Semua Bab The mafia ceo's substitute bride : Bab 31 - Bab 40

[ SAMANTHA'S POV ]The door closed with a quiet click, and the room went completely still. David was gone.I sank onto the edge of the bed, my legs shaking so hard I couldn't stand. I buried my face in my hands, trying to calm my fast, heavy breathing. The gold Arthur family crest kept flashing in my mind like a bad dream.A few minutes later, a soft knock came at the door."Miss Samantha?" a gentle voice called out.The door opened, and Chloe walked inside with a warm smile. Behind her, two staff members rolled in tall racks filled with breathtaking evening dresses, followed by professional makeup artists carrying light-up mirrors and cosmetics boxes. There were rich green silks, shining gold satins, deep red velvets, and dark blue gowns each one looking like it cost a small fortune."Mr. Kingsley asked us to bring these for you," Chloe said softly, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "He wants you to choose whatever dress you like best tonight, Miss. You do not have to wear an

[ DAVID'S POV ]"We owe this entire evening to your remarkable partnership, David," Arthur said, holding up a crystal glass of expensive wine with a big, fake smile. "Our family could not be more grateful for your help.""I am fine, Arthur," I answered coldly.I did not smile back. My eyes moved past his shoulder, searching the crowded ballroom. Samantha was nowhere in sight.A sharp, unpleasant feeling twisted deep in my stomach. My mind went straight back to the quiet marble hallway fifteen minutes ago. I remembered the way her shoulders hit the cold stone wall, the wet makeup running down her pale face, and the desperate way her trembling hand reached for my sleeve.I had knocked her hand away as if she were dirt. I had leaned close to her face and called her a shameless liar.She tricked me, I told myself, trying to harden my heart against the memory of her crying eyes. She acted like a victim at my house just to make me feel sorry for her, while her family is out here loving her.

[ DANIEL'S POV ]The humid Atlanta air hit my chest the second I stepped out of Hartsfield‑Jackson international arrivals. I threw my heavy leather duffel bag into the back of my truck, ripped off my jacket, and slammed the door shut. Three long months in Geneva handling tedious corporate arbitration was enough to turn anyone's brain to dust, but the moment my phone reconnected to the local network, a flood of missed calls and news alerts lit up the glass screen.I tapped the top notification. My thumb froze instantly.KINGSLEY ENTERPRISE MERGER CONFIRMED: DAVID KINGSLEY MARRIES SAMANTHA VANCE IN PRIVATE CEREMONY."What the hell?" I muttered into the quiet cabin of the truck.I tapped the screen, opening the photograph attached to the headline. It showed David Kingsley leaving a private courthouse, his tall, broad frame looming over Samantha like a shadow. His face was cold, impassive, and completely unreadable. Samantha stood beside him in a simple, high‑necked dress, her small hands

[ DANIEL'S POV ]I didn't waste a single second after leaving my office. By six in the morning, I was parked in an unmarked dark SUV across from the organic produce market in North Atlanta the exact place where the Kingsley estate staff did their weekly morning runs.My researcher had confirmed that Sophia, the head housekeeper who had taken a quiet liking to Samantha, came here every Monday morning at seven sharp to stock the estate kitchen.I kept my eyes glued to the glass doors of the market. Rain was still drizzling down, blurring the streetlights, but at 7:05 AM, a silver estate van pulled into the side alley. Sophia stepped out, holding a large woven basket and pulling her raincoat hood over her head.I reached into my pocket, my fingers wrapping around the small, slim black burner phone. It was completely encrypted, hardcoded with only one direct line to my personal mobile, and untraceable by David Kingsley's security network.I opened the SUV door, pulled my cap low, and step

[ DANIEL'S POV ]I stopped pacing and pressed the satellite phone hard against my ear. Outside my office window, the Atlanta skyline was just turning a bruised, watery gray as dawn crept over the tall glass towers. The cold morning light cut through the blinds, casting long shadows across the room. Across the mahogany desk, Marcus sat hunched over stacks of evidence, his tie loosened, sticking red warning tabs onto thick manila folders filled with bank transfers, offshore routing slips, and certified court filings."Sammy?" I kept my voice low, keeping every ounce of strain out of my tone. "Are you still there?""I'm here," her voice came back through the encrypted speaker. It was small, fragile, and scratchy from hours of crying, but the blind panic that usually choked her words had finally stopped. "Sophia locked the master door from the outside. She's in the hallway right now with her cleaning cart, making sure nobody comes near. David... David left the house early."I let out a sl