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Lahat ng Kabanata ng Blood Ties and Billionaire Lies: Kabanata 31 - Kabanata 40

120 Kabanata

Chapter 30: The Glare from the Shadows

Back at work, the fragile bubble of the weekend shattered into shards of reality. The countryside retreat with Richard already felt like some stolen dream, a soft chapter torn out of a book that did not belong to my life. Roth Enterprise was a different world, and the moment I stepped through its glass doors Monday morning, the air pressed down on me like an invisible weight. I tried to keep my head down, to tuck the memories of his laughter and his warmth into some private place inside me where no one could reach. But it was impossible. Every shared glance with Richard in the office corridors felt like a secret set aflame, every brush of proximity in the elevators or passing handover of documents was charged with something electric, something dangerous. And it did not go unnoticed. The company had always been a place of hushed whispers and subtle observations, but now those whispers sharpened, glances darted across rooms like arrows. I caught people watching me, watching him, conne

Chapter 31: The Sabotage Attempt

The office was quiet at night, almost unnervingly so. The usual rhythm of phones ringing, heels clicking against marble floors, and keyboards clattering had long faded. The air hummed with the low buzz of the fluorescent lights, broken only by the sound of my fingers flying across the keys as I finalized the last of my project’s data analysis. I should have been exhausted. The week had drained me in every possible way, but I forced myself to push through, clinging to the work like it was a lifeline. The numbers had always been a safe place for me. Clean, precise, unforgiving in their truth. They could not be twisted by whispers or manipulated by glances. At least, that was what I thought. Until I noticed it. A subtle shift, almost invisible at first glance. One figure in the quarterly breakdown looked wrong. Not by much, just a fraction, but enough to send a ripple through the entire dataset. I frowned, scrolling back, comparing with the raw inputs. My fingers trembled as I traced

Chapter 32: The Warning

The morning light poured through the glass ceiling of the Roth Enterprise lobby, casting long beams across the polished marble floor. The space was alive with motion—executives in sharp suits, assistants clutching files, interns hurrying with coffee trays. I moved quickly through the crowd, clutching my bag against my side, trying to make myself invisible in the tide of bodies. Then I saw him. Damien. He was leaning against the steel pillar near the center of the lobby, his posture deceptively casual, his dark eyes fixed on me like a predator who had already chosen his prey. The sea of people around him seemed to blur, their chatter and footsteps fading until it was only his presence I could feel—heavy, suffocating, inescapable. I slowed, my pulse hammering in my ears. Before I could take another step, he pushed off the pillar and cut through the crowd with sharp, deliberate strides. His tailored suit was immaculate, but his face was grim, carved from stone, and his gaze burned int

Chapter 33: The Phoenix Rises

The office smelled faintly of leather and paper, the sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows casting long shadows across Richard’s desk. I sat in the chair opposite him, my hands twisted together in my lap, the tension in my shoulders refusing to ease. He had been quiet for the past few minutes, sorting through a stack of thick folders, his brow furrowed in concentration. The silence stretched until I felt like I would break if I didn’t say something. Then, finally, he set one of the folders directly in front of me. His movements were deliberate, his expression unreadable. When he looked up, though, his eyes locked with mine, steady and unflinching. "This is a new project," Richard said, his voice calm but firm, carrying the kind of authority that left no room for argument. "And it’s all yours. You’ll be the lead." The words sank into me like stones, heavy and unexpected. My heart skipped and then stumbled into a rapid pace. My stomach clenched, a knot of nerves twis

Chapter 34: A New Horizon

The new project was nothing short of daunting. The folder Richard had given me was only the beginning. Within days it expanded into a mountain of documents, reports, and expectations that weighed heavily on my desk. The deal was with a major tech company whose innovations were making headlines across the globe. It was not just another contract. It was a partnership that could redefine Roth Enterprise’s position in the market, and by some twist of fate—or perhaps Richard’s deliberate choice—I had been handed the reins. Every morning I arrived earlier than most of the staff, the sun barely cresting the skyline, and already the folders seemed to glare at me from where they sat, daring me to prove myself worthy. My laptop hummed as I poured through research, reading case studies, analyzing competitors, drafting potential strategies. Hours blurred into days, and still the puzzle pieces felt scattered, too many to fit together. The more I worked, the more I realized how high the stakes tr

Chapter 35: The Past Looms Large

The invitation came quietly, almost casually, though the weight of it sank deep into my chest. Richard had asked if I would accompany him to an art gallery opening. His tone had been even, almost professional, but there was a softness in his eyes that made me hesitate before answering. This was not business. This was not another strategy meeting or a late night at the office. This was him opening a door into a part of himself he rarely revealed, and the realization both thrilled and unnerved me. That evening, I stood beside him as we entered the gallery, my heels clicking against the polished wooden floors, my breath catching as the space unfolded around us. White walls stretched high, adorned with paintings that seemed to breathe with life. Sculptures stood in deliberate silence along the edges, spotlights casting dramatic shadows that made them appear almost alive. The murmur of guests filled the room, their laughter and quiet conversation weaving through the classical music that f

Chapter 36: A New Beginning

I got home that evening weak and drained, every bone in my body aching as though the day itself had wrung me out.The sunlight seared through my curtains, far too bright, far too cruel. I groaned, pulling the pillow over my head, but the pounding in my skull made it impossible to go back to sleep. Last night was a blur, Richard’s invitation, the gallery, my confession, Richard listening to me speak without criticizing or judging me. His conviction of yesterday still echoed in my chest.Dragging myself from bed, I quickly showered, pulled on my clothes and made my way to the office.By the time I arrived at the office, the coffee i took had dulled the headache, but nothing could dull the twist of awkwardness in my chest when I spotted a man across the room staring at me.“Selena,” Richard said, voice smooth but deliberate. “Sit.”I obeyed, perching on the edge of the chair like a schoolgirl about to be scolded. My palms itched.He didn’t hesitate. “How's the project coming on? He sai

Chapter 37: The Boardroom

It was the morning of my first executive meeting. Roth Enterprise had always felt intimidating, but today it felt immense. I was about to walk in with nothing but my trembling voice and the faint confidence Richard had planted in me.I had rehearsed my points in the bathroom mirror. I had whispered counterarguments to my reflection until my throat burned. But rehearsals never truly prepare you for the stage, and the boardroom was not a stage—it was an arena. I inhaled deeply, squared my shoulders, and pushed the doors open.Nervously, attending my first high stake executive meeting. Where the elites are gathered. I'm not here as an intern, I'm here as the project manager working along side Richard D. Morgan.The air in the executive boardroom was thin, sharp with tension. I sat at the glass table, clutching my notepad a little too tightly like my life depended on it.Around me, men and women in immaculate suits shuffled papers, exchanged clipped greetings, their conversations pruned

Chapter 38: Breaking Barriers

I had just finished finalizing my presentation slides when my phone chimed. Notification hit my inbox: URGENT—European negotiations collapsing. Immediate review required.Fear spiked through me. This was the core of my project—the centerpiece that I've been working my ass for the past 3 weeks. The one Richard had trusted me with. If it fails, everything crumbles. The trust Richard has for me, My reputation and everything I've done goes down the drill and I wasn't going to let that happen. My dream company. My chance at a future. But the moment felt like a nightmare. My hands trembled so badly I couldn’t open it right away.By the time I got to the conference room, chaos had erupted. Executives argued in tight circles, papers littered the table. A potential partner had pulled out, citing “unstable projections.” Months of preparation teetered on the edge of collapse.Call it off,” Gallagher snapped. “We’ll regroup later.”“No,” I said sharply. The room went silent. All eyes on me.I f

Chapter 39: Personal Connections

I followed Richard onto the rooftop. It was the lounge of a private club. He hadn’t asked, he’d simply said, “Dinner. With me.” His tone wasn't professional. This wasn't business. This was not another strategic meeting or a late night at the office. This was for pleasure and somehow, I couldn't say no.As we walked in, the sound of soft piano music floated in the air. Rich men and women sat at their round tables, eating and talking with laughter that sounded too fake to my ears. Butlers moved like shadows, serving wine and trays of food, their steps quick, precise.Richard ordered a bottle of red wine. He moved with ease and pride like someone who belonged here. I sat across from him, feeling the weight of his presence in every breath. Here, away from Roth Enterprise, he looked different. He loosened himself like an open door. Seeing this side of him was a realization both thrilled and it unnerved me. “You’re padded more than usual,” Richard said as he observed me like a teacher whi

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