Semua Bab The Price of His Betrayal : Bab 11 - Bab 20

The morning sunlight seeped through the mansion’s grand windows, casting a warm glow over the polished floors. Outside, the faint chirping of birds signaled the start of a new day, but inside Christian Blake’s private study, the air was thick with concentration.Christian sat behind his imposing mahogany desk, his sharp eyes glued to the screen as his fingers moved swiftly across the keyboard. The faint sound of typing filled the otherwise silent room, the only other movement being the slight furrow of his brow as he worked.The door creaked open.“Working already?”Olivia’s smooth voice cut through the quiet, carrying that usual tone of motherly observation mixed with something else—something subtle, unreadable.Christian didn’t look up immediately. “Morning, Mother,” he greeted, his voice even.Olivia stepped inside, her silk robe flowing elegantly around her as she made her way toward him. Her gaze swept across the room before landing on the pile of documents beside him.She til

Adrian stepped into the supermarket, the cold air-conditioning brushing against his skin. His sharp eyes immediately scanned the aisles, and it didn’t take him long to spot her.Crystal was a few rows ahead, her small frame pushing a cart as she carefully checked the list Evelyn had given her. She moved slowly, her attention focused, oblivious to everything around her—including him.The supermarket was crowded, making it easy for him to stay unnoticed. He moved to the opposite side, pretending to browse the shelves, but his eyes kept flickering back to her.She looked… out of place.The oversized sweater she wore, the way she clutched the list like it was her lifeline, it was obvious she wasn’t used to simple things like this. It made something in him tighten.Adrian took his time, walking through the aisles and picking up random items—things he didn’t even need. He wasn’t in a hurry to leave, though he didn’t understand why he was lingering.Crystal, on the other hand, had already fi

The aroma of rich spices filled the mansion as Crystal stood over the stove, stirring a dish she had perfected long ago—a recipe she used to cook for Christian’s family. Her hands moved swiftly, multitasking between the simmering pot and the bread she was kneading. The house had fewer workers now, as most had resigned, unable to cope with the Blake family’s unpredictable temperaments.Crystal, however, had no choice.She had already finished the laundry, scrubbing the sheets and pressing clothes with aching hands. Now, the heat from the kitchen mixed with her exhaustion, making her head feel unbearably heavy. Her legs trembled beneath her, but she clenched her teeth and pushed through it. She couldn't afford to collapse.When the meal was ready, the caterers served it with precision. The family ate in silence, enjoying every bite—yet, not a single word of appreciation was uttered. Crystal wasn’t surprised. She simply took a step back, watching as plates emptied, her own stomach twisti

Ilda’s reflection in the mirror was flawless—her dark eyes lined with precision, her lips painted a soft shade of rose, her hair cascading down in effortless waves. But beneath the surface, tension tightened her jaw.She exhaled slowly, fingers grazing over the strap of her small bag. She couldn’t afford mistakes.Then, as if on cue, her phone buzzed.She lifted it to her ear, her voice smooth but firm.“I’m ready.”A pause. Then a low voice on the other end responded.“Five minutes.”The call ended.Ilda’s grip on the phone tightened before she slid it into her bag. She straightened her posture, smoothing out her dress with practiced ease. She had played this game for a long time—secrecy was nothing new.She stepped outside just as a sleek black car pulled up. Without hesitation, she slipped inside.From the upstairs window, Olivia’s gaze followed the car as it moved down the long driveway.She pulled out her phone and, with a slow smirk, typed out the license plate number.“Let’s se

The morning light streamed through the curtains, casting golden streaks across the room. Ilda lay still on the bed, her eyes fixed on the ceiling, lost in thought. Her mind replayed the moment from the previous day—the sharp demand in his voice, the way his fingers tapped impatiently on the table."I need that money, Ilda. No more delays."She swallowed, remembering the way he had leaned forward, his eyes dark and expectant. There was no room for excuses, no space for negotiation.A sharp sting brought her back to reality; she had pinched her arm, grounding herself.“I need to get the money by all means.”With a deep breath, she pushed the covers aside and got up. Ilda sat at the edge of the bed, her phone clutched tightly in her hands, but her thoughts were far from idle. Her lips were slightly parted, her brows drawn together in feigned distress.The door to the study creaked open, and she caught the sound of Christian’s steady footsteps heading toward the bedroom.Without missing a