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32: The Final Countdown And Build Up
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2025-04-01 08:00:12Maria Kale had always been the quiet, reserved wife of Edwards Kale. Her presence at events was rare, often overshadowed by her husband's larger-than-life persona.
Maria had stayed in the background, always the elegant figure beside him at galas and business functions, but rarely the center of attention.Now, everything had changed. Her name no longer echoed alongside Edwards Kaleâs.Instead, Maria had made a public move that sent shockwaves through the business worldâshe was marrying Luca Avancii, the self-made billionaire who had risen to the top with his own ingenuity and determination.And not only was she marrying him, but she had also stepped into the role of CHRO at SpitFire Technologies, the company Luca had built from the ground up.The scandal had been immediate, and media outlets were scrambling to cover every aspect of Mariaâs transition from the quiet wife of a millionaire to the wife of the powerful leader of SpitFire. <
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THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME Â Â Â 33: The Grand Preparation
The day was a masterpiece, one that seemed to have been painted in hues of gold. The sun shone down upon the sprawling estate, its warmth spilling over the pristine grounds. From the meticulously manicured lawns to the towering estate that gleamed like a fortress of wealth and ambition, everything was perfect.Today was the day that SpitFire Technologies would be unveiled to the world in all its glory.Inside, the preparations were in full swing.Maria stood in the heart of her dressing room, her hands hovering over an array of beautiful clothes displayed on golden racks. The room smelled of fresh flowers and the delicate scent of designer perfumes. Mariaâs heart raced in anticipation, knowing that today would be a defining moment.She had already spent nearly two hours trying on dresses, each one more stunning than the last. The fashion designers, seamstresses, and makeup artists were busy around her, buzzi
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-01THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME Â Â Â 34: The Unveiling
The grand ballroom buzzed with excitement as guests, impeccably dressed in evening gowns and tuxedos, took their seats. The lights dimmed, and a soft hum filled the air, giving way to a hushed anticipation. A spotlight flashed across the stage, illuminating a well-dressed speaker standing behind a podium. The soft clinking of glasses and low murmurs of conversation filled the room, but there was an undeniable sense that something extraordinary was about to unfold.The speaker smiled at the crowd, his charisma palpable as he grasped the microphone. The audience settled in, their eyes fixed on him."Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, welcome to tonightâs grand event hosted by SpitFire Technologies," he began, his voice carrying effortlessly across the room. "Weâre about to kick off a night full of excitement, innovation, and, of course, a few surprises!"A ripple of applause spread across the room. It was the perfect start to a night of revelry and high-profile announcements."Be
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-02THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME Â Â Â 35: The Sibling Sin Scandal
The event had concluded with its usual grandeur, but an undercurrent of tension simmered in the air. Guests lingered, finishing their drinks and exchanging polite pleasantries, but Maria could feel itâthe weight of the rumors, the cameras still buzzing around her, the quiet whispers behind her back. She fought to keep a composed expression, but the anxiety was impossible to mask.Luca, ever the protector, stood by her side, his presence a silent reassurance. But something was off. Maria couldnât pinpoint it exactly, but a growing discomfort gnawed at her. When the final bell rang, signaling a one-hour break before the masquerade ball, Maria knew she had to brace herself. She couldnât keep pretending everything was fine. This was the moment where things would escalate. As soon as they walked into that ballroom, Edwards would make his move. Sheâd seen it too many times beforeâhis cruel games, his manipulations.Luca had his own way of dealing with things, but Maria knew how to fight
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-02THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME Â Â Â 36: Silent Betrayal
In the midst of all the chaos, Lucaâs silence was deafening. His fury was unmistakable, but he held it in check, his jaw clenched as he watched the storm unfold. Heâd always been fiercely protective of Maria, but now, the truth was slipping further away from them both. He could feel the dark hand of manipulation in the air, pulling the strings and twisting the narrative in ways they couldnât control.But Maria knew one thing for certainâthis wasnât just about the press. This wasnât just about the scandal.Someone wanted them to break.Someone wanted to see them fall. And in that moment, she couldnât shake the feeling that whoever was behind it was far too close for comfort.Luca had been quiet, but now his jaw tightened. Maria could see the flicker of rage in his eyes, but he said nothing. As much as he wanted to storm over to Edwards and rip him apart, he stayed silent. The anger was building in his chest,
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-03THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME Â Â Â 37: The Legal War
Maria stirred beneath the soft sheets, the weight of last nightâs emotions still clinging to her. She turned her head to find Luca already awake, his dark eyes watching her, unreadable yet intense. He looked fresh, As if he already had his bath.She sighed, pulling the blanket up to her chest. "Iâve forgiven you," she said quietly. "But I need you to watch out for meânot just with words, Luca. With your actions, too."Lucaâs expression softened, something flickering in his gaze. Then, as if on instinct, his lips quirked into that teasing smirk of his."Yes, your majesty," he said, the words dripping with amusement.Maria groaned, shoving the blanket off as she sat up. "Luca, Iâm serious.""I know, little sis," he replied, but the playful glint in his eyes remained.She stood, slipping off her nightgown as she walked toward the bathroom. Before stepping inside, she turned to give him a warning look. "Donât."
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-03THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME Â Â Â 38: Something Like Love
Maria Dominic had never been the type to notice small things.Not when her entire existence had been a carefully constructed performance-one where survival meant overlooking the things that could break her.She had learned to look past the subtle nuances of life, to ignore the way a touch could be meant to comfort rather than control, to dismiss the possibility that love could exist outside of obligation.Because love had never been kind to her.Love had been a cruel barter, a game of give and take where she always lost.But Luca made her notice.It was in the way he always positioned himself between her and the street when they walked, like a silent protector. The way he adjusted the temperature of the car before she got in, anticipating her needs before she even spoke. The way his hand found the small of her back in crowded places-not to own her, but to guide her, to reassure her.He was everywhere-an unwavering force in her life, a steady presence she didn't know how to live with
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-04THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME Â Â Â 39: Wedding Bells
The morning air smelled like earth and promise. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy of trees, casting golden rays over the outdoor venue. The scent of fresh roses and peonies, carefully arranged along the wooden altar, mingled with the crisp autumn breeze.Maria stood inside the bridal tent, her fingers brushing the lace of her dress.It was simple yet elegantâdelicate embroidery tracing the bodice, the fabric hugging her curves before flowing into soft layers. But for all its beauty, she found herself staring at her reflection, not at the dress, but at the woman wearing it.She barely recognized herself.Not because of the makeup or the soft curls Gina had so carefully styled, but because for the first time in yearsâĶ she looked happy."Youâre thinking too much."Maria turned to see Gina, arms crossed, smirking like she knew every thought running through Mariaâs head. The woman, usually all business, had softened just a fraction today."Am I?" Maria asked, tilting her head.G
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-04THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME Â Â Â 40: The Bet
Maria woke up to the sound of waves gently lapping against the shore, the early morning sunlight filtering through the gauzy curtains of the villa. The air smelled of salt and jasmine, and the bed beneath her was warm, the linen soft against her bare skin.She shifted slightly, stretching out, only to feel a strong arm tighten possessively around her waist, pulling her back against a hard, familiar body."Where do you think youâre going?"His voice was deep, husky from sleep, the warmth of his breath fanning against the back of her neck.Maria bit back a smile. "I wasnât going anywhere."Luca made a low, satisfied sound, nuzzling into the crook of her neck before pressing a lazy, open-mouthed kiss to her skin. His fingers skimmed along her stomach, drawing patterns that sent shivers dancing down her spine."You were trying to sneak away," he accused, his voice a mixture of amusement and accusation.Maria turned
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-05
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THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME Â Â Â 81: Where Power Wears A Smile
The docks were a blend of rustic charm and rugged elegance, the wooden piers weathered with years of use. Boats of various sizes bobbed gently on the water, their sails filled with the coastal breeze, creating a quiet rhythm as the waves lapped against the stone and wood. The air was thick with the scent of saltwater, a subtle reminder of the vast ocean beyond the island.The horizon stretched out in a wide arc, where the deep blue of the ocean met the sky in an endless line. The island felt like a place suspended in time, a realm apart from the rest of the world.Lucaâs arm tightened around Mariaâs waist, pulling her closer as he leaned in, his voice a low murmur against her ear. âBehave, unless you want to be punished again.âMaria simply nodded, her heart racing as she tried to hold her composure. This was a new world for her, a world of power and danger that she barely understood. She had to play her part, not just for herself, but
THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME Â Â Â 80: The Beginning Of The End
The day after Mariaâs spa treatment, the tabloids exploded. The world couldnât stop talking about her. Every moment captured by the paparazzi had its own headline. A multitude of pictures flooded the internetâMaria at the spa, her baby bump glowing in the soft, golden light of the afternoon; Maria sitting at the cafÃĐ, croissant halfway to her lips, sunglasses hiding her frustration. The world was obsessed, speculating, questioning every move she made.Headlines screamed:âMaria Avanciiâs Baby Bump: The Real Reason She's Staying Out of the Spotlight?ââMaria Avanciiâs Health: Why the Pregnant Wife of Luca Avancii Has Become a Rare SightââIs Mariaâs Condition Keeping Her From Her Empire? A Glimpse into the Struggles of Pregnancy in the SpotlightââBaggy Clothes: The New Trend Maria Avancii is Bringing into FashionâMeanwhile, a different scene unfolded in Edwards Kaleâs penthouse. Alone and furious, Edwards sta
THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME Â Â Â 79: Unexpected Alliances
The early morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of earthy tones.Luca stood on the balcony, the city stretching far away from him in a haze of artificial lights and the fading darkness of dawn. A cigarette burned between his fingers, the embers glowing each time he took a slow drag.He hadn't slept well.Mariaâs disobedience troubled him, the memory of her soft cries and stubborn glare gnawing at his chest like a dull, constant ache. His body remembered the feel of her, hot and trembling beneath him, even as his mind waged a war he couldnât name.Luca exhaled a curl of smoke into the cold air.Inside, he could hear the faint shuffle of sheets. He turned his head slightly, just enough to catch a glimpse: Maria curled beneath the cotton duvet, her baby bump a tender curve even under layers of fabric. A picture of innocence. Fragile. His.His phone vibrated in his pocket, cutting through the silenc
THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME Â Â Â 78: Tears And Tethers
First round had been punishment â this was pleasure, wicked and indulgent, tangled with the remnants of anger he hadn't quite managed to shake.Luca couldnât stay mad at her forever. No matter how much Maria defied him, no matter how she pushed and tested â she was his. Always his. His anger melted into something darker now, something possessive and hungry.His gaze pinned her down, unreadable, heavy.Then he leaned in, slow, deliberate, his breath a sinful caress against the shell of her ear. His lips barely grazed her skin when he whispered, low and vicious,âKeep crying for me.âThe words dragged along her spine like silk and steel, a cruel promise and a dark demand wrapped into one.Maria whimpered, fresh tears brimming in her eyes. The saltwater clung to her lashes, trembling, before spilling down hot onto her flushed cheeks. Her thighs trembled from the effort to stay open, vulnerable beneath him, but she didnât dare move. Could
THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME Â Â Â 77: A Lesson In Defiance
Maria crawled onto the bed, her breath shallow, her heart hammering against her ribs as Lucaâs dark gaze pinned her in place. The room was thick with tension â the kind that made the air itself feel heavier.âMiddle of the bed,â he said, voice low, dangerous.She obeyed instantly, moving to the center of the cool sheets. Her body was taut, strung tight with anticipation, her pulse skittering wildly beneath her skin.Luca stood against the dresser, shirtless, his sculpted chest rising and falling slowly. In one hand, his phone; in the other, a belt, the leather flexing menacingly between his fingers. The dim light carved hard shadows across his body, highlighting every muscle, every ruthless line.The phone rang once. Twice. A sharp click as the call connected.âVoss,â he said, his tone clipped and cold.Maria's stomach twisted.No.She pushed up onto her knees, desperation creeping into her voice. âLuca, pleaseââ
THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME Â Â Â 76: Bound By Consequences
Luca rolled his eyes before speaking in a clipped, almost bored tone. âTake your ass back to Domus Vossus, Alexei, before Voss ruins the whole country down looking for you.âMaria opened her mouth to interject, but before she could get a word out, Lucaâs sharp glare snapped to her.âStay out of it,â he bit out, voice as sharp as a blade.Maria flinched at the coldness in his tone. Her lips pressed together, the urge to argue bubbling in her chest, but she forced herself to swallow it. Luca was rarely this outright harsh with her, and if he was, it meant the situation was far worse than she initially thought.He exhaled sharply, running a hand down his face before muttering, âEat dinner before you leave, Alexei.âMaria watched the tension in Lucaâs frame as he poured himself a drink. His fingers gripped the glass too tightly, the muscles in his forearm flexing as he took a slow sip. It was a silent warningâone she ignored.Later i
THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME Â Â Â 75: Familiar Stranger
Maria adjusted the strap of her handbag and cradled her belly as she stepped out of the museum. The cool evening air greeted her, mingling with the faint scent of old parchment and polished wood that still clung to her senses. She had spent the last few hours indulging in one of her new habitsâshopping without checking the price tag. It was something she was still getting used to, but Luca had made it clear: she was his wife, and his wife would never want for anything.Her guards trailed behind her, arms laden with bags filled with delicate artifacts and paintings she had acquired on impulse. They werenât just purchases; they were pieces of history, stories carved into stone and woven into canvas, each one adding to the growing collection she had started curating for their estate.Just as she was about to step into the car, a voice cut through the street noise.âMaria!âShe barely turned at first, assuming it was just some overly familiar stranger or a paparazzo trying to get her a
THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME Â Â Â 74: A Game Of Kings And Queens
When he pulled away, Maria smiled beautifully, her lips barely brushing his as she whispered, âDo I have to?âShe was almost whining, a soft, breathy sound that sent a flicker of warmth down Lucaâs spine.His lips quirked. She knew what she was doing.He chuckled, his fingers tightening slightly on her waist, thumb tracing the dip of her spine in slow, idle circles. âYouâll get what you want, mi reina,â he murmured, amusement laced in every syllable. âBut I expect proper compensation.âMaria squealed, delighted, throwing her arms around his neck. Her warmth pressed against him, and the scent of her perfumeâsoft, floral, and distinctly hersâwrapped around him like a drug."Thank you."She had always known exactly how to win.Her excitement made him chuckle, a deep, indulgent sound, but before she could pull back, she added, âOh! When can I see Gina?âLuca hummed, his lips trailing lower, brushing against the delicate shell of her ear. He felt her shiver, barely perceptible, but it was
THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME Â Â Â 73: The Art Of Persuasion
Sitting in his study, with Maria staring at him like she always had, Luca sighed deeply. The dim glow of his desk lamp cast flickering shadows over the rich mahogany furniture, the faint scent of aged paper and leather-bound books filling the air.His fingers curled around the sleek black pen in his hand, but he barely glanced at the documents before him. Instead, his focus remained on herâthe woman who had mastered the art of distraction with nothing more than a lingering gaze.âWhat is it?âMaria blinked, feigning innocence. Her hazel eyes gleamed with mischief, catching the light just enough to make them dance. She even tilted her head slightlyâthe same way she always had when she was about to manipulate him. A habit he knew too well, yet never quite managed to resist.âNothing.âLuca exhaled through his nose, the sound sharp against the thick silence. He set his pen down with a quiet click, fingers smoothing over the fine grain of his desk before he lifted his gaze to hers.âMire
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