《THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE》全部章節：第 51 章 - 第 60 章

The moment Zac arrived from France, he didn’t bother stopping by his home or office. Instead, he headed straight to his grandfather’s mansion. The old man had been relentless, sending message after message, each one more urgent than the last. Zac could already guess why. His grandfather must have seen the headlines, heard the rumors swirling around. Of course, he would want an explanation. When Zac stepped into the mansion, the air felt heavy, almost suffocating. The grand living room, with its dark wooden furniture and gold-accented decor, carried an oppressive weight. Taking a seat on the soft leather couch, he found himself face-to-face with the man who had built their empire. His grandfather’s sharp gaze cut through the silence, the kind of look that made Zac feel like a teenager caught in a lie. “Who is she, Zac?” Charles’s voice was calm but carried an edge of authority that demanded an immediate answer. Zac exhaled, resting his elbows on his knees as he rubbed his palms t

When Mia arrived back at the apartment, the entire space was eerily quiet. She made her way to Samantha’s room, where the rhythmic clanking of a keyboard broke the silence. Samantha was seated at her desk, her sharp focus on the glowing screen as lines of code scrolled rapidly. A series of tabs and tools cluttered her workspace—debugging programs, encryption tools, and a web page she seemed to be building from scratch. Mia sighed, dropping onto the edge of Samantha’s bed. She leaned back slightly, rubbing her temples as the weight of the day bore down on her. She had just finished explaining everything that happened at the office—Zac’s unexpected offer, the details of the arrangement, and how surreal it all felt. Samantha paused her work, taking her focus off the screen. She turned her chair toward Mia, raising a brow as a small smirk played on her lips. “So… what’s stopping you from saying yes?” “Everything,” Mia frowned, crossing her arms. “The fact that this whole thing is s

The car ride was quiet, the earlier tension fading into something calmer. Mia sat in the back seat beside Zac, her body swaying slightly with the motion of the vehicle. The activities of the day pressed down on her at once. She hadn’t had a moment to rest—not really—not since everything had started. Her eyes drooped, her head tipping slightly into a deep, exhausted sleep. Zac glanced at her from the corner of his eye, still focused on his tablet. “Mia,” he murmured. “Do you want me to drop you at your family’s place tonight?” She didn’t answer. He turned his head, fully focusing on her now. When his eyes met face, his expression softened. She was asleep, her body folded slightly into the seat, her breathing slow and even. For a moment, his gaze lingered on her—how her lashes rested against her skin, her lips slightly parted as she drifted off. She looked so peaceful. Then he sighed, turning off his tablet. He reached forward and gently tapped her arm. “Mia? Mia.” She moved

The hum of the helicopter filled the air immediately after Zac guided Mia inside it, his grip firm yet gentle. “I wanted to keep this private, away from the cameras,” he murmured, helping her inside. “It’s not the right time for us to be seen. Not just yet.” Mia settled into the plush leather seat, the luxury of the private helicopter sinking in. She had never been in one before. As she reached for the seatbelt, Zac was already there, securing it for her. His fingers brushed against her skin briefly, sending an unexpected jolt through her. “Are you comfortable?” he asked, his voice low. She nodded, though her heart had started to race—not from the altitude but from the proximity. “You look beautiful tonight,” he added. His voice was quiet, but it reached her over the hum of the helicopter. She turned to face him, blinking at the unexpected compliment. Her first instinct was to tease him, but something about the way he said it—soft, genuine—made her pause. “You look pretty well

“How much do you think love costs?” Mia held Seth’s gaze head-on, refusing to flinch under his scrutiny. Seth’s lips twitched into a smirk. “Smart girl.” He leaned back, fingers tightening on the armrest of his chair. “But I don’t buy into fairy tales. Women like you are only after one thing.” He scanned her, sharp and assessing. Mia arched her brow. “And men like you assume you hold the upper hand.” Seth let out a low chuckle. “I like you, Mia,” he admitted, as if surprised. “You’ve got nerves. But Cornell men don’t marry out of love; we marry for prestige and legacy.” Mia exhaled slowly, more amused than rattled now. “I assume that is why you remained divorced?” His smirk faded for half a beat before he recovered, letting out a dry laugh. “You’re quick.” He steepled his fingers. “But this isn’t about me; it’s about you.” He leaned forward. “That’s why I’m here—to save you the heartache. Name your price, and I’ll make sure you walk away with a triple.” “I’m not inte