All Chapters of The Billionaire's Secret Daughter: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

ANDREA I arrived at Rhodes Fashion House early the next morning, my resolve firm but my nerves frayed because I was still very much anxious about working so closely with Julian. I had spent the night tossing, turning, and dreading the month ahead, knowing that everything could go wrong with just one wrong move. I was not only scared about him finding out about Diane, but I was also scared about falling for him. I wasn't too arrogant to believe it was impossible. He was after all, the man who had given me the best sex of my life, and all these years whenever I pleasured myself, I fantasized about his touch even though I couldn't remember his face clearly. Today marked the beginning of my project with him, and I was determined to maintain my professionalism, despite our complicated past. As I approached his office, I took a deep breath and knocked on the door since Julian had given his secretary strict orders to always let me in whenever I arrived as long as he didn't have c

VERONICAI had been thinking about Andrea all day.Something felt off, and I couldn't quite put my finger on it. She had been distant lately, more guarded than usual, and every time I tried to get close, she found a way to create more distance between us. It bothered me more than I cared to admit.I had dressed quickly, determined to go see her, hoping that showing up would break through whatever wall she had put up. As I made my way downstairs, I heard my mom's voice, low and careful, as though she was wrapping up a conversation she didn't want anyone to hear.She dropped the call the moment she sensed my presence and turned abruptly when she heard my voice behind her.“Mom?”She turned quickly at the sound of my voice, and though her expression smoothed out almost immediately, I caught the brief flicker of surprise that passed through her eyes.“Who was that on the phone?” I asked, my curiosity laced with something sharper now, something that bordered on suspicion.There was a pa

ANDREAI sat down, trying to suppress the anger boiling within me. I didn't know what infuriated me more, Julian’s arrogance, or the fact that he was right. I couldn't afford a scene at the company."Fine. Let's get this over with," I muttered, picking up my menu and pretending to be engrossed in it."That's the spirit," Julian said, his smile widening as he signaled the waiter over.We ordered our meals, and the atmosphere at the table was thick with tension. I focused on my breathing, trying to keep calm and collected despite his presence. I knew I had to play along, at least for now."So, tell me, Andrea, have you gotten a place yet?" he asked, attempting to strike up a conversation as our drinks were served."Not your business," I muttered."I don't suppose you're still at the Rose Hotel, are you?" he asked. My eyes widened slightly in surprise, which made him smile."What? You thought I wouldn't know where you moved after leaving my hotel? I don't intend to have you disappear o

MARCUSMy jaw locked so tightly it began to ache as I watched Andrea’s retreating figure disappear down the hallway.There was something about the way she walked, steady, unbothered, almost calculated, that only fueled the storm brewing inside me. But beneath the anger, sharp and immediate, something else lingered… something far more unsettling.Confusion.I couldn’t reconcile the woman I had just seen with the girl I remembered.Six years ago, Andrea had been warm, soft-spoken, almost too kind for the world she lived in. She had laughed easily, trusted too quickly, and looked at people like she believed they could never hurt her.Now?Now she looked like someone who had learned exactly how much damage people were capable of, and had decided never to be on the receiving end again.What was she up to? I mused as I turned on my heel and headed for Julian's office, my anger barely contained as my mind raced with questions. Why was Andrea still involved with the company and with Julian

VERONICAMarcus’s head slowly turned back toward me, his jaw tightening as his fingers brushed against the side of his face where I had slapped him.“What the hell was that for?” he demanded, his eyes burning, whether from the sting or the anger, I couldn’t tell.I didn’t flinch.Instead, I leaned forward slightly, my gaze cold and unyielding.“Is that nonsense you were just ranting about really important right now?” I snapped. “Who cares why she called off the wedding or the engagement? That’s ancient history.”My voice dropped, sharp and deliberate.“We’re talking about now, Marcus. The present. Not some useless, pathetic past.”The words hung heavily between us, thick with tension.He stared at me, his expression darkening, but I didn’t give him the chance to interrupt.“If you were thinking clearly,” I continued, my tone cutting, “you’d understand that we need to figure out what changed. What happened to her. Why is she different?”I tapped my fingers lightly against my knee, my m