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CHAPTER 38: Cutting ties with Zac
최신 업데이트:
2025-01-11 04:05:33
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THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 39: Bella’s Plea
Bella stepped out of her sleek black car as the gates of Seth’s villa closed shut behind her. Her face was puffy from crying, so she had to wear big dark shades to mask her pale face. Seth's guards positioned at the entrance shared looks, uncertain if they should restrict her access or ignore her.Seth was just stepping inside his living room when he heard the sound of fast footsteps behind him. He stopped at the doorway, his eyes narrowing as one of his men approached and whispered something in his ear.“Let her in." Seth instructed, gesturing with his hand, his tone composed yet authoritative. He had already seated himself in the living room by the time she reached him, his expression neutral.“Uncle!” Bella whined, throwing herself onto the couch opposite him. Her voice trembled as she buried her face in her hands. “Zac broke up with me! I—I don’t know what to do!”Seth leaned back in his chair, a faint expression of surprise appearing on his face. “What?” he asked, his tone ti
최신 업데이트 : 2025-01-11THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 40: Goodbye, Angelo
Mia sat curled up on her bed, her back resting against the headboard, biting the edge of her thumb absentmindedly. She had been like that after she had a cold bath that morning, clothed in an oversized T-shirt that hung loosely on her body. The sleeves were so big they almost swallowed her hands, her knees drawn up tightly to her chest. Her dark brown hair was unkempt, messy from a whole day spent lying in the same spot. “Mia,” Samantha called softly as she walked in quietly from her own room down the hall. She perched herself at the edge of Mia’s bed, her brows furrowed in concern as she looked at her friend.“How long would you keep doing this to yourself?” Samantha leaned forward, shaking her head. Mia didn’t respond. She just hugged her knees tighter and stared at the rumpled blanket beneath her.Samantha sighed and shifted closer, sitting cross-legged behind Mia. “This isn’t the end of the world,” she said gently. “You can’t just stay here like this and do nothing.”Mia fina
최신 업데이트 : 2025-01-14THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 41: Forgive me, Angelo
Mia felt her chest tighten the moment she caught the vulnerability in Angelo’s gaze. He wasn’t his usual self—lighthearted and teasing. Instead, something heavy lingered in his eyes.“Maybe we can watch a movie or two?" he proposed, attempting to appear cheerful.She nodded, forcing a small smile. "Alright."They sat together on the couch, with a blanket covering their legs. Angelo had ordered pizza, yet his slice remained uneaten on the table. His thoughts appeared distant, caught up in a reality he wasn't prepared to share. After a while, Mia observed the small shaking in his hands. She paused for a moment, then leaned in closer. “Angelo,” she spoke gently, her worry clear, “You’re shivering… are you feeling okay?”He glanced at her, his expression clearly neutral. “I’m fine… it’s nothing to worry about,” he replied, but the sound of his voice betrayed him— it was weak, his posture too stiff. Mia placed the back of her hand against his forehead. It was warm—too warm to ignore.“Yo
최신 업데이트 : 2025-01-15THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE Chapter 42: Tides of Change
Mia pushed the door open to her house, the silence greeting her like an old acquaintance. It was late, too late to hope for a proper conversation with her mom. She had come visiting without notice and it had been almost two months, yet she hasn’t mentioned returning to her residence. She wasn’t supposed to be here, not right now when she was about to round things up with Xiang. As expected, her mother, Sarah, was already dressed, looking elegant and put together, as if everything in their lives was perfectly in order. “Oh, Mia,” Sarah said, glancing up briefly. “You’re back. How are you?” “I’m fine,” Mia replied, her tone clipped, betraying none of the turmoil within. Deep down, she wasn’t fine, but saying so wouldn’t change anything. Her problems, after all, had roots she couldn’t simply pull out—roots her mom had unknowingly planted. Sarah adjusted her scarf, her eyes already on the door. “I’m off to Bible study. Samantha still isn’t back, is she?” “No,” Mia said, her chest
최신 업데이트 : 2025-01-17THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 43: Gown of Gold, Heart of Steel
“Mia, get up and do something—at least try some clothes on, for heaven’s sake! You’re a mess.” Samantha came out from her room with both hands on her hips. “There’s so much to do, and there’s barely enough time to finish your makeover!” Mia lay sprawled across the couch, staring at the ceiling with a blank expression. She didn’t even have the energy to think about what to wear. Despite it feeling like a once-in-a-lifetime experience for her, she had a feeling she might look out of place. She stretched out, throwing an arm over her eyes. “You worry too much, Sam. I’ll probably just sit in a corner all night.” Samantha immediately stormed into the kitchen, grabbed a spatula from the counter, and marched back into the living room. She waved it in front of Mia like a magic wand. “Enough of this pity party! You sound like you’re attending for just the fun of it. I, Samantha, your self-appointed fairy godmother, will not just get you to the party, I’ll make sure you steal the show.
최신 업데이트 : 2025-01-25THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 44: The Masquerade Ball
The cab pulled up to the Grand Kew Hotel, its sleek exterior gleaming like a polished jewel under the evening lights. Mia stepped out, gripping her VIP pass with a steady hand as her heels tapped against the pavement. The buzz of the crowd and the clicking of cameras created a vibrant energy, but her focus remained sharp. At the gate, guests were thoroughly checked, some being turned away if their names didn’t make the list. She watched as many uninvited guests were bounced back, their complaints fading into the busy evening. Mia adjusted her mask—customized, light, and carefully designed to frame her face perfectly. Her friend had called it “mystique,” and it added an air of allure to her entire outfit The entrance was lined with TV hosts and photographers, their cameras snapping away at the arriving guests. Most guests wore masks—some opted for traditional Venetian designs, others chose handheld masks, while a few decided not to wear any at all. The temporary steel fence sepa
최신 업데이트 : 2025-01-25THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 45: The Belle of the Ball
Mia blinked, still processing his words, especially with that look in his eyes. “Zac, I… I suck at dancing.” “That shouldn’t be your worry. Just follow my lead,” he replied, his voice still gentle but firm, leaving no room for her to refuse. “What about Bella?” she whispered, the words fragile as they left her lips. But even as she spoke, her hand had already slipped into his. “Shhh,” Zac hushed her with a disarming smile. “Unless you’re planning to take off your mask and tell her yourself, I’d suggest you relax.” His voice held a teasing edge as he led her to the center of the ballroom. Suddenly, the lights dimmed, casting a golden glow across the room. The crowd around them faded into a blur, and for a moment, it felt like the world had shrunk to just the two of them. As the opening notes of ‘Careless Whisper’ began to play, Zac stopped, turning to face her fully. He softly rested his hand on her lower back, the warmth of his touch against her bare skin causing her heart to ra
최신 업데이트 : 2025-01-26THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 46: The Garden of Secrets
Mia’s heart pounded as she walked behind Zac, the sound of their footsteps echoing through the quiet hallway. The party had nearly ended, but Zac had pulled her away from the crowd, leading her in a new direction. “Are you sure we’re allowed to be here?” Her voice had a trace of doubt, even though the buzz from the party still lingered around them. Zac glanced back at her, flashing a casual smile. “My grandfather owns this hotel as well. So…yes, I know my way around.” Mia blinked, surprised. They own the hotel? Zac has this way of talking about things so casually, like it’s not a big deal or there’s no real value to it.” Still, an uneasy feeling settled in her chest. There was something different about him tonight. Even after all their time working together, he was always unpredictable. They reached a set of grand double doors, and Zac turned to her, his face neutral. “Close your eyes.” Mia hesitated, confusion furrowing her brow. “Why?” “Just trust me,” he said softly, the ca
최신 업데이트 : 2025-01-27
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THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 123: Faces of the Fallout
As soon as Zac stepped out of the interrogation room, the first person he saw was Mia—seated at the far end of the hallway, speaking quietly with another officer.The moment their eyes met, she stood to her feet.“Zac,” she said softly.“Mia?” He blinked, surprised. “You’re here already?”“Yeah,” she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “We came as soon as we heard.”Behind her, Samantha and Angelo approached quietly. Zac’s eyes moved to them briefly, then back to Mia.She motioned vaguely over her shoulder. “How… how did you manage to handle all this in such a short time?”Zac let out a weak sigh. “We ran a thorough investigation,” he said. “Pulled every string we could find. I’m just… I’m glad it’s finally leading somewhere.”Mia gave a small nod.Zac turned slowly as Samantha stepped closer. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a phone, handing it to her. “Here. Your phone.”“Oh, thanks,” Samantha replied, taking it. “I’ll just go through the contents shortly.”Then
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 122: Shadows of the Past
Late morning sun streamed through the cab window across Johnny Hansen’s face. His duffel bag sat on the seat beside him, his passport tucked into his hoodie pocket, and a boarding pass pulled up on his phone.The airport was minutes away. Just a few more turns, and he’d be out. Canada was calling—a fresh start, a clean slate.He scrolled absently through the web, then stopped. A news notification blinked at the top of his screen: Mia Cornell allegedly files a lawsuit against Zandawoo, followed by the assault video—that same video—still ripping through the internet like wildfire.His stomach churned. His mind slipped, without permission, into the past.**It was a few years ago, during his second year in college.It was Johnny’s party. Loud music blasted in the dimly lit, colorful space. The air smelled of weed and energy drinks. Red plastic cups clinked. People danced, and a mixture of cheap perfume and sweat hung in the air.And somewhere in the corner, near the wall of blinking LED
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 121: The Errand Boy
The smell hit him first—dust, hay, and dried sweat soaked into the wooden beams. Zac stepped into the poorly lit space, the creaking barn door closing behind him with a hollow thud.It was a secluded ranch, far from the city. Not marked on the map, or easy to locate. The kind of place where if you screamed, the echo would fade—and no one would ever hear you.A single bulb dangled from a rusty hook above, casting a sickly orange glow over the center of the barn.Below it, a man was seated in a worn-out chair, slumped but barely breathing.It was Brian.His wrists were bound, ankles tied to the legs of the chair, head low like he couldn’t lift it anymore.His face was swollen, bruised around the mouth and cheek. Blood crusted along one eyebrow. His breathing came in short bursts. Every inhale looked like it cost him something. Still, his eyes were wide open, darting around at the figures that stood in the shadows around him.Zac didn’t speak at first. He just stood there, arms folded, a
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 120: Making it Right
“Bella?” Angelo whispered, moving toward the entrance. I hope she did not come back to pick another fight. But as he reached the hallway, a familiar face appeared, nearly colliding into him.“Oh—Samantha!”She blinked, holding a small tote bag in one hand and her phone in the other.“Hey. Did I scare you?”Angelo let out a deep breath. “You nearly gave me a heart attack.”Samantha stepped inside, her eyes scanning the place. “You guys look like you weren’t expecting me.”“We totally forgot,” Mia said, appearing behind him. “We didn’t hear a knock.”“Oh. The door was unlocked. I figured you were home. By the way, I saw Bella at the gate, actually—she looked… pretty mad.”Angelo and Mia exchanged a glance.“Is everything alright?” Samantha asked, looking between them. “I hope there’s no drama.”Mia folded her arms. “Nothing serious. Just… Bella being Bella.”Samantha gave a small, careful smile. “Okay. As long as it’s not an issue.”Silence hung for a beat. Angelo cleared his throat. “
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 119: Ashes in Her Mouth
Mia didn’t move. She relaxed on the couch, back straight, legs crossed, and her hands folded loosely in her lap. Bella continued, zeroing in like a missile. “What the fuck is she doing here?!”Angelo stepped in fast. “Hey—hey, Bella, whoa—chill.”But Bella shoved right past him. “No. Don’t ‘chill’ me. Is this what we’re doing now?” Her eyes blazed as she jabbed a manicured finger toward Mia. “I thought she was happily married.”Mia didn’t answer. Her eyes stayed level as she held herself together.“Hey, you!” Bella raised her voice, meeting Mia’s eyes. “Or is your husband suddenly not enough anymore? Or do you just have this… disease—jumping on every man who shows you attention?”“Bella,” Angelo warned, stepping forward again, blocking her path. “Please… don’t do this.”“Oh, I’m doing it,” she snapped. “She’s a goddamn married woman, sitting in your house like it’s a weekend getaway. What is this—some rehab retreat for junkies?”Mia rose slowly, intentional in every step. Her voice w
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 118: A Name in the Shadows
In less than no time, Zac reached the neighborhood.As he neared Samantha’s street, he didn’t turn in. Instead, he took the next street over, slowing the car and glancing at the rearview mirror.There were no tails behind him, so he pulled up beside a quiet corner house, parked under the shade of a leaning tree, and stepped out.The sun was bright and hot, and the air was full of city sounds, but the street was quiet.He pulled out his phone and made the call.A second later, a backyard gate creaked open. Samantha peeked out, her movements quick and quiet.She opened the gate fully when she saw him. “Zac,” she breathed. “Thank you so much for coming.”“What’s going on?” he asked, stepping inside the fence.“I don’t know how to get to my car,” she said, keeping her voice low. “I parked it right out front. I was about to leave… then I saw them swarming.”“Don’t worry,” Zac said. “We’ll use mine. I parked it down the block. Come with me. I’ll drive.”Samantha nodded and followed him.The
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 117: The First Move
The following day, Zac arrived at Zandawoo Headquarters the moment business hours began. The elevator doors slid open, and he didn’t pause to speak to anyone—he headed to the executive floor.The receptionist barely had time to look up before he was already halfway across the lobby. His strides were long and determined. He didn’t wait for permission—he didn’t even think he needed it.He walked straight past the front desk, ignoring the assistants who tried to stop him. The hall was still quiet, not many people around yet, and that worked in his favor. The last thing he wanted was more drama—even though he was down for it.Jonathan’s office door wasn’t even shut all the way. Zac pushed it open and stepped inside.Jonathan looked up from his desk, startled. “Mr. Cornell,” he said, already rising to his feet. “I wasn’t expecting—”Zac kept moving until he reached the desk, his hands resting against the wood like a man there for war.“We need to talk,” he said through gritted teeth.Jonat
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 116: Chasing Smoke
The tension in the beach house felt like it had a pulse of its own.Zac scoffed, stepping back. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “What the fuck are you even saying?”“You know exactly what I’m saying,” Angelo didn’t flinch. “You dragged her into your world.”“My world?” Zac’s voice rose. “Wait—are you blaming me for this? For that video?”“Of course I have every right to blame you!” Angelo snapped, stepping closer. “Ever since you made her sign that damn contract, she hasn’t had a single moment of peace.”Zac’s expression twisted, his fists flexing at his sides. But Angelo didn’t stop.“She never wanted this life.” Angelo shrugged, spreading his arms. “And now—look at her—caught in this bullshit again.”“You know nothing, Angelo,” Zac retorted, his voice low. “I didn’t know things would be like this. I’ve always protected her, and I still will.”“Ha-ha-ha. How heroic,” Angelo replied, his tone taunting. “Because every time she needs you… you’re not there.”“Well, I’m here now.
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 115: After the Fall
By the time Angelo got to the tech corner behind the stage, Jonathan was already there—his face red with panic. He was yelling at the tech crew, who were hunched over a console blinking with error lights. “Take it down!” Jonathan barked. “Get the damn video off the screen! Now!” “We’re trying, sir!” one of the tech guys snapped, fingers flying over the keyboard. “It’s not responding—system error keeps flashing. It’s like a virus or something, an override! The damn thing won’t shut down!” Jonathan cursed, then stepped back with wild eyes. He grabbed a thick cord running to the display hub. He yanked at the wires, pulling one loose. A small spark flew, and the large screen in the main hall went dark. A collective gasp echoed from the hall, but the damage had already been done. An alarm started to wail in the distance—soft at first, then louder. Security teams moved in with accuracy, their earpieces crackling. VIP guests were already being ushered out a side exit, leaving the
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