All Chapters of The CEO's Secret Substitute: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Elena Carter had exactly seven days left to save her family. Seven days before the bank took everything. She stood across the street from Blackwood Enterprises, staring at the enormous glass building that seemed to disappear into the clouds. The headquarters of one of the richest families in the city. The Blackwoods. Elena tightened her grip around the envelope in her hands. She had spent the entire morning convincing herself not to come here. But then she remembered her mother's trembling hands when she had opened the bank's final notice. She remembered her father's silence. Most of all, she remembered the restaurant that had belonged to their family for twenty-three years. The place where Elena had grown up. The place where her sister, Mia, had once laughed beside her. And now, it was about to disappear. Elena took a deep breath. "Just get through this." She crossed the street. Inside Blackwood Enterprises, everything looked expensive. Marble floors. Crystal lights

Lena barely slept that night. The confidential acquisition proposal Alexander had given her was spread across her small dining table. Numbers, contracts, financial reports, and company profiles covered almost every inch of the surface. She rubbed her tired eyes. “Who gives someone one night to analyze all this?” Alexander Blackwood. Of course. She sighed and continued reading. There was something strange about the acquisition. Blackwood International was planning to purchase a smaller technology company called Veyron Solutions. On paper, the company looked profitable. But the numbers didn't match. Lena frowned. She checked the financial statements again. Then again. There it was. A hidden liability. Someone had transferred a large amount of debt into a subsidiary three years ago. If Blackwood International completed the acquisition without discovering it, the company could lose millions. Lena immediately grabbed her laptop. She worked until almost three in the morni

Lena couldn’t move.Her eyes remained fixed on the photograph in her trembling hands.Two little girls.One was her.The other was Elena.And standing behind them was her mother, smiling as if the three of them had never known anything but happiness.But Lena remembered nothing.She slowly looked at the woman standing in front of her.“My sister?”Elena nodded.“Yes.”Lena shook her head.“No. That’s impossible.”“I know it sounds impossible.”“My mother only had me.”“That’s what you were told.”Lena’s fingers tightened around the photograph.She looked at Alexander.“You knew.”He didn’t deny it.That silence hurt more than anything.“You knew about her.”“Yes.”“How long?”Alexander lowered his eyes.“Since before you came to work for me.”Lena stared at him.“You knew my sister was alive, and you never told me?”“I was trying to protect you.”“Protect me from what?”Alexander stepped closer.“From the people who wanted to find her.”Elena suddenly laughed bitterly.“Still the same

Lena stared at Alexander.For several seconds, neither of them spoke.The letter in her hands suddenly felt heavier than it should have.“My father knew your family?”Alexander looked away.“Yes.”“And he told me not to trust you.”“I know.”Lena’s voice trembled.“Then why should I trust you?”Alexander closed the car door and stepped back.“You shouldn’t.”His answer shocked her.“What?”“You shouldn't trust anyone right now. Not me. Not Marcus. Not even people who claim to be protecting you.”Elena looked at Alexander carefully.“Then tell her the truth.”Alexander remained silent.Lena stepped out of the vehicle.“No more secrets.”Alexander looked at her.“You really want to know?”“Yes.”“Even if the truth changes everything?”“I'd rather know the truth than live another lie.”Alexander took a slow breath.“My father knew yours.”Lena waited.“They were business partners twenty-five years ago. Together, they built a company called Veyron-Reyes Holdings.”Elena nodded.“That comp

Lena couldn't breathe.“Someone from my own family?”Adrian's words echoed inside her head.She wanted to ask a hundred questions, but only one name came to mind.“Alexander.”Adrian looked at her.“If we don't move now, he may not survive the night.”Lena's heart dropped.“Then let's go.”Adrian nodded.They rushed outside.“Wait,” Elena said.Lena turned.“What?”“You can't go alone.”Adrian looked at Elena.“You stay here.”“No.”Elena stepped forward.“I lost my sister once. I'm not losing her again.”Lena's eyes softened.“Then we go together.”Adrian unlocked an old black car parked behind the mansion.They climbed inside.As Adrian started the engine, Lena looked at him.“You said someone from my family was responsible.”“Yes.”“Who?”Adrian's hands tightened around the steering wheel.“I don't know for certain.”“You just said it.”“I said your enemy is connected to your family. I didn't say I knew who.”Lena frowned.“Then how are we supposed to trust you?”“You shouldn't.”S