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Chapter 197 — THE WOMAN AT RECEPTION
publish date:
2026-09-09 00:03:47
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THE BRIDE HE NEVER WANTED Chapter 198 — THE CALL
Lia did not answer Serena’s question. For several seconds, she stood near the entrance with tears still running down her face. The employees watched her quietly, waiting to hear what she would say. She said nothing. She lowered her eyes, turned around, and walked toward the exit. One of the security officers opened the door for her. Lia stepped outside without looking back. The glass doors closed behind her. Inside, the tension slowly disappeared. The employees returned to their desks. Conversations started again. Phones rang. Computers clicked. People went back to their work as if nothing had happened. A few minutes later, the elevator doors opened. Emma came out first, followed by Clara and the children. Lila and Elias were talking excitedly about something that had happened outside. As they walked toward the reception area, Lia was already crossing the lobby toward the street. Lia saw the twins. Her expression changed. For a moment, anger flashed across her face. She lo
THE BRIDE HE NEVER WANTED Chapter 197 — THE WOMAN AT RECEPTION
The security officers reached the reception desk within seconds. The young woman standing there did not move. One of the officers stopped a few feet from her and looked at the receptionist. “What happened?” The receptionist lowered her voice. “She has been here for several minutes. She keeps asking for Serena. I already told her there is nobody here by that name. She might have the wrong company.” “I don’t have the wrong company,” the woman said quietly. The receptionist frowned. “Ma’am, I work here. If you were looking for someone called Serena, I would know.” The woman lowered her eyes. She looked exhausted. Her clothes were plain and slightly wrinkled. Her hair was messy, and there were dark circles beneath her eyes. She looked like someone who had not slept properly in days. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m not here to cause trouble.” “Then please leave,” the receptionist replied. “If you are looking for someone, you can call them.” “I tried.” “And?” “No answer.” The sec
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 7- RULES OF THE HOUSE
I avoided everyone for the rest of the day. It wasn’t hard.Nobody came looking for me anyway.The mansion was too large, too cold, filled with people who work as maids. Every hallway felt unfamiliar. Every room reminded me that this wasn’t my home.I spent most of the afternoon sitting near the wi
THE BRIDE HE NEVER WANTED Chapter 6- INVISIBLE
I stayed slumped against the wall for a long time, his release still sliding down my thighs. The house was quiet now. Too quiet. Later that night, I couldn’t sleep. I wandered the halls, trying to find water, when I heard voices from the guest wing, low, intimate. I froze outside the slightly aj
THE BRIDE HE NEVER WANTED Chapter 5- THE IMPOSTOR'S RECKONING
Where is Lia?” He asked again. His voice cut through the room like something sharp. I didn’t answer. Not because I didn’t want to, but because I didn’t know where to start.He swung his legs off the bed and stood up, running a hand through his hair. The calm from last night was gone. What stood in
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
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