All Chapters of THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Mia’s hands shook as she dropped the shards of the vase, panic twisting her chest. She knelt beside the unconscious man, her fingers fumbling through his jacket. Who was he? Her breathing quickened as she searched for anything—an ID, a clue—anything that could explain why she was there. Suddenly, she froze. She could hear faint footsteps behind the door. Someone was coming. The sound was sharp, deliberate. Her heart pounded harder with each step. Who could that be? The door burst open, and she jumped, turning toward the noise. It was Zac. Mia’s stomach flipped at the sight of him. He stood in the doorway, tall and commanding, his sharp eyes moving from her to the man on the floor, then back to her. The calmness in his voice sent a chill down her spine. “What’s going on, Mia? What did you do?” Her heart raced. She didn’t even know where she was. The last time she checked, she’d been at least three hours away from home, stuck on a desolate street. How was Zac here?

Mia woke to the smell of food drifting through the air. For a moment, she lay still, caught between sleep and waking. The bright exterior lights slipped through the thin curtains, casting a quiet glow in her room. She glanced at the clock on the nightstand—just past 5 a.m., the same time she always woke up.Stretching her arms above her head, she slowly sat up. Her eyes wandered to the empty chair by her bed, where she had spent hours last night, going over the questions Zac had told her to prepare. A few answers stuck in her head. Most of them didn’t. It didn’t really matter. She had a few hours left to cram, but the thought of why she was doing this lingered. Why did she care so much about obeying Zac?The answer came quickly: her mom.Mia hadn’t expected to see her mother last night. When she got home, her mom was asleep on the couch, her head resting against the armrest. She must have waited for hours, but Mia couldn’t bring herself to wake her. The soft rise and fall of her mom’s

“Yes, Dad,” she replied, her voice steady but cautious. “It’s my passion. I’ve wanted this for years.” Seth dropped the tablet onto the desk, his temper flaring. “Passion? What about the family business? What about everything I’ve worked for?” “Dad, I told you years ago,” Celine said, her voice rising slightly. “I have no interest in working under the family name.” “But you agreed to the business courses I enrolled you in,” he snapped. “Dad—” “No!” he shouted, cutting her off. “You’re my last chance, Celine!” Seth stood up immediately, pacing the room. “Your sisters have already disappointed me—one playing dress-up with her fashion company, the other running off to teach art to children! Let’s not even start with Angela, who eloped with her boyfriend. But you… You’re the only one who could—” “Could what?” Celine interrupted, her composure cracking. “Give up my dreams to live the life you want for me?” She stood now, her voice rising. “Dad, I’ve told you before. I lov

Mia stepped into the private dining hall, her steps careful and purposeful. The room was filled with subtle luxury, muted golden lighting bouncing off polished silver accents, complemented by the soft hum of a piano in the corner. Two waitresses stood by discreetly, their postures perfect, as if rehearsed. It was the kind of refined luxury that made her feel like an uninvited guest at a gala. Zac sat at the far end of the room, casually swirling a glass of wine, looking like a king in his domain. He looked up when she walked in, his eyes scanning her as if measuring her value. When Mia stepped closer, he immediately noticed her simple outfit—a satin skirt, blouse, and flat sandals. She was beautiful, as always, but woefully out of place. He smiled, leaning back in his chair as she approached. “Good evening, sir,” Mia said with a polite bow. “Sit,” he said sharply, not bothering to acknowledge her greeting. “Check the menu if you need something specific.” Mia hesitated, her ton

The morning felt crisp, the faint hum of birdsong filtering through the open window as Mia prepared for her first day at ZIRCONS Group. Her mother was already in the kitchen, preparing breakfast as usual to help her get ready before she left. It was just past 6 AM, yet Mia, who always woke up early, was already wearing a black dress—one of those Zac had purchased for her. She stepped into a set of two-inch heels, the gentle click of her shoes on the tiled floor resonating as she rushed out of the house. At 7:20 AM, Mia found herself in the impressive foyer of ZIRCONS Group’s headquarters, feeling a mix of confidence and worry.. Upon entering the lobby, the refreshing air-conditioning welcomed her, and she surveyed the lively area. She arrived at the reception area by 7:25 and was promptly guided to Zac’s main office on the top floor. The office itself was striking—modern yet understated. Zac’s office was spacious, featuring a big mahogany desk at its core and tall windows fr