Chapter 11

THE NEXT AFTERNOON, nasa Carreon Hotel ako para sa site walk-through. Biglang tumunog ang phone ko—unknown number. Normally, di ko sasagutin, pero expecting ako ng tawag mula sa mga supplier. "Hello, this is Rachel Miranda." "Rachel. It's been a while." Bigla akong nalunok. Yung boses na ‘yun. Pamilyar... at ayokong marinig ulit. "Derek." Derek Montefalco. Ex ko. At last person I ever wanted to hear from. "How did you get this number?" malamig kong tanong. "I have my ways. And before you hang up—I saw you at the Carreon grand opening. You looked beautiful." Ha? Nandun siya? Hindi ko siya nakita. "What do you want, Derek?" "To talk. To catch up. Maybe have dinner?" "No." "Rachel, come on. Don't be like that. We had something good—" "We had nothing good," malamig kong putol. "We had a relationship where you treated me like I was beneath you. Where you made me feel small. I’m not that person anymore, Derek. And I’m definitely not interested in revisiting that mi

最終更新日 : 2026-02-24

Chapter 12

LEVI's POVI WASN'T PREPARED.The annual Carreon Foundation Charity Gala—an event I'd attended dozens of times, coordinated by Rachel for the past three weeks, everything planned down to the last detail.I'd reviewed the guest list, approved the program, checked every arrangement. I was prepared for everything.Maliban sa makita si Rachel Miranda na naka-evening gown.Nakatayo siya malapit sa pasukan ng Carreon Grand Ballroom, kausap ang catering manager, hawak ang clipboard gaya ng dati. Working mode. Professional Rachel.Kaya lang, ngayong gabi, hindi niya suot ang dati niyang business attire.Tonight, she was wearing a floor-length gown—deep emerald green that complemented her morena skin perfectly. Simple yet elegant. Off-shoulder, showing just enough to be sophisticated without being revealing. Her hair was down in soft waves instead of the usual neat bun. Minimal jewelry—just small diamond earrings that caught the light.She looked... stunning.No. That was an understatement.

最終更新日 : 2026-02-25

Chapter 13

THE GALA WAS in full swing an hour later. Three hundred guests—business leaders, politicians, celebrities, philanthropists. Everyone dressed in their finest, mingling over champagne and canapés. Rachel had outdone herself. Walang bahid ng pagkakamali ang event. Eleganteng décor, swabeng serbisyo, perpektong timing. Lahat ng inaasahan ko sa kanyang trabaho. Pero nahihirapan akong mag-focus sa kahit ano rito. Dahil si Rachel ay nakaupo lang, dalawang upuan ang layo sa akin, masiglang nakikipag-usap kay Christina na asawa ni Adrian. Tumatawa sa kung anong sinabi ni Christina. Iyong tawa na totoo at mainit na napapansin ko na dati pa. Bagay na bagay siya rito. Natural. Komportable. Kahit pa galing siya sa mundong iba kaysa sa mga tao rito, hindi siya intimidated. She was just... herself. "You're staring again," bulong ni Adrian sa tabi ko. "I'm observing." "You're besotted." "I'm—" Natigilan ako. Dahil hindi ko na ito maitatanggi. "Adrian, this is a problem."

最終更新日 : 2026-02-25

Chapter 14

AFTER DINNER, the program moved to entertainment—a live band playing jazz standards. Couples moved to the dance floor. I watched from the table, nursing a glass of whiskey, trying to ignore the urge to ask Rachel to dance. Bad idea. Very bad idea. Professional distance. Iyon ang kailangan kong panindigan. "Levi," sabi ni Rachel sa tabi ko. "I'm going to check on the dessert service—" "Dance with me first." Lumabas ang mga salita bago ko pa man mapigilan. Napukurap siya. "What?" "One dance." Tumayo ako at inilahad ang aking kamay. "You've been working all evening. Take a break. Dance with me." Tinitigan niya ang kamay ko na parang isa itong bitag. Na baka totoo naman. Isang bitag na inihahanda ko para sa aming dalawa. "Levi, I—" "Please." Iyon na yata ang nagpakumbinsi sa kanya. Ipinatong niya ang kanyang kamay sa akin. At sa sandaling magkadampi ang aming mga palad, alam kong nagkamali ako. Because touching her felt electric. Warm. Right. Giniya ko siya sa dan

最終更新日 : 2026-02-25

The Heartless Billionaire のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 11 - チャプター 14

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14