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Chapter 85 ~ Collateral Damage
Last Updated:
2025-04-11 15:55:56
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Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 86 ~ Let the Game begins
~~~~~“This is just not my day,” I muttered under my breath, rubbing my temple before grabbing my phone. With a sigh, I dialed Sam’s number.The phone barely rang twice before he picked up. “Hello, ma’am. You on your way now?” he asked, straight to the point.I exhaled sharply, already exhausted. “No, Sam. As a matter of fact, there’s a change of plan,” I said in frustration.“Oh…” Sam hesitated for a moment before continuing, “but we can’t send them back… the plane is already in the air.”I rolled my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose. “What? Of course, we’re not sending them back, Sam. Just—please—go to the airport and pick them up.”“Oh, okay,” he said quickly. “Should I drive them to the hostel?”“No. God, no,” I replied, exasperated. “Take them to the house, and whatever you do, don’t mention my name or say anything about meeting me. I still want it to be a surprise. When I’m done here, I’ll come to you, okay?”“Okay, Ma
Last Updated : 2025-04-12Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 86 ~ Continuation
Continuation~~~~While I was still bracing myself, a man who appeared to be the manager of the event approached her. “Ah, Ms. Nora, I’m glad you could make it,” he said, extending a hand.“Me too,” Nora responded confidently, shaking his hand.“Well, the stage is this way. The selected reporters are already here,” he informed her. Then, with barely concealed anticipation, he added, “Are you ready for this?” There was no sympathy in his voice—if anything, he sounded eager to watch her crumble; I just sat down there watching their exchange in silent, waiting for my queue to step in.Nora, fully aware of their intentions, simply smiled, feigning ignorance.“What?” she asked, tilting her head.“The interview, I mean. Are you ready for it?” he rephrased his question, his tone filled with artificial politeness. “We can always improvise,&
Last Updated : 2025-04-12Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 87 ~ Protecting what is dear
~~~~Eric let out a heavy sigh, his head shifting from left to right as he scanned the room. He needed to know if he was alone. His body felt like it had been through hell—like he had been asleep for an eternity.When he first set out to uncover the truth about whether Diana had drugged him, he confronted her directly. She denied it. So he went for test after test, check-up after check-up. But every result came back the same—no trace of any drug in his system.That didn’t sit right with him.Being someone allergic to most drugs, he knew something was wrong. His body had felt different that night—off in a way he couldn’t explain.Desperate for answers, he had his blood drawn nearly twenty times across different hospitals, in different states. Still, nothing. Frustrated and exhausted, he finally took his mother’s advice and flew to France for a final attempt at finding the truth.But once again—nothing. No drugs. No toxins. No explanation.By then, he was so weak he could barely stand.
Last Updated : 2025-04-17Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 87 ~ Continuation
Continuations~~~~I took a deep breath, but it did little to cool the fire raging inside me. Fear of what may come? That can go straight to hell. The only thing that mattered was what Eric had been put through—all because of this.I exhaled sharply as the manager and the press welcomed me onto the stage."Thanks," I muttered, my tone carrying a restrained anger.Berry, the fucking interviewer, smiled. "Well, it’s good to see you, Madam Black," she said smoothly. "You look a little tense—relax, this isn't a war." She turned to the camera, flashing another rehearsed smile.I let out a short, humorless laugh. "Ha! You should have thought of that before messing with my family." My words were sharp and unfiltered, like a blade. I didn’t give a damn about the cameras right now.Before today, I had planned to handle this interview with self-control and diplomacy. But after finding out what that little slut did to Eric? Change of plans.Berry’s expression faltered for a split second before s
Last Updated : 2025-04-17Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 88 ~ Me against the world
~~~~~As I sat there in silence, debating how to answer without dragging my family into this mess, Berry mistook it for hesitation—maybe even shame.After all, why would a family as powerful as the Blacks associate with a nobody? A farm girl, no less. A nobody would’ve been easier to accept, but this? This was just unbelievable to people like her.But then again, did it even matter how I answered?“Listen, Mrs. Black,” Berry continued, her tone changing into something almost sympathetic. “There’s no need to feel embarrassed. If you don’t know what to say, we—”“No, that’s not it.” I cut her off, straightening up. “I’m just wondering why that’s even a question.”She blinked. “Excuse me?”“I love farming,” I said casually. “I eat a lot of vegetables&md
Last Updated : 2025-04-18Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 89 ~ Pay back is a bitch!
~~~~Berry’s face turned red, her eyes dark with filled with anger—so dark they looked like they could swallow someone whole.“You didn’t just say that to me,” she seethed.“Oh yes, I did,” I replied smoothly.A few chuckles resounded from the crowd.“Oh, Mrs. Berristky is done for,” someone muttered, barely suppressing a laugh.“Hmmm… I think it’s best if we switch the interviewer for a while,” the manager suddenly suggested, his tone carefully neutral.“Oh, I’m cool with that,” I said, reclining into my chair.Now that I thought about it, there were three people sitting in front of me. The manager, Berry, and a third woman with sleek raven-black hair. Unlike the others, she wasn’t smiling, and for some reason, that bothered me.“Alright then,” the manager smiled as Berry reluctantly passed the interview booklet to the woman.I turned to her with a curious smirk. “So… what do I call you
Last Updated : 2025-04-18Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 90 ~ The comeback of Mary Black
~~~~For crying out loud, where should I even start? I questioned myself as the eyes around the room seemed to be pressuring me into saying something. This is what everyone’s been waiting for, no doubt. Even though I promised to make Diana pay, I never expected her to reveal this much.What should I do?“Mrs. Black?” Berry called, smiling that smug smile.I turned to her calmly. “Yes?”“You’re silent?” she said, her tone sharp.“That I am!” I replied just as calmly.“Why? Is it that you don’t have anything to say, or should we just count your silence as you agreeing with it being true?” She added, her words dripping with sarcasm. “Not that it is not.”Take a deep breath, Mary. You’ve got this.“You don’t have to count my silence for anything,” I said, my voice steady. “I was just wonde
Last Updated : 2025-04-19Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 91~ Jump Start
~~~~Lockwood Mansion“Hahaha! Oh my God! My stomach—ha-ha!” Ruth, Diana’s secretary, laughed so hard she collapsed onto the floor, clutching her sides. “I swear, that woman is a superwoman! Jesus—did you hear everything she said?” She gasped between breaths, turning to Diana.But Diana was far from amused.“How dare that bitch!?” she roared, her face contorted in rage. She stormed around her lavish apartment, knocking over a glass from the coffee table. “I’M NOT A DAMN DRUG ADDICT!” she screamed.Still laughing, Ruth wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “Did you see the way she flipped everything on you and that reporter? I mean—damn! That was brutal.”Diana whirled around, her glare sharp enough to cut steel. “You’re not helping,
Last Updated : 2025-04-19
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Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 106 ~ Crossing Paths with the Johnson's (Part 3)
~~~~~~Even if his tone was challenging, I still had to say my piece—or this would all be for nothing.I took a deep breath and stood up from my seat. Quietly, I walked over to my parents and sat down beside them. If I was going to talk business with him—as a Johnson—then I needed to sit on the right side of the table. It was a small move, but one that mattered.From the corner of my eye, I caught Eric frown at my sudden movement, though he quickly masked it with a calm expression.Too late. I saw it.And I smiled.“Okay… here’s what I propose,” I said, placing the contract documents squarely on the table. “First of all, I’d like to be regarded as a partner in the Black Enterprise—not some rented employee,” I said firmly, letting every word land with meaning.He blinked. “What? That’s not possible, and you know it,” he said, clearly caught off guard.“Do I?” I asked, tilting my head. “Maybe you don’t see a future in this kind of business, let alone believe in signing a contract like t
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 105 ~ Crossing Paths with the Johnsons (Part 2)
~~~~~~After spending over an hour going through the terms and conditions of the binding contract, I took a deep breath and smiled warmly at both my mom and dad, who were still sitting there, quietly gazing at me in awe.Without anyone saying a word, I could already tell—they were impressed.Not just with the whole business talk, but with me. And honestly, that silent approval from them… it hit different.Eric, my man—my secret husband—kept gently tugging at my thigh from under the table, a small but meaningful gesture of support. I didn’t look at him, but I felt it. And that was enough.I turned to face my parents again. “Before we wrap things up… do you have any questions?” I asked, keeping my tone formal but kind.My mother was the first to blink out of the trance. “Well, we have plenty of questions,” she said with a short, dry laugh, one of those laughs that makes you pause for a second and think, Uh-oh.I raised a brow at her calmly.“But,” she continued, her voice filled with th
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 104 ~ Continuations
~~~~~~“Yes… the CEO is in the car, so we can’t keep him waiting,” I told my father, trying not to let my growing frustration show.Suddenly, my mother reached for my hand. “Okay then… drive with us,” she said quickly. “Since the place isn’t that far, he can go on his own. You’ll ride with us.”Wait—what?“Seriously, Mother?” I blinked at her.“Yes,” she insisted. “Ride with us. He can drive alone.”“Oh, for heaven’s sake.” I sighed and gently peeled her fingers from mine. “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but please… don’t. It’s not healthy.” I turned to Dad, forcing a smile. “We’ll wait for you to follow behind. See you there.” Without waiting for a response, I walked back to the car.Opening the door, I slid in and shut it firmly behind me, the
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 104 ~ Crossing Paths with the Johnsons (Part 1)
~~~~~~He looked completely shocked—like the idea of coming with me had never even crossed his mind. Seriously? Did he really think I’d go alone? So much for standing by me.“Why do you look like that?” I asked, narrowing my eyes. “You are coming. You're the boss, remember? You're the one discussing the contract. I’m just the middle woman—the one who connected you guys.”“But…” he scratched the back of his head, visibly nervous, “you’re the actual boss, Mary. The land belongs to you, not me.”“I know,” I replied calmly, “but I also know my parents. They’ll only take this seriously if it looks official—if it feels like a real business deal and not some favor from their daughter. They’ll work their hardest if they know it’s a proper contract and they’re earning from it.”Eric looked like he wanted to argue, but I reached for his hand.“I already planned to pay them for their work, but they won’t take my money. You know how they are. Please… do this for me. Just play the part, okay?”“Yo
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 103 ~ Between the Lines
~~~~We moved from the dining table, our fingers meshed together, silent but connected.The house felt quieter now that Nora had left, and maybe that’s why my heart beat louder. Every step toward the sofa felt heavier than it should have.Eric dropped onto the big white couch, casually leaning back like he had no idea my brain was in knots. I sat beside him and faced him fully.“I… I don’t really know how to say this,” I started, voice low. “But I was wondering… that piece of land you showed me the other day—does it still belong to me? Is the contract still valid?”His reaction was instant, but not what I expected.“Huh?” he muttered, staring at me with a strange, unreadable expression. His brows drew together slightly, but it wasn’t confusion—it was something else. Something darker.What the hell?That look alone made my stomach tighten. He’s
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 102 ~ Stirred, Not Settled
~~~~~~Eric collapsed onto the bed, breathing hard, his chest rising and falling like he’d just run a marathon. He dragged a hand through his hair, dazed and a little stunned. He had never—never—done something like this before.Not even back when he was single. Masturbation? That just hadn’t been his thing. He’d never needed it. But tonight? Tonight was different.Who would've guessed that giving someone else so much pleasure could leave him this breathless, this wrecked?He sighed, turning his head to glance at Mary—curled up beside him, flushed, glowing, looking like something out of a dream. And the way she moaned his name… the way she came undone beneath him like he was the only man in the world who could make her feel that way…“Damn,” he muttered under his breath.He wasn’t just drained—he was gone for her. Emoti
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 101 ~ Love knows no bound
~~~~Or so I thought.When I woke up the next morning, my entire body was sore—like every muscle was personally protesting the wild passion of the night before.“Ouch,” I winced, slowly turning my head to the side.There he was, Eric—sleeping peacefully beside me. He looked like an angel. Honestly, since we got married, this was the first time I had the chance to really just look at him while he slept. No business calls, no press, no drama—just him, wrapped in soft sheets and peace.I blushed, memories of last night flooding back in a rush of heat.Gently, I slipped out of bed and tiptoed into the bathroom like a mischievous teenager sneaking off after curfew.After a long, hot bath, I stood in front of the mirror and blinked. “Wow… that’s a lot of bite marks,” I muttered, lightly touching one on my collarbone. My skin looked flushed and... well-loved.Then I reali
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 100 ~ Mine to possess
~~~~Once she lowered herself onto him, Eric felt an overwhelming wave of heat and pleasure flood his senses. Mary began to move in a slow, deliberate rhythm, her hips rotating in a sensual dance that drove him to the edge of control.The soft strands of her golden hair brushed against his bare skin—gliding over his stomach and thighs like silk. Her presence above him was ethereal, radiant.At that moment, she looked like a golden rose blooming under a quiet spring night—delicate, powerful, and breathtakingly beautiful.“This… this is mine,” Eric thought, a foolish grin tugging at his lips before he could stop it. She noticed—of course she did—and smiled at him, as if savoring the power she held over him. She kept moving slowly, almost torturously so, and even though it frustrated him, he couldn't help but love every second of it.The hotness of her, the way her body held him so completely—it was almost too much. His desire only intensified, growing stronger with every subtle movemen
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 99 ~ Continuation
~~~~Eric carried me into the room, laying me gently on the bed. He kissed my forehead, as if trying to kiss away all my worries.“God! I miss you,” he whispered against my skin, his voice filled with emotion. I smiled softly, feeling everything between us begin to melt away.Even though I wasn’t saying anything aloud, my eyes spoke volumes. I pushed him gently onto the bed, feeling the heat between us burn.“Mary—” he started, his voice filled with desire."Shush," I whispered softly, calming him. "Let me take care of you," I said as I gently straddled him, planting soft kisses along his neck.I took off his shirt, savoring the closeness, as he let out a quiet sigh. My hands moved lower, but I paused, making sure he was comfortable. I continued with a gentle, affectionate stroke, and he moaned softly in response. But when I began to move further to unzip his pants, he halted me, gently grabbing my hand.
