Her mind couldn't reconcile the Louis she knew with the man who just left."Let's go... we’ll figure out who he really is later."But as they made their way to his car, Victoria couldn't shake the sinking feeling that they had grossly underestimated the man.They'd tormented for years – and now they were seeing the consequences.An hour later, Vivian rushed to the hospital with Ben accompanying her. "Vivian! Thank goodness you're here!" Victoria wailed the moment her daughter rushed through the hospital corridor, Ben following close behind.Jackson, his arm now in a cast, seized the opportunity. "Sis, look what that bastard did to me!" He gestured dramatically at his injuries. "He's gone completely insane!"Perfect timing, Victoria thought, quick to feed the flames."He was like a different person, Vivian. So violent, so cruel! And he stole my ring!""Mother's ring?" Vivian's eyes widened. Louis would never dare... unless... "What exactly happened?"Victoria wrung her han
"Everything what? Everything you put me through?"Victoria and Jackson exchanged worried glances as Vivian's face turned scarlet. "Put YOU through? You ungrateful—""I have no time for rubbish, Vivian. Bye.""Don't you dare hang up again! Don't you—"Click.Vivian stared at her phone in shocked silence. No one... NO ONE treated her this way!"Did he..." Victoria gasped, "hang up on you again?"Vivian's scream of frustration echoed through the hospital corridors.When Vivian saw the call end screen, disbelief turned into rage.She slammed her fists down on the hospital room table, ignoring the curious glances of nurses passing by.Her face was flushed, her breathing shallow. Louis, of all people, dares to hang up on her?Without a second thought, she dialed his number again, her finger pressing the screen harder than necessary.She wasn’t going to let him get away with this. When he finally picked up, she could feel her anger simmering.“Louis!” she spat out, her voice cutting. “Y
"None of your business.""None of my—" Vivian sputtered, her face reddening. How dared he dismiss her like this? "Everything about you is my business! Now explain why you attacked Jackson!""Your precious brother?" Louis's voice turned cold. "He got exactly what he deserved."Victoria gasped from her seat. The audacity!"You worthless piece of trash!" Vivian exploded."You're nothing but a loser who got lucky enough to marry into our family. How dare you touch my brother?""A loser?" Louis's voice carried dangerous undertones."Tell me, Vivian, is your brother somehow untouchable? Does his Howard bloodline give him the right to attack others without consequences?""Of course it does!" Vivian declared without thinking. "You should feel honored that Jackson even acknowledges your existence!"Did she really just say that? Louis couldn’t help but sneered coldly."So I should just stand there and let him assault me?""Yes! That's exactly what you should do!" Vivian's voice rose
“How shameless of him! I have always treated him like a son, and now look at what he has done to my boy.”She paused, shaking her head as if heartbroken.“Honestly, I’m not surprised he’d stoop this low. He’s desperate.”Vivian sighed, her tension slowly melting in the face of her mother’s words.Of course, Mother’s right.Jackson was fiery, but he would never act so crudely, especially in their own home.The notion that he’d needlessly provoke Louis seemed absurd.And even if Jackson did provoke Louis, so what? Victoria’s eyes gleamed immediately. She took the card carefully, doing her best to maintain a look of modest reluctance.“Oh, Vivian, you’re too generous. I hate to take so much from you, but... well, if you insist.”Vivian smiled, feeling a small surge of satisfaction.This was how the rich handle things—effortlessly and with class. “Consider it a small price to pay to rid ourselves of Louis’s pathetic attachment to that ring.”Victoria’s smile was sly, though she masked it with a look of maternal concern. “Thank you, darling. But… there’s something else that worries me.”“What?” Vivian asked, her tone laced with impatience.Victoria leaned closer, her voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper.“I’m afraid Louis might not stop at just pestering you. He’s... well, he hinted he’d keep bothering us until you either marry him again or... compensate him.”Vivian’s eyes flashed with indignation.“Compensate him? He’s out of his mind. What does he think I owe him? I gave him everythinFROM DIVORCED TO BILLIONAIRE HEIR CHAPTER 23
After all, Ben was the Gatsby heir! Not just anyone got to say that.Vivian blushed, looking down shyly. “Thank you, Jackson,” she murmured, sneaking a glance at Ben. “And thank you, Ben, for standing by me. I… I couldn’t have asked for a better partner.”Victoria seized the moment, her tone gentle but insistent.“Vivian, darling, you know how rare it is to find a man of Ben’s caliber. Don’t let this opportunity slip by. Ben is a true gentleman, with class, stability, and a good heart.” She turned her attention back to Ben, her eyes gleaming with approval. “Am I not right?”Ben smiled, though his mind was already dissecting Victoria’s intentions.He understood too well that she was merely pushing this marriage for her own gain. She saw him as a ticket to elevate the Howard name.However, he kept his expression neutral, his smile polite. “Mrs. Howard, it’s clear to me that Vivian deserves the best. She’s a kind, capable woman—someone who brings value to everything she’s involved
Ben settled into his chair with practiced grace. "I've finalized all the wedding preparations for next week.""Neckor Island," Ben announced, a slight smirk playing at his lips.Victoria frowned slightly."What makes it so special?"She had never heard of it.However, Vivian gasped audibly. "Did you just say... Neckor Island?" Her voice trembled with excitement. "The actual Neckor Island? The Grandest Island ever?""The very same," Ben confirmed, watching her reaction with calculated pleasure."Mother!" Vivian exclaimed, practically jumping from her seat. "How can you not know about Neckor Island?”“It's only the most prestigious wedding venue in the entire world!""Not just anyone can host their wedding there. It requires... certain qualifications.""The minimum cost for a wedding there is one billion dollars."Vivian explained with unspeakable joy, tears streaming down her face. "Indeed, and the richest man in the world, Terminator X himself owns Neckor Island," Ben interject
"Vivian," Ben began, leaning back with a satisfied grin, "that's one more surprise about our wedding day on Neckor Island."Vivian's eyes sparkled with excitement, ears ready.“As far as I know, Neckor Island is reopened specifically by Terminator X himself to host a speical private dinner.” Ben continued, pausing for dramatic effect, “and it’s on the same night as our wedding!”Vivian gasped, bringing her hand to her chest. "Terminator X? Hosting a dinner? Who could it possibly be for?""That's the mystery," Ben replied, his eyes narrowing in intrigue. "It's for a VIP—a person of such high importance that even Terminator X himself will personally welcome them."Vivian was astonished.What kind of mystery VIP could hold such power?!Her mind raced, her excitement bubbling over."Oh, Ben, this is incredible! Just imagine… what if we get to see them?"Ben chuckled, clearly savoring her reaction. "Well, I can’t guarantee we’ll meet this VIP, but at the very least, we’ll see Terminato
Louis’s eyes never left The Seer as she stepped forward, her expression inscrutable.The air around him crackled with tension, and the Heart pulsed within his chest, the force throbbing like a living thing.He had unleashed a display of power mere moments ago, and now, as he stood trembling, the weight of the moment pressed down on him.Juliet’s voice was urgent, her hands gripping his arm tightly.“Louis, don’t listen to her,” she pleaded.“This is just another trick.”Louis’s eyes flicked toward her, the red glow in his irises dimming slightly.His chest rose and fell sharply as he locked eyes with The Seer again.The Seer’s lips curled into a smirk, her tone dripping with confidence.“You don’t believe me?” she said, taking a step closer. “Then let me show you.”She raised her hand, and a small, velvet-lined box appeared in her palm.With a flick of her wrist, she opened it, revealing an object that made Louis’s chest tighten.Inside lay a locket, tarnished with age but undeniably
Summoning the last of his strength, Louis reached out, feeling the pull of the Heart once more.The power surged through him—wild, uncontrollable, and blinding.He could feel his body breaking, but he didn’t care.He had to save her.Louis stood in the heart of the ritual chamber, his body trembling with the strain of the power coursing through him.The Heart pulsed violently within his chest, its force overwhelming.His body felt like it was on the edge of breaking, but he didn’t care.Not now.Not when Juliet was in chains before him.“Louis!” Juliet cried, her voice weak, but filled with undeniable fear.The cultists, who had been chanting around her, froze as Louis stepped forward.His eyes were wild, the red glow of the Heart reflecting off the stone walls.He had already broken through the first line of defense, sending two of the cultists sprawling across the floor, their bodies burned by the intense energy he was releasing.“Get away from her!” Louis growled, his voice low and
Her head snapped toward him, relief flooding her face, but her expression quickly twisted in fear.“Louis, don’t—”The Seer, standing at the head of the altar, turned toward him, a knowing smile spreading across her face.Her eyes gleamed with a dark satisfaction.“You are too late, Louis,” she said, her voice smooth like velvet but laced with malice.“You’ve walked into my trap. You will submit to me, just like your mother did. Your destiny is already written.”Louis’s heart skipped a beat. His mother.The connection was clearer now, like a fog lifting from his mind.“You... you killed her,” Louis hissed, his voice thick with rage.“You killed my mother!”The Seer smiled, unfazed by his accusation.“I did what was necessary. Your mother was the key to unlocking the power of the Heart. But she was weak. She didn’t understand the true potential of the Eternals. I will show you the truth, Louis. The power of the Heart belongs to me—and you will help me wield it.”Louis’s body trembled w
Meanwhile, back at the ambush site, Terminator X lay gravely injured, his breaths labored.Blood soaked the ground beneath him, but his grip on his weapon remained firm.One of the operatives crouched beside him, sneering. “Where’s your precious boss now?”Terminator X spat blood, his defiance unwavering.“You’ll never get to him. Not while I’m breathing.”The operative smirked.“That can be arranged.”Before he could pull the trigger, a voice crackled through his earpiece.“Leave him. We’ve got what we need.”As the operatives retreated, Terminator X’s vision blurred. Despite the pain, a faint smile crossed his lips.“Stay strong, Boss,” he murmured.“I’ll catch up... somehow.”Darkness closed in, leaving his fate uncertain.******"You can't handle this power, you are just puppet of mine, " she smirked, snapped her fingers.And just as I heard snap of fingers.I lost my consciousness.When I opened my eyes, I saw a letter."She is gone, if you want her. Come and take her."Louis’s
The heavy thrum of helicopter blades echoed in the distance as Louis, Juliet, and Terminator X trekked through the dense forest surrounding the monastery.The tension was palpable; every rustle of leaves felt like a potential ambush.“Boss,” Terminator X said, his tone uneasy.“We need to find better cover. These guys aren’t amateurs—they’re tracking us.”Louis tightened his grip on the Heart of the Eternals, his jaw clenched.“We’ll keep moving until we find a defensible position. I’m not losing anyone else.”Juliet glanced at Terminator X, her concern evident.“You’re limping. Are you sure you’re good to keep up?”“I’ve had worse,” Terminator X replied, forcing a grin.“You worry about keeping the boss alive. I’ll handle the rest.”Louis’s eyes narrowed.“You’re not just ‘handling it,’ X. Stick close. We can’t afford to get separated.”They pushed forward for another hour, but the forest felt like it was closing in on them.Suddenly, Terminator X held up a hand, signaling them to st
Terminator X stepped forward, his tone still respectful but firm. “Boss, you’ve got to take this seriously. Let us help you figure this out before it’s too late.”Louis let out a heavy breath, running a hand through his hair.“And how do you suggest we do that? There’s no manual for this kind of thing.”Juliet glanced at the journal in her hand.“There might be. Your mother left breadcrumbs, Louis. We just have to follow them.”Louis’s shoulders sagged slightly, the weight of their words sinking in.“You’re saying I have to trust a dead woman’s riddles to make sense of what’s happening to me?”Juliet nodded. “If it means keeping you safe, keeping all of us safe—yes.”The tension hung heavy in the air as Louis considered her words.Finally, he nodded, his voice quieter.“Fine. But if this is going to slow us down in taking out the Eternals—”“It won’t,” Terminator X interrupted. “We’ll handle it all, Boss. You’ve got a team for a reason.”Louis managed a faint smile, though it didn’t
As Louis was speaking ancient language, in frustration. He punched on the door.Boom!!!!!The door shattered into pieces.The campfire crackled softly in the still night, casting flickering shadows on the faces of those gathered around it.Louis sat a few feet away, staring at his hands, flexing his fingers as though trying to reconcile the strength that had recently revealed itself.Juliet and Terminator X exchanged wary glances from their spots near the fire.Juliet broke the silence first, her voice cautious.“Louis, do you want to talk about what happened back there?”Louis’s head snapped up, his expression a mix of confusion and frustration.“What’s there to talk about? I lost control, that’s all. I’ll figure it out.”Terminator X cleared his throat, stepping into the conversation with his usual bluntness.“Boss, it wasn’t just losing control. You shattered a steel door. That’s not normal—not even for someone like you.”Louis’s jaw tightened.“What are you saying? That I’m some
Suddenly, Juliet's phone buzzed in her pocket, a rare and unexpected break in the tense atmosphere.She pulled it out, her fingers tapping quickly as she read the message.“What is it?” Louis asked, noticing her sudden change in demeanor.Juliet’s eyes widened slightly as she looked up, her expression a mix of surprise and disbelief.“It’s from Kate,” she said, her voice thick with emotion.“Terminator X… He’s alive. He survived the explosion.”Louis’s heart skipped a beat."Terminator X? After everything… How is that even possible?"Juliet shook her head.“I don’t know. But Kate says he’s going to be here soon.”Pearl, who had been resting her eyes, sat up immediately, her face lighting up with hope.“He’s really alive?”“Yes,” Juliet confirmed.“It seems like he pulled through after all. It’s... a miracle.”A silence fell over the group as they processed the news.Terminator X had been their most unpredictable ally—his skills, knowledge, and unwavering loyalty had been crucial in th
The hidden safe house was quiet, a sharp contrast to the chaos and violence that had marked their journey.The dim light from a single candle flickered, casting long shadows on the walls.Juliet sat beside Louis, her hands shaking as she carefully cleaned his wounds.His breath was shallow, but his pulse was steady—barely.His body was covered in cuts and bruises, remnants of the harrowing escape from the monastery.Pearl’s absence weighed heavily on her heart. It felt wrong, like a piece of the puzzle was missing, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t fill the space Pearl had left.As Juliet gently tended to his injuries, she noticed something odd.Louis’s skin, where the Heart had touched him, was marked—glowing faintly under the dim light.It was subtle, almost imperceptible at first, but the symbols were unmistakable."Louis…" Juliet whispered, her fingers brushing over the marks.His body jerked, a groan escaping his lips.His eyes fluttered open, and he blinked, disorien