Elena Carter has spent her life fighting to stay afloat. But when her late father's crushing debt threatens to ruin her completely, she faces an impossible choice accept help from the one man who could destroy her carefully built independence. Enter Damien Blackwood, a billionaire with a reputation as ruthless as it is dazzling. His solution? A marriage of convenience that will erase her debt and secure his business interests. Elena swears she'll never be just another possession in Damien's world, but resisting his charm proves more dangerous than she expected. Damien thought he could keep things strictly business, but the fierce, independent Elena stirs something he buried long ago. As their forced proximity ignites passion and unravels secrets, the walls he's built around his heart begin to crumble. But in the shadows, Veronica Steele Damien's scheming ex-fiancée has her own plans to ensure this union ends in disaster. When betrayal and deceit threaten to tear them apart, Damien and Elena must decide: can they trust each other enough to turn their fake marriage into something real?
Chapter 1 1
The sound of rain against the glass windows of the auction house was oddly soothing, a rhythmic backdrop to the rising tension in the room. Elena Carter sat in the back row, her heart pounding in her chest as she scanned the crowd of polished men and women in designer suits. The air was thick with the scent of money, power, and desperation-an intoxicating combination she despised.
She adjusted the strap of her worn leather bag and looked down at her trembling hands. There was no point trying to calm herself; the letter crumpled in her lap was proof that her life had spiraled completely out of control.
$500,000. That was the amount her father owed. The debt collectors had been kind enough to provide the figure in bold red ink at the top of the page, as though she needed the emphasis.
"Elena," her friend Mia whispered, nudging her. "He's here."
Her head snapped up. Across the room, near the front, stood Damien Blackwood.
He looked exactly like he did in the newspapers-impeccably dressed in a charcoal-gray suit that probably cost more than her yearly rent, his dark hair perfectly styled, and his sharp, angular jaw clenched in concentration. He stood out not just because of his striking looks but because he exuded an aura of authority that made everyone else in the room seem smaller.
"Why is he here?" Elena whispered back, her voice barely audible.
Mia shrugged, her eyes wide. "Rumor is he's buying up distressed businesses. Maybe he's here for a bargain."
Elena's stomach twisted. Of course, he was. Men like Damien Blackwood didn't step into places like this unless there was something to gain.
The auctioneer cleared his throat, the microphone amplifying the sound. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome. Today's proceedings are unique, as we're not only auctioning off assets but opportunities. Let's begin with Lot 1."
Elena's throat tightened as the auction started. One by one, the remnants of her father's business empire were paraded in front of the room-equipment, contracts, even the building itself. Each item was stripped of its value, reduced to cold, hard numbers as the bidders competed.
But it wasn't until the final lot that the room truly came alive.
"And now, Lot 15," the auctioneer announced. "The remaining shares of Carter & Co., including exclusive intellectual property rights and assets. Starting bid, $200,000."
Elena froze. This was it. Everything her father had spent his life building, everything she'd tried to save-it was all on the line now.
"Two hundred thousand," someone called out.
"Two-fifty," another bidder countered.
The numbers climbed quickly, the voices blending into a blur of chaos.
"Five hundred," a deep, commanding voice cut through the noise.
Elena's head snapped toward the front of the room. Damien.
All eyes turned to him as he leaned back in his chair, completely unbothered by the attention.
"Five hundred thousand from Mr. Blackwood," the auctioneer said, his voice almost reverent. "Do I hear five-fifty?"
Silence.
Elena's nails dug into her palms. She should have felt relief that someone was willing to pay off the debt, but all she felt was dread. What did Damien Blackwood want with her father's failing business?
"Sold!" The auctioneer's gavel struck the podium.
Damien stood, buttoning his jacket with a slow, deliberate motion. His gaze swept the room before settling on her.
"Elena Carter," he said, his voice low but firm. "A word."
The room went silent.
Mia gripped Elena's arm. "You don't have to-"
"It's fine," Elena said, forcing herself to stand. Her legs felt like jelly, but she squared her shoulders and followed Damien out of the room.
He led her into an empty corridor, his movements smooth and confident. When they were alone, he turned to face her, his dark eyes scanning her face.
"You look just like him," he said finally.
"Like who?" she asked, her voice sharper than intended.
"Your father."
The words hit her like a slap. She clenched her fists. "If you're here to gloat-"
"I'm here to make you an offer."
Elena laughed bitterly. "An offer? You've already taken everything."
Damien didn't flinch. "Not everything. You're still here, and I need you."
She blinked, stunned into silence. "Excuse me?"
"I bought the company to settle your father's debt," he said. "But I need you to stay involved. You know the business better than anyone else, and frankly, I don't have the time to babysit it."
"Stay involved?" she echoed. "What does that even mean?"
"I want you to work for me," Damien said simply.
Elena crossed her arms. "And if I refuse?"
His jaw tightened. "You won't. Because if you do, I'll liquidate everything-including the parts of the business that employ the people your father cared about. Your refusal would leave them all jobless."
Her stomach churned. "That's blackmail."
"It's business," Damien corrected, his tone icy. "Think of it as a mutually beneficial arrangement."
She glared at him, anger and helplessness warring within her. "You really think I'd agree to this?"
"I think you care too much not to," he said, stepping closer. His voice softened, but his gaze remained intense. "You have one week to decide. After that, I move forward without you."
And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving Elena standing alone in the empty corridor, her world once again on the brink of collapse.
Chapter 1 1
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Chapter 2 2
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Chapter 3 3
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Chapter 4 4
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Chapter 5 5
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Chapter 6 6
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Chapter 7 7
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Chapter 8 8
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Chapter 9 9
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Chapter 10 10
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Chapter 11 11
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Chapter 12 12
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Chapter 13 13
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Chapter 14 14
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Chapter 15 15
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Chapter 16 16
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Chapter 17 17
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Chapter 18 18
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Chapter 19 19
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Chapter 20 20
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