All Chapters of The Billionaire's Hidden Son-in-Law: Chapter 21
- Chapter 30
39 chapters
Chapter 21: Reason for the Struggle
Sonia was not smiling.They had barely sat down at the reserved table inside the quiet lounge when she leaned forward, eyes fixed on Michael, arms crossed over her chest.“What really happened back there, Michael?” she asked, her voice firm. “Those women—the way they acted, the tension between all of you... what’s going on?”Michael sighed and glanced around. People were beginning to turn their heads towards them. Some recognized him, others just sensed something was off. But Sonia didn’t care. Her eyes remained locked on him.“Calm down, babe. Can we not do this here?” he said softly.“No. If we don’t do it now, I might explode. And I don’t want to embarrass you, Michael. So explain. I need to know.”Michael looked into her eyes. She was serious. Her tone, her body language, everything screamed she wasn’t letting it go. So he nodded gently.“Okay… I’ll tell you.”He leaned back slightly and began.“I was married to Sophia, as you already know, not out of love, but because her father
Chapter 22: The Offer
Michael was seated at the head of the table in one of the executive lounges of Ainsley Tower, surrounded by five prominent investors. Their conversation was intense, filled with figures, projections, and strategies that stretched across real estate, tech innovation, and international expansion.One of the men, a bald man with grey eyes, leaned forward. “Mr. Ainsley, this model you’re presenting, if it scales the way you say it will, we’re looking at doubling our returns within eighteen months.”Michael nodded, calm and confident. “Not just double, sir. If we lock down the licensing with eTitan before the quarter ends, the tech integration will boost our global reach by over 60%.”Another investor, a woman with short braids and glasses, tapped her pen on the table. “You’re saying your AI model can handle customer data, logistics, and international currency conversions seamlessly?”“We’ve been testing it across five continents for over seven months,” Michael replied. “So far, the data
Chapter 23: The First Hearing
"Don't tell me you've already agreed to this ridiculous offer?" Michael’s voice thundered through the room, his eyes wide with disbelief and rage fixed on his lawyer.Nathan shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his eyes darting from Michael to Sophia and then back to the envelope in his hand."I haven't agreed to anything, Michael," Nathan said calmly, though his voice carried hesitation. "That's why I called you here. It is your decision to make."Before Michael could press further, Sophia leaned forward, her face red with frustration. "What exactly do you want from us, Michael? You want more than twenty percent? Should we give you everything?"Michael chuckled and turned slowly to her, shaking his head. "What I want is what your father wanted. I want the truth respected. I want his will, his real will, honored. Can you do that?"Sophia folded her arms and leaned back, her expression unreadable. “My father is no more, Michael. You should wake up to reality and stop chasing ghosts.”Mi
Chapter 24: The Crown Within Reach
It was a season of high tension and bold moves in the business world, and Eagles Speed, one of the most prestigious automobile companies across the globe, was making headlines again. The company had just unveiled a new project—an ambitious, cutting-edge electric vehicle launch that promised to redefine the automobile market. Naturally, this attracted hundreds of reputable firms, all hungry for a piece of the action, and for many, winning a contract with Eagles Speed was not just about business, but rather prestige.Eagles Speed was owned by the well-known business mogul and Mayor aspirant - Colline White, and was currently being managed by his daughter, Sonia White, who took over as CEO two years ago. Since her appointment, the company had expanded rapidly, shaking grounds with its innovation and speed to deliver. She had become a reference point for young women in business at her twenty-three years of age, and it was no surprise that this project had the whole city talking.Amon
Chapter 25: Another Blow
They were ushered to the conference floor by a calm-faced secretary in a navy blue suit. But rather than being taken in immediately, Sophia and Angela were asked to wait at a corner close to the boardroom.Sophia noticed a man already seated near the entrance, his posture calm, eyes focused on his phone. The confidence he exuded was unsettling. That had to be the representative from the other company shortlisted for the project. She greeted politely. He returned it with a nod and soft smile before looking away.From the way everything was arranged, it was clear that the company’s top executives were already seated inside, possibly waiting to begin. That unsettled Sophia. Was she late? Was her lateness going to be counted against her?She gently pulled her sleeve and checked her wristwatch. 8:21am. She was nine minutes early. The presentation wasn’t until 8:30am. She sighed and forced herself to relax. Anxiety wasn’t going to help now.Angela, standing beside her, could sense her b
Chapter 26: The Edge of Control
"Cancel all my schedules for the next two hours," Sophia said as she stormed into the reception area of the company. Her voice was tight, sharp, and dangerous.Angela shuddered. “Ma, you have a meeting by 10:30 with Mr. Frost from Frost Group—”Sophia spun around so fast that Angela almost stepped back in fear. Her eyes were red, her lips trembling from frustration.“What is it about my instructions did you not understand?” she asked, her voice low but heavy with suppressed anger. “Or do you want to lose your job too?”Angela flinched. “No ma, I’m sorry,” she said quietly, bowing her head in apology.Sophia walked straight out, the heels of her shoes hitting the tiled floor like a warning. Angela followed closely behind, trying to keep up.She reached the car and was about to open the back door when she noticed Angela trying to follow her inside. That was it."What the hell are you doing?” Sophia shouted, her voice startling the driver who was already seated. Angela froze on the spot
Chapter 27: Dark Shadows
Sonia leaned back in her leather chair, her manicured fingers drumming lightly on the desk as she held the phone to her ear. Her voice carried that familiar teasing edge.“Guess who just left my company,” she said, stretching the sentence like she wanted to build suspense.On the other end, Michael’s tone was distracted, as though his mind was already occupied with a dozen other things. “I’m not good at guessing. Just tell me.”“No,” Sonia replied with a little laugh, “you have to try. Guess.”He gave an audible sigh, half amused, half impatient. “The Governor?”Sonia burst into laughter at the randomness. “You’re terrible!”“I told you,” Michael replied, his tone calm but faintly amused. “So, can you tell me now?”Sonia straightened a little in her seat, her voice lowering but still carrying that playful note. “It’s your wife.”The word wife had barely left her lips before the call went dead. The abruptness made her pause mid-smile. She stared at the phone in her hand, confused for a
Chapter 28: A Cruel Celebration
At first, she thought it was coming from somewhere down the street, perhaps a neighbour’s gathering, but as she walked closer to the house, the sound grew sharper, more distinct, as though it was pressing against the walls and spilling through the windows.Sophia stepped down from the car, her heels clicking softly against the paved driveway. The late evening breeze brushed lightly across her face, carrying with it a faint but steady pulse of music. She paused, frowning.“Is there any party going on in the house?” she asked the driver, her tone flat.The man glanced at her through the rearview mirror, his brow slightly raised. “I don’t know, ma,” he replied. His voice carried no hint of humour or curiosity, only the simple truth that he had no idea what was happening inside.Sophia stood still for a few seconds, listening. The music was loud enough to make her jaw tighten. The kind of loudness that ignored the existence of peace. She scanned the driveway. No strange cars were par
Chapter 29: Under Fire
The morning broke with a heavy, unsettling air. Sophia had barely opened her eyes when her phone began buzzing with notifications. Every major television station was broadcasting the same story — the sudden and suspicious death of the lawyer who had once been at the centre of her family’s court battle with Michael Ainsley. His picture flashed repeatedly on screens, accompanied by phrases like mysterious circumstances and possible foul play. No official statement had been made about suspects, but the man’s known connection to the Bennetts was enough for commentators to speculate.Sophia sat on the edge of her bed for a few moments, staring at the news in silence. She knew how quickly public perception could change, and she also knew that even without direct evidence, people loved to connect dots — especially when it involved power, money, and a public feud. She told herself to push it to the back of her mind, get dressed, and carry herself with confidence. The last thing she could
Chapter 30: Closing Ranks
The day for the final hearing came with a weight everyone could feel. By the time Sophia’s car pulled up to the courthouse, the place was already surrounded by reporters and camera crews. Some were broadcasting live, their voices echoing through speakers as they gave updates on the long-running case. Others darted from one spot to another, ready to capture any spark of drama.The Donovans stepped out first, making their way toward the entrance, trying to ignore the barrage of questions being hurled at them. Sophia kept her head high, Martha’s jaw was set tight, and Victoria trailed closely behind, avoiding eye contact with the cameras.Then a wave of movement rippled through the crowd. A convoy of black cars approached, slowing to a stop at the front. Michael stepped out first, dressed in a dark suit, his posture calm but authoritative. From the second car, Sonia emerged with measured grace, followed by a few of Michael’s associates. The sudden shift in the reporters’ attention was