ACCIDENTALLY MARRIED TO MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 151 - チャプター 160

ARIANA’S POVThe invitations had been sent.Heavy cream envelopes embossed in silver, each sealed with the Sterling crest, delivered by hand to people who pretended not to care but would absolutely clear their schedules. The Gala was officially happening.Which meant I had exactly forty-eight hours to prepare to stand in front of half the financial world, reveal the truth about my marriage, celebrate the closing of the deal, and smile like I wasn’t carrying two tiny humans who had recently discovered they could kick in unison.No pressure.I stood in the center of my dressing room, hands resting lightly over my stomach, staring at the lineup of gowns arranged with military precision along the far wall. Alex had insisted I choose whatever I wanted. Designers had practically fought for the opportunity.But tonight wasn’t about fashion politics.It was about presence.“Okay,” I murmured to myself. “We need power but not untouchable. It should be elegant but real.”My stylist, Lily, ste

ALEX’S POVEveryone was here. That was the first thing I registered as I stood near the edge of the ballroom, a glass of untouched champagne in my hand.Across the room, I caught sight of Ethan laughing beside Lily, his hand resting casually at her waist. Ethan rarely relaxed at corporate events, but tonight he looked almost smug. Lily caught my eye and lifted her glass in silent congratulations.Near the front tables sat Ariana’s parents, with her father upright and composed, her mother visibly emotional despite trying to hide it behind careful poise. Beside them, Maya looked like she was vibrating with contained excitement, whispering something animated that made her mother swat her lightly on the arm.The Sterling family occupied the left wing of the room like royalty holding court. My uncle, my cousins, and distant relatives who only surfaced when headlines promised significance. Even they seemed aware that tonight was larger than tradition.Along the back perimeter, the press

ARIANA’S POVThe congratulations didn’t stop. By noon the next day, my phone had become a living organism. It was buzzing, lighting up, vibrating across marble surfaces like it had somewhere urgent to be. Floral arrangements arrived in waves, white orchids and ivory roses. Handwritten cards from board members who once questioned my projections now praise my “visionary instinct.”I stood in the living room, staring at the word embossed in gold foil. Funny how quickly language adapts to power.Alex had left early for a strategy session. “Victory attracts movement,” he had said before kissing my temple. “I want to see where the tremors are coming from.”I’d told him I’d be fine and I was.Mostly.The ring felt heavier in daylight. The silence of the house was so different from the ballroom’s chaos and it gave space for thoughts to expand. Victoria’s voice replayed in my mind with irritating clarity.Your victory won’t last long.I refused to let it root.By one o’clock, Lily insisted

ALEX’S POVI stared at the phone long after the call ended. It was a message without words. Marcus stepped forward. “Are they tracing that case?”“Already running,” he said, nodding toward the tech team outside my office. “It's a burner signal, routed through three towers.”Of course it was.My pulse hadn’t slowed since Lily’s call, but now it sharpened. Focus is replaced with panic. Whoever had Ariana wasn’t sloppy. They wanted me to be aware.They wanted me on edge.The phone vibrated again and it was the same unknown number.Marcus held my gaze. I answered and put it on speaker.“Alex.” The voice this time was clear and sounded familiar.I felt something cold slide down my spine. “Jerry,” I said quietly.Silence for half a beat. Then a soft chuckle.“Always sharp, cousin.”Marcus’s eyes flicked to mine. He recognized the name. Everyone in this building did.Jerry had grown up with me in the shadow of the same empire, school, boardrooms, and expectations. But when I calculated, he r

ARIANA’S POVThe warehouse door slammed shut behind Jerry. The echo rolled through the space as a gunshot and silence followed.I didn’t look at Victoria immediately, but I felt the shift in her the second Jerry left. The restraint he barely maintained was gone. What remained was something raw.“Well,” she said lightly, dusting imaginary lint from her coat. “It’s just us now.”I lifted my head slowly. “How intimate.”Her smile didn’t reach her eyes.The overhead lights hummed. Somewhere in the distance, metal clanged; it was probably one of the guards shifting position, but they weren’t inside the room.Jerry had taken most of them when he left.He trusted her with me and was his second mistake.Victoria walked in a slow circle around me, heels clicking rhythmically against concrete.“You’re very confident for someone tied to a chair,” she said.“You’re very insecure for someone holding the power,” I replied evenly.She stopped in front of me. For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then