All Chapters of Mistress to my Ex's Billionaire Uncle : Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

After work the next morning, the night of the Hartwell Annual Legacy Gala arrives. The grand ballroom of the city’s most luxurious hotel looks freaking bright tonight. Crystal chandeliers hang from the high ceilings, casting golden light over silver trays, champagne glasses, and hundreds of powerful people dressed in tailored tuxedos and expensive designer gowns. The city's media and reporters interview some guests outside on the red carpet while soft classical music plays inside the ballroom. I slowly check myself out in a floor-to-ceiling mirror near the grand entrance. I’m wearing a burgundy silk dress that hugs my waist and hips before spilling softly to the marble floor. My hair is pinned up elegantly, exposing the diamond necklace on my collarbones. Beside me, Damien looks dashing and unreal in a custom black tuxedo, his arm wrapped possessively around my waist. "You're breathtaking," he kisses my bare shoulder, his deep voice suddenly turning me on. His warm breath brushes a

Fear and shock grips my chest as I stare at the bright screen of my phone.[‘You look a hot mess right now. Trouble in paradise, Aria?’] I read the message again and again. The caller was obviously at the gala tonight. This text message implies that he definitely saw Damien and me scream at each other on the stone steps. He probably saw the whole humiliating breakdown. I grip my phone tight, trying to fight off the urge to throw it out the window. I swipe the notification away, refusing to give whoever it is the satisfaction of a reply.When the taxi finally pulls up to Damien's penthouse, I walk through the lobby, brushing past the night bodyguards without a word.The moment the elevator doors slide open, I storm straight down the wide corridor and into Damien's bedroom. I pull my heavy suitcases out from the walk-in closet, letting them crash onto the floor.Tears run down my cheeks. I don't know what to believe anymore. This whole bond with Damien started off as a lie, and his reas

Thankfully, it is the weekend. Going to Damien's office after everything that happened would have been unbearable. I just need some time to calm down, and hopefully, this weekend will give me all the time I'll need.That being said, with my track record, it's not likely to be enough.Regardless of my repeated refusals, Elena somehow managed to persuade me to go to the mall with her. While our decision to dress to kill was certain, the problem was that my bank account was on its way to dying. With Papa Bear's ongoing case, I need to be frugal for now. I'm sitting on one of those plush chairs at the Dolce & Gabbana, while Elena tries on dresses she claims to be modest, but would definitely attract attention in the office. She puts one slim-fit dress in front of me.“This dress matches your eyes. We're taking this.”Before I can even open my mouth, she's already handed it to the sales attendant and moved on to the next rack.I sigh — louder than I mean to. Elena stops immediately, waves

“Something that could prove the innocence of your father.”I feel the air leave my lungs as though it has been forced out. I sit up straighter, making sure not to give away the joy in my voice. “Really?” My breathless voice says.Barrister Becker laughs at the other end, and his laugh itself seems to keep me calm. Whatever he has, it must be good for him to laugh.“No, but not another witness.” A pause. “We have something much better than that.”My heart stops for a beat. “What is it?”“I think it better to explain everything to you in person tomorrow.”“Tomorrow?”“Yes, tomorrow. Come to my house. Your father will be there too.”No second thoughts here. “Sure thing. I’ll be there.”“Okay, and Aria?”“Yes?”“Avoid getting too excited until we go through everything.”I can’t help but grin. “Will do.”“Goodnight.”“Goodnight, Barrister.”The call ends, and I am still looking at my phone for several moments before placing it slowly back in my lap.Elena lets out a scream on my side of th

The noise in my head gets louder. My heart is beating so loudly that all I can see is my father’s face becoming blurry and dimming at the edges, along with everything else.What am I supposed to do about this? What does it even mean?No, that’s not possible. It’s got to be some kind of joke.“Aria.”My father’s voice cuts through to me right before my legs buckle under me. His hands grab me before I have a chance to fall on the ground.“Aria, look at me.”I lean onto the pillar next to me instead, gasping for breath. “I’m fine.”I’m not. I’m dizzy. Everything seems wrong; my whole life turned upside down by this one sentence.“Your mother isn’t really your mother.”And how am I even supposed to interpret that?“What—” I manage to get out before pulling away from him and grabbing onto the rails for support. Not because I do not love him but because I do not understand anything at the moment, and I need something very solid to hold on to.He freezes, and I see the pain register in his e