Semua Bab BILLIONAIRE'S LIES: Bab 261 - Bab 270

Eliana walked out of her vehicle and across the massive door of Thompson compound, weariness on her shoulders. The session had tried every fiber of her patience and calmness, and here she was to deal with another battle—the one at home.She was just going to enter the living room when she heard the voice of her father."Tell me I misheard, Eliana." Her gaze settled on the faces of her parents, Sabrina and Benedict, with Saben, her eldest brother, waiting for her. There were no indications on their faces as to what they were thinking, but she could tell just from their rigid posture and the atmosphere itself from the tension that she was dreading to find out everything.The first voice to speak was that of her mother. Her sharp brown eyes narrowed. "You are collaborating with Nathaniel Harper?" Eliana inhaled deeply. "I wouldn't say a partnership. More of. a business arrangement."Benedict's laughter cut short, his head shaking. "A business arrangement? With him? Of all men?"Saben ad

A few weeks from now. Eliana stepped into Sabrina Ultra's high-ceilinged, sleek design studio, her heels clicking briskly on the marble floor. The whole department was in a sunny hum.Gridded ranks of seated designers, seamstresses, and textile specialists were bent over drawings and swatches of fabric, their faces lighting with imagination.This was her war zone.This was where Sabrina Ultra would carve its niche in the international arena.As she approached the lead designer, Amara Vasquez, a tall woman with an elegant presence and decades of experience, she felt a swell of pride. This was the dream she was building."Ms. Thompson," Amara said with a nod. "All is set for the global launch. The designs are done, and we're waiting for the final quality inspection before we send them to production."Eliana smiled. "Show me what we have."Amara gestured with her hand towards the giant glass table centering the room, where the most desirable, high-end items were displayed. The new Sabrina

She hated the way he said it—like he was so sure she would lose. Like he was so sure he would win.Not on your life.Eliana grabbed her phone and dialed in a rush."Mark. Summon an emergency meeting of the design and logistics staff. Now. I want all department heads there in thirty minutes.""As you command, ma'am," Mark replied sharply.She would not let Nathaniel Harper destroy all she had built.Not now.Not ever.Thirty Minutes Later – Conference RoomEliana flung open the door, her mere arrival commanding everyone's attention who sat at the long glass table.“I assume you’ve all heard about the recent ‘technical difficulties’ in our design department,” she began, her voice sharp and clipped.The team exchanged nervous glances."Yes, Ms. Thompson," one of the older designers answered cautiously. "The system crash destroyed a number of design drafts and corrupted others. We've been trying to—""I don't want to hear excuses," Eliana interrupted, her gaze flashing. "I want answers."

Eliana pulled herself in, spent. Her whole body hurt from the hours of repairing the damage Nathaniel had done. Her body longed to sleep, but her mind refused to. Not yet. Not while he was out there deceiving her guests.Light in the living room illuminated as the sole hint to anybody that somebody was awake. The moment she closed the door, she could already hear the approaching footsteps.Sabrina Auburn-Thompson was standing before her, with arms folded and a concerned expression on her face."You're late Eliana," her mother replied back, tone tinged with concern and ire. "Again."Eliana sighed and rubbed her temple. "Mom, not tonight. Please."Sabrina came near, her sharp eyes scanning her daughter's weary face. "You didn't have dinner. Your father, Saben, and I waited."Guilt settled in Eliana's heart. "I was working on something. I didn't mean to—"Her mother cut in. "This is because of Nathaniel Harper, isn't it?"Eliana clenched her teeth. "He messed with the designs, Mom. I had

Eliana opened the door to her family mansion with a push of the front entrance, fatigue sitting upon her as heavily as an anchor. The moment she set foot inside, home enveloped her in welcome comfort—the scent of food preparation, the muted hum of television, and laughter spilling through from the living room. And then, suddenly, someone hailed."And there she is—the great Eliana Thompson, grumpy and emitting the aura of a thousand boardroom battles." Eliana groaned. No way. Sprawled on the couch was her elder brother Saben, a bowl of popcorn between his knees, a really smug grin dawning upon his face."Not now, Saben," snarled Eliana, kicking her heels off and massaging her temples. Oh no, no, no," Saben said, sitting up."I need to know what happened. You look like you've been through a war… and lost." Eliana gave him a glare. "For your information, I did fight a war, and I am winning." Saben shoved a piece of popcorn into his mouth and smirked."Uh-huh. And does this war include a