Claimed By the billionaire

Chapter 10

Inside the luxury suite upstairs, the sound of shattering porcelain and splintering wood echoed violently through the thick oak doors. Chloe was completely unhinged. She grabbed a crystal vase from the vanity, hurling it against the wall with a sharp scream, before sweeping an entire row of designer perfumes onto the floor.

Outside in the hallway, the family physician and a senior maid, Lily stood in complete silence, patiently waiting for the storm to pass.

Lily, who had been with the Stewart family for over twenty years, stared at the closed door with an unreadable expression. She had been there the very day Chloe was brought home from the hospital, watching her grow from a demanding toddler into a deeply spoiled, malicious adult who threw tantrums whenever she didn’t get her way. Honestly, Lily had never understood the masters.

Rachel was the exact opposite of Chloe—quiet, resilient, and inherently respectful. Instead of coddling an adoptive child who bled them dry of peace, why didn't they just embrace Rachel? She was their true biological bloodline, after all. But high society, Lily knew, cared more about polished facades than real truth.

Inside, after throwing every loose object within her reach, the adrenaline finally left Chloe’s system. She slumped onto the edge of the velvet bed, panting heavily as a twisted calmness settled over her.

Wiping a smear of blood from her neck, she stared at her reflection with venomous eyes. Rachel,she hissed in her mind, I will make you pay for every single ounce of this humiliation.

Since Dominic Vance was the center of Rachel’s universe—the man she had desperately chased for five long years—Chloe decided she would simply tear him away too. Pulling out her smartphone, her thumbs flew across the screen as she opened w******p and scrolled down until she found Natalie’s contact.

They weren't friends, but they shared a common, bitter enemy. They had crossed paths at the private medical center a few weeks ago and had instantly clicked over their mutual hatred for Rachel, exchanging numbers on the spot.

Chloe quickly typed a message.Pressing send, a wicked, triumphant grin stretched across Chloe’s face. She smoothed down her midnight-blue dress, took a deep breath, and opened the door, gesturing for the doctor to enter and treat her neck. A beautiful show was about to unfold, and she wanted a front-row seat.

Downstairs, the heavy tension in the ballroom was swiftly swept under the rug. Richard Stewart tightly instructed the conductor to change the music to a lively waltz, projecting a flawless smile to the guests as he signaled for the anniversary celebration to continue.

Catherine, however, was quietly seething. She was deeply displeased with Rachel’s aggressive behavior tonight, but seeing Dominic firmly wrap his arm around her waist, she had no choice but to swallow her rage.

Rachel marrying Dominic was the only anchor securing the Stewart Group’s future business deals with the Vance empire. Right now, protecting their wealth and status was the only thing that mattered.

Seeing Catherine stepping forward, her eyes gleaming with the clear intent to publicly announce the wedding dates, Rachel didn't give her the chance. She tightly grabbed Dominic’s hand and bluntly led him away from the crowd, marching straight toward the glass doors leading to the outdoor terrace.

Catherine’s smile faltered as she watched them leave. Ungrateful girl, she thought bitterly, crossing her arms. Doesn't she see I’m trying to secure her entire future?

Out by the illuminated poolside, the cool night air brushed against Rachel’s skin. The distant hum of the waltz faded into the background.

Pushing some distance between herself and Dominic, Rachel turned around and crossed her arms over her chest, her gaze cutting through the dim light like a razor.

"What exactly do you think you're doing here, Dominic?" she demanded.

Dominic didn't answer immediately. His eyes trailed over her, a flicker of surprise passing through his cold expression. Her makeup was flawless, her hair was elegantly styled, and the emerald gown hugged the curves of her body with breathtaking precision.

For five years, she had always worn the drab, simple clothes he preferred. He had to admit, seeing her like this—radiant, sharp, and fiercely beautiful—suited her far too well.

But then, the memory of his ignored phone calls rushed back, and his expression hardened. "Why was your phone off all day, Rachel? "

Rachel let out a short, incredulous laugh, the sound hollow and mocking. "I was kidnapped, terrified for my life, and the only thing you care about is why my phone was off?"

Dominic frowned, his chest tightening. He deeply despised hearing that word. If she hadn't repeatedly weaponized that fake breakup threat during their last phone call, he wouldn't have gotten angry enough to ignore her.

"You certainly have a sharp tongue when it comes to me," Dominic sneered, taking a step closer, his alpha arrogance bleeding through.

"But you never seem to have that energy for the Stewart family. Let me remind you, Rachel, if I hadn't stepped in tonight, Richard and Chloe would have stomped all over your pride. Is this how you repay me for saving your skin?"

"Repay you?" Rachel matched his gaze, her voice chillingly calm. "Sure. Consider it my final repayment for the five long years of my life I completely wasted on you."

Dominic scoffed, utterly refusing to believe her. In his mind, Rachel was entirely incapable of leaving him. She needed his wealth and power to keep Catherine and Richard in check; without him, her family would devour her alive.

She was just throwing another dramatic tantrum because of the wedding.

"I won't hold your attitude against you this time, Rachel," Dominic said, his tone softening into a patronizing, magnanimous tilt.

"I already told you, the ceremony with Natalie was just fulfilling a dying wish. If that public wedding is what's bothering your pride, fine. Our actual wedding will be ten times more grand. I’ll hire the best designers in the world."

Rachel found it profoundly laughable. Five years. She had spent five years breathing for this man, and he still didn't understand a single thing about her. He still genuinely believed her kidnapping was a cheap fabrication, and he looked at her now as if he were offering her a magnificent charity prize.

Rachel took a slow, deliberate step backward, her heel stopping mere inches from the very edge of the glistening pool water.

"You think a lavish wedding will make me run back to you, Dominic? In fact, that fake wedding yesterday wasn't enough. I wish you and Natalie would just go ahead and have a real one instead."

In the past, whenever Dominic threw her a bone or mentioned their future marriage, Rachel would instantly seize the opportunity to reconcile, apologizing for her behavior just to stay by his side. But the woman standing before him tonight was a stranger.

Dominic’s patience instantly hit its limit. His jaw clenched tightly. "Stop being so childish, Rachel. My patience is limited. If there is a specific asset, a house, or a piece of jewelry you want to make you forgive me, name it now."

Before Rachel could even open her mouth to shatter his delusion, a movement near the glass doors caught her eye.

Walking across the stone terrace, wearing a fragile, flowing white gown that made her look like a ghost in the moonlight, was Natalie. She was moving directly toward them, her eyes fixed entirely on Dominic.

Rachel froze, her heart fracturing into a million familiar pieces. A sudden, quiet stillness enveloped her mind as she stared at the unfolding scene.

Dominic... Rachel thought, her gaze dropping to the man who had occupied her entire youth.

I’m still holding onto a tiny, foolish spark of hope. Just once... just this single time in five years... please choose me. Choose me... just this once.