Lahat ng Kabanata ng TEMPTING THE TYCOON : Kabanata 51 - Kabanata 54

Aria's POVThe courtroom smelled of polished wood, tense anticipation, and something faintly metallic that made my stomach twist. I stood at the back, clutching my notes, feeling the weight of every camera lens pointed toward me, every whisper of reporters scribbling at the benches. Julian’s hand found mine, strong and steady, grounding me as if our connection could shield me from the storm about to hit.I could feel Ethan’s presence before I even saw him. The smug tilt of his head, the cool confidence that had once broken me into invisible pieces, now churned something in my chest that was equal parts fear and defiance. He had been rehearsing this day for weeks, I knew it. Every smirk, every glare, every carefully calculated movement. He believed he could destroy me, or worse, twist reality until even Julian began to doubt me.The judge called the court to order. The sound of the gavel echoed through the room like a warning bell, and a hush fell over the spectators. Julian squeezed m

Aria’s POVThe hotel room was quiet, too quiet, as if the walls were listening. Brianna sat across from me on the couch, her hands trembling slightly as she held her cup of water. She looked smaller than she had in the courtroom, softer, almost fragile. The light caught her face, and for the first time, I noticed fear etched into every line.“Aria,” she whispered, her voice unsteady. “I need to tell you something… everything.”My breath tightened. “Take your time.”Her fingers tightened around the cup. “You do not understand. I was not just taken today. I have been trapped for years—long before you ever knew Ethan.”I felt the words sink into me like slow, sinking stones. She kept her eyes fixed on her knees, as if she was gathering courage from the pattern of the carpet.“Brianna,” I said gently, “what happened?”She lifted her head. Her eyes glistened, and then the memories spilled out.---FLASHBACK — Brianna, Months Before the DivorceIt started in the Langston mansion. Ethan on t