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The question

Penulis: Rever
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-25 08:03:29

The sun dipped low over the horizon as Rene guided the car along the winding road back to the Rossi estate. Shadows stretched long across the dashboard, golden light dancing on Maria’s face. She hadn’t said much since they left the restaurant.

Instead, she kept her gaze fixed on her phone, screen dimmed but not turned off. Her thumb hovered near the edge, as if deciding whether to press the number or not.

Rene glanced at her, his fingers lightly drumming on the steering wheel. "You’ve been quiet."

Maria didn’t look up.

"Everything okay?" he asked.

"Mmm."

"That the same 'mmm' you give when you’re lying to me or the one when you’re annoyed at me?"

She finally looked at him, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes. "Neither. Just thinking."

Rene tilted his head, eyebrows raised. "About?"

Maria took one last look at the number glowing faintly on her screen. Then slowly, deliberately, she pressed the side button. The screen went black.

"Nothing," she said.

Rene didn’t believe her. He didn’t pu
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  • The son of a billionaire in disguise   His truth?

    The silence stretched, taut and expectant. The question lingered in the air like smoke... where was he this morning?Rene’s gaze swept the room, pausing momentarily on each face. They were waiting. Wanting. Ready to pounce.He could feel Maria beside him, her stillness louder than any words she could speak. And that silence... her silence, was what cut the deepest.He inhaled slowly, deliberately. “I wasn’t with Layla.”“Then who?” Madam Rossi’s voice cracked through the air like a whip.Staring at the stone-cold faces in the room, Rene hesitated, knowing full well the weight of the name he was about to speak. “Mr. Gunnar.”The room went still. Like a spell had been cast. Even the distant ticking of the grandfather clock seemed to pause.Mr. Rossi’s expression barely shifted, but Rene saw it. A flicker. Not a surprise. Not suspicion. Fear.It was enough.Rene locked eyes with the family patriarch and took a step forward, voice steady. “Yes. I was with Mr. Gunnar this morning. He reque

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-25
  • The son of a billionaire in disguise   The end approaches

    As his gaze darted across the room, Rene kept the phone pressed tightly to his ear, Gunnar's voice echoing again on the other end."Hello, boss."The words rang in Rene's ear, but he stood motionless, letting the sound linger for a moment longer than necessary. He could feel the stares digging into his skin, hot and prickling, as if the entire room was holding its breath... waiting.After another moment of silent, Jason's frustration burst first."We can’t hear a damn thing from over there!" he snapped. "Put it on speaker, Kia. Now. Let us hear it ring so we can know when he answer.""Yeah, come on," Juan added, arms crossed, leaning forward. "Let’s all hear what he has to say.""If it’s the truth," Luis said, with a crooked smile, "you shouldn’t mind sharing it.""He’s right," Bianca chimed in, her voice cool. "Let Mr. Gunnar confirm that you weren’t with Layla. Or should we be calling her instead?"Even Vittoria, usually more reserved, nodded. "If you want to proof your inocence, It

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-25
  • The son of a billionaire in disguise   Secret and whispers

    The morning sunlight spilled across the marble floor, golden and warm but not quite enough to soften the tension thickening inside the Rossi estate. Even though it has been two weeks, the walls in the mansion still whisper about the day Jason was slapped and every soul knew about it now.Madam Rossi stood in the hallway, quiet and still, her silk robe brushing softly against her ankles as she listened to the muffled voice of her husband behind the half-open door to his study.He had been up since before dawn, pacing, commanding, orchestrating this celebration as if the fate of the family hung on the thread of imported seafood and ambient lighting.She took a sip of her coffee. Bitter. She didn’t flinch.Inside the study, Mr. Rossi was in full control mode.“I don’t care how rare they are, Alberto,” he snapped into the phone. “You find the scallops. Pay triple if you must. I won’t serve frozen shrimp like some sad cruise buffet.”A pause, then he waved his hand as if dismissing a perso

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-26
  • The son of a billionaire in disguise   Enemies piling up

    The bar was dimly lit, smoke curling lazily toward the cracked ceiling fans, and the low murmur of conversations filled the air like static. Leonardo pushed the door open with a grunt, the heavy wood creaking in protest. He paused for a beat, letting his eyes adjust. It smelled like old whiskey and regret... fitting, really.He hated places like this. Hated the desperation that clung to the customer like a second skin.He scanned the room once, twice, his patience already running thin. Then he spotted a familiar, irritatingly eager wave from a booth tucked near the back.Benjamin. Grinning like a rat who just found a hole in the pantry, waving him in.Leonardo sighed hard through his nose, squared his shoulders, and stalked toward him, his boots thudding against the sticky floor. His leather jacket creaked when he slid into the booth opposite Benjamin.“Why did you call me to this shit hole? What do you want?” Leonardo demanded, voice low, sharp.Already drunk, Benjamin didn’t flinch.

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-26
  • The son of a billionaire in disguise   Him or Me?

    With the speed of 60mph, Leonardo’s car screeched into the underground lot of the Rossi Enterprise tower, the tires shrieking against the concrete. He barely threw it into park before he slammed the door and stormed across the lot, his boots pounding like war drums. His vision tunneled. His fists ached to hit something... someone.Moments later, Leonardo burst through the revolving doors of the Rossi Enterprise building like a storm tearing through glass. The receptionist at the front desk barely managed to look up before he blew past her, a blur of black leather and fury.“Sir! Sir, you need to-!” she called after him, but Leonardo didn’t even glance back.An unlucky employee, arms full of files, crossed his path just as he reached the elevators. Leonardo shoved her aside with a brutal swipe of his arm. She cried out, the papers flying from her hands as she stumbled to the floor. He didn’t stop. Didn’t apologize. His boots thundered against the marble floors as he stabbed the elevato

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-26
  • The son of a billionaire in disguise    Next steps

    As the second tick by, Mr. Rossi stared at him in stony silence, the air between them growing thick and suffocating. The old man’s jaw worked, grinding slowly back and forth as he weighed the consequences laid so brazenly at his feet.Finally, he tilted his head ever so slightly, an almost imperceptible nod... like a viper sizing up its prey before striking."You overestimate your importance," Mr. Rossi said, his voice so calm it was almost a whisper. "Men like you are always so sure that the world will fall without them." He paused, then leaned in, close enough that Leonardo could smell the faint bite of expensive tobacco clinging to his breath. "It doesn’t."Leonardo’s expression didn’t flinch, but his hands curled into fists so tight that his knuckles blanched white."You’ve been useful, Mr. Varga," Mr. Rossi continued. "Valuable. I won’t deny that. But you're mistaking usefulness for irreplaceability." His lips twitched into a razor-thin smile. "And no man is irreplaceable."Leona

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-26
  • The son of a billionaire in disguise   Plus one

    As his thought ran wild, Alejandro sat behind his desk, thumbing absently through a stack of reports he had no real interest in. The faint click of heels echoed outside his office door, and a second later, a bright, overly familiar voice called out."Alejandro! Surprise!"He looked up sharply, jaw already clenching. Vanessa... perfect hair... perfect smile, stood in the doorway holding a dozen shopping bags like trophies. She swept into the room before he could even tell her no."Miss me?" she cooed, setting her bags down with a theatrical sigh and brushing invisible dust from her fitted dress.Dropping his pen, Alejandro offered a tight, strained smile. "Vanessa," he said flatly. "What are you doing here?"She pouted... a practiced, pretty thing... and sauntered around his desk to perch on the edge of it, raising her hand on his thigh as she stroked it."I thought we could have lunch," she said sweetly. "And maybe... You could carry these for me?" She gestured at the bags. "And maybe

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-27
  • The son of a billionaire in disguise   The age of Enlightenment

    The heavy oak doors of the Rossi mansion burst open with a loud crack against the marble walls. Mr. and Mrs. Leontis stormed inside, their fury like a sudden winter chill that raced through the halls, causing the maids nearest the foyer to freeze where they stood.“Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Leontis,” one of the braver maids greeted, dipping her head respectfully despite the obvious tension. “May I help you?”Mrs. Leontis didn't even spare her a glance. Mr. Leontis’s stride was thunderous, his cane clicking sharply against the polished floor, while his wife’s heels snapped with every furious step. They moved like a singular force, their anger pushing the staff aside with invisible hands.“We are here for Mr. Rossi," Mrs. Leontis barked, her voice traveling towards the end of the corridor. "Tell him to come down immediately.”“But ma’am, it’s quite early... breakfast isn’t yet—" the head maid began timidly."DO IT!" Mrs. Leontis snapped, her voice echoing up the grand staircase.Before

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-28

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  • The son of a billionaire in disguise   Accuses

    As her tears washed away her makeup, Maria stumbled back from the bathroom door, her heels nearly slipping on the tiles. Her breath came in gasps. The scream had torn itself from her throat like something wild and ancient.The heavy doors of the ballroom burst open with a thunderous crack that silenced the music and hushed every murmuring voice in the vast chamber.“BLOOD!” she shrieked, not caring that the music had stopped, not caring that every head in the room turned toward her like she was on fire. “THERE’S BLOOD IN THE BATHROOM! WHERE IS MY HUSBAND?! WHERE IS KIA?!”The crowd stared.Her hands were trembling violently at her sides, her fingers stained red. Somewhere between the stall and the door, she’d leaned against the sink, and her palm had smeared through it... blood. She looked feral. Unhinged. Her eyes darted wildly across the sea of glittering gowns and tailored suits, looking for someone, anyone, but none of them mattered. Not now.“Maria, Maria!” Madam Rossi stood qui

  • The son of a billionaire in disguise   A gun and her scream

    The bathroom door clicked shut behind Rene, muffling out the hum of the ballroom. He exhaled. Deep. Controlled. Let the silence press into him.He stood still for a moment, just past the threshold, the artificial light above casting a sterile white hue over the room's marble walls and gleaming fixtures. A mirror stretched across the far wall, reflecting the image of a man who looked calm, composed. But only just.Rene stepped forward, one hand brushing at the wine blot on his blazer like the gesture might undo it. The fabric clung to him, damp and sticky, the smell of the cabernet still ripe in the air. He peeled the jacket off slowly, folding it once and draping it over the gold hook on the wall. He turned on the faucet, letting the cold water rush over his hands. The temperature bit into his skin, grounding him. He cupped the water and splashed it on his face once, twice, letting it drip down his chin and throat. He closed his eyes and let the cold drag the heat out of his skin.Bu

  • The son of a billionaire in disguise   The time has come

    A hush swept over the ballroom, heads turned. Glasses paused mid-air. Even the chandelier light seemed to bend its attention toward the entrance.She stood there... Catherina Ford.Grace was too small a word.She didn’t walk in, she arrived... poised like she owned the ground beneath her heels. Her dress was a deep emerald silk, folding around her like liquid elegance. Hair up in a classic twist, neck adorned with a single strand of pearls that looked like they'd been fished from the private vaults of royalty. Not a wrinkle in her brow, not a misplaced gesture. Only presence.And it was majestic.Mr. Rossi’s jaw dropped open, actually dropped, hanging loose like a broken hinge before he caught himself with a little cough and a half-step forward.“My God,” he muttered. “Is that-?”Gunnar turned toward the entrance as well, brow lifting in curiosity.Rossi's voice was low but urgent. “Gunnar… please tell me you invited her. We’re not… we’re not close enough to the Fords.”But Gunnar onl

  • The son of a billionaire in disguise   The room smelled blood

    The Rossi convoy pulled into the circular drive of the Grand Meridian, the most opulent skyscraper in the city... glass and steel stretching into the stars. Paparazzi flashes crackled beyond the velvet ropes, their lights bouncing off the tinted windows of the luxury cars. Valets and security formed tight lines, working in sharp, clean choreography.The first wave of family emerged... Mr. Rossi leading with Madam Rossi at his side, flanked by Jason, Antonio, Layla, Bianca, Princess, and the others.Then Maria and Rene stepped out next. He stayed by her side, arm tucked beneath hers, smile faint but present, expression unreadable beneath the golden lights of the entrance.The guards nodded. The family entered.But Alejandro didn’t.He stood off to the side, just beyond the corner of the building where the cameras couldn’t see, leaning against his Jaguar, one leg crossed over the other, a cigarette burning low between his fingers.His tuxedo was only half-buttoned, hair tousled like he'

  • The son of a billionaire in disguise   A kiss of betrayal

    Maria stood near the window, phone pressed to her ear, her back straight, voice low. She wore a floor-length gown of deep emerald, sleeveless with a high collar and a low, scooped back that exposed the elegant arch of her spine. The silk flowed like water over her body, and her earrings... a cute glimmer of green stones... brought the whole look together with effortless grace.She ended the call with a sigh just as the bathroom door behind her opened.Rene stepped out, adjusting the cufflinks on his crisp white shirt. But it was the suit that caught the room.He wore a midnight black tuxedo, tailored to precision... sharp lapels trimmed in a sheen of satin, shoulders squared, waist nipped, the cut hugging his frame like it had been made by hands that knew him well. Beneath the jacket, the subtle gleam of a black silk vest peeked through, layered over a charcoal-gray shirt with the top buttons undone just enough to be daring, but not vulgar. A small silver pin was fixed on his lapel, a

  • The son of a billionaire in disguise   The wolves are circling

    The evening of the party had arrived.Beyond the grand windows of the Rossi estate, the sky bled into twilight, a deep indigo shroud setting the stage for the storm that loomed unseen. The Rossi residence shimmered with golden light, and distant voices echoed in the halls.The party.The celebration no one could stop.In the master bedroom on the top floor, the world was quieter... thicker with tension.Madam Rossi stood before the ornate mirror, a dark sapphire gown hugging her figure like silk. Her hands were at her sides, clenched and still. The diamonds at her ears glinted like ice, and the sharp bones of her face gave her a statue-like elegance. Yet the furrow between her brows betrayed her.Behind her, Mr. Rossi was finishing the final touches. He moved with an eerie calm, slipping the delicate chain of her necklace into place around her neck. His fingers were steady as always. Precise. Cold.“Your hands haven’t aged,” she murmured, watching his reflection. “Even after all these

  • The son of a billionaire in disguise   After the party, it’s war

    The dining room was uncomfortably quiet without Maria and Rene.Jason sat at the head of the long table, his hand around a half-filled glass of wine, his eyes dull and unblinking. Layla sat beside him, unusually still, her perfectly styled hair tucked behind one ear, a forced smile frozen on her lips. Juan and Antonio were seated opposite each other, eating calmly but watching everyone else with barely disguised suspicion.No one spoke unless necessary. Only the soft clinking of silverware and the occasional shifting of chairs filled the room. A storm brewed behind every glance, every twitch of a brow, every sip of water. It was the kind of quiet that could split open at the slightest provocation.Abruptly, Layla’s phone buzzed sharply against the table, slicing through the silence. She flinched. Glancing down at the screen, her stomach turned."Dad."She cleared her throat gently, offering a courteous smile to the table.“Excuse me,” she said, her voice smooth, though her fingers gri

  • The son of a billionaire in disguise    Never mine

    Rene tilted his head slightly, the faintest curve of a smile teasing at the corner of his lips. He gave a soft, contemplative hmm, as though the matter were merely an intellectual exercise. The silence dragged, intentionally, until even Madam Rossi’s fork stilled halfway to her mouth.“I must say,” Rene began, voice light, polite, dangerously unbothered, “you make a compelling case, sir. Betrayal, dishonor, public shame… It’s almost Shakespearean.” He set his water glass down with an elegant clink. “But there’s just one problem.”Mr. Rossi’s eyes narrowed to slits.“I didn’t betray anyone,” Rene said, voice sharpening beneath the charm. “I didn’t cheat. I didn’t lie. And I certainly didn’t ask to be used as some sacrificial pawn in your public relations game.”Jason scoffed quietly, just loud enough to be heard. “You act like you’re above the family, like none of this matters to you.”Rene turned his gaze slowly, lazily, toward Jason. “Oh, it matters. Just not the way you want it to.”

  • The son of a billionaire in disguise   A loaded pistol

    The early morning light spilled through the sheer curtains, casting pale gold streaks across the floorboards. Rene stood shirtless before the mirror, the soft scratch of gauze brushing against his ribs as he wrapped the bruises with practiced ease.The muscles in his shoulders twitched slightly at every pull, his face set in quiet concentration. The wound, though shallow, was enough to remind him of the night before... of passion, of pain, and of the call that followed.He barely flinched as he secured the bandage with a strip of medical tape, the sting long dulled. The quiet was broken by a knock on the door.Maria stirred from the bed, tangled in the sheets. Her voice was groggy, but steady. “I’ll get it.”She padded across the room, pulling his shirt over her shoulders, and cracked the door open. One of the younger maids stood there, neatly dressed with her hands clasped in front of her. She dipped into a polite bow.“Good morning, Miss Maria. Your grandfather requests your presenc

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