Semua Bab THE BILLONIARE UNWANTED SUBSTITUTE BRIDE: Bab 31 - Bab 40

Lily’s heart pounded as she stared at Liam. The look in his eyes sent a shiver down her spine pure, raw determination edged with something darker and with this intense feeling. “Liam,” she whispered, gripping his arm. “Talk to me. What did he mean?” Liam exhaled slowly, rubbing a hand over his face. “It means my father has set everything in motion.” She swallowed hard. “And what does that mean for us?” Liam’s gaze softened slightly as he reached up to brush his thumb along her jawline. “It means you need to trust me.” That was not something she considered..She did trust him. But that didn’t make the uncertainty any easier to bear. Lily shifted closer. “You’re not alone in this, Liam. Whatever he’s planning, we’ll fight it together.” A ghost of a smile touched his lips before vanishing just as quickly. “You don’t understand, Lily. This isn’t just about my business. My father doesn’t play fair. He destroys lives.” Her fingers tightened around his. “Then let’s make sure he

Screams erupted. Cameras dropped. Reporters scattered like panicked birds.Lily’s breath hitched as her gaze snapped to Liam her heart stopped.Liam staggered back, his hand flying to his side, fingers pressing against the crimson stain spreading across his crisp white shirt.For a moment, time froze.Then, chaos shattered it.“Liam!” Lily’s voice cracked as she lunged toward him, her body moving before her mind could catch up.Security swarmed the stage, shouting orders, guns drawn, shielding Liam as another shot rang out. The sharp crack of the bullet sent people ducking, shrieking. It shattered the microphone stand beside him, sending sparks flying.William tackled Liam to the ground just in time. “Stay down!”Liam gritted his teeth, clutching his side. The pain burned, hot and relentless, but his mind remained razor-sharp. He forced himself to focus.Who did this?His father’s men? A competitor with a grudge? Someone else he had crossed?Footsteps pounded around them. Security gua

Lily’s hands trembled as she clutched the edges of the marble countertop in the vast, sterile kitchen. The cool surface did nothing to ground her. The tension in the air was suffocating, thick with unsaid words and unspoken truths.Across the room, Liam stood like a statue carved from stone rigid, unyielding, unreadable. His silver-gray eyes burned into her, sharp as a blade, and his jaw ticked with the effort to keep his fury in check. His hands were shoved into the pockets of his slacks, a calculated move, she realized, to keep from revealing any weakness. But it was there, crackling beneath the surface, barely restrained."Say it again," Liam’s voice was low, dangerous. "Tell me exactly what you just said."Lily’s throat burned, but she lifted her chin, refusing to shrink beneath the weight of his anger."I didn’t have a choice, Liam. I never did."Silence stretched between them, thick as smoke.Liam took a slow step closer, closing the space between them. His presence swallowed he

Lily’s heart pounded as she stood in front of Liam, gripping the file with trembling fingers. The weight of the paper felt heavier than it should, as if it carried something far more dangerous than ink and numbers. She could feel the heat of his gaze sharp, unyielding, daring her to push further. But she wasn’t backing down. Not this time. “You’re protecting someone, aren’t you?” Her voice was softer now, not accusing but searching. Liam’s jaw tensed, his stormy gray eyes flashing with something unreadable. His body was rigid, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. “Drop it, Lily.” She exhaled, steadying herself. “I can’t.” A dark chuckle escaped his lips, void of humor. “Of course, you can’t.” Lily swallowed hard, gathering her courage. “Who is it, Liam? Who are you sending all this money to?” She lifted the file slightly, her hands shaking from both fear and frustration. Liam took a slow, measured step toward her, his presence overwhelming. “You don’t want to know

Lily stood at the edge of the balcony, the cool night air brushing against her skin as she stared out at the sprawling city below. The lights twinkled in the distance, like distant stars, but nothing seemed to shine as brightly as the turmoil within her chest. It had been days since the gala, and the weight of her choices felt like an unshakable burden on her soul.She hadn’t been prepared for any of this least of all for the pull of attraction she felt for Liam. She should have been angry, bitter, and hurt. After all, he had used her, manipulated her into a contract that no one in their right mind would agree to. And yet, every time he looked at her, every time his voice dipped into that dangerous yet seductive tone, she felt a pang in her chest.Liam had changed the rules without her consent, and now, with every passing day, she found herself tangled in emotions she had no place feeling. The whirlwind of being thrust into his world—the luxurious penthouse, the power, the secrets—was