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Chapter 19  – Under the Surface

Author: JAYNE
last update Last Updated: 2025-08-05 21:57:22

Emma sat at her desk, staring at the piles of files. Her mind wasn’t on Ace or the kiss anymore. Instead, she thought about Nathan and Patricia’s lunch meeting. A lot of questions were running through her mind. Did they know each other before? Are they both scheming against her company? What is their relationship? She focused on one thing: fixing the problems before they ruined everything her father worked for.

She told Julian to call all the department heads to a meeting. Everyone had to explain exactly what was going on in their department. She will not entertain any form of excuses. Emma was determined to find out where the problems were hiding. The company had to be strong and working well again.

Two hours later, Emma walked into the conference room right on time. Everyone was already seated. She greeted them with a polite nod, her face calm but unreadable. Her assistant, Julian, placed a folder beside her before quietly leaving the room.

Nathan sat to her right. He gave her a pol
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  • CEO's Dare Bride    Chapter 41 – Shadow Meeting

    Nathan sat in his apartment, staring at the flash drive like it might explode. He muttered, “The most dangerous piece of plastic I’ve ever owned.”He flipped it in his fingers. “If I lose you, I’m dead. If I keep you, I’ll be dead slower.” He set it down. “What a choice.”He pressed record on his phone.“Emma,” he began in a pleading tone. “You know me. I only signed papers. Rafael ordered. Patricia confirmed. I…” He stopped and groaned. “No, no. Too whiny. She’ll think I’m begging.”He tried again, this time sharper.“Emma. I have leverage. I have every file. If you don’t shield me, I’ll burn the company to the ground. You know how hard your dad worked to bring this company to life.” He replayed it and grimaced. “Great. Now I sound like a Bond villain with no budget.”He deleted it. He pressed record again.“Emma. Help me. Save me. In return, I’ll hand you Rafael and Patricia.” He paused, nodded. “Okay, that almost sounds reasonable.” He replayed it and tilted his head. “But also des

  • CEO's Dare Bride    Chapter 40 – Trust

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  • CEO's Dare Bride    Chapter 39 – Unknown Caller

    Nathan sat alone. His phone lit up again. Unknown Caller. He stared at it. He whispered, “What do you want from me?”The phone rang on. He pressed the answer. A voice came through, low and firm. “You are in danger, Nathan.”Nathan gripped the phone. “Who is this?”Silence for a few seconds. Then, “Not your enemy. Listen,” said the caller.Nathan muttered, “Everyone says that before they stab me. Tell me who you are, or I will cut this call.”The voice said, “They used you. You know this already. Rafael. Patricia. They left you with the blame. They were not the only ones to be blamed; you were too greedy and resentful. That is why you allowed yourself to be used by those two.”Nathan pressed his forehead with his palm. “You think I don’t know? You think I’m blind? My name is everywhere. They’re free. I’m ruined.”The voice replied, “Not yet ruined. You still have proof. Use it.”Nathan frowned. “You know about the files? How do you know about the files? Are you stalking me?”The voice

  • CEO's Dare Bride    Chapter 38 – The Audit Findings

    The room was quiet as the audit team finished their report. Papers shuffled. Screens went off.Mrs. Lawrenzo, the audit committee head, spoke. “The investigation is complete. The records point to Nathan Reed. No other names surfaced.”A board member leaned forward. “You are saying he acted alone?”Mrs. Lawrenzo nodded. “Every path led to him. His login. His approvals. His traces. No outside account tied to the breaches.”Another board member frowned. “But we suspected Rafael Donovan. Where is his name?”Mrs. Lawrenzo shook her head. “There is no trace. We found no connection. Every trail ended at Nathan.”Whispers moved across the table. Some nodded. Others exchanged doubtful looks.Emma raised her hand. The room settled. “If the findings show Nathan, we acknowledge them. But we must be careful how we act.”Mr. Shaw spoke. “Careful? He compromised us. The press already has leaks. His name is everywhere. We must go to the authorities now.”Mrs. Cole countered. “No. If we rush, we expos

  • CEO's Dare Bride    Chapter 37 – The Next Move

    Ace walked into the kitchen. Emma was at the table, coffee in her hand, her phone buzzing on the counter.“Any word?” he asked.Emma nodded. The freezes went through, Padita. Vanadium and the Cayman account. All locked.”Ace sat down across from her. “Then, Rafael has lost his anchors.”Emma said, “He will notice soon. that is, if he hasn't noticed already.”The door opened, and Brian came in with a folder. His face was serious. “Morning. I came straight here,” he said.Ace asked, “What do you have?”Brian set the folder down. “I learned that the accounts that Emma petitioned have been frozen. The court confirmed the freezes. Orders are official. The accounts are frozen until the hearing.”Emma asked, “Any sign Rafael has moved yet?”Brian shook his head. “Not yet. We are watching for any sign of transfers, but none yet. He is quiet, which is unlike him.”Ace said, “He is planning. He will react when he sees it.”Emma looked at Brian. “Are we safe from leaks?” Brian said, “I spoke to

  • CEO's Dare Bride    Chapter 36 – The Intruder

    The private entrance of the building was quiet when Ace arrived. Two guards waited, their faces tense.One of the guards said, “The door was locked. No signs of force. The system shows valid access.”Ace’s voice was calm. “Whose access was used?” he asked.The guard said, “Yours, sir.”Brian stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. “That means someone cloned your card,” he said.Ace pointed directly at the guard. “Check the logs. Compare the times with my real location,” he said.The guard nodded quickly. “Yes, sir,” he said, then left at once.Brian turned back to Ace. “If it was cloned,” he said, “then it was someone with inside access.”Ace shook his head. “Or someone trying to make it look that way,” he said.The two men walked into his office. The desk drawers were open, papers stacked out of order. The faint heat from the computer spoke of recent use.Ace stopped by the desk. “What was accessed?” he asked.The IT head came in carrying a laptop. “We tracked logins,” the man said. “Se

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