All Chapters of Trade Breaker: Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

As the car sped toward the private airport, Vivian’s mind wandered to when everything began. She and Clara Washington, now known as old Madam Hale. They grew up together and were the best of friends. Having lived next door to each other, they went to the same schools and college and worked for the same intelligence team.When Clara married Albert Hale, the two women couldn’t have predicted the outcome of such a union, but their lives were never the same again. Only the firstborn, Hale children, are told the secret to the family fortune—where it exists and how to access it should the need arise.It was rumored to be a never-ending supply of wealth.Most people believe it to be folklore as the story has been handed down throughout the centuries, and only a handful of family members know the truth, mainly the second branch of the Hale family, Albert’s twin brother Gilbert.No one knew the level of Gilbert’s greed until he attempted to kill Albert and Clara’s soon-to-be-born and only chil

Chapter 82The hum of the jet engines filled the cabin, a steady rhythm against the soft leather seats and polished wooden accents. Solo sat by the window, gazing at the endless clouds.The sharp scent of fresh espresso mingled with the faint tang of aviation fuel, grounding her in the surreal reality of returning to the States after months of hiding in Florence.Her father settled into the seat across from her, a glass of scotch in his hand. He studied her, a smile tugging at his lips.“I meant to say this earlier…seeing you again after all these years, I almost didn’t recognize you,” he said, breaking the silence. “You’ve grown into quite the woman, Solo.”Solo turned to face him, a faint smile gracing her lips. “Don’t exaggerate, Dad. It’s only been a few years—you’ve seen me plenty of times. We’ve had hundreds of video calls over the years I spent with Dominic. It’s only been this year that we couldn’t do that.”Ralph chuckled, his gaze softening. “Even if it is a little under a

Crumpled paper clenched in a tight fist on Dominic’s lap, his knuckles white from the tension. The number 99.9% remained visible at the bottom of the page.Shoulders slumped and hunched over, his head lowered, Dominic sat motionless in his office chair as he processed the implication of this result. He had no idea what to do next. The paternity test in his hand confirmed Daryl was his child.Yet he still had no idea how that happened. As far as he knew, he had never met the woman—this Aralise, the so-called mother of his daughter—and wished it had remained that way. He couldn’t stand the sight of her, and her voice grated his nerves.However, the little girl was cute, and he adored her already, from the top of her sweet little head to her tiny toes. How could someone so innocent and pure be tied to such an unpalatable woman and situation?Because fate has a sick sense of humor, he thought bitterly.She was his child, and he would take responsibility for her, dammit. And, as she was so

Miles leaned back in the seat of the private jet he was on with a smile still playing on his lips as he stared at the blank screen. Dominic’s abrupt ending of the call amused him. His expression grew serious; he only toyed with Dominic to alleviate some of his frustration and tension. The faint hum of the engines filled the cabin, and the leather seat creaked as he shifted.He had successfully crammed three years' work to completion in less than a year. His amusement fled as fast as it had arrived. He stared out the window at the fog of clouds before him, their formless shapes mirroring the turbulence within his mind.Teasing Dominic was a temporary fix for what ailed him. He had lost the cure, thrown it away with his own hands. He was a pathetic excuse for a man. It only took him almost four years to realize it. To a shame to come clean. He used sarcasm and humor as a shield for what he was feeling to mask his pain.Unfortunately for him, no matter how hard people try to avoid, hide,

Miles had emerged from his room first, looking smug as he settled onto the couch. He'd thrown on comfortable sweatpants and a worn t-shirt, his hair still damp from the quick shower. He’d opened a beer bottle and took a long swig, relishing his victory.A few minutes later, his little suck-up appeared, her hair wrapped in a towel, wearing pajama shorts and an oversized shirt. She groaned when she saw him already lounging on the couch."No fair! You must have rushed through your shower," she said and pouted, flopping down next to him.Miles grinned, handing her an opened beer. "A win's a win. Prepare yourself for two hours of coral reef ecology."She took a sip and narrowed her gaze. "You wouldn’t…would you?”"You're right," he said and chuckled. "I'm feeling merciful. How about we compromise on a chick flick?"She beamed, her eyes lighting up. "Really? You'd watch a rom-com with me?""Don't get used to it," he warned, but he couldn't help smiling at her enthusiasm. "This is a one-time