Burning Desires (An Open Marriage With The Billionaire) のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 91 - チャプター 100

DANIEL HAWTHORNE My heart started hammering against my ribs again. That picture was my ultimate weapon, it was my safety net. It was the absolute guarantee that I could always control her if she ever tried to step out of line. "Sophia," I hesitated. "That is... we are past that. I haven't even looked at that file forever.""Then it shouldn't be a problem to delete it," she fired back instantly.She took a step toward me. Her dark eyes were intense and completely unforgiving. "You want me to stay?" she asked. "You want me to sit in that boardroom and protect your precious CEO title? You want me to keep my mouth shut about the millions of dollars you stole using my forged signature?"I nodded slowly. "Yes.""Then you delete the file," Sophia ordered. It wasn't a request. It was an absolute command. "I will not be married to a man who holds a gun to my head. I will not fight a war for a man who keeps a leash around my neck. You want my help? You prove that you actually trust me. You pro

DANIEL HAWTHORNEI sat behind my massive wooden desk and stared at the bright computer screen. For the first time in weeks, my chest did not feel tight. The heavy, suffocating panic was completely gone.I looked up and saw Sophia walking into my private office. She looked beautiful and calm. I waved my hand, motioning for her to come around the desk. "Come here," I said, unable to hide the massive smile on my face. "Watch this."Sophia walked over and stood right beside my chair. She looked down at the computer screen. I had the secure, encrypted banking portals open."Three. Two. One," I counted down out loud. I lifted my finger and slammed it down hard on the 'Enter' key. "Boom. Done."I watched the screen load for a second. Then, it refreshed.Millions and millions of dollars were transferred legally back into the main Lancaster Innovations bank account. The numbers on the screen were huge. The company vault was officially full again.I leaned back in my chair and let out a huge, d

I couldn't help it. I threw my head back and laughed out loud in the middle of the fancy restaurant."Co-CEO?" I asked, shaking my head. I wiped a small tear from the corner of my eye. "Sophia, come on."She didn't laugh with me. She just sat perfectly still and watched me."I'm serious," she said, keeping her voice very light. "Why is that funny? We could run it side by side. We could be a real team. A power couple."My laughter faded. My ego instantly flared up. I let go of her hand and leaned back in my chair. I suddenly felt very serious and very bossy. She was my wife, but she didn't understand how the real world worked."No," I said firmly. I shook my head again. "No, that can't work.""Why not?" she asked simply."Because a company like Lancaster Innovations can only have one true leader," I explained. I used the same tone of voice I used when I had to explain things to junior employees. "It is a massive, global empire, Sophia. The business world is completely cutthroat. The bo

SOPHIA LANCASTERPhillip quickly closed the folder. His hands were suddenly shaking. He looked around the empty patio in a panic, checking to see if anyone else was watching us."Where did you get this?" Phillip hissed at me. His voice was a tight, terrified whisper."I have my ways," I said smoothly. "I know exactly who you really are, Phillip. You play the rich, successful board member. You wear the expensive watches. You drink the nice scotch. But your personal bank accounts are completely empty.""Shut up," he whispered, wiping a sudden drop of sweat from his forehead."You have a massive gambling problem," I continued, ignoring him completely. "You owe millions of dollars to offshore bookies. You made terrible, stupid bets on sports games and underground casinos. You owe money to very bad people. People who do not care that you sit on a corporate board."Phillip stared at me. He looked terrified. The arrogant, loud man from five minutes ago was completely gone."I am handling it,

SOPHIA LANCASTERThomas reached into the inside pocket of his expensive navy blue suit and pulled out a thick silver cigar case. He looked around the loud, crowded living room, then walked toward the doors that led out to the penthouse balcony.He pushed the doors open and stepped outside into the cool night air. The glass doors shut behind him, cutting off the loud jazz music and the chatter of the party.He was completely alone.It was the perfect moment.I waited for about thirty seconds. I took a deep breath, letting the cold, sharp focus take over my mind. I set my half-empty champagne glass down on a nearby table. I smoothed down the front of my dark red silk dress, put on my best innocent smile, and walked toward the balcony.I pushed the heavy glass door open and stepped outside.The night air was chilly. It felt good against my warm skin. Thomas was standing near the edge, leaning against the glass railing. He had just lit his cigar. A thick cloud of gray smoke floated up int