All Chapters of The Billion Dollar Revenge For Lucia Hale: Chapter 21 - Chapter 29

CHAPTER TWENTYAtlas lowered his phone slowly, a frown pulling his brows together. What did she want from him this time, he thought. He had already agreed to a marriage, hadn't he?His grandmother leaned back in her seat, a glass of red wine in one hand, her face blank as paper. “The Harringtons control a significant portfolio,” she said to Elara. “A streak of companies, in case you haven't known. Real estate, hotels and resorts, e-commerce, a streaming platform and shipping interests. These are currently handled by a board of directors that your aunt led in your absence. You already made quite a bold move claiming the top seat upon your return.”Elara’s face was a perfect caricature of surprise, her eyes wide and lips slightly parted. Atlas felt a similar jolt of surprise himself. His grandmother never ceased to amaze him too. Amassing such knowledge was impressive, even for her. Then again, she hadn’t risen to the top on a whim. She was resourceful. Dangerous, even. Which was pr

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWOThe yard beyond the glass screen in the dining room was a wide expanse of green land that stretched before a small artificial lake, dotted here and there with trees.That was where Elara found Victoria after dessert. She thanked her for her hospitality and for dinner. Now, she was ready to take her leave. “Are you certain you wouldn’t prefer to stay the night? We have more than enough rooms for you and for your driver.” Elara smiled politely. “Really, it’s fine.”“Very well. Come to me if you need anything, dear. I owed your parents a great deal in their lifetime.” She paused,a frown appearing on her face. “Where is my grandson?” “He…had urgent business to attend to.”Something flashed in the older woman’s eyes, but it was gone as soon as it appeared. She sighed instead and said, “I apologize for his sake. My grandson might bear the titles of his family, but plays the part of an unmannered child.”“It’s no problem, really-”“It should be.” Victoria gave her a si

“You want to move in with me…here?” Elara asked with slightly widened eyes. Atlas folded his arms. “I don't see what's the big deal, I spent the night here before, haven't I?”“The big deal is that it's not one night anymore. I have no idea how many days-”“You need my help, Elara. This world you've stepped into? It's not what most people think.” He stepped closer, filling the space between them with that soft, clean scent that filled her thoughts. “You came into sudden wealth, out of nowhere. It doesn't help that you're a lady, no offense.” She opened her mouth to argue, but he touched her hair, and she felt her voice go silent. “You heard my grandma,” he went on softly. “They're not going to kneel and pledge allegiance. You don't know who to trust, and I've been in this game way longer than you have.” She pursed her lips, forcing herself to hold his gaze without thinking of his touch on her hair or how blue his eyes were up close or how lovely he smelled…“I guess I don't have

Elara scrunched up her nose.“I’ll stick with the ice cream, thanks,” she said. “Your loss.” She took another spoon, savouring the soft taste in her mouth. He did know what he was talking about, but she wasn’t going to admit that and risk inflating his huge ego any further. “Look at this,” he said, looking at her from across the table. “Our first date.” Elara looked up quickly. “What? No. it’s not.” “It could be, if you want, you know. I could get Michelle…” he pointed at the waitress, “…to put on some romantic music and we could have a-”“Do you just enjoy teasing me or are you trying to escape from something?” Something flickered across Atlas’ eyes briefly, but he just took another spoon of chocolate.“Look, I appreciate this and all, but I want to get back to work as soon as I can,” she said. “Why, what’s the rush?” He cocked his head slightly, and his long hair fell slightly to the side with the motion. She dragged her eyes away from how oily they looked. “If I’m being ho

As they left the eatery, Elara found herself trailing slightly behind Atlas, her eyes tracing the bold lines of his shoulders. Even in the casual clothes he wore, he still managed to command the air around him. It was hard to still look at him as an arrogant brat. Not when she had seen a tip of his capacity…And it bothered her. It bothered her because she found that she might have a liking for him when he gets like that. She got into the car, steeling her face to look straight ahead as he drove away from the eatery. But it was harder than usual to look away. He had lowered the windows, and the evening breeze whipped through the car, tugging strands of his long dark hair free from its usual ponytail. His thumb tapped a lazy rhythm against the steering wheel as he hummed under his breath, low and absentminded. Then he turned without warning and caught her eyes. A curse echoed in her head as she turned back to the road. “Is there something in my teeth?” he asked in a sarcastic to