Share

Chapter 15

last update Last Updated: 2025-09-27 16:49:48

Anyta

The first time I saw my face on the cover of a magazine, I thought it was just another society gossip piece. I had become used to murmurs and stares since I left the Ashbourne estate all those years ago. But when I opened the paper that morning, my stomach dropped.

The headline read out to me in bold letters.

“ANYTA RUSHMORE'S SECRET AFFAIRS ABROAD?!"

My fingers trembled as I read the cruel words. They accused me of living off rich men's favors during my absence. They painted pictures of me sneaking into hotels, being kept like some secret mistress. They even had the audacity to question my son's legitimacy.

I pressed the paper against my chest, unable to breathe for a moment. My knees shook. The walls of the house were closing in.

It was not one paper. In a matter of minutes it was everywhere. Different headlines, same lies!

"The Fall of a So-Called Queen."

“Anyta Rushmore: The Woman Behind the Mask."

“Her Time Abroad—Secrets No One Wants to Talk About.”

By the second day, pres
Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App
Locked Chapter

Latest chapter

  • Too Late, Mr. Billionaire    Chapter 76

    ANYTA’S POV“You know you're actually kinda of a liar
”“Wow.”I blew out a laugh as I met my bestfriend’s gaze through the computer screen.“You aren't going to ask me why I made that statement?”Clay shrugged, briefly poking his tongue against the inside of his cheek. “I usually don't ask questions about answers I'm not completely ready for.”“Well I'm gonna tell you anyways.”“Of course you would,” he chuckled.I rolled my eyes, shaking my head. “You told me you were finally getting into dating but I haven't seen or heard anything about you going on one since then.”He arched one straight, full eyebrow, “that doesn't make me a liar though.”“It does if you don't actually plan on getting into the dating scene again.”Clay opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it and smirked sweetly. “You're lucky I don't argue with pretty women.”“What about the ones you don't find pretty?”He shrugged, “I don't argue with them either. And for the record, I always find something prett

  • Too Late, Mr. Billionaire    Chapter 75

    SIENNA’S POV“What are you watching?”Grandma Jo barely spared me a glance before turning her focus back to the television.The lack of warmth in her demeanour almost discouraged me. But I held the plate firmer and walked fully into the living room.“General hospital,” she finally replied.There was a pause and she looked me dead in the eye, “it's been running since 1963, amazing right?”“Very,” I replied genuinely, chuckling. “And you've been watching it since then?”“Pretty much,” she turned back to the television, adjusting in her seat.“And you're not bored of it?”She shrugged, “they never repeated episodes, Why'd I be bored?”I pursed my lips, then arched my brows as I nodded. “That's good logic, I suppose.”“You can sit with me if you want,” Grandma Jo said.I did. Sitting close enough to smell her expensive vanilla perfume.“I uh
I made you a sandwich.”Grandma Jo turned her head slowly, her eyes sharp despite her age. Those eyes had always unnerved me. They missed nothing. Sh

  • Too Late, Mr. Billionaire    Chapter 74

    CLAY’S POVThe elevator doors slid open with a soft whoosh, and I stepped into the foyer of my penthouse.The walk from my car to the elevator had left the wound under my feet throbbing, making me limp a bit.“Finally,” I sighed as the dim lighting enveloped me, a warm contrast to the bright LA sunset I'd left behind.I crossed the living room and tossed the manila file onto the marble console table.Next, I gently placed my keys beside it and shrugged off my jacket.The air was thick with the scent of fresh flowers, my housekeeper must've restocked the vases again.The city's sounds faded into the background, replaced by the gentle hum of the air conditioning and the soft gill of water trickling from the wall fountain.“Aggie?” I called, tossing my jacket at the couch.There was no answer. I paused mid-movement and listened. That was when I heard the soft croon of music coming from the direction of the kitchen.I was bone-tired. The kind of tired that sat behind my eyes and weighted

  • Too Late, Mr. Billionaire    Chapter 73

    ANYTA'S POVThe old lady's hardened as she folded her hands on the table. “I said Sienna’s planning something stinky. I just haven't found out what yet.”My stomach tightened. I tightened my fingers around the fork and swallowed again as I felt my brows knit together. “Why do you think that?”She waved a dismissive hand, as though this were obvious. “She’s been acting
 strange.”I took a bite then, chewing as Grandma Jo began to explain, her voice calm but edged with caution.“Went into the kitchen earlier this week to talk to the new cook. Sienna was there. Acted all sweet and way too eager to please.” She shook her head, a disapproving look on her face.“Can you believe she said she wants to learn how to cook?”I paused mid-chew. “That’s it?”Grandma Jo’s lips pressed together. “That’s how it starts. She's trying to
humanise herself.”A snort burst out of me before I could stop it. “Grandma
Sienna is human.”“You don't understand.”I swallowed and let out another small laugh, unable

  • Too Late, Mr. Billionaire    Chapter 72

    ANYTA’S POVThe glow of the computer screen cast muted blue light over my fingers as I scrolled through listings.Auctions, blogs, social media posts which I was beginning to think were engagement baits, archives
more auctions.I pressed my fingers to my forehead as I narrowed my tired eyes a bit, briefly wondering whether to get anti-blue light glasses.I was scrolling through and checking out anything that might hold a more detailed information than some random articles with vague descriptions.Right now I was on Reddit. And besides a few jumpscare posts about Everett and our club incident from months ago, it was mostly a peaceful surf.The scent of garlic and cream hit me just before a plate slid gently onto the table in front of me.Pasta Alfredo.I looked up just in time to see Grandma Jo’s hands resting briefly on my shoulders, squeezing affection into my bones the way only she could.“What are you doing?” she asked, peering down at the screen with curiosity that was more fond t

  • Too Late, Mr. Billionaire    Chapter 71

    CLAY’S POVI pressed a finger to the almost invisible earpiece tucked against the shell of my ear and grumbled, “Phil, for the third time, send me the combination for the lock. Right now.”There was a pause on the line, followed by an unmistakable crunchy, chewing sound.“You need to relax,” Phil said stuffily around what sounded like chips. “I’m literally about to send it.”I clenched my jaw. “If you don’t stop eating in my ear, I swear I’ll whoop your ass the second I’m out of this.”He laughed, completely unbothered. “You say that every time. And you never do.”“That’s because I keep forgiving your nonsense. Stop stuffing your face and do your job!.”“I’m literally just having my first snack of the day,” he said cheerfully. “Check your phone.”I shifted my weight, back pressed to the concrete wall of the corridor.My senses were alert despite the casual tone of the conversation.This wasn’t a place for mistakes. The hum of a generator was low and constant, the air cooler than it sh

More Chapters
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status