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PRICE OF SECRET
Last Updated:
2025-03-24 03:26:44
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THE BILLONIARE UNWANTED SUBSTITUTE BRIDE THE COSTOF TRUUTH
Sebastian’s mind raced as he stormed out of his office, Damien's words echoing in his head like a persistent drumbeat. He couldn’t afford to waste any more time. Aria was slipping away, and every second he stood idly by felt like a betrayal.He arrived at the penthouse, his heart hammering in his chest. The familiar silence of the apartment was unsettling, its grandeur and emptiness amplifying the isolation he had come to know all too well. The lights were dim, casting long shadows across the sleek, modern furnishings. He felt like an intruder in his own life, his every step weighed down by the impending confrontation he knew was coming.Sebastian had spent years building walls around himself, hiding his true feelings and desires behind layers of cold professionalism. But Aria had shattered those walls. She had seen through his mask, and now he had to face the consequences of his actions.He walked down the hallway, his eyes scanning the rooms as if hoping to find her in one of them.
Last Updated : 2025-03-25THE BILLONIARE UNWANTED SUBSTITUTE BRIDE BROKEN MISCONCEPTION
Scarlett’s breathing was ragged, her hands trembling as she clenched them into fists at her sides. She couldn’t believe what she had just heard what she had just realized.Sebastian had known.The truth had been right there, within his grasp, and he had chosen to keep it from her.“You knew,” she whispered, her voice almost lost in the heavy silence of the room.Sebastian’s jaw tightened, his blue eyes shadowed with something unreadable. He remained still, his hands shoved into his pockets, as if bracing himself for the storm brewing within her.“Scarlett…” he started, but the sound of her name on his lips made something snap inside her.“Don’t,” she cut him off, shaking her head as she took a step back. “You don’t get to say my name like that. Not after this.”His lips parted slightly, but he didn’t speak. And that silence was worse than anything else.Scarlett let out a shaky breath, a bitter laugh escaping her throat. “All this time, I doubted myself. I thought I was losing my mind
Last Updated : 2025-03-26THE BILLONIARE UNWANTED SUBSTITUTE BRIDE THE WALL BETWEEN US
Lily’s fingers curled into fists as she stared at the door Liam had just walked through. The silence in the room was deafening, pressing in on her like an unbearable weight. She could still feel the ghost of his presence the tension he left in the air, the frustration simmering beneath his carefully controlled exterior.He had shut her out. Again.But this time, she wouldn’t let it go.Liam wasn’t just keeping secrets he was protecting something. Or someone. And the fear in his eyes when she confronted him told her it was more than just a business deal gone wrong.She turned back to the file he had thrown onto the desk, the pages slightly disheveled. Her pulse pounded as she reached for them, her hands trembling as she flipped through them once more.The transactions were consistent, spanning years. They weren’t just recent payments. Whatever Liam was involved in, it had been going on for a long time.But the name attached to the accounts Marlowe Grant was unfamiliar.Who was Marlowe?
Last Updated : 2025-03-26THE BILLONIARE UNWANTED SUBSTITUTE BRIDE SECRET IN THE DARK
Lily’s pulse pounded as she stared at Liam, his stormy gaze locked onto hers. The air between them was thick with unspoken words, a battlefield of emotions neither was willing to name. She gripped the file tighter, the paper crinkling under the force of her hold.“Tell me the truth,” she demanded, her voice steadier than she felt. “Who is this?”Liam’s jaw flexed, the muscle twitching beneath his skin. “Put the file down, Lily.”She didn’t. Instead, she took a step back, her heart hammering against her ribs. “Are you protecting someone? Or is this another lie I’m supposed to swallow?”A dangerous silence stretched between them.Liam exhaled slowly, his eyes darkening. “You’re digging into things you don’t understand.”“Then explain it to me!” she shot back, frustration bubbling over. “You can’t keep shutting me out and expecting me to blindly follow you. I deserve to know what’s going on.”Liam moved before she could react, closing the distance between them in three strides. He snatch
Last Updated : 2025-03-27THE BILLONIARE UNWANTED SUBSTITUTE BRIDE EXPOSING THE TRUTH
Lily’s fingers trembled as she stared at the file in front of her, her breath coming in short, uneven gasps. The name printed in bold letters on the first page sent an icy chill down her spine. It wasn’t a stranger. It wasn’t some unknown figure buried in Liam’s past.It was someone she knew.Someone she had trusted.Her eyes darted to Liam, searching his face for any sign that this was some kind of mistake. But there was none. His expression remained calm, unreadable, as if he had expected this reaction from her.“This… this isn’t possible,” she whispered, gripping the edges of the file so tightly that her knuckles turned white.Liam exhaled, his gaze dark and steady. “It’s real, Lily. Every word of it.”She shook her head, flipping through the pages, scanning the reports, the financial transactions, the surveillance photos. Every piece of evidence pointed to a truth she wasn’t prepared to face.The person she had trusted most in the world… had betrayed her.Lily’s stomach churned, a
Last Updated : 2025-03-28THE BILLONIARE UNWANTED SUBSTITUTE BRIDE DARKNESS OF DECEPTION
Lily's heart pounded as she navigated the dimly lit streets of the city. The revelations from earlier that day had left her reeling, and she sought solace in the familiar embrace of the night. The urban landscape, usually bustling with life, now felt eerily silent, mirroring the turmoil within her.She found herself drawn to a secluded park on the city's outskirts a place she and Liam had often visited during happier times. The park's entrance was framed by ancient oaks, their gnarled branches casting intricate shadows under the pale glow of streetlights. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and blooming jasmine, evoking memories of whispered confessions and stolen kisses.As she ventured deeper into the park, the weight of the day's events pressed heavily upon her. The betrayal, the secrets, the looming uncertainty all coalesced into a maelstrom of emotion. She settled onto a weathered bench overlooking a tranquil pond, its surface reflecting the fragmented moonlight.The s
Last Updated : 2025-03-28THE BILLONIARE UNWANTED SUBSTITUTE BRIDE WHISPERS IN THE DARK
Lily barely slept that night. Her mind was a battlefield of thoughts, each more unsettling than the last. The mansion, grand and imposing, felt colder than ever, as if the very walls harbored secrets she was yet to uncover.She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, the weight of her recent discoveries pressing down on her chest. Liam had barely spoken to her since their confrontation. She wasn’t sure if it was anger, suspicion, or something else entirely that kept him at a distance.As the first rays of dawn peeked through the curtains, she made a decision. She couldn't afford to wait any longer. If there was a traitor among them, she needed to find out who it was before it was too late.Lily stepped out of the bedroom and made her way to the study. Liam was there, his back turned to her as he poured himself a drink. The amber liquid swirled in the glass, reflecting the firelight that flickered in the dimly lit room."You’re up early," he murmured, not turning around."I couldn’t sleep,
Last Updated : 2025-03-30THE BILLONIARE UNWANTED SUBSTITUTE BRIDE THE EDGE OF BETRAY
Lily’s fingers trembled as she zipped up the small duffel bag. She packed only the essentials some clothes, her phone, and the folder of evidence Liam had given her. The weight of the situation pressed down on her chest like a suffocating grip.Whoever had been listening outside Liam’s study now knew they were onto them. And that meant they weren’t safe.Liam had barely said a word after telling her to pack. His silence was unnerving, but she could see the storm brewing in his eyes. He was a man on the verge of snapping, his patience thinning with every second that passed.As she pulled the bag over her shoulder, Liam appeared in the doorway. His gaze swept over her, sharp and assessing. “Ready?”Lily nodded, swallowing hard. “Where are we going?”“To one of my private properties. Somewhere secure.”She hesitated. “Shouldn’t we find out who was listening first?”Liam’s jaw tightened. “I already have my men looking into it. We’ll find them, but right now, keeping you safe is my priorit
Last Updated : 2025-03-30
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Rain lashed against the windows of the Carlyle estate as the family gathered once again in the grand study. Tension clung to the air like a second skin. The fire crackled in the hearth, but no one felt its warmth.Elias stood near the shelves, staring blankly at the swirling storm outside. Inside him, a different storm raged of betrayal, identity, and the weight of every decision he was about to make.“So what now?” he asked without turning. “Do we expose her?”Liam folded his arms, his posture rigid. “Not yet. If Zoe’s planning to go public with your name as the heir, then we let her. We let her think she’s won.”“But won’t that mean you lose everything?” Elias turned, eyes searching Liam’s. “The company, the shares your position as CEO?”Liam gave a half-smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I built this empire with my blood, not my last name. And I don’t intend to lose it. Zoe underestimates how deep this family goes.”Damien nodded in agreement. “If she wants to play dirty, we give h
THE BILLONIARE UNWANTED SUBSTITUTE BRIDE A WEB OF DECEIT
The wind howled through the corridors of the Carlyle estate like a restless spirit, echoing the storm brewing within its walls. The chandelier in the main hall swayed gently as Liam paced across the study, his phone clutched tightly in his hand.“Is she safe?” he asked Damien, who stood just a few steps away.“We’re not sure yet,” Damien replied. “Declan and two men from my security team are en route to the facility now. We need to move fast before Zoe catches wind.”Liam’s jaw clenched. He didn’t like feeling powerless—especially not when it came to Emily, a woman whose betrayal had once fractured him, but whose safety still stirred something in the locked chambers of his heart.“She was trying to protect something,” Liam muttered, almost to himself. “Maybe even me.”Damien gave a subtle nod. “And she may have just become our strongest piece in this game.”Meanwhile, in the secured facility Zoe had chosen for secrecy, Emily struggled against the ropes digging into her wrists. Her bod
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The private jet coasted across the Atlantic, leaving the stormy skies of London behind. Liam sat by the window, his eyes unfocused as the clouds drifted below. Across from him, Elias sat in silence, earbuds in, pretending to be engrossed in the music on his phone. But Liam could feel the tension thick and undeniable settling between them like an invisible wall.It was one thing to discover a long-lost half-brother. It was another entirely to trust him.Liam had grown up in a world where loyalty was transactional and trust, a weapon that could turn into a blade. Elias, on the other hand, had lived a life stripped of luxury but anchored in truth or so he thought. Now both stood at a crossroads, each unsure whether they were about to gain an ally or invite in another enemy.“You ever been to New York before?” Liam finally asked.Elias glanced up, removed one earbud, and shook his head. “No. Just seen it in movies. Looks… loud.”A dry chuckle escaped Liam. “That’s one word for it.”There
THE BILLONIARE UNWANTED SUBSTITUTE BRIDE THE HIDDEN BLOODLINE
The silence in the office was thunderous. Liam stood rooted, his mind reeling from the revelations Damien had just laid before him. A hidden heir. A forged will. And a father who had manipulated everything..even Lily. The room felt colder, the walls tighter. Damien leaned against the glass table, arms folded. “I didn’t want to believe it either. But the documents we decrypted… they don’t lie.” Liam slowly sat down, fingers steepled beneath his chin. “So what you’re saying is, my father had a second family?” Damien nodded. “Or at least a child he kept hidden. There are bank transactions brecurring ones made to an unlisted name. And some travel records that suggest he flew to London frequently, always to the same address.” “Do we have a name?” Lily asked, her voice laced with disbelief. Damien opened the tablet again. “Elias Thorn. Born nineteen years ago. His mother, Marianne Thorn, was once Marcus Carlyle’s personal assistant. She resigned under suspicious circumstances and mov
THE BILLONIARE UNWANTED SUBSTITUTE BRIDE SHADOWS OF THE PAST
The storm outside mirrored the one brewing inside Liam’s mind. Rain hammered against the windows of the Carlyle estate as thunder cracked through the sky like a warning. But Liam paid no attention to the weather. All he could focus on was the photograph of his father and Emily.It haunted him.He stared at the fire dancing in the fireplace, his jaw clenched, mind racing. How had Emily ended up beside Marcus Carlyle? What did she know? What had she done? More importantly what had his father done?Behind him, Lily emerged from the hallway, wrapped in a silk robe. She hadn’t said much after the revelation. They were both stunned. But the silence between them wasn’t distant. It was heavy with thought and concern.“Liam?” she said softly, approaching him. “I’ve been thinking… if my sister worked with your father, it must’ve been before the wedding was even arranged. Before you and I ever crossed paths.”“That means your sister didn’t just disappear for no reason,” Liam said darkly. “She va
THE BILLONIARE UNWANTED SUBSTITUTE BRIDE BENEATH THE SURFACE
The following day began with a heavy air at Carlyle Holdings. Everyone walked on eggshells, their movements hushed, eyes filled with nervous curiosity. The tension had become a permanent resident in the sleek hallways, following Liam wherever he went.He entered the boardroom early, before any of the executives arrived. The footage had been secured, and Damien was working on getting a strategic release to the media. But that was only the tip of the iceberg. He needed to know the truth and it started with Emily Grant.She arrived minutes later, perfectly punctual as always. Her ash-blonde hair was tied in a neat bun, and her dark navy suit was unwrinkled despite the storm swirling around the company. Her calm demeanor hadn't changed.“You wanted to see me, sir?” she asked, setting down her briefcase.“Yes. Please sit,” Liam gestured, motioning toward the seat across from him.Emily took her seat, watching him closely. “Is this about the leak?”“It is,” he said, folding his hands. “Our
THE BILLONIARE UNWANTED SUBSTITUTE BRIDE Shadows of the Past
The following morning, the mansion was unnaturally quiet, despite the chaos unfolding beyond its walls. Liam sat in his private study, poring over the leaked documents for the third time. Lines of numbers and names danced in front of him like ghosts from a time he had tried so hard to forget. Somewhere in these files, someone had planted the seeds meant to destroy him.There was a knock.“Come in,” he said, not looking up.Lily stepped in, a cup of coffee in her hand. “You need to eat something.”He offered a faint smile, taking the cup. “Thanks. I didn’t sleep much.”“Neither did I,” she murmured, sitting beside him. “You’ve been quiet since last night. You okay?”“No,” he answered honestly. “But I will be. Once I find out who’s doing this.”They sat in silence for a moment, the hum of the city beyond the windows muffled by thick glass.“I’ve been thinking,” Lily said softly. “About that photo they leaked… the one of you and your father.”“What about it?”“You said you didn’t go insi
THE BILLONIARE UNWANTED SUBSTITUTE BRIDE LEAKS AND LIES
The morning light filtered through the bedroom curtains, casting golden streaks across the wooden floors. Liam sat at the edge of the bed, elbows on his knees, staring at the unread message Damien had forwarded to him at dawn.The headline was bold and damning: “Carlyle Legacy Tied to Financial Crimes: Leaked Documents Surface.”Though the article didn’t mention Liam by name, it danced dangerously close. The Carlyle estate. The offshore accounts. The shell corporations. The web of it all threaded neatly back to the past he had barely survived.He looked at Lily. She was still sleeping, her brow relaxed for once, the faint trace of peace softening her usually guarded face. He hated that this peace would be shattered soon.Liam slid his phone into his pocket and left the room.Downstairs, the house was already abuzz. Sofia, his long-time housekeeper, handed him a tablet. “It’s everywhere, sir. Social media. Business news. Blogs.”He took the tablet and skimmed headlines, each one more s
THE BILLONIARE UNWANTED SUBSTITUTE BRIDE CRACKS BENEATH THE SURFACE
The following days were quieter, not because of tension, but a newfound softness that grew between them. Lily had not yet given her heart fully back, but she had let down the thick walls she’d built around it. Liam, for the first time in years, was learning to speak the language of vulnerability.They spent their mornings in the garden and their evenings at the dinner table not in stiff silence, but with small conversations, shy smiles, and cautious laughter. It wasn’t a return to what they were, but the first steps toward something new.But even as the pieces began to align, something restless stirred beneath the surface.It started with a phone call.Liam had been in his office when the private line rang. Only a few people had that number his lawyer, his assistant, and Damien.He picked it up.“What is it?” Liam asked, expecting routine business.But Damien’s voice came in low and urgent. “I need to see you. It’s important.”Liam leaned back in his chair. “Can’t it wait?”“No. It’s
