Alle Kapitel von THE SECRET HEIRESS : Kapitel 101 – Kapitel 110

MR JACOB POV.Max and Nadia were up to something, and the syringe wasn’t just for show.As Kenneth droned on about Richard’s virtues, I stole a glance at Nadia. She was sitting stiffly, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.Her eyes kept darting toward the hallway where Max had disappeared. She looked uneasy, almost as if she was holding her breath.I narrowed my eyes. If anyone in this room was likely to crack under pressure, it was her. Nadia didn’t really have Max’s calm demeanor or his knack for manipulation.She was an accessory at best, someone Max kept close to do his dirty work. But even she had looked panicked when Max took that bite of the apple and I could tell.That moment replayed in my mind over and over. The way Max had smiled so smugly, biting into the fruit without hesitation.He had chewed it, swallowed it, and even smiled at me afterward, as if mocking my attempt to expose him.Mocking me.I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. There had to be an expla

NADIA'S POV.I wouldn’t have to answer to him, to follow his orders, to deal with his constant need for control. His death could be my freedom.But then, another thought crept in, one that made me hesitate. Max was still useful to me. He had connections, resources, and information and fucking smart that I couldn’t afford to lose. Without him, my plans would crumble.I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath as I tried to steady my racing thoughts. I couldn’t let him die. Not yet.“Hold on, Max,” I whispered, though I wasn’t sure if he could even hear me.I hung up the phone and slipped it back into my purse. My hands were shaking as I glanced down the hallway, trying to remember where the restroom was.The Johnsons’ mansion was sprawling, with hallways that seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction. I started walking, my heels clicking against the polished floor as I searched for the door that would lead me to Max.Panic bubbled in my chest as I passed door after door, each one lead

MAX POV.I couldn’t die here. Not like this. Not sprawled on the floor of a restroom like some tragic fool. I had plans, ambitions.There was so much left to do, so many people to outwit, so much power to claim.But the pain... it was relentless, clawing at me, pulling me deeper into a dark abyss. I could feel my strength waning, my body betraying me as the poison worked its way through my veins.I thought of Kenneth, of how he had trusted me, of how I had fooled him time and time again.I thought of Jacob, that smug look on his face when he accused me in front of everyone. I had proved him wrong…at least for a moment. But now, lying here, I wondered if he would win after all.I clenched my fists weakly, the cold sweat on my palms making them slippery. No. He won’t win. I won’t let him.My thoughts turned to Nadia again. She was my last hope. I had to believe she would come back, that she would find the antidote in my car and save me. But what if she didn’t? What if she left me here t

NADIA'S POV.My fingers tightened around the bottle in my hand as I moved, my steps quick but measured.As soon as I was out of sight, I picked up my pace, my heels clicking softly against the tiled floor. My mind raced with a mix of relief and urgency.I’ve got the antidote. Now, I just need to get it to Max before it’s too late.RICHARD POV.I watched Tammie, as she sat quietly in the Johnsons’ sitting room, her gaze subtly fixed on Nadia.While everyone else seemed engrossed in their conversations, Tammie couldn’t help but notice the unease in Nadia’s demeanor.I know Tammie too well. She was good at reading people and it made me also notice the unease in Nadia's behavior.It wasn’t so obvious…at least not to the untrained eye…but Tammie had spent enough time observing people to pick up on the smallest details.Nadia was restless.Her movements were slightly too quick, her smile too forced. She had excused herself twice already, and the way she carried herself told Tammie that some

TAMMIE POV.I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “And why would I care about her?”“The woman I came with today was injured by me,” he explained, his tone almost defensive. “I thought you might be wondering who she is.”I shrugged, feigning disinterest. “Not really. But go on, if it’ll make you feel better.”He exhaled, his gaze shifting briefly to the floor. “I met her a few days ago. It wasn’t planned. I... accidentally hit her with my car.”I blinked, taken aback for a moment. “You hit her with your car?”“Yes,” he said quickly. “It was an accident. She was crossing the street, and I didn’t see her in time. She’s been recovering, and I felt responsible. That’s why I brought her here…to keep an eye on her.”I stared at him, my expression carefully neutral. “So you hit a woman with your car, and now she’s your responsibility?”“She doesn’t have anyone else,” he said, his voice softer now. “I just... I didn’t want you to get the wrong idea.”I let out a short, humorless laugh. “The wrong