All Chapters of Pregnant After Signing the Billionaire’s One-Year Contract.: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

‎‎By evening, the city was buzzing.‎‎Every major news channel carried the same announcement.‎‎Adrian Cole would hold a live press conference.‎‎It had been scheduled only a few hours earlier, but the response was explosive. Reporters rushed to the Cole Group headquarters. Cameras were set up. Journalists whispered to one another, guessing what the powerful CEO would say.‎‎Some expected a denial.‎‎Some expected an attack on Blackridge.‎‎But no one knew the truth.‎‎Inside the private elevator, Ava stood beside Adrian.‎‎Her hands were clasped together.‎‎She had changed into a simple white dress. Nothing flashy. Nothing dramatic. Just calm and dignified.‎‎Adrian noticed the tension in her fingers.‎‎“Are you nervous?” he asked quietly.‎‎Ava looked up at him honestly.‎‎“Yes.”‎‎Adrian studied her for a moment.‎‎“That’s normal,” he said.‎‎The elevator continued descending.‎‎Ava inhaled slowly.‎‎“Thousands of people will be watching.”‎‎“Millions,” Adrian c

‎‎The next morning began with chaos.‎‎Financial news channels were already broadcasting urgent updates.‎‎“Breaking News: Blackridge Launches Aggressive Share Acquisition Against Cole Group.”‎‎Across global markets, investors watched the numbers climb.‎‎Twenty-one percent.‎‎Twenty-three percent.‎‎Twenty-five percent.‎‎Inside the Cole Group headquarters, the strategy room was alive with activity. Screens displayed real-time stock prices, trading patterns, and investor reactions.‎‎Daniel stood near the main screen, his eyes focused.‎‎“They’re moving faster than expected,” he reported.‎‎Adrian sat calmly at the head of the table, his fingers lightly tapping the surface.‎‎“How much now?”‎‎Daniel checked again.‎‎“Twenty-seven percent.”‎‎Ava stood beside the window, watching the city below. The morning sun reflected off the glass towers, making everything look calm and peaceful.‎‎But inside the building, the tension was rising.‎‎“They’re really trying to take

‎‎Morning came with tension in the air.‎‎The financial markets opened earlier than usual in Adrian’s mind. He had barely slept, but his mind was clear. Wars—corporate or personal—were never won by rest alone. They were won by timing.‎‎Adrian stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in his office as sunlight slowly covered the city skyline.‎‎Behind him, Daniel walked in with a tablet and two cups of coffee.‎‎“The market opened five minutes ago,” Daniel said.‎‎Adrian didn’t turn around.‎‎“And?”‎‎Daniel glanced at the screen.‎‎“Blackridge stock dropped another twelve percent.”‎‎That finally made Adrian turn.‎‎“Investors are pulling out?”‎‎Daniel nodded.‎‎“Yes. The regulatory investigation news leaked earlier than expected.”‎‎Adrian took the coffee calmly.‎‎“That was inevitable.”‎‎Daniel walked closer.‎‎“Their offshore accounts are being frozen temporarily until the investigation finishes.”‎‎Adrian’s eyes narrowed slightly.‎‎“That will hurt them.”

‎‎Aurora stared at the photograph as if it might suddenly disappear.‎‎Her fingers trembled slightly.‎‎The picture was old, the edges worn and faded. But the faces were clear.‎‎Her father.‎‎Adrian’s father.‎‎And herself.‎‎She looked much younger, maybe in her early twenties, standing between the two powerful men. They were smiling like proud fathers.‎‎Aurora’s heart tightened.‎‎“I don’t remember this photo being taken,” she whispered.‎‎Ethan leaned closer to see it.‎‎“Where did they find this?”‎‎Aurora slowly turned the photograph over again.‎‎The red words glared at her like a warning.‎‎“The past never stays buried.”‎‎Adrian’s voice broke the silence.‎‎“This wasn’t random.”‎‎Aurora looked up sharply.‎‎“You think someone broke into my house just to leave this?”‎‎Adrian nodded.‎‎“Yes.”‎‎Ethan frowned.‎‎“That makes no sense. Why break in just to drop a photo?”‎‎Adrian’s expression became serious.‎‎“Because it’s not just a photo.”‎‎Aurora n

‎‎Aurora’s words hung in the air.‎‎“It’s Victor.”‎‎Adrian stared at the photograph again, his eyes narrowing as he leaned closer.‎‎At first, the shadowy figure looked like nothing more than a blur in the background.‎‎But now that Aurora had pointed it out, it became impossible to ignore.‎‎A tall man.‎‎Standing behind the three of them.‎‎Half hidden by a tree.‎‎Ethan squinted.‎‎“I still can’t see his face clearly.”‎‎Aurora pointed again.‎‎“Look at the height… and the posture.”‎‎Adrian studied the image silently.‎‎Aurora continued softly,‎‎“I remember someone standing there that day.”‎‎Adrian looked at her sharply.‎‎“You remember him?”‎‎Aurora nodded slowly.‎‎“Yes.”‎‎Ethan looked confused.‎‎“Then why didn’t you mention it earlier?”‎‎Aurora frowned.‎‎“Because I didn’t know who he was.”‎‎She looked down at the photo again.‎‎“My father told me he was just a guest.”‎‎Adrian’s voice was calm but tense.‎‎“And now?”‎‎Aurora met his eyes.‎