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CHAPTER 169

Author: oby
last update Last Updated: 2025-05-14 00:00:28

Audrey's POV

I sat in the panic room, my pounding heart still shuddering at Michael's threat. The soundlessness of the security system was all I heard, but each ticking clock sent a message screaming through my ears. I held Lucas's hand, his sturdy heat propping me up against the storm of terror and hopelessness that wanted to consume me.

I couldn't help but recall what he told us on our last visitation—his insanity vow to take care of Aiden no matter what, his desperation as he mouthed with tears streaming down his face, "I won't let him ruin our family." Even now that danger is closing in around us, his vow was my sole comfort. But deep inside, a secret turmoil brewed within me—a battle between the vision of a future to come and the eerie dread that Michael's final verdict would shatter it all. Afraid that no matter how much we care, this threat is going to tear us apart. Afraid to lose Aiden. to lose you." My voice splintered and seared with tears of mine. I swear to you, Audrey, w
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    Audrey's POVThe storm outside stormed in time with our own inner tempest. I stood at the window of our safe room, the early morning light struggling to penetrate blackened skies. I trembled in my hands as I gazed out into the pounding rain, each drop a reminder that nothing was ever certain. I clutched my phone, dead screen blankly staring up at me, but the texts sent last night seared themselves into my brain. Michael's rage-sharpened threats, Lucas's passion-seared guarantees, the phrases of our argument the other day—those kept me captive, on tender hooks.Lucas burst in, his bulging eyes flashing with maniacal compulsion. "Audrey, we must leave — immediately!" he screamed, shaking me awake. Every step we took then was then a matter of racing against time—a frantic rush from the lethal schemes Michael had set in motion."Lucas, what did they do?" I shouted over the howl of the wind, my dry throat throbbing with lust and fear. He did not answer immediately. His eyes darted towards

  • Faking Love, Making War: The CEO’s Dirty Secrets   CHAPTER 170

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  • Faking Love, Making War: The CEO’s Dirty Secrets   CHAPTER 169

    Audrey's POVI sat in the panic room, my pounding heart still shuddering at Michael's threat. The soundlessness of the security system was all I heard, but each ticking clock sent a message screaming through my ears. I held Lucas's hand, his sturdy heat propping me up against the storm of terror and hopelessness that wanted to consume me.I couldn't help but recall what he told us on our last visitation—his insanity vow to take care of Aiden no matter what, his desperation as he mouthed with tears streaming down his face, "I won't let him ruin our family." Even now that danger is closing in around us, his vow was my sole comfort. But deep inside, a secret turmoil brewed within me—a battle between the vision of a future to come and the eerie dread that Michael's final verdict would shatter it all. Afraid that no matter how much we care, this threat is going to tear us apart. Afraid to lose Aiden. to lose you." My voice splintered and seared with tears of mine. I swear to you, Audrey, w

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  • Faking Love, Making War: The CEO’s Dirty Secrets   CHAPTER 166

    Audrey's POV The house was also quiet, too quiet. Lucas stood by the window frame, his shoulders to me, his fists folded at his waist. The pointedness between his shoulders could have sliced through the air. During the last ten minutes, he hadn't uttered a word. Neither had I. I swallowed hard. My throat constricted. "Talk," I whispered almost inaudibly. Lucas slowly turned, his bright blue eyes locking onto mine. "What do you want me to say, Audrey? That this isn't as awful as it seems?" He let out a hollow laugh, shaking his head again. "Because it is. It's worse." My heart ached at the pain in his voice. "We'll get through it. Together." His jaw tightened. "You say that every time, but look where we are. Michael isn't some businessman attempting to bring me down—he's been planning this for years. This. this union of our families was built on deceptions, and now he's taking it and using it to destroy everything." I stepped off the bed and went over to him, grasping his hand. "L

  • Faking Love, Making War: The CEO’s Dirty Secrets   CHAPTER 165

    Audrey's POVI ran faster, every second an eternity. I had to decide if I would face this new danger by myself or wait for Lucas. My mind was yelling at me that I was not prepared to deal with any more lies and danger alone. But the message was loud and clear, and the fear of more secrets and betrayal tormented my stomach.The door creaked open. Lucas stood in front of me, dark eyes unflinching. "Audrey," he answered, deep voice insisting on attention, "we must talk."I looked at him, relief sweeping through. "I got a message," I lip-formed, hand extended in offering the screen. Lucas read it quickly, his jaw clenching into a hard line. "The old pier? That's where they used to neck when we were teenagers," he murmured, half to himself. His eyes flashed to mine, burning with determination and possessiveness. "We go together."I hesitated for only a beat before I nodded. "Together," I echoed.Within minutes, we were in my car, racing away from the relative safety of the estate. The engi

  • Faking Love, Making War: The CEO’s Dirty Secrets   CHAPTER 164

    Audrey's POV I looked up at Lucas, fear and rebellion knotted in my eyes. With pounding hearts and spirits joined as one, we entered the unknown of the last judgment, to face whatever destiny held in store for us—hand in hand, for whatever price. We stepped into the dark hallway and my cheeks ached with chill. Lucas's grip on my hand was soothing in the middle of the storm of suspicion enveloping us. Hum of equipment in the background and the fitful flash of fluorescent light helped to create a sense of dread foreboding. "Stay close to me," Lucas painted, his warm breath on my ear. His guardian instincts reassured me and brought back to mind the danger that lurked. We moved quickly, our footsteps clanging softly off the concrete. The weight of our mission bore down on me. Each step took us deeper into the heart of Michael's operation—a web of deceit and peril. We turned a corner, and the sound of voices closing in caused us to freeze. Lucas pressed his finger over his lips,

  • Faking Love, Making War: The CEO’s Dirty Secrets   CHAPTER 163

    (Audrey's POV)We had narrowly escaped the fortified compound, and now every step was a leap through a tube of fire and uncertainty."Audrey, stop!" Lucas's roar was one of warning and defense as we sped into a narrow service tunnel. My mind was a jumble of fear and crazy love. I couldn't get the message delivered in advance out of my head—"The final reckoning is near." Each phrase was a death anvil, telling me that Michael's threat loomed over us. We emerged into the chilly morning air. The city was shrouded in fog, the skyline faintly visible behind rolling fog. I could sense my heart pounding as we reached the waiting security vehicle. In the small interior, Lucas's eyes never left my eyes. His eyes were firm, with determination and worry.“I trust you, Lucas. But I’m scared.” My voice wavered with raw emotion. “I’m scared of losing you, of losing Aiden… of what Michael might do next.”Lucas pulled me towards him, his mouth inches from my ear. "We're together now, Audrey. I promise

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