The Betrayed Heiress's Ruthless Fake Marriage

"To our future," Heidi Bolton said, her voice smooth as silk. She lifted a champagne flute, the crystal catching the ballroom's light.

Her carefully crafted smile was flawless.

Zane Sterling, her fiancé, was momentarily dazzled by her smile. He'd already had enough to make his head swim. But under Heidi's expectant gaze, his vanity won.

He took the glass. "To our future."

He downed it in one smooth motion. The guests surrounding them applauded politely.

Whispers followed Heidi like a shadow.

"Can you believe it? The Bolton girl actually went after a Sterling. I mean, look at Heidi, she could have done better, but why settle for a degenerate like Zane Sterling?"

"It's because of the money. She's basically selling herself. Her father must be getting a nice sum out of this engagement."

"Who asked her to be so unloved? She's been uncared for since her mother died. Her family doesn't care at all that she's become Zane Sterling's plaything."

Heidi heard it all. She felt nothing. Her focus was a laser point on Zane. She watched him swallow, the corner of her mouth ticking up. She plucked another identical flute from a passing waiter's tray but only took a delicate sip.

"I have a surprise for you upstairs," she whispered, her lips brushing his ear. The warmth of her breath was a lie. "Presidential suite. 2808. Give me ten minutes."

Zane's eyes lit up with a greedy fire. He squeezed her waist, his touch possessive and crude.

"I'll be there."

As he turned away, the smile on Heidi's face evaporated. It was replaced by a look of undisguised disgust. She placed her untouched champagne on a tray without a second glance.

Her eyes scanned the opulent ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria, a sea of black ties and designer gowns. They landed on her target.

Carra Bolton. Her stepsister.

Carra stood in a circle of fawning socialites, clad in a seemingly understated but unmistakably luxurious custom-made white gown. The dress made her look more like the star of today's engagement than Heidi.

Heidi glided toward her, the sequins on her fire-red minidress shimmering like scales.

"Thank you," Heidi said, ignoring the jab. "To be honest, Carra, I've always envied you. Zane always tells me to learn from you."

A smug smile tugged at Carra's lips.

The fish was taking the bait. Heidi continued, her tone unhurried. "He booked suite 2208 upstairs. He mentioned something about a family heirloom."

"An heirloom?" Carra's brow furrowed slightly, but her eyes had already begun to shift-from wariness to a poorly concealed, greedy curiosity.

"Yes." Heidi sighed, playing the part of a heartbroken fiancée. "Passed down for generations. Supposedly priceless. But he doesn't seem keen on giving it to me. He said if I could learn to be as gentle and virtuous as you, maybe he'd hand it over tonight."

Carra's breathing turned uneven. This was an opportunity. Zane might not be much, but if she could play her cards right and walk away with top-tier jewelry, it would be worth it. Heidi had no skill-even engaged, she couldn't secure the heirloom. That left the door wide open for Carra. She bit her lip, then turned and slipped through a side door, heading for the corridor that led to the elevators.

Heidi watched her go, her green eyes cold as ice.

In a dimly lit corner of the grand ballroom, Chace Henderson saw everything. From his wheelchair, he had a perfect vantage point. He watched Heidi offer the champagne. He watched her whisper in Zane's ear, then in Carra's. A flicker of pure appreciation curved his lips.

This woman, the one the world had dismissed as a brainless "It Girl," was far more interesting than anyone knew.

Heidi checked her watch. Carra was on her way up. Phase one was complete.

She began to move through the crowd, her path deliberate. Her next target was Carra's mother, her stepmother, Jimmie Webster.

"Jimmie, I'm so worried," Heidi said, her voice loud enough for the surrounding matrons to hear. "Zane has been ignoring me all night. He's had so much to drink." She was laying the foundation for her own alibi.

Ten minutes passed.

Heidi's expression shifted from pouty complaint to genuine "concern."

"I'm going to go check on him," she announced to Jimmie. "I'm worried."

She grabbed the arms of a few of the more notorious gossips nearby. "Will you come with me? I'm scared to go alone."

They were thrilled at the prospect of drama.

The group moved like a hunting party toward the elevators. Heidi led the way, her face a mask of anxiety, her heart a block of ice.

They arrived at suite 2808. The door was slightly ajar.

From inside, they could hear the sounds of a struggle. A man's grunts, and a woman's panicked, muffled cries.

"No... Zane... It's me, Carra! Not Heidi!"

The women with Heidi gasped, their hands flying to their mouths.

Heidi looked as if she'd been struck by lightning. Her body swayed. Then, with a surge of adrenaline, she kicked the door wide open.

The scene inside was ugly. Zane, his eyes glazed over from the drug and alcohol, was tearing at Carra's dress. Her face was a mess of tears and terror.

"Zane Sterling!" Heidi screamed, a raw, primal sound that ripped through the air.

The shriek cut through Zane's drugged haze. He looked up, his vision blurring. He saw Heidi. Behind her, a crowd of shocked faces, their phones already out.

The flash of a camera was like a gunshot in the silent room.

Downstairs, in the ballroom, Chace Henderson's phone vibrated. A push notification from Page Six.

BREAKING: Bolton-Sterling Engagement Implodes. Groom-to-be Caught with Bride's Sister in Hotel Suite.

Chace switched off the screen. He looked out at the New York skyline, a universe of glittering lights. For the first time in a very long time, a woman had genuinely captured his interest.

He picked up his phone and sent a text to his assistant.

Find out everything there is to know about Heidi Bolton.