The Billionaire's Secret Spy

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asting soft light across the room. A dozen pairs of eyes widened, tur

ard the coffee table and gently placed the strawberry cake in the center

e eyed the dessert like starving wolves, I clapped

rd, circling around a blushing Aria who, even at her age, l

en called out, bouncing his fragile body as much as his

I stepped back a few feet a

hall rang with another enthusiastic chorus of ha

mory for t

one until her soft blue eyes landed on me. "Seraphina, darling, what are you

e pictures," Joseph said, tak

d and made my way

g on Aria's face showed j

don't know if I'll be here for my next birthday, but I'll die peacefully knowing you'r

her little gray bun. "Don't talk like that. You're going to live to a hundred, and all these Oompa Lo

forward and took a bite. My taste buds s

nting their gifts, one after another. When my turn came, I

art." She tore the

they would love it. I had been prepa

k inside, confusion clouded their

. Everyone crowded around her, flipping through each pa

ike children again. I had spent weeks arranging pictures I'd been storing since Mom first brought me he

ipe my eyes. Joseph stood beside me, his warm

would be prou

hunched shoulders, exhaling softly.

us your burden, alright?"

rands left on his head, our long-standing t

sp stole ou

picture of Joseph

idened as I fou

ught slipping. But when I was younger, I made it my mission to expose him. And on

oared with

ou did it!" C

the L-shaped sofa. He followed limping but de

're going, kid? You're

ld dared me!" I shr

onald protest

h except me. I knew h

hest, and my heart dropped to the floor. I

oseph, are

around my shoulder and his pained look

d lifted, and my

went de

seco

o.

en. He was smirking, his hand landing on m

tantly, the room bursting

too, old man

n how to smile my heart felt lighter than it had in six long year

front door slamming into

hat?" someo

the hallway toward rece

react, they began smashing furniture and decorations things Mom had careful

urity guard, ru

e ordered, drawing his gun. "S

hat fuss," a gravelly voice rep

in the directi

ecurity, walked in with a wide

like molten lava. Shoving Jeremy aside, I

attered across the hardwood floor, piec

fury on the smug man in a

bored and lifted o

to

n their shoulders like they were ready f

l is happenin

oss's orders. We need t

saying? This is my

stretched with the motion, making him appear tw

e you lost

never leaving his busted lips.

of the hall. The elders were huddled together, terrified. My

. And now he wanted the

ars away. Over

ain, I glared. "I'm going to t

" Then, pausing at the exit, I tilted my head with a cold smirk.

of him cheating, and he feared his gangster wife more than

evrolet and drove s

I'd ever stepped foot in. I headed for his office. His secretary, who gave stron

You can't go in

ed through the door, fury burni

ned two startle

I couldn't hide the flicker

ed to stop

d at the men and the secr

ly groomed and tailored, he could fool anyone into thinking he was some respectable gentleman-but h

oad ruined your m

d seen him since he forced me to Canada. Back

my guardian anymore. He had no power

an't d

states, I can do

tament i

y new one appeared days later-with her signature. Ever

unatic could s

f the city. Perfect for my resort. Most profitab

cold? Where will they

our friends off my property," he said dismissive

reathing felt impossible. If he tore down the

I had to protect them. I pro

ng, even my pride and l

on't do th

y. "No. My business is suffering because of those T

Even I could barely believe

w rose.

thing you want. Just don't touc

'd been waiting for this

errified bu

it. I'm not entirely heartless." His wick

tched. "What

ed closer, bending down

Information

Tho

n a hundred thriving hotels, motels, and resorts wor

e, and continued, "Their plans, their strategie

erly baffled. "How am

them, of course.

e made my stomach twis

f it that way. Think of it as a d

my father!

one if you want to keep your

ain. I was trapped. "Please...

thoughtfully, then looked up with i

g kindness from him was like

hen I would take it. I'd do anything whatever it cost to save my fam

e from a billionaire? They were all

red. "They won'

is smirk sharpened.

d a plan. Of

anything important enough

tant position." He took another sip

mach d

nged something like th

n Tho

shot out of m