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Sixty-Eight

last update Last Updated: 2025-04-29 03:45:12

The small kitchen felt strangely bigger after the call ended — as if the ghosts that had haunted them for so long had suddenly loosened their grip.

But it also felt... heavier. Not in a bad way, but in a way that said: Things have changed.

Adrian sat down slowly, pulling his chair closer to the table where Crystal had laid out their breakfast.

It was simple — eggs, toast, a little fruit, and coffee — but the way Crystal had arranged everything with so much care made it feel like a feast.

After cleaning up the kitchen, Crystal and Adrian found themselves naturally drifting toward the cozy little living room.

The air smelled faintly of fresh coffee and sunlight.

It was the kind of morning that made the world outside seem so far away — like they were living inside a tiny, perfect bubble where nothing could hurt them.

Adrian collapsed onto the couch with a soft groan, leaning his head back lazily.

Crystal laughed gently, picking up a small cushion and tossing it at him.

"You act like you
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  • The Price of His Betrayal    Sixty-Nine

    The black Mercedes rolled smoothly into the underground parking lot of Blake Enterprises, its polished surface gleaming under the morning sun.Christian Blake sat in the backseat, stone-faced, his mind busy calculating every possibility, every risk, every outcome of the meeting ahead.John sat beside him, flipping through a folder nervously, his brows knitted together with tension."Christian," John finally broke the heavy silence, his voice low and uncertain, "I really hope this investment works out."He cleared his throat, adjusting the papers he was holding."The Chinese investors... they’re our last hope of survival right now."Christian turned slightly, his sharp gaze flickering to John."We’ve prepared well," he said calmly, though the steel in his voice was unmistakable."The relationship we’ve built with them has been strong for years. There’s no reason for them to reject the proposal."John hesitated, his fingers tapping anxiously against the folder."I know. But... with the

    Last Updated : 2025-04-29
  • The Price of His Betrayal    Seventy

    70Christian entered the boardroom with his usual commanding presence, his expensive watch glinting under the light, his polished shoes clicking softly against the tiled floor.John followed close behind, carrying the folders for the meeting.Around the long oak table, the Chinese investors were already seated, their faces stoic, professional, their eyes sharp and evaluating.Christian offered a polite smile, inclining his head respectfully as he greeted them."Good morning, gentlemen. It’s an honor to finally have you here at Blake Enterprises," he began, his voice strong, confident."We’ve been preparing for this partnership for months, and I believe today marks the beginning of a mutually profitable relationship."The investors murmured polite greetings in return, nodding slightly.The translator sitting at the side repeated Christian’s words in Mandarin, ensuring everyone was on the same page.Christian felt the usual rhythm of business flowing through him.This was what he was go

    Last Updated : 2025-04-29
  • The Price of His Betrayal    Seventy-One

    His fists clenched at his sides, his jaw tightening with rage.Near the door, Ilda stylishly rushed forward, pretending to be horrified.She placed a gentle hand on Christian’s arm, her voice a perfect melody of fake concern."Christian, please... calm down," she whispered softly."You're going to make yourself sick. Please, let’s sit down. It’s not the end. We can fix this..."Christian wrenched his arm free, eyes burning with frustration.He glared at the remaining workers in the room — the ones who had failed to shut off the footage in time."You’re all useless!" Christian roared, his voice tearing through the heavy tension like a blade.It wasn't just anger in his tone — it was betrayal, humiliation, a man desperately trying to claw back his crumbling world.He stood there, fists trembling, chest heaving with rage.The echoes of his shout bounced off the cold boardroom walls, leaving a deadly silence in its wake.The workers shrank back like scolded children, their heads bowed low

    Last Updated : 2025-04-29
  • The Price of His Betrayal    Seventy-Two

    The morning sun streamed softly through the large windows of Ethan's luxury penthouse, painting golden patterns across the marble floors.It was a new day — a victorious day.The air inside was sweet with the scent of fresh flowers and the richer, almost tangible scent of triumph.Ethan sat on the couch, a glass of wine in one hand, watching the morning news that recapped the disastrous collapse of Christian Blake’s business empire.The headline flashed boldly:"CHRISTIAN BLAKE: FROM BUSINESS KING TO FALLEN TYCOON"Ethan chuckled darkly under his breath.He leaned back, running a hand through his hair in sheer satisfaction.From the hallway, Ilda emerged, her silk robe trailing behind her like a queen making her entrance.Her face wore a victorious smile — a smile of someone who had waited so long for this moment.As she approached, Ethan’s eyes softened, and he set his glass aside, opening his arms wide."Come here, my queen," he said warmly.Ilda laughed — a rich, soft laugh — and s

    Last Updated : 2025-04-29
  • The Price of His Betrayal    Seventy-Three

    The late afternoon sun dipped lazily behind the hills, casting long shadows over the winding streets. Inside the luxurious midnight-black Rolls Royce, Ilda sat like a queen basking in her triumph.The car's interior smelled of rich leather and the faintest hint of her expensive perfume.Next to her, several luxury shopping bags, bearing logos of high-end brands, rustled softly as the car glided smoothly along the quiet road.Her fingers absentmindedly brushed over a bag of delicate pastries she had picked up, her lips curling into a slow, wicked smile.Victory tastes sweeter than anything money could buy.Today, she felt invincible — like she had the world spinning in the palm of her hand.Christian Blake — the once untouchable, arrogant businessman — was now no better than the dust under her feet.The memory of his shattered face at the boardroom replayed in her mind like a cherished melody, and she let out a small, satisfied laugh, low and dangerous.The driver, a muscular man dres

    Last Updated : 2025-04-29
  • The Price of His Betrayal    Seventy-Four

    The heavy front door swung open with a deep, resonant groan, and Ilda stepped inside, her arms burdened with shopping bags and a small piece of luggage. A gust of cold, stale air greeted her, stirring a faint shiver down her spine. The workers, clad in crisp uniforms, rushed toward her, their footsteps tapping sharply against the marble floors.They wore polite smiles—too polite, too rehearsed—as they relieved her of her bags, their movements practiced and mechanical.The mansion swallowed her whole.It felt different.Too cold.Too empty.The grand hall stretched out before her, a cavern of gleaming marble and shadow. The once-warm chandeliers that used to bathe the entrance in soft gold light now flickered weakly, casting long, distorted.Ilda hesitated on the threshold, her heels clicking softly as she shifted her weight. She could hear the distant ticking of the grand clock in the main parlor, each second stretching out with painful slowness. The echoes of the workers’ footsteps r

    Last Updated : 2025-04-29
  • The Price of His Betrayal    Seventy-Five

    Before Ilda could form a response, heavy footsteps echoed down the grand staircase.Olivia descended slowly, dressed in a dark silk gown, her face lined with exhaustion and worry."What’s going on here?" Olivia asked, her voice tight, her eyes narrowing into suspicious slits.Christian didn’t answer directly.Instead, he reached into the inner pocket of his suit with a slow, deliberate motion, his jaw tight and a storm flickering in his eyes.With a sharp flick of his wrist, he threw a thick bundle of papers at Olivia’s feet.They scattered across the floor like fallen leaves, rustling against the marble tiles.Olivia bent down, her hands trembling as she picked up the papers, her perfectly manicured fingers struggling to grasp them. Her face paled, and a deep frown etched itself between her brows as her chest rose and fell in uneven, shallow breaths.Her eyes scanned the top sheet and her face slowly drained of all color.A deafening silence filled the room.Only the faint ticking o

    Last Updated : 2025-04-29
  • The Price of His Betrayal    Seventy-Six

    The fluorescent lights of the hospital corridor flickered slightly, humming in the sterile silence that blanketed the space. Crystal sat stiffly on the metal bench, her hands clutched tightly together in her lap, her knuckles pale from the pressure. Her eyes, red and swollen from silent crying, remained glued to the double doors of the surgical theater.Each second that passed felt like a dagger to her chest.She kept whispering under her breath, "Please God… please… just let him be okay."The wall clock above ticked mockingly — its sound loud and hollow in the hallway. Crystal had no idea how long she had been sitting there. Time had lost all meaning the moment they wheeled Adrian away on that cold metal stretcher.She had begged to see him, just once, before the surgery…But they had refused.Now all she could do was wait…And hope.Suddenly, the doors burst open. Her heart skipped.A doctor in scrubs emerged — his mask lowered, sweat lining his brow. He pulled off his gloves slowly

    Last Updated : 2025-04-30

Latest chapter

  • The Price of His Betrayal    Seventy Eight

    The grand hall of the Blake mansion was filled with urgent footsteps and low murmurs. Within minutes of Olivia’s collapse, the family’s private doctor, Dr. Halden, arrived, his medical kit in hand and concern etched deeply into his brow. He was led swiftly upstairs to Olivia’s room, where she had been laid gently on the bed by Christian and the house staff.Olivia looked pale, her skin clammy, and her breath came in slow, shallow waves. Though her eyes had opened faintly, she remained still and mute, her lips barely twitching as if she were trying to form words that simply wouldn’t come. Her once fierce gaze was now vacant — distant, trapped in a fog.Dr. Halden moved quickly and with practiced hands, checking her pulse, taking her temperature, and examining her eyes. “She’s stable, but barely,” he said gravely. “She’s regained consciousness, but she’s currently unable to speak or communicate properly. Her nervous system seems to be under a kind of strain — possibly induced by strong

  • The Price of His Betrayal    Seventy-Seven

    “Any news?” Christian asked without turning.John sighed, walking further in. “I spoke with our guys. All airport security stations have been notified — private hangars, commercial lines, even border patrol. His name, face, and passport numbers have been circulated. They’re all on high alert. If he tries to leave the country, he’ll be stopped.”Christian slowly turned, his eyes blazing.“So you’re telling me he hasn’t left yet.” He stepped closer, each word heavier than the last. “That means that bastard is still walking around… breathing my air… after everything he’s done to my family.”John nodded cautiously. “It’s very likely, yes.”Christian slammed his palm on the table, making a stack of files tremble. “Good! That means I still have time. I’m going to make sure he pays for every damn thing he’s done.”He started pacing, fists clenched at his sides.“He stole from my mother. He used her… betrayed her trust. And the nerve — the nerve — to use her private codes to drain her shares,

  • The Price of His Betrayal    Seventy-Six

    The fluorescent lights of the hospital corridor flickered slightly, humming in the sterile silence that blanketed the space. Crystal sat stiffly on the metal bench, her hands clutched tightly together in her lap, her knuckles pale from the pressure. Her eyes, red and swollen from silent crying, remained glued to the double doors of the surgical theater.Each second that passed felt like a dagger to her chest.She kept whispering under her breath, "Please God… please… just let him be okay."The wall clock above ticked mockingly — its sound loud and hollow in the hallway. Crystal had no idea how long she had been sitting there. Time had lost all meaning the moment they wheeled Adrian away on that cold metal stretcher.She had begged to see him, just once, before the surgery…But they had refused.Now all she could do was wait…And hope.Suddenly, the doors burst open. Her heart skipped.A doctor in scrubs emerged — his mask lowered, sweat lining his brow. He pulled off his gloves slowly

  • The Price of His Betrayal    Seventy-Five

    Before Ilda could form a response, heavy footsteps echoed down the grand staircase.Olivia descended slowly, dressed in a dark silk gown, her face lined with exhaustion and worry."What’s going on here?" Olivia asked, her voice tight, her eyes narrowing into suspicious slits.Christian didn’t answer directly.Instead, he reached into the inner pocket of his suit with a slow, deliberate motion, his jaw tight and a storm flickering in his eyes.With a sharp flick of his wrist, he threw a thick bundle of papers at Olivia’s feet.They scattered across the floor like fallen leaves, rustling against the marble tiles.Olivia bent down, her hands trembling as she picked up the papers, her perfectly manicured fingers struggling to grasp them. Her face paled, and a deep frown etched itself between her brows as her chest rose and fell in uneven, shallow breaths.Her eyes scanned the top sheet and her face slowly drained of all color.A deafening silence filled the room.Only the faint ticking o

  • The Price of His Betrayal    Seventy-Four

    The heavy front door swung open with a deep, resonant groan, and Ilda stepped inside, her arms burdened with shopping bags and a small piece of luggage. A gust of cold, stale air greeted her, stirring a faint shiver down her spine. The workers, clad in crisp uniforms, rushed toward her, their footsteps tapping sharply against the marble floors.They wore polite smiles—too polite, too rehearsed—as they relieved her of her bags, their movements practiced and mechanical.The mansion swallowed her whole.It felt different.Too cold.Too empty.The grand hall stretched out before her, a cavern of gleaming marble and shadow. The once-warm chandeliers that used to bathe the entrance in soft gold light now flickered weakly, casting long, distorted.Ilda hesitated on the threshold, her heels clicking softly as she shifted her weight. She could hear the distant ticking of the grand clock in the main parlor, each second stretching out with painful slowness. The echoes of the workers’ footsteps r

  • The Price of His Betrayal    Seventy-Three

    The late afternoon sun dipped lazily behind the hills, casting long shadows over the winding streets. Inside the luxurious midnight-black Rolls Royce, Ilda sat like a queen basking in her triumph.The car's interior smelled of rich leather and the faintest hint of her expensive perfume.Next to her, several luxury shopping bags, bearing logos of high-end brands, rustled softly as the car glided smoothly along the quiet road.Her fingers absentmindedly brushed over a bag of delicate pastries she had picked up, her lips curling into a slow, wicked smile.Victory tastes sweeter than anything money could buy.Today, she felt invincible — like she had the world spinning in the palm of her hand.Christian Blake — the once untouchable, arrogant businessman — was now no better than the dust under her feet.The memory of his shattered face at the boardroom replayed in her mind like a cherished melody, and she let out a small, satisfied laugh, low and dangerous.The driver, a muscular man dres

  • The Price of His Betrayal    Seventy-Two

    The morning sun streamed softly through the large windows of Ethan's luxury penthouse, painting golden patterns across the marble floors.It was a new day — a victorious day.The air inside was sweet with the scent of fresh flowers and the richer, almost tangible scent of triumph.Ethan sat on the couch, a glass of wine in one hand, watching the morning news that recapped the disastrous collapse of Christian Blake’s business empire.The headline flashed boldly:"CHRISTIAN BLAKE: FROM BUSINESS KING TO FALLEN TYCOON"Ethan chuckled darkly under his breath.He leaned back, running a hand through his hair in sheer satisfaction.From the hallway, Ilda emerged, her silk robe trailing behind her like a queen making her entrance.Her face wore a victorious smile — a smile of someone who had waited so long for this moment.As she approached, Ethan’s eyes softened, and he set his glass aside, opening his arms wide."Come here, my queen," he said warmly.Ilda laughed — a rich, soft laugh — and s

  • The Price of His Betrayal    Seventy-One

    His fists clenched at his sides, his jaw tightening with rage.Near the door, Ilda stylishly rushed forward, pretending to be horrified.She placed a gentle hand on Christian’s arm, her voice a perfect melody of fake concern."Christian, please... calm down," she whispered softly."You're going to make yourself sick. Please, let’s sit down. It’s not the end. We can fix this..."Christian wrenched his arm free, eyes burning with frustration.He glared at the remaining workers in the room — the ones who had failed to shut off the footage in time."You’re all useless!" Christian roared, his voice tearing through the heavy tension like a blade.It wasn't just anger in his tone — it was betrayal, humiliation, a man desperately trying to claw back his crumbling world.He stood there, fists trembling, chest heaving with rage.The echoes of his shout bounced off the cold boardroom walls, leaving a deadly silence in its wake.The workers shrank back like scolded children, their heads bowed low

  • The Price of His Betrayal    Seventy

    70Christian entered the boardroom with his usual commanding presence, his expensive watch glinting under the light, his polished shoes clicking softly against the tiled floor.John followed close behind, carrying the folders for the meeting.Around the long oak table, the Chinese investors were already seated, their faces stoic, professional, their eyes sharp and evaluating.Christian offered a polite smile, inclining his head respectfully as he greeted them."Good morning, gentlemen. It’s an honor to finally have you here at Blake Enterprises," he began, his voice strong, confident."We’ve been preparing for this partnership for months, and I believe today marks the beginning of a mutually profitable relationship."The investors murmured polite greetings in return, nodding slightly.The translator sitting at the side repeated Christian’s words in Mandarin, ensuring everyone was on the same page.Christian felt the usual rhythm of business flowing through him.This was what he was go

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