All Chapters of MARRIAGE PACT: Chapter 81 - Chapter 87

Michael's POVThe glow from my laptop screen cast faint shadows across the darkened study. I leaned back in my chair, the weight of the discoveries pressing hard upon my chest.How deep does this go?For weeks, I had tracked every transaction with Mr. Klein's name on it, using his business partnership as cover in investigating his accounts. And what I'd found wasn't illegal; it was explosive: shell companies, offshore accounts, bribed officials-a web of corruption. And right at the center of it? Kai.A knock on the door yanked me from my reverie. Zara stepped inside, her expression grim."Any luck?" she asked, her voice soft yet urgent.I gestured toward the screen. "More than I bargained for."She closed the door behind her and went closer, crossing her arms. "What did you find?"I turned the laptop toward her. "See for yourself."Her eyes moved down the documents, while her furrowed eyebrows deepened further with each passing second.“Offshore accounts in dummy names,” I began, “Tra

Kai's POV"Say that again, Ethan," I growled, my fingers clamping onto the edge of my desk. My jaw clenched as I waited for him to repeat words that had already set my pulse racing wildly.The silence had stretched long, but when the words did come, Ethan sounded distinctly uncomfortable. "The boy. He was born in New Zealand two years ago. His birth certificate lists Michael Hartmann as the father."My fist came up onto the desk before I could catch it. It made a resounding thud that bounced back into the silent room. "You're telling me Zara gave birth to a boy and didn't feel that was something important enough to mention to me?""That's exactly what I'm saying," Ethan replied evenly, though I could hear the hesitation in his voice. "The child is with Michael's cousin. I have the address."I closed my eyes, breathing in deeply, trying to restrain the storm inside me. She lied to me. She told me he was dead. My mind coursed through the possibilities. What kind of twisted game was she

Kai's POVI sat in my study-the soft glow of the lamp on my desk, the only light in the room. It was dead silent, with only the irregular tick of the clock on the wall breaking the stillness. My eyes flickered toward the envelope that lay on the desk, its edges slightly shaking under the weight it carried.Madam Tess entered quietly, carrying a tray with a glass of scotch. "The envelope from Ethan arrived earlier today," she said in that still, calm tone of hers; though her eyes told a whole different story."Leave it there," I said, nodding toward the desk. I sounded colder than I knew, but the disposition to soften it just wasn't there.I nodded, setting down the drink and envelope, before beating a retreat for the door. A glance over my shoulder before I went did seem in order. "Whatever it is, sir, I hope it brings you clarity."Clarity. A commodity I hadn't enjoyed for years.It glowered at me, a silently hurled challenge. My hand moved to it much more slowly, sliding the knife t

Zara's POVThe world contracted, and I breathed shallowly; all the little noises around me sounded muffled. And then, in the eye of my brain was Kai's smirk, the cruel confidence etched in his features-because it reminded me just what futile position I find myself in with him: he has my son, and he knows that.Teeming with warmth from the multitude of members, with facial masks of confusion and curiosity while the room filled in, my stepfather Mr. Klein finally reached an upright pose, his mask of control mixed with charm upon his face, though it was faintly shaded over by some unease which danced through his eyes.Kai let out this calm, yet strong and clear voice from the back: "Now that is off our back, let us resume."He turned to Mr. Klein, who gave him less than a nod of acknowledgement. My stepfather moved forward; his voice was like silk-slow, cultured, calculated. "Ladies and gentlemen, please-I do apologize for this misunderstanding just now. It was about something very perso