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Chapter 65

Author: Johnel
last update publish date: 2026-01-13 00:16:51

CHAPTER 65

Tiana stayed inside her closed room, letting the house’s familiar nighttime sounds wash over her from a distance: the creak of stairs, water running in the bathroom upstairs, the faint rise and fall of Pascal’s voice asking questions, then Nikolai’s low murmur in reply.

She didn’t need to hear the storybook words to know which one he was reading. She could picture Pascal’s small hand clutching the corner of the page, the way he always sighed happily when the dragon was finally unde
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    Chapter 169 The reception was held under a massive tent on the estate's lawn, with dinner and dancing and all the celebration they'd missed the first time around. As the sun began to set, casting everything in golden light, Sandy stood to give her toast. "I've been dreading this speech," she began, and laughter rippled through the guests. "Not because I don't have things to say, but because I have too many things, and most of them will make me cry." She took a breath, composing herself. "Nine years ago, my brother married Tiana in a ceremony I didn't even know was happening until after the fact." The guests were silent now, attentive. "I watched them struggle for years," Sandy continued. "Watched my brother make terrible choices based on our mother's manipulation and his own fear. Watched Tiana suffer in silence, trying to be the perfect Toriaga wife while being systematically undermined and devalued. And I…" Her voice caught. "I did nothing. I told myself it wasn't my place to

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    CHAPTER 168 Six Months Later - Velmore Estate Gardens The late spring afternoon was perfect. Tiana stood in the bridal suite of the Velmore Estate's manor house, staring at her reflection in the full-length mirror. The dress was simple but elegant. "You look beautiful," Lyn said from behind her, adjusting the final pins in Tiana's upswept hair. "Absolutely radiant." Tiana smiled at her friend's reflection. Lyn had flown in from New York specifically for the wedding, taking time away from her demanding role at Lancaster Group to be here. Over the past six months, they'd maintained their friendship despite the distance, regular video calls keeping them connected even as their lives had taken different paths. "Thank you for being here," Tiana said, squeezing Lyn's hand. "And for agreeing to carry Georgia during the ceremony. I know wrangling a six-month-old wasn't part of the original bridesmaid duties." "Are you kidding? That baby is an angel." Lyn gestured to where Georgia lay in

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    CHAPTER 166 One Week After Sentencing - Toriaga Group Headquarters The boardroom on the sixtieth floor had been completely transformed since Nikolai's reign. Gone were the oppressive dark woods and imposing portraits of stern-faced Toriaga ancestors. Sandy had ordered a complete renovation. floor-to-ceiling windows now flooded the space with natural light, the furniture was modern and collaborative rather than intimidating, and the overall atmosphere felt more like a dynamic tech startup than a stuffy corporate empire. Today, the board had assembled for a historic vote. Sandy stood at the head of the table. Around the table sat twelve board members, a combination of longtime Toriaga Industries executives and new appointments Sandy had carefully vetted for their integrity and vision rather than their willingness to maintain the status quo. Tiana sat in the observer section, her pregnancy making the boardroom chairs increasingly uncomfortable at eight months along. Nikolai had want

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    Chapter 68The crowd around Nikolai had become a wall of bodies. She pushed through it, ignoring apologies.“Nikolai.”He turned at the sound of her voice. One look at her face and the easy smile vanished.“What’s wrong?”“I can’t find Pascal.”The words came out calmer than she felt. “He was right

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-25
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    CHAPTER 70 The penthouse door slid open with a soft pneumatic hiss, the automatic lights blooming to life in warm gradients across the vast open space. Nikolai carried Pascal inside, the boy’s head heavy on his shoulder, breath slow and even from exhaustion and medication. Indy was already there,

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