Library
Search
Home / Urban / The Billionaire Hidden in Plain Sight / CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THREE
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THREE
Author: Ellie D
last update2026-01-10 23:35:46
“Who approved this?”

Emma’s voice cut through the conference room as she slammed the printed article onto the table. The headline stared back at everyone in bold letters:

HARPER CONSTRUCTION TO STOP EASTRIDGE PROJECT, SOURCES SAY

Mia froze mid-step. “What?” She rushed forward, snatched the paper, and scanned it quickly. Her face pale. “That… that didn’t come from us.”

Emma planted both palms on the table. “Of course it didn’t, because I never approved anything like this.”

Around the table, department heads shifted in their seats but no one spoke.

Emma looked at each of them. “The Eastridge project is our biggest ongoing development since Titan Global pulled out. We did not halt it. We did not announce a pause. We did not brief the press. So I’ll ask again, who approved this?”

Mia’s tablet lit up with alerts. “Investors are reacting already,” she said, voice tight. “Our shares are dipping and some partners are calling.”

Emma exhaled slowly, forcing herself to stay calm. “Call PR now.”

B
Continue to read this book for free
Scan the code to download the app
Previous ChapterNext Chapter

Latest Chapter

  • CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY THREE

    Ethan’s office smelled like expensive cologne and polished wood. Floor-to-ceiling windows showed the city below, but the blinds were half drawn. Tara sat on his lap, one arm looped around his neck, her legs dangling lazily.“You’ve been tense all morning,” she said, brushing her fingers over his collar. “Relax.”Ethan scoffed. “Everyone wants something from me lately.”She smiled, sharp and satisfied. “That’s what happens when you’re winning.”He leaned back in his chair. “And I am winning.”A knock came at the door.Ethan frowned. “I said I didn’t want to be disturbed.”The door opened anyway. His assistant stepped in, slightly out of breath. “Sir, I—”“What the hell is wrong with you?” Ethan snapped. “Can’t you knock properly?”“I did, sir, but—”Tara turned her head slowly, her smile gone. “Are you blind?” she said coolly. “Can’t you see he’s busy?”The assistant swallowed. “It’s important.”Ethan’s jaw tightened. “I don’t care. Get out.”“Sir, I really think you should—”“I said g

  • CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWO

    Emma stood a few steps away from the table in the quiet room, her back straight, her hands clenched at her sides. She had just asked the question that had been eating her alive.Did you marry me out of guilt or love?Liam didn’t answer right away.For a moment, she thought he wouldn’t. That he would do what he always did, retreat into silence, into control, and keep his distance.But then he stood.The chair scraped softly against the floor as he pushed it back, his eyes were only on Emma. “I loved you,” he said.Her breath hitched as she waited for him to complete his words.“I still do.” He finished.Her fingers twitched. She didn’t turn fully, but her shoulders stiffened.“I didn’t marry you out of guilt,” Liam continued, his voice steady but low. “I married you because you were the one place that felt real to me. Because when everything else was power and noise, you were… quiet and honest.”Emma swallowed hard.“I loved you before everything went wrong,” he said. “And I loved you

  • CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY ONE

    Emma stopped walking but she didn’t turn around. Her hand stayed on the door handle, fingers stiff, like if she let go she would fall apart right there on the floor.Behind her, the room was quiet. “I’m back,” Liam said.The words landed hard.Emma let out a shaky breath that sounded almost like a laugh. “I thought you were dead.”“I wasn’t,” he replied. His voice was steady. “I faked it.”Her shoulders dropped slightly, like something heavy had finally crushed her instead of hovering. “You faked your death,” she repeated slowly.“Yes.”She swallowed. “Do you know what that did to me?”He didn’t answer immediately.She shook her head, still facing the door. “I watched people talk about you like you were already gone. I had to hear your name used in past tense.”“I know,” he said quietly.“No,” she snapped, her voice rising. “You don’t. Because if you knew, you wouldn’t be standing there saying it like it’s a strategy meeting.”Silence stretched between them. “You left me,” Emma contin

  • CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY

    Emma stayed frozen in her chair, her fingers gripping the edge of the table like it was the only solid thing left in the world. Liam was there, standing and breathing. He was real.No one said his name. They didn’t need to. One of the men at the table stood up first. Slowly and respectfully. “Sir,” he said, his voice careful.Another followed immediately, then another. All of them rose to their feet. Liam didn’t look at Emma, not once.He walked past her chair like she wasn’t there. The air shifted when he moved like everyone suddenly remembered who they were dealing with.He took the seat at the center of the table. No one sat until he did.Emma’s heart was pounding so hard she could hear it in her ears. She tried to breathe normally. She failed. Her chest felt tight, like it was caving in on itself.Liam folded his hands on the table, calm and controlled. His face gave nothing away. “Sit,” he said.They all sat.Emma remained still for half a second too long. Then she forced herself

  • CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETEEN

    The morning felt off from the moment Emma opened her eyes.She lay still for a few seconds, staring at the ceiling, one hand resting on her stomach. The bump was clearer now. She could feel it even before she looked. It grounded her and scared her at the same time.“Okay,” she whispered to herself. “Just get up.”She pushed herself out of bed slowly. Her legs felt weak, like she hadn’t slept at all. She went into the bathroom, splashed water on her face, and stared at her reflection.“You can do this,” she said. Her voice didn’t sound convinced.She dressed carefully. She wore a loose dress and a jacket she hadn’t worn in months. She paused while putting on her shoes, breathing through the tight feeling in her chest.When she stepped into the living room, everyone was already there.Margaret stood near the window, hands clasped together like she was praying without saying the words. Victoria sat on the arm of the couch, watching Emma closely. George stood by the door, jacket already o

  • CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN

    Emma lay on the couch with one arm tucked behind her head and the other resting on her stomach. The baby bump was no longer something she could ignore. It curved gently under her shirt, small but firm, like it had claimed its place.She stared at the ceiling, counting nothing. Her phone buzzed on the coffee table. She didn’t move and it buzzed again.She sighed and turned her head slowly. The screen lit up with a name.Mia.Emma closed her eyes. “Please,” she murmured. “Not today.”The phone kept vibrating until she couldn’t ignore it anymore.“Okay,” she said quietly, pushing herself up. Her body felt heavy, like gravity had doubled overnight. She reached for the phone and answered without checking her tone.“Mia, I really don’t have the energy—”“Emma,” Mia cut in. “You need to turn on the news now.”Emma frowned. “I’m not doing this today.”“This isn’t gossip,” Mia said quickly. “This is serious.”Emma leaned back into the couch. “Everything has been serious for months.”“I know,”

More Chapter

You may also like

Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on MegaNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
Scan code to read on App