ELENAI woke up before the sun was fully set, wide awake, my heart racing with excitement. For the first time since I arrived at this mansion, I didn’t feel trapped.I felt so alive.Today was the exhibition day. My first taste of freedom after a short while.I took my time in the shower, letting the water run over my skin, steadying my nerves. When I stepped out, I wrapped myself in my bathrobe and stood in front of the mirror.Today, I would step outside those walls.Today, I would breathe.I had just tied my hair back when the door opened without warning.Valeria walked in.Of course. Behind her, a maid followed her, holding a garment bag.I stiffened but didn’t say anything. Complaining would be useless. This was Valeria’s house. Her rules.“Wear this,” Valeria said calmly, sitting on the chair across the room. Her eyes never left me.The maid placed the outfit neatly on the bed and left.I forced myself not to react. “Thank you,’ I murmured.Valeris tilted her head slightly. “How

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VALERIA I watched everything before she even knew I was there.. That was the advantage of having power. Of planning. Of never walking into a room blind. I had already arrived at the exhibition centre long before she did. I sat in a private lounge upstairs where I could see the main hall through tinted glass. The suit I gave her carried more than just fine stitching and expensive fabric. There was a tracker and a listening device small enough to hide inside the lining. To gain control wasn’t loud. It was quiet and precise. When she stepped into the venue, I felt her presence before I saw her. She looked so alive. Her shoulders were straighter. Her eyes brighter. She moved through the room as if she belonged there. She loved her job. And that was useful. Through the device, I listened to her as she greeted guests. Her voice was calm and professional with a hint of pride. She forgot about me for a moment. And that was alright. Then I saw him. Marcus. Standing at the far end of

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ELENAThe moment the guard said Marcus was gone, my heart stopped.Gone. They knew he was there. They must’ve seen him talk to me and now wanted to get hold of him.Valeria didn’t panic. She didn’t raise her voice. She simply said, “Find him.”That was worse.We stood outside the venue, the cold night air against my skin. The city lights felt distant. My thoughts were loud and messy. Marcus had tried to convince me to leave with him. I had refused. I stayed.Now he was missing. And Valeria was calm.Too calm.I turned to her, my chest tight. “Please,” I said. “Let him go. I’ll do anything. Just don’t hurt him.”She looked at me slowly. That small, cruel smile curved on her lips.“Aww,” she said softly. “Lover girl.”I hated that tone.“Your boyfriend tried to break our contract,” she continued. ‘He tried to convince you to leave with him. That comes with consequences.”“But I didn’t go,” I said quickly. “I refused. I chose to stay.”The words tasted strange coming out of my mouth.I

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VALERIAWhen I stepped out of my room, I closed the door gently behind me.Only when I was alone in the hallway did I finally exhale.Desire they say is dangerous. Not because it makes you weak, but because it tempts you to move too fast.And I do not move without a strategy.I wanted her. That was no longer something I could deny. The way her breath shook any time I came close. The way her body reacted even when her mouth said no. The way her eyes fought emotions she didn’t want to name.But I would not touch her fully until she stepped toward me willingly. Control meant knowing when to stop.A week. It had already been a week since I brought Elena into my home.A few more to go before Marcus could reclaim what he owed. If he survived that long.The next morning, Elena refused to leave her room. The maid had informed me that she had asked for breakfast to be sent upstairs.I said nothing.Let her hide all she wants. Isolation can be louder than confrontation.I ate alone in the dini

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Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Billionaire Queen's Collateral : Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 14

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