All Chapters of Sold to Ruin, Claimed by Power: The Ruthless CEO Who Changed: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

For the hundredth time that midnight, Celeste Arden dialed her son’s number. She stood near the window of her penthouse staring outside. The phone rang once, then twice. Then finally a voice answered. It wasn't Reuben though "Good evening, Ms. Arden,” Eli’s voice came through the phone. Celeste’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Put my fucking son on the phone.” “I’m afraid Mr. Blackwood is unavailable.” Her grip tightened around the glass. “Unavailable? For his mother?” “I will inform him that you called.” “That is not what I said,” Celeste snapped. “I said put him on the phone.” There was a brief pause on the line. “Mr. Blackwood has made it very clear that all business and personal communications are to go through his office. If there is a message you would like delivered, I would be happy to...” Celeste didn’t let him finish.“You insolent little bitch” she hissed. “Do you know who you are talking to?” “Yes, Mrs. Arden,” Eli replied calmly..”However, Mr. Blackwood

The moment Aurora and Mina stepped inside the office, Mrs. Hargrove was already on her feet.She quickly pulled out a chair with an overly eager smile.“Please, please… sit.”Aurora and Mina exchanged a brief glance,something about her behavior felt… off.Mrs. Hargrove, the CEO of Starlight Entertainment, was not known for kindness. She was known for squeezing profit out of people and for discarding talents the moment they stopped being useful. And now she had a smile on her lips, there was something cold behind it. Like a snake pretending to be harmless while it prepared to strike.“Well then…” Mrs. Hargrove pulled her hands together letting out a chuckle.“Welcome, Mrs. Blackwood. What an honor it is to have you here. Truly, Starlight Entertainment has always valued you...”Aurora rolled her eyes internally. So that was it.The marriage. That was the only reason this woman was suddenly acting like she had any ounce of respect for her.Her eyes shifted briefly toward Eli at the ba

What exactly just happened back there? Aurora asked herself that question for the hundredth time as she stared out the window from the passenger seat. They were driving through the city in a very ordinary black Toyota Corolla. The reason was simple ,Ever since their marriage announcement all eyes had been on them. Reporters, bloggers, industry spies,even random people with phones hoping to capture something scandalous. If Reuben drove one of his usual cars, they would be followed within minutes. Still, it was strange. The most powerful man in the entertainment industry, driving a Corolla and stopping at traffic lights like a normal person. If Mina were here, she would probably faint from the irony. Aurora rested her head lightly against the window and watched the city pass by. But her mind wasn’t on the traffic or the buildings It was on him. She could feel his eyes on her occasionally, even while he drove. He was one of those people who seemed to be fully aware of ev

Dinner at the Hawthorne home was proving to be far more exhausting than Lydia had expected. The dining hall was as suffocating as always. Portraits of dead Hawthornes stared down from the walls like they were personally disappointed in everyone still alive. Lydia Valenmoor sat at the right side of her beloved James, She looked like the picture of a gentle and obedient future daughter-in-law. Inside, she was counting enemies. At the head of the table sat the Hawthorne grandmother Annabeth, A woman with a mouth that only seemed to open to criticize someone, insult someone, or remind everyone she was old and therefore always right. To the left was his mother, who Lydia fondly called Aunt Margret. She believed everyone was beneath the Hawthorne name except herself, and made sure people knew it in every single sentence she spoke. Further down was Andrew Hawthorne, James’s cousin, who was arrogant and loud. He was always looking for someone weaker to mock so he could feel importa

Mina had no respect for human limits. That was the only conclusion Aurora could come to as she was dragged through yet another section of the massive shopping mall, her arm firmly hooked in Mina’s grip like she might escape at any second And the worst part? When Mina had invited her out,Aurora had spent the entire morning worrying about paparazzi. About hidden cameras. About someone snapping a picture and turning it into tomorrow’s headline. Reuben Blackwood’s Wife Spotted Shopping Lavishly While Pregnant. She had imagined whispers. Speculation. Eyes following her every move. But here. No one cared. Either they were too used to seeing many high profile people or they just didn't caee People walked past them without a second glance. Some were too busy, others too absorbed in their own lives. A few looked at Mina’s energy more than Aurora’s face The mall itself was aggressively luxurious. Every display looked like it belonged in a magazine. And every step Aurora took made her reg