All Chapters of The Contracted Stripper : Chapter 161 - Chapter 170

Ryan’s fingers trembled as he held the delicate lingerie, the silky fabric triggering something deep within him. The scent that lingered on it was hauntingly familiar, stirring a sense of déjà vu so powerful that it sent a shiver down his spine. As he pressed the fabric closer to his face, memories began flooding his mind in disjointed flashes.There was a woman—a stripper. Her face was shadowed by the dim lights of a nightclub, but her eyes sparkled with defiance. "Marry me," he had said to her once. The memory hit him like a punch to the gut, and his breath hitched.Who is she? Ryan’s head began to throb as more images flickered in his mind: a crowded strip club, the scent of perfume mingled with sweat, the sound of music thumping in the background, and then... that woman again, her lips curled in a seductive smile.He could feel her presence, almost tangible, but just as quickly as the memories appeared, they dissolved into nothingness, leaving him with more questions than answer

How did I end up with her? he thought bitterly, his jaw clenching. The memories of everything she’d done flooded his mind. The lies, the manipulation, the false pregnancy—he now knew it had all been a part of her plan. She had never cared about him. It had always been about power, about taking over the Kendrick Empire.His hands itched with the urge to confront her, to demand answers. But he knew he had to be patient. If he showed his cards too soon, she would only find a way to slip through his fingers again. He couldn’t afford that. Not this time."I haven’t seen my mom or dad in a while," Ryan said, breaking the silence. "I’d like to visit them. I need to check on my dad’s health."Bella paused, glancing over her shoulder at him. "Just call them. You can talk to them on the phone."Ryan shook his head, his voice steady. "I can’t talk to Dad on the phone, remember? He’s not doing well. I need to see him in person."Bella narrowed her eyes, studying him for a moment before sighing. "A

Bella’s eyes softened, but there was still an edge in her voice. “You scared me, Ryan. I didn’t know where you were. You know how important it is to keep me informed, especially now.”Ryan forced a smile. “I know, I’m sorry. It’s just... with Dad’s health and everything, I got distracted.”Is he inside?” Bella asked, her eyes still scanning his face as if trying to detect a lie.“Yeah, I’m about to head in now,” Ryan replied. “We’re going to talk for a bit. I’ll call you after, alright?”Bella hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Okay. Just don’t take too long. And remember, I want you home tonight.”“Got it. See you soon.” Ryan ended the call before she could push further, letting out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. His hands were shaking slightly as he lowered the phone. He knew Bella wasn’t buying the story entirely. She was suspicious, but for now, he had bought himself a little more time. Time he needed to figure out the next move with Luca.Inside the Mansion...Rya

Bella’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "True. It’s only a matter of time before the board starts pressuring him. When the rebrand happens, they’ll see that Vector Empire is stronger, more profitable, and led by a true visionary.""We’ll present the new plan to the board next week," Charles continued. "Once we have their backing, Ryan will be out of the picture for good. The timing is perfect."Bella bit her lip, considering the next steps. "I want to be there when you reveal the new logo and branding. It’s important that I’m seen as the face of this change. Ryan has been too absent and too distracted. The investors need to see that I’m in control now.""You’ll be there," Victor confirmed. "I’ll take care of the details. You just need to keep Ryan distracted until everything is finalized."Bella smirked. "Don’t worry about him. He’s too busy trying to figure out what’s going on. He won’t see this coming."There was a pause on the other end, and then Victor spoke again, his tone more se

She looked calm, almost too calm, as if she had everything under control. But Ryan knew better now."Bella," he said as he entered the room. She looked up, smiling softly. "Ryan, you’re home late. Everything okay?"Ryan sat across from her, his gaze steady, searching. "We need to talk."Bella’s smile faltered just slightly, but she maintained her composure. "What’s on your mind?"Ryan leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "You’ve been busy lately. I haven’t seen much of you since the rebranding." Bella took a sip of her wine, her expression unreadable. "There’s been a lot to manage with the company. You know that. I’m just trying to make sure everything runs smoothly." Ryan nodded slowly. Bella’s phone buzzed in her hand. She glanced at it, and a sinister smile spread across her face. But something was different today. As she busied herself, Ryan noticed her occasionally glance toward a particular drawer in the hallway. A look of uncertainty flickered across her face eve