All Chapters of Hold on, Mr billionaire. : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

The rest of the day passed in a blur of meetings and project updates. Despite my best efforts to concentrate, Diana’s warning kept replaying in my mind. There was something about her tone that suggested more than just professional jealousy. It felt personal.The next morning, I awoke with a sense of determination. I dressed with care, opting for a soft lavender blouse paired with a charcoal grey pencil skirt and nude heels. I pulled my hair back into a sleek ponytail, hoping the polished look would bolster my confidence. Today, I was going to face whatever came my way head-on.When I arrived at Langston Tech, the office was already buzzing with activity. I exchanged polite greetings with my colleagues and made my way to my office, only to find a large bouquet of lilies and roses waiting on my desk. Attached was a small card that read, “For your dedication and hard work. - Adrian.”I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through me. It was a thoughtful gesture, and I couldn’t help but appreci

Bella’s PerspectiveAdrian's confession weighed heavily on my mind as I left his office. The revelation about our fathers’ partnership added a new dimension to everything I thought I knew about Adrian and our connection. There was a mix of apprehension and curiosity churning inside me, and I needed to process it all.As I walked back to my office, I spotted Grace leaning against my desk, flipping through a magazine. She looked up as I entered, her eyes bright with curiosity.“Hey, Bella. What’s going on? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” she said, her tone light but concerned.I managed a weak smile. “It’s a long story. How about we grab a coffee, and I’ll fill you in?”Grace nodded eagerly, and we made our way to the small café on the ground floor of the Langston Tech building. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and the quiet hum of conversations provided a comforting backdrop as we settled into a corner booth.“So, what’s the scoop?” Grace asked, her eyes wide with anticipation.I

Bella’s PerspectiveThe sunlight filtered through my apartment window as I sat at the small kitchen table, scrolling through emails and project files. The day had been long, filled with more questions than answers, but I couldn’t afford to slow down. Adrian was relying on me, and despite everything I had learned about his past, I found myself still wanting to prove that I could handle the pressure. Maybe it was my own need to rise to the challenge — or maybe it was something else.A buzz came from my phone, jolting me from my thoughts. It was Grace. I smiled softly, seeing her name pop up. My little sister. The last person I needed to talk to about corporate sabotage or business politics, but somehow, she always had a way of grounding me, bringing me back to the reality of our family — of simpler things.“Hey,” I answered, putting the phone on speaker as I leaned back in my chair.“Bella!” Grace’s voice was bright, but there was an edge of excitement in her tone that I hadn’t heard in

Bella’s PerspectiveThe next morning, I woke up with a mixture of nerves and excitement swirling in my chest. My phone lit up with a message from Grace, confirming our meeting later that day. I couldn’t stop thinking about what she had said last night, her sudden ambition to break into the tech world, and the fact that Monica Tate was somehow involved.As I sat at my vanity, getting ready for the day, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Grace had always been smart, driven even, but tech? It wasn’t her world, not really. She was a people person, the kind of girl who could charm her way into any room and make everyone love her. Technology seemed like a strange pivot for her, and the more I thought about it, the more uneasy I became.I finished brushing out my hair, opting for soft waves that cascaded down my shoulders, and grabbed my favorite navy dress. It was simple but professional, with a cinched waist and a boat neckline that made me feel both confident and comfort

I leaned back in my office chair, staring at the photograph I’d found in the archives with Oliver the other day. The edges were worn, and the black-and-white image was faded with time, but there was no mistaking it — my father and Adrian’s father standing side by side. I had stared at it for hours, trying to make sense of it all. Why hadn’t my father ever mentioned this connection? Why had he kept something like this hidden from me? The questions gnawed at me, making it impossible to focus on anything else. My fingers traced the outline of my father’s face in the photograph. His expression was serious, almost grim, and I wondered what had been going through his mind when the picture was taken.“Dad, what were you hiding?” I whispered to the empty room.A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. I quickly slid the photograph into my drawer, composing myself before calling out. “Come in.”The door opened, and Adrian stepped inside, looking every bit as commanding as ever. He wore