All Chapters of The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

I walked into my bedroom, rolling my shoulders, trying to ease the tension in my muscles. The anger was still simmering beneath my skin, but I was too drained to let it boil over. Everything that happened today—it was too much. Bella. Le Deon. The competition. The company. My pride.I ran a hand down my face and walked into the bathroom. The cold tiles against my feet sent a shiver up my spine. I turned on the shower, letting the water heat up as I pulled off my clothes.As soon as I stepped under the spray, I exhaled sharply. The hot water rushed down my back, washing away some of the tension, but my thoughts refused to quiet down.Bella had returned just to make a statement. Not only had she revealed herself as Le Deon, but she made sure I—and the entire world—knew she had power now. A major shareholder. How long had she been planning this?I braced my hands against the wall, my head hanging low.She wanted to take control. To let me know she wasn’t the same girl I had once known. B

stared at Leo, my heart pounding, my hands clenched so tight my nails dug into my skin. He looked at me, waiting, like he had just said something that should change my whole world.I took a step closer. “And even so?” My voice was sharp, cutting through the night air. “What’s it to you?”Leo’s jaw tightened. “Bella—”I didn’t let him finish. “You think you can just stand here and tell me that like it matters? Like it changes anything?”His eyes darkened. “It does.”“No,” I snapped. “It doesn’t.” My breath was heavy. “You have no right to stand in my way, Leo. None.”He exhaled sharply. “Bella, listen—”“No,” I cut in again. I pointed a finger at him. “You listen to me. If you don’t get out of my way right now, I will call the police, and I will get you arrested. Do you hear me?”Leo stared at me like he couldn’t believe what I had just said. His lips parted, but no words came out.I didn’t wait for him to respond. I turned on my heels, walked straight to the car, and got in.Ryan shu

I leaned back in my chair, watching as Bella stood at the front of the boardroom. Her posture was confident, her chin slightly raised like she owned the place.She looked around the room, taking her time, making sure everyone’s eyes were on her.“I called this meeting,” she began, her voice smooth, steady. “Because there’s something important we need to discuss.”I crossed my arms, waiting.“The competition,” she continued. “It’s already a success, but I don’t believe in settling. We are going to take it further.”Murmurs spread through the room. Some of the board members exchanged glances. Others leaned forward, curious.Bella didn’t pause. “We are expanding the competition. Internationally.”Silence. Then, almost at once, the reactions came.“What?” One of the older board members frowned. “Internationally?”“Do you know how much work that would take?” another man asked, shaking his head.A woman near the end of the table adjusted her glasses. “That’s… a huge leap. Do we even have th

Leo’s POVI stood by the window, arms crossed, watching the city lights flicker in the distance. My bags were packed, my schedule cleared, and lodged in the hotel ready to leave and yet here I was, stuck listening to Stella cry for the past fifteen minutes.“You can’t go, Leo!” she wailed, gripping the edge of my desk like her life depended on it. “You just can’t!”I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose. “Stella, I have to.”She shook her head violently. “No, you don’t! Why do you have to follow her? Why do you have to go on this stupid trip?!”I exhaled, forcing patience into my voice. “This is business.”“This is Bella!” She looked at me, eyes red and swollen. “She’s dragging you into something. You know she is!”I didn’t answer. Instead, I walked over to my wardrobe and grabbed the last of my things. Stella let out a frustrated noise and stomped her foot like a child. “Leo! Are you even listening to me?!”I turned to her. “Enough.”Her mouth snapped shut.I hated that I was snappi

Bella’s POVThe airport lounge was filled with noise—shareholders chatting, assistants running around, the occasional announcement blaring through the speakers. I sat in one of the sleek black chairs, legs crossed, fingers drumming lightly against my knee. My patience was wearing thin.Leo was late.I glanced at my watch for what felt like the hundredth time. He had fifteen more minutes before I made a decision he wouldn’t like.Across from me, Mr. Carson, one of the older shareholders, adjusted his glasses and leaned forward. “should we be concerned?”I turned to him with a small smile, controlled, professional. “Concerned about what, Mr. Carson?”He gestured vaguely. “Our CEO. If he doesn’t show up, it won’t be a good look for us when we land. The investors expect strong leadership.”I nodded, giving him a reassuring look. “And they’ll get that. Trust me, Mr. Carson, Leo knows how important this is.”Mrs. Patel, sitting beside him, arched a brow. “Then why is he late?”I kept my exp