All Chapters of Trade Breaker: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

 Though she didn’t say it, she suspected her cousin’s motives went far beyond mere concern. Her maternal side of the family had a reputation for finding profit in other people’s misfortunes, and Aralise was no exception.Solo believed Aralise came for her own advantage, maybe hoping to sell her out to the one after her.A wave of relief washed over her as she hugged Kirael again, feeling the strength and comfort of her friend’s presence. After everything, having Kirael here was like a piece of home she hadn’t realized she’d been longing for. She felt safe with her best friend by her side.She waited until Aralise was out of earshot, then pulled Kirael closer, lowering her voice. “I appreciate you coming, Kirael. You have no idea what it means to see you again.” Her voice softened, a warmth returning to her gaze. “But why br

As soon as Aralise excused herself to the bathroom, Solo exhaled, her shoulders relaxing. She watched her cousin disappear down the hallway, her wariness melting into an open, relieved smile as she turned to Kirael.“You have no idea how much I needed to see you,” Solo said, settling onto the plush sofa beside her friend. “And I mean you, not her.”Kirael laughed, shaking her head as she settled in beside Solo. “Trust me, I’m just as relieved. It was a small miracle tracking you down. The world’s big, and you were determined to hide.”A faint smile flickered across Solo’s lips. “I tried my best. I didn’t expect anyone to even come close to finding me. I thought I’d covered my tracks pretty well.” She paused, her smile faltering as she considered something. “How did you manage it?”Kirael looked at her, a faint twinkle of mischief in her eyes. “I’m rich. There is nothing I can’t do.” She chuckled and winked. Honestly, it wasn’t easy, even with all my resources. But let’s say I had a li

Sapphire paced the hallway outside of Dominic’s study, the dim lighting casting shadows that seemed to mirror the frustration building inside her. It had been days since she moved in, days filled with fleeting glimpses of him as he passed her by with barely a nod. Is this what I’ve waited all this time for? To be ignored? she thought.Her patience, stretched thin from the start, was beginning to snap. She’d thought living with him would mean closeness, shared moments, maybe even intimacy. But now, here she was, under the same roof with him, yet she saw him even less than she had before. She’d tried to start conversations, had left the door to her room slightly ajar, hoping he’d pass by and see her, maybe even come in. But no—it was like he was purposefully avoiding her.Tonight, though, was different. She had finally caught him alone, sitting on the couch, nursing a bottle of bourbon in the dim light of the living room. The sight was disarming—Dominic, usually composed and controlled,

Dominic strode through the front door of his mother’s house, each step echoing his tumultuous thoughts. The cool night air had done little to calm the storm within him, and with each breath, he felt the weight of what had just transpired pressing down on him.I was so stupid, he thought, slamming the door harder than he intended. How could I let my guard down like that?He tossed his keys on the small table by the entryway, the clatter sounding loud in the quiet of the early morning. He was supposed to be the strong one, the unshakeable Dominic Hale, who kept his composure at all costs. Yet there he was, feeling anything but composed.As he moved through the darkened hallway towards the kitchen, his mind replayed the night’s events—a vortex of anger, confusion, and a deep-seated violation that he couldn’t shake. Sapphire’s touch, her weight against him, the way she’d tried to manipulate his vulnerability made his skin crawl.He poured himself a glass of water with hands that weren’t q

After the call ended, Sapphire stared at the screen, her mind racing with frustration and disbelief. Her nails tapped against the coffee table in sharp, erratic rhythms. Her lips curled into a humorless smile, anger bubbling beneath the surface. She tossed her phone onto the couch, a sharp huff escaping her lips. "That stupid old hag." The thought struck her with venom as she leaned back on the sofa and drummed her nails on the armrest. Does she even know her son? If she did, she'd know that just showing up at the house wouldn't fix anything—her plan was doomed to backfire. Dominic doesn’t cave under pressure—he digs in deeper. Her stupid suggestion would only make things worse.Sapphire sighed, stood, and began pacing the room. Her frustration simmered, fueling the calculations running through her mind. She couldn’t let this slip through her fingers. Dominic was the key to everything she’d worked for—everything that defined her ambitions rested on keeping him within her grasp. Yes,