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CLAIMED BY THE BILLIONAIRE

CLAIMED BY THE BILLIONAIRE

Stapha writes

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Synopsis He was the most powerful man in the city, feared by everyone and known for his devilishly handsome face. Raymond Ray had everything anyone could desire-wealth, influence, and respect. Yet, he harbored no interest in women. It all began as a scheme to extort money from him. Ariana found herself trapped in a marriage she never wanted. It wasn't that she was opposed to marriage, but certainly not to the most dangerous man in the city. Her aunt lied to the world, claiming that Raymond had gotten Ariana pregnant and refused to take responsibility, all in a bid to swindle him. But the truth was far from that-Ariana wasn't pregnant, nor had she ever been close to Raymond. To everyone's shock, instead of denying the accusations, Raymond announced his intention to marry her. He knew it was all a lie, but he had a plan-a dangerous one. He would make Ariana pay for daring to play with fire. And whoever plays with fire always gets burned.

Chapter 1 A DEAL IN WHITE

Chapter 1

Raymond's POV

They call me ruthless. Calculating. The devil in a custom suit.

It's all true. I've earned those titles and wear them like armor. Every deal, every victory, every enemy crushed beneath my polished shoes-each one has built this reputation. But as I sit at the head of the boardroom table, staring at the morning's entertainment on the projector screen-a recording of Ariana's aunt spinning her absurd story-I feel something unusual.

Amusement.

No one has ever dared something this desperate with me. Forcing a pregnancy scandal? Laughable. I have no interest in women-none. They're deceitful, dangerous, and endlessly calculating in their games of manipulation. I've spent my life ensuring I never fall into their traps. Or so I thought.

"She's bold," I mutter, leaning back in my chair as the video replays. Ariana's aunt, crocodile tears streaming, accuses me of ruining her precious niece's life. The headlines plastered beneath the footage scream: City's Most Feared Bachelor Caught in Scandalous Affair.

"Shall we address this in court, Mr. Ray?" Simon, my head of legal, asks, his tone careful, as though he's walking on glass. He adjusts his tie, avoiding my gaze. He knows better than to look me in the eye when I'm in this kind of mood.

"No." I steeple my fingers, my eyes fixed on the freeze-frame of the aunt's overly dramatic face. "We won't waste time with lawyers."

"Should I arrange for... a visit?" Simon ventures, his voice low and deliberate.

A faint smirk tugs at the corner of my lips. "Not yet."

The room falls into tense silence. No one dares to speak out of turn, knowing how thin the ice is under them. But my mind isn't on the aunt or her ridiculous lies-it's on the girl at the center of this mess. Ariana.

I don't recall ever meeting her, but the tabloids have plastered her face everywhere. Wide, frightened eyes. A quiet, undeniable beauty. She looks like someone who doesn't belong in my world, someone who couldn't survive even a day in it.

And yet, here she is.

"Sir?" Simon prods, clearly unnerved by my silence.

"She lied," I say softly, my tone sharp enough to cut glass. "But not convincingly enough to bother me." I pause, letting the tension hang in the air before adding, "That doesn't mean I'll let it slide."

Simon clears his throat, his brow furrowed. "What's the plan, then?"

I stand, straightening my cuffs with deliberate precision. "Marriage."

Simon chokes on his coffee. "Excuse me?"

"Marriage," I repeat, savoring the weight of the word. "Announce it publicly. Tell the media I've claimed responsibility and that the wedding is imminent."

"But... why?" Simon blurts, his professional mask slipping for the first time. "You don't even know this girl."

"Exactly," I say, my smirk widening. "I don't know her, but I will. And when I do, I'll make sure she regrets letting her aunt drag me into this charade."

Simon frowns, crossing his arms in a rare display of defiance. "And if she's just another pawn?"

"She's not just a pawn," I say, my tone hardening. "She's going to be useful.

Simon raises an eyebrow, waiting for me to elaborate.

"Do you think I don't hear the whispers in the boardroom?" I ask, my voice cold. "The questions about my personal life? They've been circling like vultures for months, pressuring me to settle down. Marrying this girl kills two birds with one stone."

Simon exhales sharply, realization dawning. "You're using her to shut them up."

"Precisely," I say, my smirk returning. "This scandal plays right into my hands. By marrying Ariana, I silence the board and take control of the narrative."

"And if she doesn't cooperate?"

"She will," I reply firmly. "She doesn't have a choice."

Simon still looks skeptical but nods. "Understood."

"I want the wedding tomorrow," I add, my tone leaving no room for debate.

Simon freezes mid-step, turning to look at me as though I've gone mad. "Tomorrow? That's..." He falters.

"I hate delays," I say, already heading for the door.

As I make my way to the parking lot, I can feel the whispers of my staff trailing behind me like shadows. Let them talk. Let them speculate. None of it matters.

I drive through the city, the familiar streets passing in a blur. My mind races with the details of what needs to happen next. By the time I arrive home, the plan is crystal clear.

Dinner is waiting when I step inside, but I barely taste it. The maids hover in the background, whispering amongst themselves. It's always the same: fear and curiosity. They've learned to keep their distance, but I can feel their eyes on me.

After dinner, I head to my room, loosening my tie as I go. Stripping down to my undershirt, I collapse onto the bed.

Tomorrow will be a long day.

Tomorrow, I get married.

I pick up my phone and send a text to the handful of people who need to be there. No big wedding. Keep it simple. Attendance mandatory.

The message is cold, clinical, and leaves no room for excuses.

As I set the phone down, my thoughts wander back to Ariana. Her image has been burned into my mind since the moment I saw it. Those wide eyes, that hint of fear-she's different. And I don't know why that bothers me.

But it doesn't matter.

This isn't about her. It's about me. My power. My reputation. She has to pay the price of making fake reports about me.

What did she think? Just ruined my reputation and walk away.

No! Things aren't done like that, especially in my world.

Tomorrow, I'll take what I want. And she'll have no choice but to fall in line.

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CLAIMED BY THE BILLIONAIRE
1

Chapter 1 A DEAL IN WHITE

31/12/2024

2

Chapter 2 TRAPPED IN WHITE

31/12/2024

3

Chapter 3 INTO THE DEVIL'S LAIR

31/12/2024

4

Chapter 4 DARK HONEYMOON

31/12/2024

5

Chapter 5 A HUSBAND'S CLAIM

31/12/2024

6

Chapter 6 BETWEEN HATE AND PITY

31/12/2024

7

Chapter 7 A WARNING CALL

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8

Chapter 8 THE HIDDEN THREAT

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9

Chapter 9 THE WEIGHT OF SECRETS

31/12/2024

10

Chapter 10 SILENT SCREAMS.

31/12/2024

11

Chapter 11 GHOSTS THAT HAUNTS US.

31/12/2024

12

Chapter 12 A Mess at Life

05/02/2025

13

Chapter 13 Haunted

05/02/2025

14

Chapter 14 FRAGMENTS OF TRUTH

05/02/2025

15

Chapter 15 HOW WELL WOULD YOU WARM MY BED

05/02/2025

16

Chapter 16 I WON'T BITE

05/02/2025

17

Chapter 17 LOOMING DANGER

05/02/2025

18

Chapter 18 BETWEEN LOVE AND VOWS

05/02/2025

19

Chapter 19 UNRAVELING SECRETS

05/02/2025

20

Chapter 20 WEB OF DECEIT

05/02/2025

21

Chapter 21 SAVING ARIANNA

05/02/2025

22

Chapter 22 UNVEILING

05/02/2025

23

Chapter 23 THE TRAP

05/02/2025

24

Chapter 24 THE HOODED MAN

05/02/2025

25

Chapter 25 THE STRUGGLE WITHIN

05/02/2025

26

Chapter 26 LOOMING SHADOWS

05/02/2025

27

Chapter 27 PROTECTING HER

05/02/2025

28

Chapter 28 TORN BETWEEN BLOOD AND TRUTHS

05/02/2025

29

Chapter 29 A PRISON OF DOUBTS

05/02/2025

30

Chapter 30 BETWEEN THE KNIFE AND ITS FIRE

05/02/2025

31

Chapter 31 INTO THE UNKNOWN

05/02/2025

32

Chapter 32 Playing with Fire

08/02/2025

33

Chapter 33 NO MORE RUNNING

08/02/2025

34

Chapter 34 THE PRICE OF POWER

08/02/2025

35

Chapter 35 GHOSTS IN THE DARK.

08/02/2025

36

Chapter 36 LIVING GHOSTS

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37

Chapter 37 SHE'S BEEN ALIVE ALL ALONG!

12/02/2025

38

Chapter 38 THE VANISHING ACT

12/02/2025

39

Chapter 39 A DANGEROUS GAME

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40

Chapter 40 WALKING THE EDGE.

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