distant sounds that seemed to echo the gentle beating of her heart. Every step on the pavement felt heavy with the memories of the day. She replayed the sight of Leon in her mind, cherishing the brief moment of recognition that had passed between them.At home in her small apartment, Stephanie sat by the window and allowed the events of the day to settle in her heart. The soft glow of the streetlights mixed with the quiet hum of the city outside. She opened her journal and began to write. Each word was written with a tender honesty. She described the gentle strength of Leon, the purposeful way he moved through life, and the hint of sadness that clung to him like a shadow. Her writing was simple, yet each sentence carried the weight of her hidden emotions.She wrote about the cool touch of the marble floor, the soft murmur of conversations in the office, and the fleeting
