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Chapter 123- BETWEEN THE PAST AND THE FUTURE
publish date:
2026-07-25 05:15:09
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THE BRIDE HE NEVER WANTED Chapter 196- TOO RISKY
“Only if you’re prepared to stay with us for the full five years.” I looked at the figure again. My chest felt tight, but my answer was clear. “I can’t accept this.” The representative didn’t react immediately. “You should take some time to consider it.” “I already have.” “Ms. Serena, the penalty only applies if you break the agreement.” “That is exactly the problem.” I pushed the document back across the table. “You are asking me to commit Lumina to a five-year partnership and then placing a massive financial penalty over my head if I decide to leave. That is too risky.” “We are offering almost forty billion dollars.” “I know.” “An investment that could transform Lumina.” “I know that too.” “Then you understand why the condition is necessary.” I shook my head. “No. I understand why you want security. But a contract should not require me to gamble the future of my company just to receive an investment.” The representative leaned forward. “You would still own Lumina.”
THE BRIDE HE NEVER WANTED Chapter 195- THE REAL REASON
The room went quiet. Nobody moved. I kept my eyes on the representative, waiting for him to answer the question I had just asked. “So where exactly does my authority end?” He slowly leaned back in his chair. “That is a fair question.” “I didn’t ask whether it was fair. I asked for an answer.” Aisha looked at me, but I didn’t look away from him. The representative finally opened the folder in front of him. “The reason we chose you is because we have tried this before.” I frowned. “Built an international division?” “Yes. Twice.” “And both failed?” “They did.” “Why?” “The companies we partnered with kept changing leadership.” I listened carefully. “Every time a new CEO came in, priorities changed. Strategies changed. People were replaced. Agreements were questioned. What was supposed to become a long-term operation became a series of new negotiations.” He paused. “We lost years because of that.” “So you don’t want another CEO.” “No.” “You want me.” “Yes.” I looked at
THE BRIDE HE NEVER WANTED Chapter 194- THE MEETING
The moment I stepped into Lumina, I knew the morning was going to be different. The building was already busy, even though it was still early. Employees moved quickly through the halls, carrying files and speaking quietly. Aisha was waiting for me near the conference room. “You’re here.” “I said I would be.” She handed me a thick folder. “This is the updated contract.” I took it without opening it. “Is everyone inside?” “Legal, finance, and senior management are waiting in the next room. The clients are already here.” I nodded. “Let’s go.” I didn’t want another explanation before seeing the people behind the deal. We had already spent too much time talking about a contract that seemed to change every few hours. Aisha opened the conference room door. Several people were seated around the long table. At the center was a man in a dark suit. He stood when I entered. “Ms. Serena.” “Good morning.” “Thank you for coming on such short notice.” I took the seat across from him. “I
THE BRIDE HE NEVER WANTED Chapter 193- BEFORE THE MEETING
I stared at the phone for a few seconds after Aisha ended the call. There was barely enough time to sleep. We would have to leave before dawn if I wanted to reach Lumina by six-thirty. Instead of going straight to bed, I opened the contract. If this deal was really worth almost forty billion dollars, I wasn’t going to walk into that meeting knowing only the number. I began reading. Then I reached the section about me. I stopped. The client didn’t just want Lumina. They wanted me personally involved. For five years. Major decisions would require my participation. Certain parts of the partnership would remain under my direct supervision. They wanted me available for important meetings, strategy discussions, and long-term planning. This wasn’t just another contract for Lumina. It would tie me personally to the client. “Still reading?” I looked up. Clara stood near the doorway. “What did you find?” I turned the laptop slightly so she could see. “The five-year condition.” Clara re
THE BRIDE HE NEVER WANTED Chapter 192- NO TIME TO WASTE
I lowered my phone after ending the call with Aisha.“Start packing up,” I told Emma. “We leave first thing in the morning.”I didn’t wait for anyone to answer. My decision was already made. I turned toward the resort entrance, walking quickly.“Emma, the children are already asleep. Please make sure their things are packed and ready. Don’t wake them unless we have to.”Emma nodded.“Alright.”“Clara, check everything twice. I don’t want us forgetting anything.”“Got it.”I pulled out my phone again and called our driver.“Hello, ma’am.”“We’re leaving early tomorrow morning.”“How early?”“As early as possible. I need to be at Lumina before ten.”“I’ll have the car ready.”“Make sure it is.”I ended the call and immediately called Aisha. She answered before the second ring.“Serena?”“I’ll be at Lumina tomorrow.”There was a short silence.“You’re coming back?”“Yes.”Relief filled her voice.“Thank God.”“Don’t celebrate yet. We have work to do.”“I’m listening.”“I want every docum
THE BRIDE HE NEVER WANTED Chapter 190- THE CALL I DIDN'T EXPECT
I reached for my phone and answered. “Aisha?” “Serena.” Her voice was serious enough to concentrate on the call. “What happened?” “Nothing is wrong,” she said quickly. I frowned. “Then why are you calling me like this?” “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you, I—” “You did. I told you and Priya to call only if there was trouble.” “I know, and there isn’t any trouble at Lumina.” I let out a breath. “Then tell me, why did you call?” Aisha hesitated for a second before she spoke. “There’s an important client coming tomorrow.” I looked toward the others. “Tomorrow?” “Yes. They contacted the office earlier today, I tried to handle it myself but they specifically asked to meet with you.” “About what?” “A very big deal.” I stood from my seat and walked a few steps away from everyone. “What kind of deal?” “They want to sign a major contract with Lumina.” I stopped walking. “How major?” “We don’t have the final amount yet because there are still a few th
THE BRIDE HE NEVER WANTED Chapter 4- THE TRUTH HE WOKE UP TO
He smiled. Soft. Warm. Almost boyish. “There you are,” he murmured. My heart dropped. Because even now… He still thought I was Lia. He stepped in, jacket already off, shirt partially unbuttoned, the scent of whiskey and cologne clinging to him. His movements were unstable from drinking, but ther
THE BRIDE HE NEVER WANTED Chapter 3- THE BRIDE BENEATH THE VEIL
The days before the wedding passed like a blur I couldn’t escape. People moved in and out of the house carrying fabrics, jewelry, flowers, and invitations while I stood in the middle of it all feeling completely detached. Measurements were taken and dresses were fitted. Every room was filled with
THE BRIDE HE NEVER WANTED Chapter 2- THE WRONG BRIDE
“There’s a family willing to help us,” my mother explained quickly. “Very powerful. Very wealthy. But they have conditions.”My stomach tightened. “What kind of conditions?” I asked.My sister let out a soft, shaky breath. “They want their son to be married so that they can get a grandchild out of
THE BRIDE HE NEVER WANTED Chapter 1- THE SPARE DAUGHTER
That night, I sat alone in the vast bedroom that wasn’t mine, wearing a white light robe they had given me after the wedding with no panties under. My hands were clenched so tightly in my lap that my nails left little crescent marks on my palms. I felt nervous.The door opened.He stepped in, jacke
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