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Chapter 40: The Morning Reckoning
Fecha de publicación:
2026-09-15 18:31:52
Último capítulo
The Reclusive CEO’s Substitute Bride Chapter 46: The Boardroom Trial
Elena’s POVThe three black limousines pull up to the private basement entrance of the Sterling Global Tower, a massive structure of dark glass and steel that shoots straight into the London sky. A team of armed security guards steps forward, their heavy boots echoing against the concrete floors as they open our car doors.Alexander steps out first, his towering frame casting a long shadow under the bright fluorescent ceiling lamps. I slide out right behind him, the bright blue silk of my dress rustling softly against the concrete floor. I keep my chin high, forcing my emerald-green eyes to look cold, distant, and completely bored as I mimic Alyssa’s snobbish grace.We ride the private executive elevator in total silence, the digital screen tracking our ascent past fifty floors. When the silver doors finally slide open, we step directly into a massive, gold-trimmed boardroom surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass windows.Sitting around a twenty-foot marble conference table are twelve o
The Reclusive CEO’s Substitute Bride Chapter 45: The Boardroom War
Elena’s POVThe next four days pass in a blur of quiet routine and growing tension. True to his word, Alexander does not return to his cold interrogations. Every evening, I walk down to the formal dining hall to join him for dinner, keeping my hands hidden under Alyssa's white lace gloves. We share quiet, late-night conversations about global history, corporate structures, and the state of the world. He listens to my thoughts with a deep, silent calculation that makes my skin prickle, but he never mentions the Swiss academy files again.By Friday afternoon, the quiet peace inside the fortress shatters.I am resting inside my suite after a hot afternoon bath, wearing a simple linen robe, when a sharp, demanding knock rattles my bedroom door."Come in," I call out, forcing Alyssa’s high, annoyed pitch into my throat as I tighten the belt of my robe.The heavy doors swing open, and Harris steps into the room, holding a thick cream-colored envelope with a dark gold wax seal stamped with t
The Reclusive CEO’s Substitute Bride Chapter 44: The Weight of Deception
Elena’s POVThe crackle of the dying fire is the only sound left in the massive study. Alexander’s dark eyes remain fixed on my face through the lenses of his mask, waiting for me to say something. The intense heat from the fireplace hits my cheeks, but my blood feels completely frozen inside my veins.The heavy weight of his trauma pulls at my chest like an anchor."I... I am so sorry that happened to you, Alexander," I whisper, my real, soft voice shaking so much that I cannot even try to mimic Alyssa’s screechy pitch. I stand up from the velvet sofa, my limbs feeling incredibly heavy under my grey dress. "The night is getting late, and your tea is getting cold. I should go back to my wing."Alexander does not move to stop me. He simply leans his head back against his leather chair, his square jaw remaining tight as his dark eyes follow my movement into the shadows of the office."Go get some rest, Alyssa," he murmurs, his low, rough baritone dropping to a quiet, exhausted murmur. "
The Reclusive CEO’s Substitute Bride Chapter 43: The Fire Betrayal
Elena’s POVThe heavy midnight silence of the West Wing is broken by a low, mechanical buzz from my bedroom wall. I jump up from the sofa, my heart instantly leaping into my throat. The electronic intercom screen lights up, displaying a short, typed command from the master suite.Bring a fresh pot of herbal tea to the East Wing study.My hands shake as I pull on my white lace evening gloves, smoothing down the front of a simple grey dress. I walk down to the kitchen, prepare the tray with hot water and the clean glass jar of crushed mint, and make my way across the grand foyer.When I step inside the East Wing study, the room is completely dark except for the amber glow of the fireplace.Alexander is sitting in his heavy leather chair right in front of the hearth, his long legs stretched out toward the flames. He wears a dark charcoal shirt with the collar unbuttoned. His matte-black shield mask is securely in place, hiding his eyes and forehead, but leaving his square jaw exposed to
The Reclusive CEO’s Substitute Bride Chapter 42: The Shadow of Truth
Elena’s POVThe heavy wood of the study doors clicks shut behind me, and I instantly sprint down the East Wing hallway. The moment I cross the black marble line back into the West Wing, my legs lose all their strength. I slump against the cold stone wall, clutching the fabric of my yellow dress tightly over my racing heart.My breath comes in short, ragged gasps. A private tutor.I forced that lie out of my mouth to survive his desk interrogation, but my stomach knots up with a fresh wave of pure terror. Alexander is a hyper-observant billionaire with an elite global security team. He explicitly told me he will verify my tutor story by tomorrow morning. If his investigators contact the Swiss academy or check my father's bank trails, they will find zero records of a private contract. The whole fraud will blow up right in my face."I need to fix this," I whisper into the empty corridor, my voice shaking.I rush down the hallway, push open my bedroom door, and lock it secure behind me. I
The Reclusive CEO’s Substitute Bride Chapter 41: The Second Mask
Elena’s POVThe heavy file folder sits on the dark mahogany desk like a loaded weapon. I clamp my teeth together tightly, forcing my chin to stay up as I look directly at the visible edge of the silver scar on his jaw. My heart is beating so hard against my ribs that my throat feels completely blocked.He knows she skipped the classes. He has the paperwork right in front of him.If I freeze or show a single shred of fear right now, Alexander will order his private investigators to dig past the Swiss files. They will find the real Alyssa’s text messages from her cheap motel, and then they will find my name on the lease of my small flower boutique.I must use my sister's exact snobbish arrogance to twist the truth. I force a loud, harsh laugh to leave my lips and lean back into the velvet chair, tossing my hair over my shoulder with a sharp, careless gesture."Your investigators are incredibly stupid if they think an enrollment registry tells the whole story, Alexander," I hiss, making
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