Alle Kapitel von Back in His Arms, Back in His Game... a Billionaire's Price: Kapitel 141 – Kapitel 150

Natasha leaned back in her studio chair, city lights spilling across the glass behind her. She picked up her phone, fingers steady.“Vino,” she said, voice controlled. “We go live. No more whispers.”A pause. “Live? Are you sure?” Vino asked, cautious, sharp.“I’m sure,” Natasha replied. “No names yet, just the story. The high-profile Atherian, the girlfriend, the pregnancy, the loss. Make it public. Make it impossible to ignore. Let the world connect the dots before anyone can hide.”There was a faint pause, a flicker in his eyes, part caution, part something sharper, a lingering curiosity from their brief past interactions. He didn’t yet know the full stakes, or that this story could touch someone he both envied and resented.“Understood,” Vino said, a mix of caution and respect. “We’ll prep the release... but Natasha, who exactly is this ‘high-profile Atherian’? I need to know what we’re signaling before anything goes out.”Natasha’s lips curved faintly. “You don’t need a name. Jus

Claire had just left Alina and Adam’s table when she spotted Natasha at a corner table in the same restaurant. Natasha rose as Claire approached, her smile bright, effortless, careful, calculated.“Claire! “It’s so nice we finally have lunch together,” Natasha said lightly. “I feel like we’ve been circling the same events for months but never actually sat down.”Claire nodded, adjusting her hair. “I know. I’m glad we found the time. It’s good to have someone to talk to outside... the usual circles.”They settled, ordering drinks, laughing lightly at shared small talk. Onlookers would have seen nothing but friendship. Beneath the surface, each measured every word, every gesture.Natasha leaned in slightly, careful not to invade personal space. “Sometimes connections matter more than appearances. Families, alliances, influence... it all shapes how we move.”Claire smiled, intrigued. “You make it sound like strategy instead of lunch.”Natasha laughed softly. “Strategy is part of everythi

The gossip didn’t spread quietly. It surfaced all at once, packaged, carefully framed, and impossible to trace.By morning, the story was everywhere. Anonymous blogs. Industry forums. Private group chats that spilled into public threads. The name at the center of it was unmistakable.Sebastian Vaughn.The past girlfriend: Tessa Rowan.The narrative was precise, almost sympathetic. Tessa was described as quiet, intelligent, strong in ways that never demanded attention, a woman who had loved deeply, then vanished without explanation.The implication was clear. Sebastian had moved on, built an empire, started a family... and left something unresolved behind.No accusations. No outright blame. Just questions.Why had she disappeared? Why had no one spoken for years? Why did those closest to him seem to know more than they revealed?Then the whispers grew. Tessa might have been pregnant. A child no one had acknowledged. Questions carefully layered, never stated, but repeated enough to ling

Sebastian Vaughn’s office line was not public.It existed, but it didn’t circulate. Calls routed through layers, assistants, filters, protocols designed to keep noise from ever reaching him.When someone did get through, it was never by accident.John answered on the second ring, already scanning the caller ID. Unknown number. Unlisted. He didn’t like that.“Vaughn Enterprises,” he said evenly. “John speaking.”A pause. Uneven breathing.“I need to speak to Sebastian Vaughn,” a man said.“I’m his assistant,” John replied. “If this is business, I can help you.”“It’s not business,” the man said. “Not exactly.”John straightened. “Then I’ll need your name.”Another pause. Longer this time.“You can tell him I know the real truth about what happened to Tessa Rowan.”John’s fingers froze over the desk. “That name isn’t rumor. It isn’t gossip. What’s being said now... it doesn’t touch what’s buried beneath it.”“I’m not calling about the media,” the man said. “There are things your boss wa

Grief and guilt sat between them long before either man spoke, weighing heavier than any accusation.“Natasha offered me money,” Paul said. “She said I could fix my debts. Keep quiet. Let things settle.”“And you agreed,” Sebastian said.“Yes.” Paul held his gaze. “That’s why I disappeared. I thought Tessa would calm down. I thought she’d come back.”“She didn’t.”“No.” Paul swallowed. “The last time I saw her, she said she was meeting Natasha. She said she was done being managed. She was done being silenced.”The room seemed to compress, air thickening between them.Sebastian rose from his chair.Paul flinched, but Sebastian didn’t advance. He turned instead, one hand braced against the door, steadying himself.“You don’t know what happened after that,” Sebastian said quietly.Paul shook his head. “No. But I know she was afraid. And I know Natasha was the last person who wanted her quiet.”Sebastian turned back, slow and controlled.“And now,” Paul added, desperation creeping in, “sh