Library
Maghanap
Home / Romance / Gilded Hearts / Chapter 11

Share

Chapter 11

Author: Ruby
last update Huling Na-update: 2025-11-22 20:38:44

Damien POV

Personally, I usually do not spend the night in the office, but due to a necessity of an important meeting the following day I had to.

The still office, the vacant floor, During night, the lights were reduced, the soft buzz of machines winding down for the evening.

And her.

Sophia Rivera

Alone at her desk, gathering her files, tucked into her own world the way she always was when she worked.

With no makeup, no pretences, no flirting, no angling for attention.

Just… focused.

It was the first thing about her that ever annoyed me.

Then, the first thing that fascinated me.

I didn’t want to admit that.

However, her total focus on those logistics sheets, the accuracy of her notes, and the revisions she’d implemented that I hadn’t even noticed

She worked like her life depended on it, like every number mattered, every line mattered.

And the worst part?

She was good.

Much better than I had expected when she first walked into Hayes Global with her plain looks and quiet voice.

But wh
Patuloy na basahin ang aklat na ito nang libre
I-scan ang code upang i-download ang App
Locked Chapter
Nakaraang Kabanata Susunod na kabanata

Pinakabagong kabanata

  • Gilded Hearts   Chapter 19

    Damien POVThe summons came without explanation.Claire’s voice over the phone was clipped, formal.“Mr. Hayes, your grandfather requests the entire family at the manor this evening.”Entire family.That alone was enough to put me on edge.Edward Hayes didn’t gather us unless something irreversible was about to happen.The Hayes Manor looked the same as always, immaculate, intimidating, steeped in legacy. The kind of place where decisions were made that altered lives while crystal glasses clinked softly in the background.My father was already there, seated straight-backed on the leather sofa, expression unreadable as ever. My mother sat beside him, elegant in ivory silk, fingers wrapped tightly around a porcelain cup. My younger sister lounged near the window, scrolling her phone, clearly bored but curious.And at the head of the room—Edward.He didn’t waste time on pleasantries.“Sit,” he said.We did.Silence followed, heavy and deliberate. Edward’s sharp eyes moved across each of

  • Gilded Hearts   Chapter 18

    Sophia POVTwo days the hours blended together. I sat in hospital corridors., with the sweet smell of medicine, and heard the beep of machines, that monitored the weak heart of my mother. I could hardly sleep. My brother barely talked. It was all as though by a thin thread. Today morning, when I had at last bent my head back, in the uncomfortable hospital chair and closed my eyes, I heard footsteps. They were stable, quiet, and too refined to be in such a place,. I opened my eyes and froze.Edward Hayes.He stood at the end in the corridor with two of his own staff like he carried the whole empire behind him.. His eyes became soft when he saw me.“Sophia,” he greeted in that warm, composed voice of his,. “May I see your mother?” I nodded blankly and led him inside.My mother lay half dozing, her white face so thin and wan against the white pillow, the oxygen mask fogging gently with the effort of each frail breath.Edward walked partway down the aisle. He stood for a moment by

  • Gilded Hearts   Chapter 17

    Damien POVThe Grand Arc Hotel was inundated with golden lights and costly perfume, a place where I belong with ease.I was known among many people, people smiled a little when they saw me, and even the mention of my last name could alter the atmosphere in the room.I was not afraid of anything in that room.Nothing in that room intimidated me.Except her.Sophia Rivera.She walked in wearing something simple—black, modest, clean.Not flashy. Not loud.Nothing like the other women who dressed like they were competing for the cover of a luxury magazine.But she—She still stood out.Not because of her clothes.Because of her confidence.Her voice.The calm way she spoke to executives twice her age.The way they actually listened.My eyes followed her across the room.At first, I was only curious to know how she was carrying herself in this elite party, but soon it turned into irritation, then into something I refused to acknowledgeEvery time she smiled softly at someone, explaining t

  • Gilded Hearts   Chapter 16

    Sophia POVThe ride to Hayes Global felt longer than it ever had, even though I barely remembered how I reached here.My eyes were burning from crying through the night. Nick was still at the hospital waiting for mom to get conscious while I was here in the office, walking through Edward Hayes cabinI could feel my palms getting sweaty and cold, and my heart was hammering against my ribs loudlyAll the way coming here, I kept wondering—What condition could a man like Edward Hayes possibly place on me?He could ask for anything.Business favors.Long-term loyalty to the company.Signing a contract that would bind me to Hayes Global in some way.But the truth sat heavily in my chest the whole ride here:I have nothing to give him. Nothing a man of his power would need.Still, I needed the money.Mom needed the money.And I would do anything for her.I reached the familiar glass door.His name was etched in bold silver letters, Edward Hayes, and suddenly I felt very small.I lifted my

  • Gilded Hearts   Chapter 15

    Sophia POVEvery step felt uneasy on the pavement, I did not know where I was going. I had to be away from himAway from Damien Hayes.Away from the words he threw at me like knives.The word's echoes were cruel. They will never leave my mind.After a while, I finally got a cab. I quickly got inside it.The driver gave me one look in the rearview mirror, a kind, concerned look but he didn't ask anythingThank God, he didnt ask anything.I did not have the strength for speaking.The apartment seemed dark as I arrived at home, except for a small light that shone through the kitchen.I removed my heels and sighed in pain.My feet burned, and my chest hurt even more.“Mom?” I called softly.No answer.Just silence.Then—A faint sound.A soft, ragged gasp.My blood froze.I rushed into the living room—And my purse slipped from my fingers.“Mom?”She was lying on the floor, lifelessly.“Mom!” I got on my knees so fast that I could feel a wave of pain running through my legsHer face looke

  • Gilded Hearts   Chapter 14

    Sophia POVI soon completed my work in the office and returned home to prepare to attend the party.By the time evening arrived, my room looked like a battlefield of rejected clothes.I didn’t have anything fancy, nothing that screamed “high-level business party,” nothing designer or shimmering or elegant the way other women at Hayes Global effortlessly dressed. Just… my wardrobe.Simple. Clean. Affordable.This is going to be my first official party with so many influential people. I need to dress appropriately to make myself look betterWell, I need to figure something out quickly, I finally settled on the one outfit I knew looked decent on me, a fitted black dress with modest sleeves and a knee-length hem. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was polished. Respectable. Professional.I quickly tied my hair in a low bun, left a few soft strands by my face, and put on a little eyeliner.Just enough not to look exhausted. Just enough to catch my eyes, look more lively.But my real focus wasn

Higit pang Kabanata

Maaari mong magustuhan

Galugarin at basahin ang magagandang nobela
Libreng basahin ang magagandang nobela sa GoodNovel app. I-download ang mga librong gusto mo at basahin kahit saan at anumang oras.
Libreng basahin ang mga aklat sa app
I-scan ang code para mabasa sa App
DMCA.com Protection Status