All Chapters of The Billionaire's Reborn Bride. : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

48 Chapters

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE: PREPARATIONS

Elena’s phone buzzed with an incoming text. She carefully shifted Ethan’s sleeping form to check the message.It was from Maya: “Don’t forget about the company’s anniversary celebration tomorrow night. 9 PM. Black tie. Very important, all board members and major partners will be there.”Elena’s heart sank. The anniversary celebration. How had she forgotten about that?It was one of E Atelier’s biggest events of the year, a chance to showcase new collections, network with industry partners, and demonstrate the company’s strength and stability. As the new CEO (or at least, the person trying to claim that position), her presence would be mandatory.And she had less than 24 hours to prepare.Adrian noticed her expression change. “Hey, what’s wrong? You look like you just remembered you left the stove on.”“Worse,” Elena said, she hesitated before showing him the text. “The company’s anniversary celebration is tomorrow night, and I completely forgot. I don’t have a dress, I haven’t prepare

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO: OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW.

Adrian looked at her like she had just asked what year it was. “Ummmm, to get you ready for the company’s anniversary celebration tonight? Remember? The event where you need to look absolutely stunning and completely in control?”“Oh, right, but I thought ….”“Quick, quick, go get dressed!” Adrian interrupted, waving his hands at her like he was shooing chickens. “Comfortable clothes, nothing fancy. We’ll be out all day. Chop chop!”“But I am dressed …”“Perfect! Even better! Let’s go!” Adrian was already heading toward the stairs, clearly not interested in waiting for further discussion.Elena opened her mouth to protest, then closed it again. There was no point arguing with Adrian when he was like this. She had learned that much in just one day of knowing him.She followed him downstairs, where she managed to grab a piece of toast and some coffee before Adrian practically dragged her out to his car, a bright red convertible that looked like it belonged in a music video.“Where exact

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE: THE TRANSFORMATION.

A woman in her fifties with silver hair and an air of quiet authority approached. “Mrs. Carrington , I’m Silvia. I will be doing your hair this evening. If you will follow me?”Another woman, younger with kind eyes and a professional smile, stepped forward. “And I’m Yuki, your makeup artist for tonight. We are going to make you look absolutely stunning.”“I brought in several dress options,” a tall, elegant man said, gesturing to the racks. “I’m Antoine, the stylist. We will do a fitting and find the perfect one.”Elena felt overwhelmed but also strangely excited. In her previous life, she had gotten ready for events alone or with minimal help. This felt like being a princess in a fairy tale, except instead of a fairy godmother, she had an overenthusiastic brother-in-law with unlimited access to her husband’s credit cards.“Okay,” Elena said, taking a deep breath. “Let’s do this.”Adrian grinned and clapped his hands. “That’s the spirit! Alright, everyone, let’s make some magic happen

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR: GOODLUCK MUMMY.

Adrian checked his watch with the precision of a man who took timing very seriously. “The event starts at eight. People will arrive between seven-forty-five and eight-fifteen, with most showing up right around eight.”He tapped his chin thoughtfully, eyes calculating. “We will aim for eight-thirty. Late enough to make an impact, not so late that it seems disrespectful.”“Eight-thirty,” Elena repeated, her stomach fluttering with nerves she was trying very hard to conceal. “That’s a full thirty minutes after it starts.”“Exactly.” Adrian grinned, clearly enjoying himself. “Which gives us time for one more thing.”He pulled out his phone and opened the camera, immediately becoming a man with a mission.“Stand there, by the window. The lighting is perfect.”Elena looked at the tall window where the evening light filtered through in warm golden hues. “What are you doing?”“Taking pictures of you,” Adrian said, already snapping away, circling her like a professional photographer on a shoo

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE: THE ARRIVAL.

Elena couldn’t speak for a moment. She pressed her hand briefly to her cheek, feeling the warmth of it. Then she pulled Ethan into a gentle hug, careful of her dress but needing the contact.“Thank you, sweetheart,” she murmured into his hair. “That’s the best good luck charm I’ve ever had.”When she stood back up, straightening to her full height, something had changed. The nervousness in her chest hadn’t disappeared entirely, but it had been pushed aside by something steadier, something warmer and more certain.She was ready.Adrian appeared beside Ethan, placing a gentle hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Alright, little man. Time for bed, we have done our job. Mummy is going to go out there and be brilliant.”Ethan allowed himself to be steered toward the door, but he turned back one more time at the threshold, looking at Elena with those serious grey eyes. “Win, Mummy,” he said simply.Elena smiled, and this time it reached every part of her. “I will.”Adrian shot her one last look ove

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX: THE GRAND ENTRANCE.

Elena stepped out of the white limousine, and for a moment, the entire world seemed to pause.The camera flashes were immediate and blinding, burst after burst of white light that hit her like a physical force. She instinctively closed her eyes against the assault , her hand briefly tightening on the car door as muscle memory from years ago threatened to pull her under.The funeral. Her mother’s funeral. Cameras everywhere, flashing endlessly, reporters shouting questions she couldn’t answer, Patricia’s sharp voice in her ear: “Stop crying. Smile. Wave. They’re watching. Don’t you dare embarrass this family.”Elena had been young, drowning in grief, and they hadn’t let her mourn properly. Not even for a moment.But tonight was different. Tonight, she wasn’t a grieving teenager being controlled by her stepmother’s iron grip. Tonight, she was Elena Carrington, and she had come here to reclaim everything that had been stolen from her.She opened her eyes.The burgundy gown hugged her fig

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN: UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER.

They had reached the board members; Mr. Chen, Mrs. Kim, Mr. Davis, and several others, all holding drinks and engaged in what had probably been an intense discussion before Elena’s entrance had stopped everything.Elena turned to face them with a warm, professional smile that was worlds away from the cold politeness she had shown Patricia and Victoria.“Good evening, everyone,” she said, her voice carrying just enough to be heard clearly without seeming loud. “I apologize for the late arrival. I hope I haven’t missed anything important.”Mr. Chen recovered first, setting down his champagne and extending his hand. “Miss, sorry Mrs. Carrington. This is… unexpected.”“Is it?” Elena took his hand, her shake firm and brief. “It’s my company’s anniversary celebration. Where else would I be?”Mrs. Kim stepped forward, her expression unreadable but her eyes sharp and assessing. “You look very different from the board meeting, Mrs. Carrington, very ….polished.”“Thank you, Mrs. Kim. I believe

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT: THE PODIUM TRAP.

Elena stood frozen for a moment, her heart racing. Something about that encounter felt wrong, dangerous, like a warning she couldn’t quite interpret.“Mrs. Carrington?” Mr. Chen touched her elbow gently. “They’re calling for you.”Elena shook off the unease, forcing her professional smile back into place. She could worry about the mysterious man later. Right now, she had a room full of people waiting to hear from her.She handed her champagne glass to Mr. Chen and began making her way toward the stage, her heels clicking against the marble with each measured step. The crowd parted for her, conversations pausing as people turned to watch.As she climbed the three steps to the raised platform, she could see Patricia and Victoria had returned from the restroom, standing near the back of the room. Patricia’s smile was back in place, but her eyes were cold, calculating.For just a second, she felt that old fear trying to crawl up her throat. The fear of being judged, of being found wanting

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE: THE SURPRISE GUEST.

Elena stood completely still, her mind racing through her options. She had told the board about the partnership. She had been so confident, so certain that Damien would come through.But Patricia was asking for the signed document. The official proof that she could show to this room full of people.And Elena didn’t have it. Not yet. Damien had not said anything to her concerning the matter.“I…” Elena started.“Oh my,” Patricia said, her voice dripping with false concern. She gasped dramatically, pressing her hand to her chest. “Elena, dear, don’t tell me you were lying about the collaboration?”The words hung in the air like an accusation.Elena saw the board members in the front row exchanging glances. Mr. Chen’s expression had shifted from impressed to questioning . Mrs. Kim was frowning. Mr. Davis looked uncomfortable.“I wasn’t lying ….” Elena said firmly.“Then show us the contract!” Patricia’s voice cut through hers, loud enough for everyone to hear. “Surely if the partnership

CHAPTER THIRTY: HUMILIATION CEREMONY.

“Since my stepmother wants to see the official documents so badly, she can read them to you all herself.” Elena’s smile was radiant, her voice loud and clear. “Won’t you do that, Mum?”Patricia’s eyes widened in panic as Elena thrust the thick contract into her hands.Victoria, who had been watching from the side of the stage, couldn’t bear to see her mother humiliated any further. She rushed forward, her heels clicking rapidly against the stage floor.“Sister, what are you doing?” Victoria’s voice cracked as she approached, tears already forming in her eyes. “Mum just wanted to make sure you weren’t lying. You know how much she cares for the company.” She was putting on a performance, trying to make everyone present view Elena as a cruel person who treated her family as nothing.Victoria expected Elena to soften, to back down like she always used to. But what Elena did next shocked her.“Then you could help her”, Elena gave the document to Victoria and pushed her forward. “You can r

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