All Chapters of Bound by the Billionaire's Claim: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

"Security feed from the west entrance," Alex reported, his voice tight with focus. The glow from his laptop cast flickering shadows across the room in the predawn darkness. "Maintenance crews entering both buildings over the past week."Maya leaned forward on the sofa, her exhaustion mounting but her mind razor-sharp. Rain streaked the penthouse windows, the storm a physical reflection of the chaos unraveling around them."Not maintenance," Elara said quietly, her tone cutting through the tension like a blade. Her arms were crossed tightly, her face pale but resolute. "Donovan used the same trick for smaller jobs. Workers who don’t exist, credentials that vanish when you look too close."Maya’s eyes scanned the grainy footage on the screen, her instincts flaring. Four hours until the board meeting. Four hours until the explosions. Her shoulder throbbed—a persistent ache that reminded her of the time slipping through their fingers—but she pushed it aside. They didn’t have the luxury of

The silence of the Moretti estate was deafening that night. Every creak of the old wooden floors seemed to echo louder than usual, every faint rustle outside the windows amplified by the tension gripping Maya’s chest. She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, the images of Cocona’s haunting resemblance to her replaying in her mind.Zane’s words echoed like a mantra: “You’re walking into a war… but I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”Safe. Was safety even possible in a house brimming with secrets and enemies lurking in the shadows?She sat up, unable to bear the stillness any longer. Throwing on a robe, she padded barefoot across the room and stepped into the dimly lit hallway. The estate’s corridors were unnervingly quiet, their vastness amplifying her isolation.As she moved through the hallway, a faint light drew her attention. It spilled out from beneath the door to Zane’s private study, a subtle crack in the otherwise impenetrable darkness.Her instincts told her to turn ba

Maya didn’t sleep that night. The latest note weighed heavily on her mind, the chilling message echoing over and over:“He’ll destroy you too.”She sat by the window, her knees pulled to her chest, watching the estate grounds bathed in moonlight. Her exhaustion tugged at her, but every time her eyes drifted shut, she imagined faceless figures lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.By dawn, she made a decision. She couldn’t wait for answers to come to her. She had to find them herself.Maya knew Zane had locked the room where Cocona’s photographs were kept, but something about that room felt pivotal. It was more than just Zane’s connection to his past—it was a puzzle piece in the web of secrets that now consumed her life.After breakfast, when she knew Zane was out at a business meeting, she slipped away from the main part of the house and made her way to the eastern wing. The hallway was empty, and her footsteps were muffled on the thick carpet as she approa

The recording device lay in Maya’s palm, its small, cold presence a chilling reminder of just how closely she was being watched. Her hands trembled as she stared at it, her mind racing through possibilities.Who had planted it? And how long had it been here?The thought that someone within the estate had been listening to her every word made her chest tighten with a mix of fear and anger. It was no longer just whispers and veiled threats—this was a violation, a calculated move meant to unnerve her.Maya shoved the device into her pocket and stood, her pulse pounding. She had to tell Zane.She found him in the security wing of the estate, standing with Alex and a few other guards around a wall of surveillance monitors. Zane’s posture was tense, his expression as sharp as the lines of his tailored suit.“Maya,” he said as she entered, his silver eyes narrowing. “What are you doing here?”She held up the recording device, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. “This was under m

The estate was eerily silent as Maya wandered through the dimly lit corridors, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and fear. The recent revelations had shattered the fragile sense of security she had begun to build. Helena's cold demeanor, Luca's subtle manipulations, and Isabella's sudden reappearance—all had conspired to make her feel like an outsider in a world she barely understood.Her hand instinctively rested on her growing belly, the life within her a constant reminder of the stakes at play. She had come to care deeply for Zane, but the web of deceit surrounding them threatened to unravel everything.As she turned a corner, she nearly collided with Alex, Zane's most trusted man. His expression softened upon seeing her."Miss Maya," he greeted, his voice laced with concern. "Is everything alright?"Maya forced a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Just... thinking."Alex studied her for a moment, his gaze sharp. "If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here."She nodded