2026-04-28 16:28:43
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
CHAPTER 66 PART 1
Andrea Chen moved through the reception hall with practiced subtlety, her professional demeanor making her virtually invisible among the celebrating guests. As Sophia Palazzo's chief of staff, Andrea had perfected the art of gathering intelligence without appearing to do so—a skill that had proven invaluable over her five years of service.Tonight, Sophia had given her a simple directive: find out everything possible about Marcus Hayes.Andrea approached a cluster of older society matrons, inserting herself into their conversation with a glass of champagne and a practiced smile. "What an extraordinary evening," she offered as an opening."Extraordinary is one word for it," one of the women replied with a sniff. "Scandalous is another. Did you see that young man? The one who won all those early auctions?""Marcus Hayes?" Andrea prompted innocently."If that's even his real name," another matron added darkly. "Spending millions like it was nothing. Very suspicious, if you ask me.""I he
CHAPTER 65 PART 2
"I knew it," Liam said with vicious satisfaction. "She can't even defend herself. Can't explain where the money came from. Because there is no legitimate explanation, is there, Diana?""Ryan, I—" Diana tried again, but the words stuck in her throat.Her eyes began scanning the reception hall, searching desperately for Marcus. He would know what to say. He would have answers. He'd sent the money, after all—he must have some explanation she could use.But Marcus wasn't there.Marcus had disappeared, slipped away during her moment of triumph, leaving her alone to face accusations she couldn't answer and anger she didn't entirely understand.Panic began to claw at Diana's chest. Where was he? Why had he left? How was she supposed to explain any of this without him?"Looking for your beggar husband?" Ryan noticed the direction of Diana's searching gaze, and his voice took on a new edge of cruelty. "The one who spent the evening pretending to have money he doesn't possess? Who bid millions
CHAPTER 65 PART 1
Diana was still processing the humiliation of being barred from approaching Sophia when a familiar voice cut through the ambient conversation with unexpected venom."Diana Morrison. We need to talk. Now."She turned to find Ryan Steel striding toward her, and the expression on his face made her breath catch. Gone was the polished charm, the calculated smoothness, the veneer of civilized superiority he always wore like armor. In its place was raw, undisguised fury that twisted his handsome features into something almost ugly.Diana had known Ryan for years—had endured his condescension, deflected his persistent marriage proposals, tolerated his family's attempts to control her. But she'd never seen him truly angry before. Irritated, yes. Frustrated, certainly. But this was different.This was rage."Ryan," Diana said carefully, aware that other guests were watching with barely concealed interest. "This isn't the time or place—""Don't." Ryan's voice was low and dangerous as he closed t
CHAPTER 64 PART 2
Diana responded to each overture with professional courtesy, but her mind was elsewhere. Marcus had disappeared. The fifty million dollars in her account remained unexplained. And across the room, Sophia Palazzo held court at the head table, surrounded by admirers and sycophants.Sophia—who'd designed this entire auction, who'd offered the Palazzo Corporation stake, who Diana now had a legal business relationship with.Diana had come to this event hoping to make connections. Now she'd made the biggest connection possible, and she had no idea what it actually meant or what would be expected of her going forward.Catherine appeared at Diana's elbow, her earlier shock transformed into strategic excitement. "Diana, you need to go introduce yourself to Sophia Palazzo properly. As a new shareholder, you should—""I know, Mother," Diana interrupted gently. She'd been thinking the same thing. "I was about to do exactly that."Diana set down her untouched champagne and began making her way acr
CHAPTER 64 PART 1
Lucas Steel didn't wait for the post-auction reception to begin. While other guests milled about congratulating Diana and speculating about Marcus's disappearance, Lucas stormed toward the exit with such fury radiating from him that people instinctively stepped out of his way.Liam hurried after his father, struggling to keep up. "Father, wait—""Not now," Lucas snapped without slowing his stride."But what about the dinner? The networking opportunities—""Are worthless!" Lucas's voice echoed through the corridor, making several guests turn to stare. He didn't care. The entire evening had been a catastrophic failure, and staying to smile and make small talk while Diana Morrison basked in her victory was more than his pride could tolerate.He burst through the orphanage's main entrance into the cool night air, his breath coming in sharp, angry bursts. His driver scrambled to open the car door, but Lucas waved him off impatiently and pulled out his phone instead.His fingers moved acros
CHAPTER 63 PART 1
Applause erupted from some quarters—genuine appreciation for the dramatic conclusion mixed with polite acknowledgment of Diana's victory. Whispered speculation flew through other sections as people tried to process how Diana Morrison had pulled this off. Catherine Morrison sat frozen in shock, unable to comprehend what her daughter had just accomplished. Liam and Ryan looked like they'd swallowed poison, their faces twisted with impotent rage.And Diana—Diana felt a rush of emotions so overwhelming she could barely breathe. Triumph. Terror. Disbelief. Pride. The weight of fifty million dollars committed. The promise of partnership with the Palazzo empire. The certainty that her life had just changed irrevocably.In that moment of collective distraction, Marcus moved.He didn't run. Running drew attention, triggered pursuit instincts in security personnel. Instead, he simply stood and walked with calm purpose toward the nearest side corridor, his movement timed perfectly to coincide wi
You may also like
Billionaire in Disguise
Faith124.8K viewsTHE UNDERESTIMATED HEIR
Victor Amos Regannez73.5K viewsThe King Of War Returns
Anakin Detour477.8K viewsTHE SECRET HEIR AND HIS SECRET POWER
Wednesday Adaire169.0K viewsSupreme Legacy: Rise and Revenge
Lily Monroe13.2K viewsThe Charismatic God of War
Kezia R.G506 viewsThe Mafia King's Deadly Returned
Sayma77 viewsMY HUSBAND OWNS HALF THE CITY
Daniel Quill3.5K views