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Lahat ng Kabanata ng THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME : Kabanata 21 - Kabanata 30

195 Kabanata

21: A Name On Every Tongue

The evening sky stretched wide, painted in strokes of burnt orange and dusky lavender, with wisps of clouds drifting lazily across the heavens. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth, carrying the lingering warmth of the sun as a cool breeze whispered through the vast estate.Cicadas hummed in the distance, their rhythmic song blending with the occasional rustling of leaves. The golden light of the setting sun bathed everything in a soft, dreamlike glow, making the fields look like something out of a painting.Maria stood in the middle of it all, barefoot, her toes sinking into the slightly damp soil as she watered her land. She was dressed in a flowy, off-shoulder sundress, the fabric clinging to her form whenever the wind picked up. Stray strands of hair fell from her bun, sticking to her damp skin as she focused on her task, the spray of water arcing from the hose in her hand, drenching the rows of thriving plants

22: Where You Belong

Maria tried to lose herself in the words on the page, but they blurred together, her mind refusing to focus.She wasn’t sure how long she sat there, curled up on the plush armchair near the grand window, staring at a book she wasn’t reading. The soft hum of the television from the other room still carried through the walls, Luca’s deep chuckle mixing with the voices of reporters dissecting their engagement like it was a national event.She sighed, dragging a hand through her loose curls.The scent of leather-bound books and aged paper surrounded her, usually a comfort. This library was her escape, a place where the outside world couldn’t reach her. But tonight, it wasn’t enough. Maybe she was feeling like this because Edwards had always kept her hidden, kept her from the world. Edwards rarely took her out and always preferred home dates, but not even a month with Luca and he already made her the center of attention.

23: Shadows Of The Past

The bedroom was quiet except for the soft rustle of pages as Maria absently turned them, her mind elsewhere.The earlier laughter had faded, leaving only the weight of everything that had been left unsaid. She curled her knees to her chest on the oversized chair, her thoughts tangled with Luca’s words.She had barely noticed when he slipped into the room, but she wasn’t surprised either. Luca never really let her sit with her thoughts for too long, not when he could see them wearing her down."Can’t sleep?" he asked, his voice softer now, stripped of its usual teasing edge.Maria exhaled, shaking her head. "Not really."Luca hummed in understanding before dropping into the armchair across from her. He didn’t press her to talk, didn’t push. He just sat there, elbows resting on his knees, watching her.After a long stretch of silence, Maria spoke. "Tell me about you and Johan."Luca blinked, and for a moment, she thought h

24: The Hunt Begins

The deep purr of the engine filled the quiet morning air as Luca Avancii maneuvered his sleek, obsidian-black SpitFire Phantom through the city streets. The custom-made car, a masterpiece of power and precision, reflected his personality—elegant, dangerous, and utterly dominant. Its dark-tinted windows shielded him from prying eyes, but nothing could hide the commanding presence that radiated from the vehicle itself.Behind him, a convoy of three SpitFire Enforcers, matte black with bulletproof glass and reinforced frames, trailed closely. Each vehicle housed his bodyguards, men dressed in fitted black suits and identical dark shades, their expressions unreadable. Their very presence was a warning—anyone who dared to get too close would regret it.Inside his car, Luca had a phone pressed to his ear, his grip tightening around the leather-wrapped steering wheel."We found the car that hit your wife," the voice on the other end

25: Rumor Mill

By mid-afternoon, the internet was in chaos. News outlets, gossip blogs, and social media were flooded with a new headline: "Model Cherry Gold: The Woman Who Stole Luca Avancii’s Heart?" For years, Luca Avancii had been one of the most sought-after bachelors in the country. Powerful, wealthy, and notoriously private, he had never been linked to any woman. No dating scandals, no rumored fiancées, no whispers of a secret romance. Until now. The article claimed that Cherry Gold—a rising model who had done a few ads for SpitFire Autos—was his soon-to-be wife. Photos of Cherry attending company events, promotional shoots featuring her draped over SpitFire’s sleekest cars, and an old image of her laughing beside Luca were plastered everywhere. Speculation exploded. Had Luca been hiding a relationship all this time? Was Cherry the reason he never entertained romantic pursuits? Some fans were ecstatic, thrilled that their beloved Cherry had seemingly tamed the untouchable bu

26: Predator Amongst Sheep

It was the third day of the week—Wednesday, a day Luca usually found predictable. But today was different. Before heading to work, he had already informed Maria that he’d be home late. "Don’t wait up for me," he had said. "I’ve got an auction to attend." She hadn’t argued, only nodding as she curled up with a book on the couch. He had watched her for a moment—barefoot, wearing one of his shirts, looking utterly at ease. His wife wasn’t the type to chase after attention, nor did she seem to care about the world’s growing curiosity about her identity. That was fine with him. By the time he arrived at SpitFire Autos’ headquarters, the office was already buzzing. The moment he walked in, Gina was waiting. Dressed impeccably as always, she sat in one of the chairs in his office, sipping coffee. She looked up as soon as he stepped inside. “Good morning, Mr. Avancii.” Luca gave her a small nod, shrugging off his coat. “Morning, Gina. Stats.” She wasted no time. “Custom orders have

27: Late Night Comfort

The estate was silent. Not the kind of silence that came with unease but the calm, undisturbed hush of the night, blanketing everything in stillness. It was nearly 1 AM when Luca finally pulled into the long driveway, his car slipping past the towering gates with ease.The prototype was secure, locked away in one of his hidden warehouses—untouched, untraceable, his. He had made sure of it.Now, he was home.As he stepped inside, the air was warm, carrying the faint, comforting scent of vanilla and something uniquely Maria. The security lights outside cast long shadows through the halls, but inside, the mansion was steeped in darkness, except for the soft golden glow spilling from their bedroom.Luca entered soundlessly, his body moving with the predatory grace that came naturally to him. The tension in his muscles should have still been there after the night’s events—the hunt, the kill, securing what was his

28: The Grand Reveal

The massive conference hall of SpitFire Autos buzzed with barely restrained speculation. The city's most influential business reporters, top investors, and corporate elites filled the room, their eyes trained on the empty stage.No one knew exactly why they had been summoned—only that Luca Avancii himself had called for this meeting. That alone meant whatever was about to happen would be monumental.Cameras flashed, pens scratched against notepads, and hushed whispers spread like wildfire."Is it an acquisition?" someone muttered."Maybe an expansion," another guessed."He’s never done a press conference like this before," a third voice chimed in, eyes narrowed with intrigue.The uncertainty made the anticipation unbearable.And then, the doors at the front of the room swung open.Luca Avancii was a man who commanded attention without asking for it.Dressed in a sharply tailored black suit, he

29: The Aftermath Of Power Play

The world erupted the moment Luca’s press conference ended. Within minutes, news outlets flooded the internet with headlines:"Maria Avancii Takes Over as CHRO of SpitFire Technologies – Strategic Genius or Nepotism?""From Kale Industries to SpitFire: Maria Avancii's Unprecedented Business Move!""Luca Avancii’s Secret Weapon: How His Wife is Changing the Game."Social media was an absolute battleground.Some admired Maria’s rise, pointing out that she wasn’t just a trophy wife—she was a businesswoman who had helped build Kale Industries from the ground up. Others, however, weren’t as kind."Maria Kale... wait, no, Maria Avancii? When the hell did they get divorced??""Did Avancii steal Kale's woman? Or was she always cheating on Edwards with him?""So let me get this straight—Maria was Kale’s right hand for years, then suddenly she’s his competition? That’s not suspicious at all.""This slut really slept her way to the top. F

30: Establishing Authority

The moment Maria settled into her new office, Luca glanced at his watch. His sharp eyes met hers as he adjusted the cuffs of his suit.“I have a meeting upstairs,” he said, his voice smooth yet commanding. “Call me if you need anything.”Maria smirked, leaning against her desk. “I’ll be fine, Luca. It’s my domain now.”Luca chuckled, stepping closer. His fingers briefly brushed over her wrist—a silent message of support—before he turned and strode out. The office doors shut behind him, leaving Maria in the silence of her new kingdom.But the quiet didn’t last long.A polite knock sounded before the doors opened, revealing two men who exuded authority in their own right.One of them, a man in his early fifties with salt-and-pepper hair slicked back, stepped forward with a confident stride. His navy-blue suit was impeccably tailored, silver cufflinks glinting under the light—everything about him spoke of experience and power.

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