บททั้งหมดของ THE BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: บทที่ 11 - บทที่ 16

The conference room was cold, sterile, and filled with the rustle of paper as four lawyers sat across from Sophia and Alexander. It had been exactly twenty-four hours since he’d made his proposal, and she’d spent every minute poring over the numbers, consulting with her own legal team, and staring at the ultrasound photos tucked in her purse. Sophia had promised to give her answer to Alexander’s acquisition proposal within twenty-four hours, warning him that betrayal would have severe consequences.“Let’s begin with the acquisition terms,” Marcus Chen—no relation to Sophia, but her trusted legal counsel for three years—said, sliding a redlined draft across the table. “The upfront payment of twenty million is non-negotiable, but we’ve added a clause requiring Cross Industries to place ten million in an escrow account for Chen Couture’s future expansion—no strings attached.”Alexander’s lawyer, a sharp-dressed woman named Victoria Hayes, leaned forward. “We agree to the escrow account,

The mahogany table in Cross Industries’ executive boardroom gleamed under overhead lights as the final, bound copies of the contract were laid out—four identical stacks, each with a wax seal embossed with the Cross family crest and the Chen Couture star. Sophia’s counteroffer had been accepted, and Alexander had added his own clause to protect their children.“Before we sign,” Victoria Hayes said, her voice formal as she addressed the room, “there is one additional document to acknowledge.” She slid a thin folder across the table—MARRIAGE CONTRACT – CROSS/CHEN.Sophia’s jaw tightened. “We didn’t discuss this.”“The board insisted,” Alexander said, standing to face her. “If we’re to consolidate the companies and protect both from the syndicate’s legal challenges, a marital union provides the strongest possible shield. It’s purely a business arrangement—no shared assets beyond what’s outlined in the acquisition contract, no personal obligations beyond what we agree to.”He opened the

The morning sun streamed through the penthouse windows as Sophia sat at the kitchen table in her private wing, reviewing sketches for the Northern Lights collection’s New York debut. Luna and Stella were asleep in their nursery, and Maya had just left for the bakery—leaving Sophia alone with her thoughts and the quiet hum of the city below.A soft knock on the door made her look up. Standing in the doorway was a woman in her fifties, with kind brown eyes and silver-streaked black hair pulled back in a neat bun. She held a tray with fresh coffee and warm croissants.“Ms. Chen? I’m Rosa. I was hired as the nanny—Mr. Cross said you’d be needing help with the little ones.”Sophia set down her pencil, surprised. She hadn’t agreed to a nanny—hadn’t even discussed it with Alexander. “I wasn’t told about this.”“Mr. Cross said he wanted to make sure you had support,” Rosa said gently, setting the tray down. “He mentioned you’ve been working long hours, and with the board vote coming up… well,