Semua Bab Bound By A Billion-Dollar Lie: Bab 121 - Bab 130

Nikolai POVI returned straight to the office, and the sight that greeted me made me instantly want to turn around and just leave immediately.There was a bulk load of files stacked on my desk, towering like a mountain of paperwork that had somehow multiplied in my absence. Contracts. Reports. Legal documents. Each one demands my attention and each one seems to be more tedious than the last.I sat down, running a hand through my hair. "Elias," I called.He appeared in the doorway, his expression carefully neutral. "Sir?""What is all this?"He stepped closer, gesturing at the stack. "These are the files that have accumulated during your extended stay in Athens and they require your immediate attention.""Immediate? They can't be extended further?""No, sir. You've been gone for over a week. These files can't be put off any longer." He paused, a hint of accusation in his voice. "You brought this on yourself by staying an extra week and a Day"I glared at him. "I didn't ask for your opi

Anastasia's POVI left Zara’s home with lots of thoughts running through my mind. I honestly have no idea why I was going through with Zara’s crazy plan but I guess that's what friends do for each other.I love her and that has become the driving force for why I'm going through with this crazy plan.My phone ringing brought me back, the screen displayed a strange number. I was hesitant about picking up the call but I summoned up courage and answered the phone call, placing it over my ear.“Hello? Anastasia Reed on the phone.”“Hello Anastasia.” The familiar voice said from the other end of the phone.My mood immediately became sour upon hearing the voice that spoke through the phone. She was the least person I was expecting to call me.“What do you fucking want Bianca?” I asked, irritated by the fact that she had called me. “I see you've changed your number, is this another number that you can use to scam people all over again?”“I honestly do not want to fight with you right now, but

Anastasia POVNothing ever seems to go my way, it's from one thing to another. By the time I got home I was in a completely foul mood.Every step I took felt heavier than the last, the weight of Bianca's revelations pressing down on my shoulders like a physical burden. She got involved with a drug lord, and has a debt of 1.5 million pounds. My grandmother's life hanging in the balance because of my sister's reckless choices and not thinking about others except for herself. The entire situation had my emotions tied in knots, twisting and tightening until I could barely breathe.The penthouse was quiet when I walked in, the only sound I could hear was the soft hum of the air conditioning breaking the silence. I kicked off my heels, not bothering to put them away, and made a beeline for the kitchen.My hands moved on autopilot, grabbing a bottle of red wine from the rack and a glass from the cabinet. I didn't bother with the formalities of letting it breathe. I just poured and drank.The

Anastasia POVTwo days had slipped through my fingers like sand, and now the afternoon of the yacht party had arrived with an unwelcome finality.I stood in front of the full-length mirror in my bedroom, a cluster of dresses draped across the bed behind me, each one discarded after a moment of scrutiny. Zara was perched on the edge of the mattress, her legs crossed, her chin resting on her palm as she watched me cycle through my options."The emerald one," she said for the third time. "The one with the plunging neckline. It makes your eyes look like they're glowing."I held it up, studying my reflection. The fabric was rich and luxurious, the color deep and vibrant. It was beautiful and is also completely wrong for the mood I was in."I still think this whole thing is a terrible idea," I muttered, tossing the dress aside. "I can't believe I let you talk me into this."Zara rolled her eyes, but there was no malice in it. "You didn't let me talk you into anything. You agreed because you

Anastasia's POVIt was the way he just stood there looking at me dumbfounded that irked me so much. Why wasn't he saying anything? Why wasn't he defending himself? Say something God damnit, Nikolai.I felt an arm wrapped around my waist and turned to see Zara standing beside me. She must have seen the situation and decided to come to my rescue.She pulled me aside from them. “What the fuck is Nikolai doing here? You sounded so sure that he wasn't coming, I thought he had a beef with Damon?” She asked, waiting for an answer from me.“And he even had the guts to come with the goddamn bitch, Leona? What's going on babes?”“Honestly I wish I had the answers to your question, but I'm as equally confused as you are and I'm pissed, irritated at him right now.” I replied, glancing at Nikolai who was already being dragged into the crowd by Leona.“I think the best thing to do right now, is that we lay low, avoid unnecessary attention and trouble that would arise from this uncomfortable situati