Chapter 14 Her Ambition to Become a Billionaire
Stefanie’s laughter rang out, “Miss, I’m already standing at the door.”
Maryanne’s soft reply came through the line, “Mm.”
When the call ended, she gently placed the food on the table.
A dull ache throbbed in her throat, mirroring the stiffness in her jaw.
Her hand instinctively traced the tender spot on her neck, her eyes clouded with a profound sense of loss. Cristofer was indeed heartless, yet this lingering pain was dismissed as trivial.
She drew in a deep, steadying breath, her gaze hardening into ice.
Life had dealt her many blows, love among them.
From this moment on, men would be secondary–mere footnotes in the grand narrative of her ambition to become a billionaire.
She poured a glass of water, draining half in one swift gulp, the cool liquid offering a fleeting solace to her hollow chest.
She had told herself her heart wouldn’t break, but it still ached.
With deliberate movements, Maryanne stowed the food in the fridge, rinsed the beef, and set it to simmer in the pot.
Hours later, Stefanie returned.
Every woman in Maryanne’s orbit was strikingly beautiful; the men, tall and handsome. Good genes ran through their veins.
Each one had been nurtured by Maryanne since childhood.
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Chapter 14 Her Ambition to Become a Billionaire
This year, Stefanie turned twenty–four. At 1.72 meters tall, she possessed an oval face, captivating large eyes, full red lips, and pearly white teeth. An elegant, queenly demeanor emanated from her, regal and cool.
Maryanne, by contrast, was calm and reserved, her thoughts a well- guarded secret.
She cherished quiet moments and solitude, her trust reserved only for those who had grown up alongside her. Vengeful, decisive, and utterly merciless, she was unmatched in her dominance among women.
Their eyes met. Stefanie’s gaze fell upon the faint fingerprint on Maryanne’s pale neck, her expression hardening. “Ms. Nelson, what happened to your neck?”
Maryanne’s eyes dimmed slightly, a faint, enigmatic smile touching her lips. “It’s nothing. Stefanie, there’s something you should know—I’m pregnant. From now on, you’ll stay here to care for me. Arrange for reliable cleaners and gardeners to tend to the house. It will just be the two of us living here.”
Stefanie’s eyes widened in surprise as she instinctively glanced down at Maryanne’s belly. Her figure was impeccable–just as it had been years ago–showing no hint of the pregnancy.
“Ms. Nelson, what exactly happened? Who’s the father? If anyone hurt you, tell us. We’ll confront them and stand by you,” Stefanie’s tone was tender, like a gentle caress.
A touch of warmth spread through Maryanne. A radiant smile bloomed on her delicate face, reaching her eyes. “Stefanie, the past is behind us now. Never mention the child’s father again. I’ll raise the baby in secret -no one outside will ever know.
“When he turns three, he’ll join the others at the base for training, just
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Chapter 14 Her Ambition to Become a Billionaire
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as I did when I was young.”
Stefanie blinked, momentarily stunned, but quickly understood.
A faint smile touched her lips. “Welcome back, Ms. Nelson. We’ve all been waiting for you.”
For the first time in hours, Maryanne felt a flicker of warmth in her icy heart. “Mmm. I’ll rest upstairs for a while. The beef is simmering in the pot. Wake me when it’s ready.”
“Okay, Ms. Nelson. I’ll handle everything else.” Stefanie gently guided her upstairs, pulling a blanket over her before switching on the humidifier beside the bed. Then, she went back downstairs.
Maryanne drifted into sleep, the pregnancy making her unusually drowsy.
She hadn’t expected to sleep so deeply–until hunger roused her the next morning.
She rose,
rose, washed
up, and descended for breakfast.
“Ms. Nelson, you slept so soundly last night, so I didn’t dare disturb you. Breakfast is ready.”
Stefanie, dressed in a sleek black suit, greeted her with a warm smile.
Maryanne nodded and joined her, her thoughts drifting back to the years she’d wake early to prepare breakfast for Cristofer, returning home in time for dinner.
Driven by love, she’d been utterly devoted, willing to sacrifice anything for him.
Now, all that was gone. They were strangers.
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Maryanne asked Stefanie to join her for breakfast.
After breakfast, Maryanne turned to Stefanie. “Stefie, you and Layton will work together as partners. From now on, you’ll secretly serve as my bodyguards and investigate Timothy’s movements. Since Massif Landscape has surfaced, those searching for it will be here too—and they’re dangerous. You must be cautious.
“Maggie and Geovanni will stay close, serving as my special assistants.”
Stefanie nodded, satisfied with the arrangement.
Maggie was a master negotiator, while Geovanni, a skilled hacker, could construct an impenetrable digital shield around Maryanne.
“I have no objections, Miss,” Stefanie replied with a reassuring smile.
“Good,” Maryanne said curtly. Just then, her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID, and her expression shifted instantly.
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