All Chapters of THE BILLIONAIRE'S SECRET BRIDE : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

“Hey, what’s up?” Aria looked at Damian, puzzled by his sudden stillness, and finally broke the awkward silence. “Nothing,” he replied with a faint smile, shaking his head slightly as he finished zipping up her dress. The slow sound of the zipper seemed amplified in the vast, quiet walk-in closet—oddly intimate, like a whisper brushing against the air. Once it was done, Aria was ready to bolt. She desperately needed space; her cheeks were burning so fiercely she feared they might combust. But Damian had no intention of letting her escape so easily. He reached out effortlessly, pulling her back into his arms. Leaning in, he nipped lightly at her ear and murmured in a low, velvety voice, “Aria, why do you blush so easily?” Seriously? It was completely his fault. Aria pouted internally but let out a soft, flustered laugh. “Stop it, big brother. Don’t come so close—it tickles!” she giggled, pushing him away before darting downstairs like a startled rabbit. She didn’t feel like she

“Hey! Back off my brother!”Aria Vale glared daggers at Caleb Cross, her rosebud mouth trembling with rage. Even furious, she looked more adorable than intimidating. Bare-faced and dewy-skinned, she resembled a freshly bloomed camellia—simple, yet irresistibly captivating.Caleb’s eyes narrowed. “Step aside.” Angry as he was, he had no intention of laying a hand on a girl.“No!”Aria planted herself firmly in front of Damian Cross like a guardian angel, large eyes blazing, brows drawn tight in fierce defiance. “Grandpa! Hurry! Someone’s picking on Damian!”Seeing Caleb’s expression darken, she knew reasoning was useless. She shouted toward the villa’s second floor, her voice carrying clearly through the courtyard.Moments later, Elder Lucian Cross appeared on the balcony, leaning heavily on his cane. Below, Caleb and Damian stood locked in a tense standoff. Knowing Damian’s character, the old man had no doubt who was at fault. His gaze turned icy as he slammed his cane against the til

“And what exactly does my girl want to do with them?”Damian Cross raised a brow, his tone dripping with indulgence.Aria Vale pouted, her clear eyes sparkling with mischief. Backed by Damian, she had no intention of letting this slide. These maids needed a lesson they would never forget.“I want them to clean every single public bathroom in Meridian City. Maybe that’ll teach them to watch their mouths.”Aria straightened, her voice firm and unapologetic.She never started trouble, but if someone crossed her? Forgiveness wasn’t her style. Words like saint weren’t in her dictionary.Damian was amused. A single glance sent Nolan Drake stepping forward as he barked at the stunned maids.“Effective immediately, you are assigned to clean every public restroom in Meridian City. All of them.”“Why should we?” they shot back, finally finding their voices.They had manipulated Aria so easily before. What gave her the right now?“Because you can’t hold your tongues, and I am the law in Meridian

“Sis, Damian, you’re finally here.”Liana descended the stairs with a soft smile, her voice dripping with honeyed sweetness. Not a trace of the hatred she felt for Aria showed on her face—it was all locked away deep in her eyes, flashing for just an instant. But Aria caught it. She always did.Aria was almost impressed. She hadn’t expected Liana to abandon that sinking ship so easily. She’d even worried that the punishment had been too light. This worked out perfectly.“Little sis, it’s been so long! I’ve missed you!”Aria beamed, looking utterly cute and carefree. Her delicate face lit up like a painting brought to life. She stepped forward and grabbed Liana’s hand without a second thought, catching her completely off guard.For a split second, Liana tried to yank her hand back—pure instinct. But with Damian watching, she forced herself to stay still. The cold in his dark eyes was biting, cutting straight to the bone. One look from him, and Liana’s hand froze completely.Aria held on

“Aria didn’t say anything like that, alright? It’s totally Liana trying to frame me!” Aria mimicked Liana’s usual dramatic antics, hands on her hips, glaring at both Liana and Victor. She puffed up like a prickly little puffer fish, all worked up and adorable in a strangely fierce kind of way. That little performance made Liana almost explode. She shot Damian a tearful glance, her expression practically screaming, “Please love me, I’m so fragile.” And yeah, most men probably would’ve given in to that. But not Damian. From the second they stepped into the Vale residence, he hadn’t even bothered to look at her—literally not even for a second. “Brother-in-law, I swear I’m telling the truth! Why would my sister target me like this? Boo hoo!” “Is it because you’re here, so she’s too embarrassed to admit what she really said to Victor before? But I know you’re not the kind of guy to hold grudges, right?” “Sis, just be honest with your fiancé. I’m sure he’ll understand. I mean,