2025-10-04 12:16:51
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
Chapter 31: The Family’s Fury
“Isabella! How could you? How dare you defend that man in front of everyone!” Don Ricardo shouted, his face is red with anger, and his veins visible on his temples. “I—Father, I didn’t mean to—” Isabella stammered, her hands trembling as she tried to step back. “Didn’t mean to?” he barked. “You humiliated this entire family! You humiliated me!” “Dad, please, I was only—” “Only defending a useless man?” Don Ricardo’s voice cracked with fury. He raised his hand and slapped her across the face. Isabella staggered, her cheek is burning. She looked at her mother, who shook her head angrily, lips pressed tight. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” Don Ricardo shouted. “We raised you to honor this family, and this is how you repay us?!” “I… I just… I couldn’t let them lie about him,” Isabella whispered, her voice is shaking while talking , but she straightened her posture, gripping the edge of the table for support. “Lie? He’s a nobody!” her mother spat, stepping closer. “After
Chapter 30: The Rival’s Scandal
“Finally! Another big deal closed,” Mr. Zhao said, grinning as he held up the contract in front of his team. “This one is going to put us on the map. Cayden, you should take notes.” Cayden remained silent, seated at the edge of the room, observing. He watched Zhao’s smug smile, the way he paraded the papers as if the world belonged to him. “Come on, everyone, let’s celebrate,” Zhao continued, raising a glass. “To success, to power, and to knowing who really runs the city’s deals!” A few of his associates laughed, clinking glasses, oblivious to the tension simmering just beneath the surface. Cayden’s expression didn’t change. He remained calm. “I don’t see what’s so impressive,” Cayden finally said, his voice is neutral, causing a few heads to turn. “Success built on lies rarely lasts.” Zhao’s smile faltered slightly. “Oh? And who appointed you judge of what lasts and what doesn’t?” “I observe,” Cayden replied evenly. “And I have my sources.” He let the words hang, allowing
Chapter 29: Room for Love
“Diego.” “You finally picked up.” Diego’s voice came warm through the line. “Where are you calling from? It sounds like the city is awake behind you.” “In the office. Late,” Cayden answered. “I just finished a meeting. I needed to hear a voice I trust.” “You know I am always here.” Diego’s tone went soft for a second. “Tell me straight. How are you, really?” “I am fine,” Cayden said. “Busy. Focused.” “Fine doesn’t mean nothing is wrong,” Diego pushed. “You and I spent years abroad. We worked on the pieces of your life. We built this. You can tell me if there is one corner you still avoid.” There was a pause. Cayden breathed out. “Isabella came to the forum today,” he said finally. “She defended me.” “I saw the footage,” Diego said. “I saw her defend you in front of everyone. Your ex in-laws must have hated that.” “They did,” Cayden said. “They called me other names. They tried to humiliate me again last week.” “Then why are you telling me this now?” Diego asked. “Do you still
Chapter 28: The Unexpected Defense
“Cayden, how exactly did you acquire such control in just a few years?” Zhao asked, voice dripping with disbelief. “It seems… convenient, don’t you think?” A few other executives snickered, glancing toward the audience to see who might support their insinuation. All eyes subtly shifted to Isabella, seated among her family’s associates. “She’s going to side with them,” one murmured under their breath. “She always did.” Cayden’s jaw tightened, but he maintained a calm exterior, folding his hands over the podium. “I built my path through hard work, calculated decisions, and strategic partnerships,” he said evenly, holding the attention of the room. Victor smirked, leaning forward. “Hard work? Or luck? Or perhaps… someone’s family backing you?” Cayden smirked, Mortaine's mistakes from the past seem repeating now. Whispers rippled through the forum. Every eye in the room seemed to glance at Isabella. A few executives nudged her, encouraging her to speak up, expecting her to public
Chapter 27: The Secret Alliance
“Enough of that begging,” Don Ricardo said, voice hard in the dim study. “I will not crawl to that arrogant Cayden again. Not after what he did to us.” “We had no choice,” his wife murmured, eyes rimmed red. “Cayden humiliated us. He humiliated our name. But, we needed him. We had to kneel.” “Kneel?” Marco spat, leaning forward. “We’re Mortaine! We don’t kneel. We retaliate. We break him.” “You tried,” Don Ricardo snapped. “You failed. You got nothing but public shame for your trouble.” “Because I acted alone,” Marco replied, jaw tight. “If I had true backing, if I had someone with the power to move pieces quietly, it would be different.” A new voice, smooth and low, made them all look up. “Power can be bought. Loyalties can be shifted. Men like Cayden rely on images. Image is fragile.” They turned. Mr. Zhao stood in the doorway, hands folded, a calm smile on his face. He carried no papers, but confidence only, despite the fact that Cayden also humiliated him before. “Who invi
Chapter 26: The Ex-Wife’s Plea
“Cayden… please, can we talk?” The voice trembled. It's soft yet urgent, cutting through the quiet of the office. Cayden didn’t look up. His pen moved across the papers with steady precision. “I’m busy.” “Busy?” Isabella's voice cracked. “You always find time for everything else… but not for me?” “I said I’m busy,” Cayden repeated, his tone is flat, leaving no room for argument. Isabella took a step closer, her hands clasped tightly. “I… I need to explain. I made mistakes. I—” “You need to explain? Again?” Cayden’s voice was sharper now, and he finally lifted his gaze. “You made your choice. You abandoned me. What is there left to explain?” “I…” Her throat tightened. “I didn’t know… I thought—” “Thought what?” Cayden asked coldly. “That I would wait forever? That I would beg and never move on?” “I never meant to hurt you!” Isabella’s hands shook, tears slipping down her cheeks. “I… I loved you. I thought I was doing the right thing, following my family…” She's feeling ho
You may also like
The Reluctant Queen
Millie M1.5K viewsThe infinite growlers
Sam Chase 1.2K viewsThe Connection
NtParty1.6K viewsA sublime Love.
Ahli Kokou Daniel KPONTON1.3K viewsThe Billionaire's Stuttering Bride
Shabnam Tiwana 18.3K viewsThe two suns
Skii senpai1.7K viewsI Returned To Being A Yakuza Underling
Hino 3.3K viewsThe forced one
MarcyGPerez241.3K views