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CHAPTER 40: Goodbye, Angelo
Last Updated:
2025-01-14 07:30:53
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THE 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
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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
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“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.
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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
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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
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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
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“What just happened here, Zac?!” Bella demanded, her voice sharp as she glared at him.She had marched into the courtyard, with so much fury in her eyes—a blend of frustration and urgency. She had hoped to confront the woman standing next to Zac, but to her surprise, Mia was already gone.“Excuse me?” Zac raised an eyebrow. “Wait, what the heck are you even doing here anyway?”She didn't speak a word. Instead, her eyes shifted beyond him, focusing on the path Mia had taken.Without hesitation, she started toward the path, but Zac’s hand shot out, gripping her wrist.“Let go of my hand,” Bella demanded, her voice sharp as she looked at him.Zac’s grip didn’t loosen. Instead, his eyes darkened as he warned, “Don’t you dare, Bella. Or else… I’ll make you regret it.”There was a cold finality in his tone as he released her. She yanked her hand back, twisting her face in rage.“Really? Because of… that woman? Who is she? What’s her family name, anyway?” Bella spat, her voice dripping with
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Mia paused, her gaze still fixed on Zac, uncertain whether to believe him. Then, out of nowhere, Zac’s expression shifted. His lips twitched before he burst into laughter. “You should see the look on your face,” Zac said, his voice light and amused. Mia blinked, her mouth slightly open. “That’s… not funny, sir,” she replied, shaking her head, though a hint of a smile crept onto her lips. Zac chuckled and pulled a second key from his pocket. “Relax. I was just kidding.” She exhaled sharply, finally allowing herself to smile. “What a bad joke,” she muttered. Zac grinned, unfazed, as the hotel porters approached with their luggage. They moved efficiently, unloading the bags and arranging everything for their respective suites. When the porter led Mia to her room, she followed with curious anticipation. Zac's suite was certainly luxurious, the finest that the hotel could provide. However, when she entered her own room, she was astonished. The suite was much more lavish than she ha
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The courtroom was small—nothing like the ones on TV. Just a few rows of benches. A judge. A clerk. Two officers by the wall. And the people who mattered.It was nearly over. Everyone already knew what had happened. The hearings had gone quickly—evidence, confessions given. Now it was time for judgment.Mia sat quietly near the front, between Zac and Angelo. Samantha sat on Angelo’s other side, her hands resting around the edge of her seat. Mia’s parents were a row behind—watching.Up front, Brian sat alone at the defense table, hands clasped, eyes down. He didn’t wear a suit—just a button-down shirt and jeans. His eyes looked like he hadn’t slept in days.The judge cleared his throat.“Brian Carter,” he began. “The court has reviewed your involvement thoroughly. You were the initial messenger of the leaked video evidence. However, it has been confirmed—and supported by investigators—that you had no knowledge of the contents at the time of transmission.”Brian swallowed but kept his ch
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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
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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
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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
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“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. “
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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
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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
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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.
