The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride (Elara and Victor) novel Chapter 31

Threads of Deception

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Threads of Deception

Damian stood at the window of his office, gazing out at the city horizon. The boardroom confrontation had gone exactly as he’d planned, but he felt no satisfaction. His phone buzzed constantly with notifications about the scandalous article concerning

Elara.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. “Come in,” he called out.

Henry entered, his face grave. “Sir, the PR team is waiting for your instructions regarding the article about Mrs. Blackwood.”

Damian turned, his expression unreadable. “Tell them to prepare statement. We’ll deny everything and threaten legal action against the publication.”

“Yes, sir,” Henry nodded. “There’s something else. Your mother here to see you.”

Damian’s jaw clenched. “Send her in.”

Moments later, Serena swept into the room, a look of fake concern on her face: “Darling, have you seen the news? It’s absolutely dreadful what they’re saying about Elara.”

“Spare me the act, Mother,” Damian said coldly. “I know you’re behind this.”

Serena’s mask slipped for a moment before she regained her composure. “I’m hurt that you would think such a thing. I’m only looking out for your best interests.”

“By trying to destroy my wife’s reputation and, by extension, the company’s?” Damian’s voice was sharp.

“Oh, please,” Serena scoffed. “We both know this marriage is a sham. Why continue this charade?”

Damian leaned in close, his voice low and dangerous. “Because it’s my charade, Mother. And if you interfere again, I’ll make sure you regret it.”

“You don’t talk to your mother like that, son,” she said as she walked over to the sofa and took a seat. “What will I regret?”

“Everything, Mother. You will regret everything if you dare do this again.” They both stared at each other, and Damian wondered why his mother suddenly took an interest in him. She had always loved herself and ignored her children. Damian felt a mixture of confusion and suspicion about his mother’s sudden interest. He couldn’t help but wonder if she had an ulterior motive. The change in her behavior was too sudden to be genuine.

“I don’t like her!” she yelled, no longer caring about her composure. “You know that, but you intentionally crossed me by marrying a low–life girl without a good background.”

“You wouldn’t understand, Mother,” he responded, feeling frustrated. Everything that was happening right now was becoming

unbearable.

“Then make me understand, son. Make your mother understand why you chose that girl to become your wife and part of this family.”

“Because she is the one,” he answered. “Because it had to be her.

Serena rose to her feet, walked over to where he was standing, and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Because you were deceived by her. I know it, son. She lured you into marrying her.”

“Stop it. Please stop it.” Damian knew that if he told his mother about his contract with Elara, she could immediately send her away, having helped him secure his inheritance.

“I will make sure I save you,” she vowed, picking up her bag. “Just watch me.”

“Even if it wasn’t Elara, I could never marry Veronica,” he said. “She isn’t my type.”

“Then make her your type. Only Veronica Jones is fit to be your wife. She’s noble and comes from a good background.”

“Come off it. That bitch is noble, I agree, but I can never marry a slut who sleeps around.”

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Threads of Deception

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