All Chapters of CLAIMED BY HIS RIVAL FRIEND.: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

Williams dropped me off at home the next morning. I stood on the front porch of my mother's house, watching as his car pulled off, his eyes fixed on me the whole time, while his driver steered the wheel. “Take a day off. I need you alive and well”Those were his words. Even though I had given it a fight, I didn't want the staff at Banks Holdings thinking I ran off because of the trending pictures. But Williams was right, I needed rest. Especially as I had woken up yet another morning with a banging head, and a slightly high temperature. This was the third day in a row I was waking up in the morning with my body as heavy as lead. For a moment, I held my forehead in my palm and shut my eyes while my stomach rumbled low, sending nauseous waves up to my throat. The same ugly, metallic taste on my tongue just as last night. “Okay, boss,” I had replied, accepting the kind offer. At least, this would give me enough time to do a little shopping for the upcoming TerraNova-UrbanAxis trip…

I knew this impromptu meeting with Maya wasn’t going to end well for Amila and me. I wouldn’t hear the last of it. The moment Maya walked past us with those luxury shopping bags swinging from her fingers, something inside my chest cracked open. But not only that bothered me, but this Maya was new, different from the soft-spoken Maya I had always known.Where did she get all that boldness from? She had stood in front of me and thrown those sharp words like she had been saving them for years. That was definitely Williams’ touch. He had given her wings to fly, and she was doing really great at it.My throat tightened as I watched her hair sway until she disappeared through the glass doors at the end of the hallway. Different thoughts crashed through my mind all at once. I had no idea how long I stood staring in that direction until a hard slap landed across my cheek. The sound was low, but the sting burned deep into my skin, almost causing my eyes to redden. It was Amila.How dare she

Tomorrow, we leave for the trip. Williams had made a few calls getting the private jet ready as we stepped out of the car and into the lobby of Banks Holdings. I headed straight for the elevator, with Patra giving that friendly smile. I returned it, face straight toward the elevator. “Ms. Delaney,” someone called from behind. I spun, it was Jeff. I paused. He walked up to me with his usual polite smile, but I was in no mood to return it. Williams took the executive elevator while I stood there, eager to hear Jeff speak and act like he cared. “How are you faring?” he asked. “You weren’t at work yesterday. Everything okay?” I peered into his eyes. The words I wanted to say burned on my tongue, but not here in the open lobby, with eyes still on my skin, like they were waiting for me to flare, run, or cry. But I knew one thing, there was no way I was boarding the same jet with this man tomorrow morning without knowing who he really was. It had been hard enough breathing the sa

The morning air felt cooler than usual, moving through my hair in a way that made it cover my face as I stood on the tarmac beside the sleek private jet. I spun a little, surprised at the bold inscription “BANKS” written on the body. The Banks family wasn't really out to play.My suitcase rested beside me, wheels locked on the smooth concrete. The wind tugged at the hem of my light trench coat, but I kept my chin high. This trip wasn’t just about the project. It was about proving to myself, and to everyone else that I belonged here, that I deserved the position Williams had placed me in.Williams stood a few feet away, talking quietly with the pilot. He looked sharp in a casual navy shirt and dark trousers, sleeves rolled up like always. Even under the cold weather that looked like it was about to rain, this man had yanked off his jacket still. Our eyes met for a second. He gave me a small, warm smile, the kind that still made my stomach flutter even after everything. I looked away

The sun beat down on the vast construction site as our convoy of SUVs pulled up to the secured perimeter. Dust swirled in the air, mixing with the sharp smell of fresh concrete and heavy machinery. This was no ordinary boardroom meeting. Today was the first official field inspection for the UrbanAxis project at the selected site. I stepped out of the car, adjusting my hard hat and safety vest. The dress from yesterday was gone, replaced by practical jeans, a crisp white shirt, and sturdy boots. Something befitting for the fieldwork. I fished my bag frantically, searching for the nose mask I thought I had slipped in, there was no way I was going to leave this field without falling sick if I didn't find that nose mask. I had always been prone to dust mites. An allergy that was discovered when I was a child. And somehow, life still did its thing, because how on earth could someone with such a serious allergic reaction to dust fall in love with a job like mine? Roaming the field a