All Chapters of THE CEO'S SECRET INDULGENCE: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

The long dining table in the Valmere estate gleamed beneath a cascade of soft golden light. The scent of roasted lamb, fine wine, and freshly baked bread lingered in the air, but the atmosphere carried an unmistakable tension beneath its elegance.It was the final family dinner before the wedding, a supposedly joyous gathering that had, somehow, turned into an unspoken test of patience.At the head of the table sat Rionessi Valmere, his presence commanding yet calm, a figure of quiet power wrapped in formality. On his right sat Selene’s parents, smiling politely, trying to navigate the subtle battlefield of Valmere composure. Across from them sat Deborah, serene and composed, her posture perfect, her expression unreadable.She hadn’t spoken much since the dinner began. Not because she didn’t have anything to say, but because she was watching. Listening. Measuring every word that came out of Selene’s mouth.Selene was radiant as ever, her voice honey-smooth as she addressed Rionessi. “

The cathedral of Saint Aurelia had never looked so divine. The sunlight that streamed through its centuries-old stained glass painted the marble floors in gold and crimson hues, while the scent of roses, peonies, and white orchids filled the air. Chandeliers hung like frozen constellations, each crystal refracting the brilliance of the midday sun. The atmosphere hummed with anticipation, tension, and silent awe, it was, after all, the wedding of the century.The pews were filled with the most powerful names in the business world. Every guest had a fortune or an empire behind their smile, ministers from Europe, CEOs of conglomerates, and heirs of international banking dynasties. Cameras were allowed inside, and every detail was meant for spectacle, a display of Valmere wealth and Aramante prestige.At the front stood Aston Valmere, the groom, in a tailored black tuxedo designed by Maison Avenoir, his signature silver cufflinks glinting under the light. His brothers.... Lysander, Lucio,

“All this time, you all knew she was planning something, and you didn’t tell me?!” Deborah’s furious voice echoed through the grand halls of the Valmere mansion.A day had passed since Selene was arrested. The news had spread like wildfire, her schemes, her manipulation, her lies. It turned out she had been hiding far more than anyone imagined. She had done the same thing to nearly half of the other companies she had ties with. The marriage she planned with Aston wasn’t for love, but for power, to gain control over the Valmere wealth and inheritance. She was smart, calculated, and dangerously good at pretending. Too good… until she didn’t realize that the Valmere brothers had been watching her all along.“Because we knew you could handle it,” Caelum said with a faint smirk, his tone calm but proud.Deborah frowned, still seething. “Handle it? What do you mean by that?”Caelum leaned casually against the marble counter, arms crossed, his eyes gleaming with something between admiration

“It’s been almost ten years, hasn’t it?”Deborah froze mid-sip, her coffee cup halting halfway to her lips. That voice, warm, deep, and hauntingly familiar, sent a chill of nostalgia down her spine before she even turned. Slowly, she looked over her shoulder, and her breath caught.“Ylmaz?”He stood by the glass doors of the Valmere Company café, framed by the gentle cascade of morning sunlight. The faint breeze from the open terrace ruffled his dark hair, and his sharp blue-gray eyes softened as they met hers. Time had changed him, he looked older, calmer, more mature, yet there was still something achingly familiar about him. In his hands, he carried a bouquet of lilies and white roses, her favorite.He smiled, the corners of his lips curving with quiet affection. “I thought flowers might make this a little less awkward. But… maybe I overdid it?”Deborah blinked, her lips twitching into a faint smile. “You always did.” Ylmaz chuckled as he crossed the café floor, his polished shoes

The ride to Caelum’s office was heavy with silence. Deborah sat beside Casper, watching the passing city lights flicker across his stoic face. He hadn’t said much since the café, only short, clipped answers whenever she tried to speak. The tension between them had settled like fog, thick and unspoken.When they finally arrived at the Valmere Tower, Deborah noticed that the usual hum of activity seemed quieter, almost tense. The security at the entrance was doubled, and even the secretaries wore uneasy expressions. Something was off.As they stepped into Caelum’s office, they were greeted by the sight of all her brothers already there. Caelum stood by the window, his hands behind his back, eyes cold and unreadable as he stared out at the skyline. Lysander sat at the conference table, one leg crossed over the other, his expression composed but serious. Knight was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, his gaze sharp. Casper walked near the bar cart, pouring himself a glass of whiskey,