Semua Bab The CEO Billionaire Collection: Bab 31 - Bab 40

Sitting at the bar with Lila, I swirled the ice in my mocktail, a poor substitute for the real deal but a necessary one given my current condition. Lila had ordered one too, raising her glass in a mock-toast to solidarity."I can't believe all of this is happening," I sighed, the tumult of emotions churning inside me. "Part of me is furious with Alex for just storming off like that."Lila nodded, her green eyes full of understanding. "And the other part?"I took a sip, the tangy sweetness of the mocktail doing little to soothe my frayed nerves. "Mad at myself. I should have told him about the baby sooner."Lila reached across the bar, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. "Hey, hindsight is 20/20, right? You did what you thought was best at the time."I appreciated her attempt to lift my spirits, but the weight of the situation was too heavy. "But now I'm scared, Lila. What if Alex is out of my life for good? And what about the baby?"She lea

As Alex delved into his revelations about Preston, I felt a knot of apprehension in my stomach. I wasn't sure where he was going with this, and part of me regretted not asking for more details before the meeting."Here's the thing," Alex began, his voice steady but laced with a hint of indignation. "It struck me as odd how Preston knew about Ellie's pregnancy, a detail that was private."He paused, letting the implication of his words sink in. Across the table, Preston's face was a mask of controlled fury, his eyes narrowing."So, I did some digging," Alex continued. "Turns out, Preston has been paying a private detective to spy on Ellie. This detective, after observing Ellie's visit to the doctor, bribed a nurse there to gather information. And that's how he learned about the pregnancy."The room erupted in murmurs of shock and disbelief. I felt a chill run down my spine, the invasion of my privacy and the breach of my trust hitting me like a physical bl

Book 2 of the CEO Collection Fake Fiancee for a Billionaire A year and a half later… Standing in the lush garden of our new home in Willowbrook, I couldn't help but marvel at the life Alex and I had started building together. The air was alive with the joyous sound of laughter and music, the sweet scent of summer flowers mingling with the evening air. This wasn't just any party; it was our wedding reception, a celebration of new beginnings, love, and the little family we had created. The garden had been transformed into a fairy tale setting for our special day, adorned with twinkling lights and vibrant floral arrangements that seemed to dance in the soft breeze. Our friends, family, and colleagues from both Mayer Financial and Newsome Holdings mingled around us, their faces alight with happiness, glasses of champagne in hand, savoring the delicious catering. Everywhere I looked, there were reminders of the journey Ale

The clatter and buzz of the Manhattan café faded into the background as I sat across from Ava Stone, the high priestess of New York’s event planning scene. Her sharp gaze was fixed on me, a predatory smile playing on her lips.“So, Emma,” Ava began, her voice smooth as silk, “I’ve been watching your career with great interest. You’ve got flair, I’ll give you that. But this industry,” she paused, gesturing broadly, “it's a shark tank. Not everyone’s cut out for it.”I stiffened, bristling at the insinuation. “I think I’ve proven I can handle myself in any tank, shark-infested or otherwise,” I retorted, meeting her gaze head-on. “I’ve been in New York for nearly a decade.”Ava’s smile widened. “That’s right – NYU then right into your own business. You’ve got confidence, Emma. And good thing - you’ll need it for what I have in mind.” She leaned forward, her eyes gleaming. “I propose a little... wager.”I frowned, intrigued despite myself. “Go on.”“It’s simple,” Ava said. “You claim to be

In the sprawling office of my wooded estate, I sat before my sleek, high-tech computer setup, the large windows behind me offering a view of the dense forest that surrounded the property. The tranquility of the scene was a stark contrast to the flurry of activity that usually filled my days. This evening, however, was dedicated to a Zoom call with my parents, a ritual that, despite my hectic schedule, I never missed.On the screen, Mom and Dad's familiar faces appeared, their expressions a blend of affection and the no-nonsense demeanor that had shaped much of my upbringing. Dad, with his salt-and-pepper hair and sharp, observant eyes, had always been the pillar of practicality, a man who believed in hard work and directness. Mom, her hair a soft shade of chestnut that she claimed bore no traces of gray thanks to 'good genes,' had a warmth in her eyes that could put anyone at ease, though her loving nature was equally matched by her firmness.The conversation started with the usual cat