All Chapters of The Billionaire's Marriage Investement : Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

Ryder had barely returned to his office when Sam came in with the latest report.Victoria was already sitting across from Ryder’s desk, her laptop open and her phone beside it. The press conference had ended less than an hour ago, yet she was already dealing with another round of calls from investors who wanted answers she did not have.Sam placed the tablet on the desk and opened the report. “We’ve narrowed down several possible access points, but we still can’t identify the exact device that started the attack.”Ryder asked. “How many possible points?”“Three. Your office, Mr. Rocco’s office, and Rita’s office.” Sam answered. Victoria released a tired breath and leaned back in her chair. “So it’s Rita.”Sam glanced toward her before looking back at Ryder. “We can’t say that yet.”“I know,” Victoria replied, rubbing her forehead. “I’m saying it’s obvious.”Ryder looked at the information on the tablet again. “What have you found on the three devices?”“Nothing strong enou

“She wants to meet you,” Julius said. “In person. Face to face.”“No,” Ryder replied.“I told her that. She smiled.” Julius paused before continuing. “You know I’m not someone who scares easily. I’ve watched that woman charm half a room and destroy the other half without changing her expression. But when she smiled, Ryder, I felt something was wrong.”“Felt what?” Ryder asked.“That she wasn’t asking.”Victoria pressed herself flat against the wall. Her heels were still in her hand, and she was very aware of how ridiculous this was, standing in a corridor in her socked feet while listening through a wall like she was in one of Julie’s novels. She was also aware that she wasn’t moving, because the moment she had heard Serena’s name, curiosity had taken over.“Serena has always been theatrical,” Ryder said. “Everything she does is designed to create a specific reaction.”“I know that. I’ve known it since university.” Julius sounded quieter now, and the easy humor Victoria had com

Victoria wasn’t the only one frustrated with Ryder. Ryder was also frustrated with himself.He had spent the entire night trying to understand why touching Victoria’s wrist had felt like such a natural thing to do.It had started as concern. At least that was what he told himself.She had been tense, exhausted, and clearly had something on her mind. He had noticed the way she kept rubbing her fingers together while talking, the way she avoided looking at him whenever she mentioned EVANGELINE, and the way her shoulders had remained stiff even after he assured her that the company was doing well.So he had reached for her.That should have been all.Instead, he had stood there with his fingers around her wrist, feeling her pulse beneath his thumb, and forgotten for a moment that Victoria was supposed to be his wife because of a contract.He had forgotten the contract entirely.That was the problem.Ryder sat behind his desk the following morning with his laptop open in front

Victoria had decided, somewhere between her second and third investor call of the morning, that she deserved this.This café was her safe space. She has stumbled upon it, back when she was distraught and constantly looking for ways to fund EVANGELINE. It sat on a quiet side street, small enough to feel personal and busy enough to feel alive. The chairs were comfortable, the coffee was excellent, and the staff were polite. She had a sandwich, a latte, and her phone face down on the table.The phone was face down on purpose, so she wouldn’t be tempted to look at work. Now was time for rest. Victoria watched the street through the window while she ate. A woman walked past with a dog so large that it was practically dragging her along. A couple stood outside the florist across the road, arguing pleasantly about something neither of them seemed particularly upset about. A cyclist nearly ran a red light before thinking better of it and stopping at the crossing.Victoria exhaled a s

The Lake Legacy Ceremony was nothing like Victoria had imagined.For one thing, she had expected to feel nervous.She had spent the past three weeks preparing for this evening, going through speeches with Derek, memorising names, studying the seating arrangements, learning which guests were major shareholders and which ones were simply important enough to make Rocco Lake care about where they sat.She had expected her stomach to twist the moment she stepped into the ballroom.Instead, she felt strangely calm.Perhaps it was because she had already imagined this moment a hundred times.Or perhaps it was because Ryder was beside her.Victoria adjusted her fingers around his arm as they walked through the entrance of the ballroom.The room was enormous, with chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling and long tables covered in white linen. The walls were lined with paintings, each one carefully positioned beneath soft lighting. Waiters moved between the guests with trays of champagn