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Todos os capítulos de THE BILLIONAIRE'S BARGAIN : Capítulo 1 - Capítulo 10

87 Capítulos

CHAPTER 1

Carmilla leaned back in her office chair, the soft leather creaking beneath her. The phone was cradled between her ear and shoulder as she gazed out the floor-to-ceiling windows. Below, the city pulsed with life, car horns blared, people shouted over the noise of construction, and somewhere in the distance, music drifted from a cafe patio. Normally, the chaos energized her. But today, it felt static. "I'm telling you, Mia, I'm done. These meetings, these investors... it's like I'm stuck on repeat," she said, rubbing her temple. “I don’t even feel present anymore.” Mia’s laugh came bright and clear through the phone. “Welcome to adulthood. And hey, it’s not just you, Cam. Even modeling gets exhausting when you're constantly trying to look better than someone two inches taller and five years younger.” Carmilla smirked. “You're still the best in the game, and you know it.” “Well, you’re still the most stubborn CEO I know. You just need a break. Maybe a spa weekend—me, you, and some ov

CHAPTER 2

Days later, Carmilla sat by the window of a plane, staring blankly at the clouds as they drifted past. Los Angeles sprawled below her. This is a city of dreams and disappointments. Her hometown. Her past. Her heart was heavy, tangled in grief, guilt, and the uncertainty of what awaited her. Her brother Julian was gone, and no one had told her how or why. Her father’s vague call had only deepened the ache. As the plane touched down and she stepped into the terminal, a familiar face greeted her—James, the family’s long-time chauffeur, standing stiffly in his black suit. He gave her a respectful nod and quietly took her bags. The drive home was silent. The city’s rush and roar blurred against the window as they drove through winding roads, slowly climbing toward the family estate nestled in the Hollywood Hills. The estate appeared, just as she remembered, it was grand, cold, and distant. At the gates stood her father, Charles Hunt, poised and expressionless. Years of tension passed be

CHAPTER 3

On the other side of the city, Mia sat before the vanity mirror, her long legs crossed, hands folded neatly in her lap. The soft hum of conversation drifted through the dressing room, barely registering in her ears. Her makeup artist dabbed foundation gently across Mia's flawless skin, chatting aimlessly about fashion trends and runway gossip. It was all part of her routine—sit still, look pretty, play the role. But today, Mia’s mind wasn’t in the room. Just days ago, a call from her friend’s assistant had shattered her world. Julian was dead. The words still echoed in her mind, sharp and surreal. Julian wasn’t just a friend—he was like a brother. And now, he was gone. Her chest tightened as she thought of Carmilla, the grief she must be drowning in. A soft sigh escaped Mia’s lips, unintentional but loud enough to cause the makeup artist to pause. “Is something wrong, Mia?” the woman asked gently, her brush still in hand. Mia shook her head, avoiding eye contact. “Let’s just fi

CHAPTER 4

The ride back to the Hunt mansion was heavy with silence. Carmilla stared out the window, her face set in stone, refusing to meet her father’s eyes. The weight of the funeral, the whispers about Julian, and the Harrington family’s eerie presence lingered like smoke. As the car pulled up the long, winding drive, her father finally broke the silence. “Carmilla… we need to have a serious conversation”.His voice was low, uncertain. Her heart skipped. What now? Inside the mansion, the air felt colder than usual. Carmilla’s mother offered a vague excuse and disappeared down the hallway, leaving father and daughter alone. Without a word, Mr. Hunt led Carmilla into the study and closed the door behind them. He took a moment before speaking, his gaze locked on her. “I know you're confused about what I said earlier… and about the Harringtons. But you deserve to know the truth.” Carmilla’s posture stiffened. “You said Julian was engaged to someone in the Harrington family. But what you di

CHAPTER 5

The grand entrance of the Harrington mansion stood silent and regal, cloaked in the heavy stillness that follows grief. As Carmilla's family stepped inside, they were met almost immediately by the hosts. Margaret Harrington, the matriarch, greeted them with a practiced warmth, her hand extended, her voice polished yet oddly hollow. “Welcome, dear family,” she said, her tone steeped in solemn courtesy. “We are deeply sorry for your loss. Julian was an extraordinary young man.” Carmilla’s mother, her face pale and drawn, managed a fragile nod as she accepted Margaret’s handshake. “Thank you, Margaret. Your support... means more than you know.” The lavish foyer filled gradually with murmurs as mourners approached the grieving family, offering condolences and fragmented memories of Julian. Carmilla stood quietly, her heart tightening with each mention of her brother’s name. Smiles tugged at faces, but they never quite reached the eyes. It was all ceremony something Julian had hated.

CHAPTER 6

“ Margaret, we need to talk”. Arthur said, his voice firm but controlled.At this moment, the Harrington's mansion became quiet as everyone had departed. Arthur Harrington, Harrison's father, stood in the doorway of the living room, watching his wife, Margaret, as she poured herself a cup of tea.“ What is so important that we need to talk about?”. Margaret looks up without a hint of curiosity in her eyes.Arthur walks into the room, his footsteps deliberate.“ Why did you accept carmilla's mother offer to renew the contract?” He asks, his eyes narrowing.Margaret's hands pauses, the teapot hovering above her cup.“ It's the right thing to do”. She said, setting the teapot down.Arthur's expression turns incredulous.“ The right thing to do? You know very well that the Hunt family has now become a threat to us after what you did. You're just putting our family into more danger”.Margaret eyes widens, her voice becoming more louder.“ Do you really think I don't know what I'm doing. Th

CHAPTER 7

Carmilla and Mia sank into the plush cushions of the vintage couch. The air inside the house was calm, almost too calm, as if holding its breath around their conversation. "Thanks, Mia. You know it better than anyone," Carmilla said with a faint laugh, trying to mask the weariness in her voice. Mia smiled, but it didn’t last long. Her face quickly turned somber as she leaned forward, elbows resting on her knees. “Cam... I’m really sorry I didn’t make it to Julian’s burial,” she said quietly, her voice thick with guilt. “I feel awful. Life’s been a mess, and I— I just couldn’t make it work. But that’s no excuse.” Carmilla's heart squeezed at the mention of her brother. The pain never fully left. It merely tucked itself away during the day and returned with full force at night. She gave Mia a small, understanding smile. “It’s okay. I know you would’ve been there if you could. Julian… he always liked you.” Mia exhaled, visibly relieved, though a trace of guilt lingered in her eyes.

CHAPTER 8

The bridal suite was quiet, save for the faint rustle of lace and satin as Carmilla stood before the mirror. Her wedding gown clung to her like a porcelain shell, delicate, elegant, and yet, suffocating. The room, adorned with soft white florals and flickering candles, felt more like a stage than a sanctuary. Mrs. Hunt stood behind her daughter, her fingers meticulously adjusting the lace sleeves of the gown. Her touch was precise, but cold void of the affection one might expect from a mother preparing her daughter for her wedding day. “I've already moved your belongings into the Harrington estate,” she said coolly. “After the wedding, there’s no need for you to return home.” Her words cut like glass. “You’re finally doing something right for once in your life.” Carmilla swallowed the sting, her throat tightening. The bitterness in her mother’s voice was nothing new, but today it landed differently. Heavier. Final. Mrs. Hunt’s eyes met her daughter’s in the mirror—hard, detached,

CHAPTER 9

Warm light spilled gently through the sheer cream curtains of the spacious bedroom, casting soft golden streaks across the marble floor and the edges of the king-sized bed. The soft rustle of linens accompanied Carmilla’s groan as she stirred awake, shielding her eyes from the rays that signaled the beginning of a new day, her first full morning as Mrs. Harrington. She slowly opened her eyes and turned her head toward the other side of the bed. To her surprise, Harrison was already awake, sitting up against the headboard, his face calm and content as he looked down at her. “Morning,” he said in a low, affectionate tone. “Did you sleep well?” Still groggy, Carmilla sat up, rubbing her eyes before offering a sleepy nod. “Yeah… I did,” she replied, her voice husky with sleep. As she stretched and yawned, a warm, savory aroma filled her senses—something rich, buttery, and undeniably inviting. Her stomach let out a small, traitorous growl. She blinked, eyes widening as she noticed a bre

CHAPTER 10

She stood in front of the large mirror above the vanity, gently running a brush through her long hair, her movements slow and precise. The cool marble under her fingertips steadied her. She applied a thin layer of lip gloss, just enough to enhance her natural glow. Her outfit was modest but elegant, a pastel blue silk blouse tucked neatly into a white high waisted skirt that fell just above her ankles. She had chosen it carefully, wanting to present herself well on her visit home. It was the first time she was going back since the wedding. Just as she reached for her cream-colored purse resting on the edge of the bed, a knock came at the door. She paused, heart skipping a beat. “Come in,” she called softly, her voice even. The door creaked open to reveal Mrs. Margaret Harrington, standing with her arms lightly folded. Her auburn hair was pulled into a neat twist, her expression unreadable behind her polite smile. She was dressed immaculately in a cream blouse and fitted trousers, l

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