Lahat ng Kabanata ng The son of a billionaire in disguise: Kabanata 181 - Kabanata 190

The fluorescent light buzzed overhead, stark and unforgiving. In the sterile room, Detective Moreno sat behind a steel table, eyes sharp and calculating. Across from him, Alejandro Rossi leaned back, carefully composed, at first.Moreno began softly, almost reverent. “You know, Mr. Alejandro, Kia Flores was a remarkable man. From nothing to commanding respect in the Rossi empire ... that takes grit. Not many have that kind of strength. He earned his position honestly.”Alejandro’s lips twitched into a cautious smile. “He did. He is... talented. A good man.”“Indeed,” Moreno said, leaning forward, voice lowering. “Must’ve been tough, giving up your role to him though, wasn’t it? You know, the position you held at the Rossi subsidiary? The very one Kia asked for, and you handed over. That was a generous move.”Alejandro’s jaw tightened imperceptibly. “It was... business.”“Business,” Moreno echoed, voice a notch sharper. “But some would say it was more than business. Kia, a nobody, step

*Two hours in the past*Rene didn’t move. His body tensed instinctively, years of learned survival screaming at him to duck, to run, to fight, but he held.Whoever was behind him wasn’t in a rush. That kind of calm… was worse than anger.He studied the mirror.One hand holding the weapon, steady. No tremor. No hesitation.A professional."You sure about that?" Rene said, voice quieter now, stripped of humor. "You pull that trigger and you don’t just kill me... You start something you can’t control."No response.Only silence.And the gun.Still raised.Still waiting."I will take my chances..." The voice finally flowed out. "Now, say 'Hi' to the devil for me."Bang.The sound ripped through the marble and porcelain with shattering finality.Rene turned fast, heart slamming in his chest-And saw Derek on the floor.Blood gushed from his arm, the one that had held the gun. His fingers twitched around the weapon, grip slipping. His face twisted in pain, disbelief distorting every line.A

The echo of tense voices and clicking boots reverberated against the polished stone of the estate’s front lawn. Flashing red and blue lights from nearby cruisers painted long, eerie shadows across the walls.Drowning out the voices around him, Rome Ford stood near the cold stone fountain, forcing his mind and body to restrain the fury burning in him.His arms were folded tightly across his chest, and the muscle ticking in his jaw betrayed the storm raging beneath the surface. He hadn’t moved in minutes. Not since Maria and Catherine were loaded into the ambulance. Not since the last officer gave him a vague update about Rene, and then fell silent.When footsteps approached, Rome didn’t turn immediately. But his eyes, sharp and stormy, flicked toward the sound.Captain Rainer appeared, holding a manila folder. His usual swagger was absent, replaced by the careful gait of someone walking into a cage with a sleeping lion."Mr. Ford," Rainer began, keeping his voice low and level, "we rec

With a heavy breath, Rene paused by his car, fingers curling lightly around the door handle, but his eyes… his eyes flicked back to the house one last time.Rome stood in the distance, and for a long moment, Rene stared. His father's jaw was tight, the furrows deepening as if the night itself had etched its burden into him. The older man’s eyes caught Rene’s, and something passed between them... reassurance.After a faint nod, Rene slid into the car, the door clicking softly behind him. The engine hummed alive beneath him, and the world outside seemed to slow.Just then, his phone buzzed on the dashboard. A single text notification glowed on the screen.Unknown Number:Saint Mercy Medical. 5317 Arbor Ridge.He stared at the message, and something in his chest twisted as his fingers tightened around the wheel.Without hesitation, he shifted the car into gear, tires crunching softly on the gravel as he pulled away from the estate.A minute after the taillights of Rene’s car disappeared

Staring down, Rene’s arms adjusted around Maria instinctively, protectively, as her whispered plea brushed against his neck like the last breath of a prayer, "Don't take me back to that house of horrors... at least not tonight?"He didn't hesitate.“I won’t,” Rene murmured, his voice low and sure.He bent his head and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, letting his lips linger there a moment longer than necessary. “I swear, I won’t take you anywhere near that place. Not tonight."Maria didn’t answer, but her hold around his shoulders grew tighter, like she was memorizing the shape of him, like she was afraid he’d disappear again if she loosened her grip.Outside, the air was thick with late-night silence. The hum of fluorescent hospital lights faded behind them as Rene pushed through the doors and walked with her cradled in his arms. The nurses didn’t stop him. Some watched with soft eyes. Others looked away, giving them a moment of privacy.When they reached the car, Rene opened t