The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride (Elara and Victor) novel Chapter 29

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Shattered Illusions

“What do you mean by this?” Elara asked, not believing what she was hearing.

Damian sighed deeply. “My mother has never been one to admit defeat.”

“So?”

“Look here, Elara, you’ve caused a lot of trouble for me as well. The shareholders are already whispering about how rude you were.” Damian’s expression hardened. “I warned you to be on your best behavior, no matter what, because I knew you’d be a target.”

“You mean I should just let Veronica walk all over me without doing anything?” Elara frowned, her voice rising. “And I should allow your mother’s assistant to slap me?”

“I have no time for this,” he said coldly. “I need to get to the office and meet the shareholders.”

“And what about me?” she shot back, slamming a paper against his chest. “Even if we’re in a contract marriage, you should at least protect me.”

“Oh, you thought I was going to protect you, so that’s why you slapped Veronica? Do you even know who she is?”

“I don’t bloody care, Damian,” she snapped, her frustration boiling over. No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn’t understand him. “She insulted me, and you stood up for me last night.”

“I did that for the company, not for you,” he fired back, adjusting his tie. He was done with this conversation. “My reputation is on the line. I won’t lose everything just because of your lack of decorum.” Her breath caught as tears welled up in her eyes. “We had an agreement, Elara. I promised to restore your reputation, not to let you drag mine through the mud.”

“So everything you said last night,” Elara whispered, her voice trembling. “Was a lie.”

He scoffed. Was she always this foolish? He thought she was the one who had no emotions, someone who could handle him and anything that came her way. Was he wrong about her?

“Everything is just an act, and you know it. You signed the contract, so quit frustrating me,” he warned.

“I was the perfect image beside you,” she began, her voice cracking. “I did everything you asked of me.”

He stepped closer, his voice low and dangerous. “Did I ask you to ruin my party? Did I ask you to behave rudely when you knew how important that day was for me?” She couldn’t find the words, her tears flowing freely. “I’ll keep my promise to you, but don’t expect me to clean up your messes.‘

Elara clenched her fist, her body shaking uncontrollably as she struggled to control her emotions. “Thank you, and I’m sorry for causing you trouble.”

Damian’s gaze lingered on her for a moment before he turned away. “Just stay out of trouble, Elara.”

Elara turned around, wiping her tears quickly. She couldn’t afford to break down in front of the maids.

“Ma’am, your food,” the head maid started, but the tense air around Elara cut her off.

“I’m sorry, I won’t be able to finish. I’m not feeling well.” With that, she left for her room.

Back at the Blackwood mansion…

“Ma’am, your idea was perfect,” Serena’s assistant said as she served her tea.

“What do you think, Veronica? Are you satisfied?” Serena asked, taking the tea from Vivian with a pleased smile.

“With her horrible reputation, people will easily be manipulated against her. They would believe what they read about her,” Veronica smiled wickedly. “I wish I could see her face right now. It would be amusing.”

Shattered Illusions

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Their laughter filled the room.

“Vivian,” Serena called, “inform the reporter to add more spice to the story. If possible, tell him to write about how she seduced Daniel Regars when she was younger.”

“I’ll handle it, ma’am,” Vivian replied with a satisfied smile. She remembered the humiliation she suffered at Elara’s hands and vowed to make her pay tenfold. “That woman dares to slap me and make me suffer all night.”

Vivian was about to leave when Veronica called her back. “Publish her background as well. Portray her as a gold digger who targeted Damian after Daniel rejected her.”

Vivian’s smile grew even more sinister. “I’ll do that and more, ma’am.“.

Veronica and Serena resumed their conversation once she left.

“I’m sure Damian will stop loving her after he sees the news about her and Daniel,” Veronica said, sipping her tea.

“Yes, I’m certain of it. No one wants a slut for a wife,” Serena replied, gently placing her cup on the desk. She stood and walked towards the window, glancing out. “I can’t wait to have you as my daughter–in–law.”

Damian sat in the boardroom as the shareholders whispered among themselves. The emergency meeting had been called to address last night’s fiasco. His personal assistant, Henry, stood beside him as the room buzzed with heated arguments.

“Mr. Blackwood,” one of the shareholders began, “I don’t think you’re capable of handling your new role.”

“Yes, look at what happened last night,” another chimed in. “It was disgraceful to read about it in the news this morning.”

“I can’t believe you let a girl with such a reputation deceive you into marriage.”

Another shareholder added, “Who knows if this marriage is even real? What if you only married her to secure the inheritance?” Damian was the largest shareholder in the company, followed by his uncle.

He listened carefully as they criticized his marriage and questioned his ability to lead as CEO.

“Sir, with all due respect, I think you should step down.”

“To whom?” Damian asked, his voice calm and cool, showing no sign of anger.

The shareholder who spoke up smiled. His name was King, Damian’s uncle’s best friend and the third–largest shareholder. “Your uncle,” King replied, his tone confident. “He’s more than capable of leading this company to new heights.”

“More than I am, right?” Damian asked.

“Yes,” King responded.

Damian turned to face his uncle. “Uncle, do you agree with what he said?”

“No,” Travis, Damian’s uncle, replied. He had always thought King was smart, but realizing his stupidity was disappointing. How could he suggest such a thing to Damian? They both knew how ruthless he could be with his enemies. “I’m too old to run this company.”

“Do you hear him, King?” Damian said, turning to the now–stunned King. “My uncle just said he’s too old to run the company

“But…” King began, but Damian cut him off.

“You’re getting old, and I think it’s time for you to retire peacefully.” He waved Henry closer.