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Chapter Thirty-seven: Matteo's Initial Move
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2025-03-16 00:01:58
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Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Thirty-eight:A city in Flames
The pungent odor of burnt metal and scorched wood hung heavily in the air, oppressive even after the fire had long been extinguished. Wisps of smoke drifted lazily from the remnants of the east-side warehouse, rising into the night sky like the fading breaths of a once-essential part of Adrian Blackwell's empire.He stood at the edge of the wreckage, his expression portrayed nothing, his keen eyes meticulously assessing the destruction with a chilling detachment that concealed the fury boiling beneath. The ruins before him represented more than just a financial setback—it was an unmistakable statement.Matteo Ricci hadn’t merely damaged his business; he had sent a clear signal.The fire had consumed everything—his inventory, his supplies, years of carefully constructed infrastructure created with considerable effort and cutthroat determination. This was not random violence; it was a deliberate strike, the first move in what Ricci seemingly intended as a full-scale dismantling of Adria
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-16Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Thirty-nine: Into the Fire
Neon lights and shadows raced by as Adrian gripped the steering wheel, the streetlamps flickering over his knuckles. The engine purred beneath him, vibrating with a barely restrained rage that mirrored the turmoil inside him. His heartbeat thudded steadily in sync with the revving engine propelling him toward confrontation.The safe house in the south was not only compromised—it was now under the control of Matteo Ricci. This meant Adrian wasn’t just stepping into danger; he was walking directly into a trap.Yet there was no hesitation.Ricci had initiated the first move and positioned himself favorably, but Adrian was determined not to let him dictate the outcome. He had thrived in this world by constantly staying ahead, adjusting, and cleverly turning his enemy's advantages against them.Leila had protested, insisting she should not be left behind, but Adrian had remained firm.“This isn’t like before,” he had said, his voice steady and assertive. “Ricci’s not merely trying to intim
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-16Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Forty: Restless Nights
The penthouse was eerily silent—too silent. It was the kind of stillness that settled over a space when something vital was absent, when a presence that should have been there was missing.Leila lay on the king-size bed, gazing up at the ceiling, her body drained yet her mind buzzing with unrest. Whenever she closed her eyes, all she could visualize was Adrian striding out the door, his posture upright and assured, with Luca and Connor trailing behind him.His words rang sharply in her head, sharp and final. “Not this time. Stay here.”She hated it.She hated that he believed she was incapable of handling it. She loathed that he was out there, confronting Ricci’s men, while she felt confined in the penthouse, suffocating in its safety. She had fought alongside Adrian before, faced danger, bled for him, and witnessed the dark world he controlled.But this time?This time, he had completely excluded her.Her fingers clenched into the sheets, frustration coursing through her.She recogn
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-16Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Forty-one :Echoes of the Past
The morning light filtered through the grand penthouse windows, casting warm glimmers across the polished floors. Outside, the city buzzed with life, yet within these confines, tension loomed.For Adrian, Luca, and Connor, the new day didn't signify hope; it merely served as a stark reminder that their battle with Matteo Ricci was just beginning.Adrian occupied the head of the dining table, his fingers steepled under his chin as he contemplated. Opposite him, Luca sipped his black coffee, his other hand absentmindedly massaging his sore knuckles, while Connor stood rigidly by the window, arms crossed and lost in thought as he revisited the previous night’s turmoil.The ambush. The bloodshed. The fallen bodies.And Ricci’s voice resonated amidst the chaos.Adrian’s wound had scabbed over, yet the weariness in his eyes hadn't faded.And Leila saw it all.She lingered near the kitchen, gripping a glass of water and silently observing the men who had faced their worst fears and emerged a
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-16Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Forty-two: Cracks in the Foundation
Beneath him, New York City thrummed with energy, blissfully completely unaware of the approaching turmoil. Standing silently by the floor-to-ceiling windows of his penthouse, Adrian Blackwell's gaze was fixed on the bustling streets below.Life continued as usual. Crowds hurried to their destinations, traffic snaked through the sprawling city, and the skyline stretched high above the chaos.Yet, beneath this façade...A battle was raging.And Adrian had just lost one of his most valuable assets.Not merely lost—Matteo Ricci had burned it to the ground.The warehouse on the East Side lay in ruins, reduced to ashes. Smoke still rose from its remains, leaving a stark message scorched in its remnants.Ricci was no longer lurking in the shadows.And Adrian understood... this was merely the start.Leila observed him from across the room, her heart aching at the sight of the man she loved, as he succumbed to darkness.He hadn’t truly slept. Even beside her, his body remained rigid, his mind
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-17Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Forty-three: Unraveling Threads
The city was alive, never truly at rest. An undercurrent of tension throbbed beneath the surface, perceptible only to individuals like Adrian Blackwell. Standing in silence on his penthouse balcony, he felt the distant traffic noise merging with a suffocating weight in his chest. The assault on the East Side warehouse was more than just a tactical strike—it was a declaration of hostilities. Matteo Ricci was no longer lurking in the shadows; he was escalating the conflict, compelling Adrian to respond. Yet Ricci had made one critical error. He had given Adrian a compelling reason to destroy everything he had built. The sliding sound of the glass door interrupted his thoughts. “Please tell me you have a plan,” Leila's voice cut through the stillness. Adrian didn’t look back. He sensed her presence; her energy was a steady anchor, preventing him from succumbing to the darkness that had haunted him for years. “I always have a plan,” he said, a slight smirk forming on his lips. Lei
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-17Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Forty-four: The Ghost We Bury
The atmosphere in Adrian’s office was almost stifling, more oppressive than the city skyline looming beyond the glass walls.Leila stood by the door, her heart racing as she observed Adrian processing the revelation she had just shared.“Ethan Graves.”Just the mention of the name felt like a weapon.Adrian remained still and silent, but Leila noticed a spark of recognition in his eyes—the confirmation she needed.He knew him.He had always known him.“You do know him,” Leila whispered, inching closer.Adrian took a slow breath, his hands pressed against the sleek black table as if seeking stability.“I did.”His voice was soft yet restrained, laced with something darker—something raw and unrelenting.Leila's heart raced. “Who was he to you?”Adrian’s gaze met hers, sharp and frigid. “Someone I trusted.”Those words felt out of place coming from Adrian Blackwell.Because trust?That wasn’t something he gave easily.---The Past That Shaped HimAdrian turned away, pacing toward the win
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-17Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter Forty-five: No Turning Back
The discovery of Ethan Graves' true identity loomed over the penthouse like a dark, unavoidable storm cloud.Leila stood near the floor-to-ceiling window with her arms crossed, staring at the city lights twinkling below. Outside, the world vibrated with life, so full of potential, while inside the penthouse, stifling darkness pressed in, relentless.She recalled Adrian's reaction upon hearing her say that name—Ethan Graves. No, it was Matteo Ricci. The man who Adrian had reduced his life to nothing before vanishing without a trace. Until now.Adrian had vowed to complete what he had started.But at what cost?She turned, watching Adrian pull out his phone, she noticed that behind his composed surface lay a simmering rage, cold and calculated.He dialed a number.Luca answered instantly. “What’s up?”Adrian’s voice was sharp. “Get back here. Now.”There was a brief pause before Luca replied, “On my way.”When Adrian hung up, he put his hands on the desk, bowing his head slightly, prepa
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-17
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Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Nine – The World, and Ours
After The DischargeThey left the hospital on a crisp Tuesday morning, the kind where the sky looked freshly blue, and the air tinged with the scent of rain, brick, and the first hints of greenery breaking through the earth. While spring hadn’t fully arrived, its presence was felt—curling at the edges of the winter cold, whispering promises in the wind. The world was on the brink of renewal, and so, it appeared, were they.Leila stood just outside the hospital room, holding Elias snugly against her chest in the soft wrap she and Adrian had diligently practiced tying for weeks. The fabric enveloped him securely, holding his tiny body close to her heartbeat. He was so light that she could almost forget he was there—until she felt his warmth against her, the gentle rise and fall of his breath, and the occasional flutter of his tiny fingers brushing against her ribs like a fleeting dream.In her mind, she had imagined being overwhelmed with fear as she left the clinical environment filled
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Eight– A Name Yet to be Spoken
On a quiet Thursday afternoon, they prepared the hospital bag, the kind of day that felt like the breath held between seasons. Sunlight streamed through the nursery windows in fractured, amber beams, creating dynamic patterns on the light walls and wooden floor. The room carried a faint lavender fragrance from the sachets she'd tucked into the dresser drawers, blending harmoniously with the soft scent of baby powder and an essence of comfort.Leila perched on the edge of the rocker, carefully folding tiny onesies with trembling fingers. A persistent ache in her back felt like a pressure that came and went like the tide, making her pause frequently—not just to stretch, but to breathe deeply, to steadying herself against the looming arrival.“Almost there,” Adrian said, crouching beside the open suitcase. He handed her a pair of impossibly small white socks with pale blue trim, and the sight of them sent a new wave of emotion through her chest.She smiled, though her heart felt too tig
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Seven – The Weight of Light
LeilaThe first real morning of spring arrived quietly, with a hush so tender it made her ache.The sunlight streamed in through the kitchen windows in rich, golden beams, draping the stone countertops like honey flowing from above. It flowed across the hardwood floors they had chosen together months earlier, every board selected after deliberation and laughter. Now, those very floors gleamed under the morning light, imbued with memories. The windows were cracked open just enough to let in the refreshing morning breeze, carrying the scents of moist earth, budding flowers, and something vibrantly green.Leila stood barefoot at the cooker, wrapped in one of Adrian’s old flannel shirts with sleeves rolled up past her elbows. She stirred a pot of oatmeal slowly, savoring the slower pace. Her body felt differently now—more balanced, a daily reminder of their shared journey. She moved with a newfound grace, as if the earth itself had become a part of her. Every step was intentional, each br
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Six – In The Quiet That Follows
AdrianHe woke before the sun breached the horizon.The brownstone was enveloped in a stillness that felt almost sacred. Outside, the city seemed to hang in that fleeting, fragile moment between night and day—a time when the world itself hesitated to breathe. Shadows stretched across the ceiling, and the silence felt heavy, like the calm that follows a storm after it has finally burned itself out.Adrian didn't move at first. He remained still beneath the blanket, one arm cradling Leila's as she curled against him, her head resting just above his heart. Her breath came slow and even, rising and falling with the rhythm of sleep, one hand splayed softly over the steady thrum of his chest like she was anchoring herself to his steady pulse.He closed his eyes and absorbed the moment.Not just the sensation of her presence or the warmth of the sheets, but the simple, unassuming peace that accompanied it. A tranquility that didn’t seek recognition but merely existed. For the first time in
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Five — When Familiar Comes Home
Gwen's Arrival Gwen arrived on a cloud-covered afternoon, when the world seemed to hold its breath. Leila stood on the sacred-feeling brownstone steps, her pale wool scarf wrapped around her, her coat partially zipped over her gently rounded stomach. The air was infused with the scent of wet stone and lavender, faint traces of the cleaning oil lingering around the house's edges.When the cab arrived, Leila remained still, watching Gwen emerge, carrying a worn canvas bag. Gwen's thin coat appeared more appropriate for warmer weather, and her hair was pulled up in a messy knot, strands flying loose in the breeze.They exchanged silent glances across the distance for a moment.Then Gwen dropped the bag and bounded up the stairs in two swift strides.Leila stepped forward just in time to catch her, and they embraced—tight and sudden, yet utterly right. Gwen's arms wrapped around Leila's back, her breath hitching against Leila's shoulder."You look like spring," Gwen murmured, her voice t
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Four — The Spaces We Fill
Few days later, they navigated the renovated brownstone as if they were gliding through the pages of a story they'd once only dared to imagine.The floors, once scattered with splinters and gaps, had been replaced with reclaimed wood that hummed gracefully beneath their feet. The staircase—rebuilt, sanded, and stained—no longer creaked under their weight but instead welcomed them into their newly crafted existence. Each room exuded the lingering aroma of fresh paint, pine wood polish, and lavender oil—an unusual yet soothing blend that lingered in the air like a cherished memory.Leila paused in the entryway, running her fingers along the newly fitted doorframe. Her other hand rested on the slight curve of her belly, subtly hidden under her sweater but undeniable to her. She watched as Adrian moved through the living room, skillfully opening the windows to let in the gentle spring breeze.She smiled slightly. “It feels like it’s alive.”Adrian looked back at her, his gaze softening. “
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Three — What we're Building
LeilaThe nausea didn't creep in-- it slammed into her suddenly, like a crashing wave.One moment, she was on the gallery floor, crouched in a patch of warm light, her hands buried in fabric samples she'd been collecting over the past week. She had midnight blue for the reading nook and a muted rose she hoped would work in the nursery—gentle and grounding. This task felt reassuring, providing a rare sense of control amidst the chaos.Then, without warning, everything shifted.The room spun violently, causing her stomach to turn with it. Her hands slipped off the pile of swatches, and she barely managed to get to her feet and rush to the bathroom, gripping the doorframe for support as her heart raced. She felt clammy and disoriented, as if her own body had betrayed her.Nausea struck in relentless waves while she leaned over the sink, gripping the cold porcelain and breathing shallowly through her nose. Her reflection revealed pale skin and heavy, shadowed eyes.By the time Adrian arri
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Two: Told in Gentle Light
Pregnancy RevealLeila dialed Gwen from the gallery, her fingers quivering slightly as she made the call.The space was empty that morning, still resonating with the echoes of laughter and footsteps from the other night’s opening. Sunlight filtered through the tall windows, creating long, golden lines on the smooth concrete floor. Her latest collection adorned the walls—images that felt like fragments of her heart captured in ink and shadow. Yet none of these works, not even the proudest or most vulnerable work she'd hung there, compared to what she felt within her now.Gwen picked up on the third ring, her voice thick with sleep and that familiar, dry-edged affection.“Hello?” came the croaky murmur.“I didn’t wake you, did I?” Leila asked, slowly pacing between two canvases. She paused in front of one featuring Adrian at the lake, wind tousling his hair and vulnerability etched in every feature. It was one of the few photos she had been unable to let go of.“You did,” Gwen replied w
Trapped with a Ruthless Billionaire Chapter One Hundred Twenty-One-Laying the Foundation
----LeilaThat morning, their conversation was sparse—not due to avoidance or a lack of topics, but because the weight of what had just shifted between them made words feel.....too small.Silence wrapped around them like a comforting blanket—not chilly or distant, but respectful. It felt as if speaking too soon might shatter the delicate truth lingering between them.Leila retreated to the window seat, captivated by the view even though she barely noticed it. She curled her knees beneath her, a throw blanket resting on her legs, while an untouched cup of tea—over-steeped and cold—sat on the windowsill. Thirst was not her concern; she wasn’t even sure what she felt. Just that something within her was in flux, rearranging.Across the room, Adrian quietly moved around the kitchen, the sounds of a mug clinking, water boiling, and his soft footsteps creating a soothing background. He didn’t press her with questions or attempt to fill the silence, but every so often, she sensed his gaze on
