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Chapter 24
publish date:
2026-08-03 19:23:14
Latest chapter
The billionaire’s bidding war Chapter 35
The first star of the evening appeared just above the dark line where the ocean met the sky.A quiet cool settled over the coastal estate as twilight gave way to night. In the living room, the stone fireplace crackled softly, casting a warm, dancing amber light across the dark wood furniture and comfortable sofas. The house was peaceful, enveloped in the deep, comforting quiet that always arrived once Sophia was fast asleep.I sat in the armchair by the hearth, a soft blanket draped over my lap, watching the flames flicker behind the iron screen. On the small table beside me rested a framed photograph taken earlier that summer—Sophia laughing on Ashton’s shoulders, my father standing beside them, and the vast, open ocean stretching out behind us.Footsteps sounded softly on the rug, and Ashton walked into the room carrying two warm mugs of cocoa.He wore a dark gray sweater, his sleeves pushed up to his forearms, his dark hair slightly messy from the evening breeze outside. He handed
The billionaire’s bidding war Chapter 34
The warm golden glow of late afternoon spilled across the quiet study of our coastal home, casting long, peaceful shadows over the polished hardwood floors.I sat at the wide wooden desk, reviewing the final set of documents for the regional youth scholarship initiative. Outside the floor-to-ceiling glass doors, the Pacific Ocean stretched out like a vast sheet of blue silk, its gentle waves rolling rhythmically against the sandy shore below. The tranquil atmosphere of the estate had become a permanent backdrop to our lives, a constant reminder of the peaceful sanctuary we had built together.A soft knock at the open door drew my attention, and my father stepped into the room holding a small cup of tea."You are still reviewing those files, Mariah?" he asked with a gentle smile, setting the teacup on the corner of the desk."Just finishing the last allocation framework for the autumn term," I replied, leaning back in my chair and offering him a warm look. "We want to make sure the fun
The billionaire’s bidding war Chapter 33
The morning fog rolled across the coastal bluffs in soft, thick waves, blanketing the ocean in a quiet gray mist.Inside the house, the atmosphere was warm and filled with the low, steady hum of daily routine. I stood near the long kitchen island, pouring a fresh glass of orange juice as the quiet sound of soft laughter drifted down the hallway. The domestic peace we had constructed over the past few years felt solid, an enduring reality rather than a fragile interlude.My father walked into the room first, holding Sophia by her hand as she skipped along the wooden floor."Someone was very eager to show you her drawing from yesterday," my father said, offering me a warm smile as he helped Sophia climb onto one of the high kitchen stools. He looked well, his face relaxed and entirely free of the lingering strain that had once defined his years at the head of Thorne Real Estate."Is it the one with the ocean?" I asked, leaning down to kiss the top of Sophia's head."And the big sailboat
The billionaire’s bidding war Chapter 32
The warm afternoon light filtered through the wooden pergola down on the lower terrace, casting patterned shadows across the stone floor.A light breeze blew off the ocean, rustling the leaves of the olive trees that lined the edge of the property. I sat on the cushioned outdoor couch, watching Sophia sit on a soft woven mat near the grass, carefully arranging a set of colorful wooden blocks into tall, precariously balanced towers.My father sat in an armchair nearby, sipping iced tea while watching her with an amused, quiet smile."She has her father's focus," my father noted softly, setting his glass down on the table. "Look at her. She won't stop until that tower reaches the top of the table."I smiled, setting my tablet aside on the sofa cushion. "She's determined, that's for sure. Once she gets an idea in her head, there's no convincing her otherwise.""I wonder where she inherited that from," my father teased gently, offering me a warm, knowing look."From both of us, I suppose,
The billionaire’s bidding war Chapter 31
The morning ocean mist slowly receded from the coastline, leaving the vast blue water glistening under the rising sun.I stood on the lower lawn of the estate, my feet bare against the cool, damp grass, holding a warm cup of coffee in my hands. The peace that enveloped the mansion every morning had become my favorite part of the day. It was a stark, beautiful contrast to the years I had spent waking up with a heavy knot of dread in my chest, constantly anticipating the next corporate scandal or family betrayal.Behind me, the glass doors glided open, and the faint sound of small, energetic footsteps echoed across the stone terrace."Mommy!" Sophia called out, running across the grass toward me, her arms outstretched. She was wearing a small denim jumpsuit, her dark curls bouncing in the morning breeze.I set my coffee cup down on a wooden garden table and crouched down, catching her in my arms and lifting her up into a warm hug. "Good morning, my little bird. Did you help Grandpa set
The billionaire’s bidding war Chapter 30
The first light of dawn broke over the horizon, painting the coastal sky in soft, luminous bands of gold, violet, and soft pink.I stood by the tall glass doors of our bedroom balcony, holding a warm cup of coffee, watching the ocean tide roll gently onto the smooth sand below. The air was crisp, cool, and filled with the clean, salt-tinged breeze that always swept in off the water right before sunrise.Behind me, the sheets rustled as Ashton pulled himself up from the bed.He didn't speak right away. He simply walked over to where I stood, his footsteps quiet on the dark hardwood floor, and wrapped his arms securely around my waist from behind. He rested his chin lightly on top of my head, his chest rising and falling in a slow, steady rhythm that instantly brought a deep, familiar warmth to my heart."You're standing out here in the cold," Ashton murmured softly, his voice low and rich with sleep."I just wanted to watch the sun come up," I replied, leaning my head back against his
The billionaire’s bidding war Chapter three
CHAPTER 3I didn’t know how long I stared at the text message on my phone, contemplating how to respond to it. My hands trembled as I texted a response.Who is this?I stared and waited, hoping that I would get an immediate reply. Finally, the bubble showed that the person on the other end of the p
The billionaire’s bidding war Chapter two
CHAPTER 2“Remember,” Ashton said as we stood outside the dining room and waited. His hand was resting on my lower back that looked affectionate, but we both knew it was far from that. “We’re happy together. We’re adjusting well, and everything is perfect.”It was Friday, and we were having dinner
The billionaire’s bidding war Chapter one
CHAPTER 1I felt nothing as I stared at my reflection in the full length mirror to see the stranger in a white silk wedding dress staring back at me.“You look really beautiful, Mariah,” my mother said, her voice cracking as she teared up and adjusted my veil.“Stop,” I wanted to tell her. I wanted
The billionaire’s bidding war Chapter four
CHAPTER 4Brenda didn’t like me, but at least she didn’t hide it. Winston, on the other hand, wanted to destroy my family but had been pretending to be clueless this whole time.“The marriage is serving its purpose at this time,” Ashton said to his father with a cold tone. “When we’ve acquired all
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