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Todos os capítulos de The billionaire’s bidding war : Capítulo 21 - Capítulo 30

36 Capítulos

Chapter 20

The harsh, sterile white of the hospital room gave way slowly as consciousness returned in quiet, heavy waves.The rhythmic, steady beep of a heart monitor was the first sound to reach me, echoing softly against the clean walls. My eyelids felt leaden, but as I forced them open, the dim amber light of a bedside lamp revealed a sight that made my chest tighten.Ashton was sitting in the low armchair beside my bed.He was slumped forward, his head resting heavily against the edge of the mattress near my hip, his hand loosely wrapping around mine. His dark hair was disheveled, his jaw shadowed by dark stubble, and his white shirt was still rumpled from the terrifying chaos in the parking garage. The ruthless, untouchable heir of House Langford was completely absent, replaced by a man who looked utterly broken by exhaustion.I moved my fingers slightly, and his eyes snapped open instantly.Ashton sat up, his light brown eyes red-rimmed and bloodshot as he looked at my face. The sheer reli

Chapter 21

The private chapel on the western edge of the estate was small, warm, and entirely removed from the grand, hollow halls where our first ceremony had taken place.There were no press members waiting outside the iron gates, no cameras flashing behind tinted windows, and no forced smiles put on for the sake of public relations. The pews held only a handful of people—my parents sitting near the front, my father looking healthier than he had in years, and a few close friends who had seen us through the storm.I stood in front of the tall stained-glass window, looking at my reflection in the dark glass.I was seven months pregnant now. My silk gown draped gently over my curved bump, soft and elegant, completely devoid of the heavy, stiff lace that had made my first wedding dress feel like an executioner's shroud.The heavy wooden doors at the back of the chapel opened quietly, and Ashton stepped into the room.He wore a tailored charcoal suit, his dark hair neatly styled, but his light brow

Chapter 22

The nursery was bathed in the soft, warm glow of a single corner lamp, casting long shadows across the ivory walls.It was three o'clock in the morning, the hour when the rest of the world was fast asleep, but inside the mansion, our new routine was in full swing. I sat in the plush rocking chair near the window, my eyes heavy with exhaustion, watching Ashton sway gently back and forth in the center of the room with Sophia cradled against his chest.He had completely transformed over the past few months.The man who once treated sleep as a secondary concern and ran his life with military precision now walked around in loose cotton pants and a soft grey sweater, his dark hair messy, completely consumed by the tiny human sleeping in his arms. He burped her, changed her diapers, and stayed up for the midnight feedings without a single word of complaint, insisting that I needed my rest after the labor."She's finally down," Ashton whispered, his voice low and raspy as he carefully lowered

Chapter 23

The morning light entered the high windows of the private art studio, painting the hardwood floors in broad strokes of pale gold.I stood in the center of the spacious room, taking in the quiet beauty of the space. It had been nearly two years since Ashton and I stood in the chapel, yet every time I walked into this building, a fresh wave of gratitude washed over me. Located just five minutes from the main estate, the studio was Ashton's surprise gift for our anniversary—a place flooded with light, complete with a private library nook, built specifically so I could paint and work on creative project strategies away from corporate demands.Across the room, a large blank canvas rested on an oak easel, waiting for the first stroke of oil paint.The heavy glass doors opened quietly, and Ashton stepped inside. He had traded his usual tailored suit for a soft charcoal sweater and relaxed dark jeans. In his hands, he balanced two warm mugs of morning coffee."You're up early," he said softly

Chapter 24

The quiet of the late evening was a gentle, welcoming presence throughout the estate.Upstairs in the nursery, Sophia was fast asleep, her tiny hands tucked neatly under her soft blanket. Downstairs, the main house had settled into that distinct, peaceful stillness that always followed a long day.I stood near the wide glass doors of the library, looking out at the gardens. The warm glow from the wall sconces reflected off the glass, mingling with the soft moonlight outside.Footsteps sounded softly behind me on the hardwood floor, unhurried and familiar. Ashton walked into the room, two glasses of warm tea in hand. He set them down on the small table near the reading nook and walked over to stand behind me, wrapping his arms securely around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder."She didn't fight sleep at all tonight," Ashton murmured, his voice low and relaxed against my ear. "Five minutes of rocking and she was out.""She exhausted herself running around the terrace all afte

Chapter 25

The autumn sun hung low over the coastal skyline, painting the wide ocean in shimmering shades of gold and copper.Standing on the private balcony of the newly acquired regional office, I looked out across the water. The cool coastal breeze carried the salty scent of the sea, mixing with the crisp, clean air of late afternoon. Down below, the private drive was quiet, far removed from the bustling traffic of central Beverly Hills, providing a sense of space and tranquility that made the new venture feel less like a corporate expansion and more like a fresh start.Behind me, the wide glass doors slid open, and Ashton stepped out onto the balcony.He had rolled up the sleeves of his crisp white shirt, his dark tie loosened at the collar, carrying two glasses of fresh iced tea. He handed one to me, taking a slow sip from his own before wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me back against his chest."The final zoning permits for the harbor development project were approved twenty m

Chapter 26

The morning sun rose over the Pacific, casting warm golden rays across the wide glass windows of our coastal estate.Inside the quiet master suite, the gentle rhythm of the ocean waves drifted through the half-open balcony doors. I sat up slowly against the soft white pillows, watching the soft curtain flutter in the sea breeze. Sunlight danced across the hardwood floor, illuminating the small framed photograph resting on my nightstand—a picture taken on the beach just weeks ago, showing Ashton holding Sophia on his shoulders while my father laughed beside them.A deep sense of tranquility filled my chest as I looked at it.Beside me, the mattress shifted slightly, and Ashton pulled himself up, his dark hair tousled from sleep. He rubbed a hand over his face, his light brown eyes blinking against the morning light before turning to look at me. A soft, warm smile instantly softened his features."You're awake early," he murmured, his voice thick with sleep as he reached out, wrapping h

Chapter 27

The tide had drawn back far past the rocky shelf, leaving behind smooth, reflective basins of still water that mirrored the amber sky.I stood near the edge of the stone patio, holding a warm cup of herbal tea, watching the sea foam dissolve into the wet sand.The morning air was sharp and invigorating, carrying the quiet stillness that usually preceded the coastal winds. Behind me, the glass doors of the coastal home glided open silently, and Ashton stepped out onto the terrace.He wore a dark blue knit sweater with the sleeves pushed up to his elbows, his posture relaxed in a way that still felt relatively new compared to the rigid, defensive stance he had carried for years. He slid his arms around my waist from behind, resting his chin lightly in the crook of my neck."You're awake early again," he murmured, his voice warm and low against my skin."I was thinking about the schedule for the local community foundation," I said, leaning back against him. "Your father's old estate hold

Chapter 28

The late afternoon light poured through the tall glass windows of our main office, casting long, peaceful shadows across the dark wood of the desk.I sat back in my chair, scanning the final quarterly report for the joint foundation we had launched earlier that year. The numbers reflected steady growth, but more importantly, they represented actual, tangible progress for the community initiatives we had set out to fund. Every project, every allocation, and every strategic decision was executed with complete clarity and purpose.A quiet knock echoed at the office door, and my father stepped inside, carrying a small leather folder under his arm.He looked remarkably calm, his posture upright and relaxed in a way I had rarely seen during my younger years. The relentless pressure of saving a failing empire was a distant memory, replaced by a steady, fulfilled routine."Mariah," my father said warmly, setting the folder down on the corner of the desk. "These are the final land transfer dee

Chapter 29

The light of late summer sat low across the estate, casting long, peaceful shadows over the manicured stone pathways.Inside the main lounge, the tall glass doors remained wide open to let in the cool evening air. The ocean breeze moved softly through the sheer linen curtains, bringing with it the faint, rhythmic sound of the tide rolling against the shore a mile away.I sat at the small writing desk near the corner window, reviewing the annual financial statement for our regional charitable trust. Beside the stack of papers lay a small, framed photo from Sophia’s second birthday, taken on the beach just a few months ago.Ashton stepped into the room, his footsteps quiet on the dark rug.He had already changed out of his formal suit, wearing a dark knit sweater and dark trousers. In his hands, he balanced a tray with a pot of fresh tea and two cups. He set the tray down on the low table near the sofa before walking over to stand behind my chair, his hands coming down to rest gently on

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