All Chapters of The Billionaire’s Greatest Loss: Ex Wife Please Come back : Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

THE DATE(Damien's POV)Just two days after the interview, Eleanor announced that I would be taking Claire on a proper date. Not the formal dinner at the mansion, but a real date where we could get to know each other better."The public needs to see you two as a genuine couple," Eleanor said over breakfast. "Not just a business arrangement.""Where am I supposed to take her?" I asked, frustration building."Somewhere romantic but not too private. The botanical gardens would be perfect. Make sure there are photographers around," she said, smiling.Of course. Even our date was a photo opportunity. I sighed. Left with no choice, I agreed.How do I spend the rest of my life with a woman I have no feelings for?The greatest mistake I made was treating Serena less of a wife. Making her my spouse.I picked Claire up from her family's estate that afternoon. She was waiting by the front door already, wearing a light blue dress that probably cost more than most people's cars. She smiled brightl

THE NEW BEGINNING(Serena's POV)My first day at Sterling Tech started at nine in the morning. I had dropped Isabella off at the new daycare Elena had found, kissed her goodbye three times, and promised I would pick her up by five."She'll be fine," Elena had said as I lingered at the daycare door. "And so will you."Now I stood in front of a sleek glass building in downtown San Francisco, adjusting my blazer and trying to calm my nerves. It had been eight months since I had worked in a real office. Eight months since I had colleagues and meetings and projects that mattered to someone besides myself.The lobby was modern and bright, with white marble floors and abstract art on the walls. Nothing like the traditional elegance of Blackwood Industries, but impressive in its own way."Serena Vaughn?" A young woman with perfectly straight black hair approached me. "I'm Jennifer, Lysander's assistant. He's waiting for you upstairs."We rode the elevator to the fifteenth floor in comfortable

MISSING(Damien's POV)Saturday morning arrived gray and cloudy, as if the weather knew what kind of day it would be. I stood in front of my bedroom mirror, adjusting my tie for the third time. The engagement party was scheduled to begin at seven that evening. Three hundred guests. A twelve-piece orchestra. Enough champagne to float a yacht.And I felt like I was preparing for my own funeral."Mr. Blackwood?" My assistant called through the door. "Your grandmother would like to see you in the library."I found Eleanor surrounded by flower arrangements and seating charts, directing the staff like a general preparing for battle."There you are," she said without looking up. "The caterers need final approval on the appetizer selection. And the photographer wants to know if you prefer the rose garden or the fountain for formal portraits.""Whatever you think is best."Eleanor finally looked at me, her sharp eyes taking in my appearance. "You look pale. Did you eat breakfast?""I wasn't hu

THE DECISION(Serena's POV)I stood outside my apartment building, watching Lysander's car idle at the curb. My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears. His question hung in the air between us like a challenge."Do you want to take revenge on the Blackwoods?"I gripped my purse tighter. "I need to think about this.""Of course. Take all the time you need." Lysander's voice was calm, as if he had just asked me about the weather instead of proposing to destroy one of the most powerful families in the country. And he had told me to think thoroughly about it.I walked into my building without looking back, my legs feeling unsteady. When I got to the apartment, Elena was playing with Isabella on the living room floor."You're home early," Elena said, then looked at my face. "What happened? You look like you've seen a ghost."I sat down heavily on the couch. "Lysander just asked me if I wanted to take revenge on the Blackwoods."Elena's eyes widened. "What?!""He says he has i

THE ACCUSATION(Damien's POV)I sat in Eleanor's study, surrounded by lawyers and security consultants. My head was pounding from lack of sleep. The ransom deadline was ticking down. We had forty eight hours left.Part of me felt a twisted sense of relief that the engagement was cancelled. No more pretending to be in love with Claire. No more planning a future I didn't want. But another part of me was genuinely worried about the girl. She was innocent in all of this. She didn't deserve to be terrorized because of my family's sins."The kidnappers are professionals," said Louis Wright, Eleanor's new personal detective. "They knew exactly when to take her. They knew her routine. They knew she would be alone.""How did they know all that?" Victoria asked."Someone close to the family gave them information. Or someone who has been watching the family very carefully."Eleanor leaned forward, her eyes sharp. "What are you saying?""I'm saying this isn't random. This is personal. Someone wan