Semua Bab The billionaire who couldn't steal my heart: Bab 21 - Bab 29

Ronan POVI stood in my mother’s office with the city stretched out beneath the glass. Every time I came in here, I used to feel small, like the skyline bowed to her. Not today. Not after what I’d just seen.Marcus had sent the files an hour ago. Financial records. Wire transfers. Her name everywhere. And every single page made my stomach twist tighter.I don’t know why I expected to be surprised. Deep down, I knew my mother didn’t fight fair. But this… this was corruption at a level even I hadn’t imagined.When she finally walked in, she didn’t even look at me, just went straight to the bar and poured herself a drink like she always did when she needed control.“Your assistant said it was urgent,” she said. “I hope you’re not here to moralize again, Ronan. It’s getting tedious.”I held up the tablet. “You forged financial statements. You bribed city officials. You had fake fraud reports written up against Annabelle.” My voice was shaking, but it wasn’t anger, it was disgust.She turn

Victoria’s PovHow dare that rat speak to me like that. Only the powerless trembled in fear and I was the opposite of powerless. I was the storm that swallowed tremors whole.I slid into the back of the car with the practiced calm of someone who never allowed exterior tremors to seep in. The driver eased away from the curb; through the smudged glass I looked at Annabelle’s dilapidated building, a pathetic scrap of defiance shrink into the traffic. I let a slow smile spread. The smile softened my face without softening my mind.“If Annabelle thinks she can waltz into the Blackthorne inheritance,” I murmured into my phone as Walsh picked up, “then she doesn’t know who she’s poking.”“I’ve sent her the files, ma’am,” Walsh said, voice stumbling slightly, the kind of nervousness that always amused me. “But she’s…she’s not backing off. Miranda Chen’s involved now. It’s making things a lot complicated.”“You sent the files?” I repeated, as if verifying the premise of the conversation. I lo

Marcus PovMy head has been pounding since last night a sharp, steady beat behind my temples that refuses to let up. I’ve taken two painkillers already, but even they can’t dull the ache that last night’s madness left behind.My visit to Sofia’s place was supposed to be relaxing. Romantic, even. I had plans wine, laughter, her curls tangled in my hands while I ran into her from behind but instead, I spent the whole night trying to pacify her rage ball of emotions because of that damn feud between Annabelle and Victoria.Victoria… that woman never knows when to stop.She keeps going lower, dragging everyone through her twisted need for control. I should have expected it. Still, it doesn’t make the bitterness in my throat any easier to swallow.This past week has been hell.Four punctured tires. A drained fuel tank. Subtle threats in the mail. And all of it screams Walsh.I know his kind of games. Quiet destruction, always hiding behind “accidents” and “coincidences.” But I’ve been too

Ronan’s POVThe door swings open before I knock again. Standing there is Sofia, Annabelle’s ever-feisty friend. Her expression twisted in disgust like she’s staring at something she wants to throw out. Her arms are folded tightly across her chest, her foot tapping impatiently.Perfect. Exactly the kind of welcome I expected.“What are you doing here, you annoying pest?” she spits before I can even open my mouth.“Good morning to you too, Sofie,” I reply with a forced smile, trying to keep my temper in check.Her nostrils flare. “It’s Sofia, you imbecile!”God, she’s insufferable. But I can’t blame her entirely — not after the chaos my mother unleashed. I run a hand through my hair, trying to appear calm even though inside I’m boiling. Between the press releases, the inheritance scandal, and Annabelle refusing to see me or take my calls, I’ve barely slept in days.“Sofia, please,” I say through gritted teeth, “I’m not here for problems neither am I here to fight. I just need to talk t