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Damian Wolfe, A billionaire with wealth and power desires a fiancée so as to stop a scandal from ruining his reputation, and then, Fate brings Elena Carter his way. Elena Carter, an orphan, who was In desperate need for the funding of her company barged into his office to demand his help. Damian agrees to fund her company, but, at a cost..... A mistake Damian made years back will find it's way to his present, and ruin his new found life filled with Love.
Chapter 1 The meet
The city skyline stretched endlessly, bathed in the golden glow of sunset. From the floor-to-ceiling windows of Wolfe Enterprises, Damian Wolfe stood like a king surveying his empire. His tailored suit fit him like armor, his sharp jawline tense as he read the headlines flashing across the massive screen on his office wall.
Billionaire Playboy Caught in Scandal-Is Damian Wolfe Finally Falling?
He exhaled slowly, eyes dark with calculation. They always wanted a scandal. If they couldn't find one, they'd invent it. But this time, it wasn't just a rumor. It was a real problem-one that required an immediate solution.
The board was restless. Investors were wary. He needed something untouchable. Unquestionable. A fiancée.
A sharp knock pulled him from his thoughts. Victor stepped in, his presence as composed as ever. "We have a list of suitable candidates," he said, dropping a folder onto the sleek black desk. "Women from influential families, clean reputations. It's the easiest way to shut down the rumors."
Damian barely glanced at it. Predictable. Cold. Boring. None of them interested him. He needed someone different-someone no one would suspect. Someone who couldn't be easily controlled but would have a reason to play along.
Then, as if fate had read his mind, the door to his office burst open.
"Mr. Wolfe, I won't leave until I speak with you!"
A woman stormed in, her hazel eyes blazing with determination. Her dark curls framed her face wildly, her breathing heavy as if she had just fought her way past security. She was not the kind of woman who belonged in his office.
Victor's brows lifted. Damian? He simply watched. Amused. Intrigued.
"You've been ignoring my emails," she accused, dropping a folder onto his desk-this one worn, its edges creased from being handled too many times.
He leaned back in his chair, lips curling into a slow, predatory smile. "And you are?"
"Elena Carter." She crossed her arms, glaring. "And you owe me."
Victor stiffened beside him. Completely confused, wondering who this stranger was, and how she had the nerve to barge into Damian's office like that. Victor wanted to speak, but Damian held up a finger to shut him up, because He was suddenly very, very interested.
-
The silence stretched between them, thick with tension.
Damian studied the woman standing before him. Elena Carter. She wasn't like the polished socialites who begged for his attention. She wasn't timid, either. She had a fire. A recklessness in her stance that intrigued him.
She had his attention-which was dangerous.
Elena, however, didn't seem to care. "I sent you my business proposal weeks ago. My company needs funding, and I know you're interested in investing in innovative startups."
Damian slowly leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk. His silver watch gleamed under the office lights. "And what makes you think I'd invest in yours?"
"Because it's good," she shot back. "I've put everything into this project, and I know it has potential. You're the only one standing in my way."
A slow smirk tugged at his lips. Fearless. Stubborn. Bold.
Victor cleared his throat. "Damian, if you're busy-"
Damian held up a hand, silencing him. He wasn't done playing yet.
He picked up the worn folder she had dropped onto his desk, flipping through its contents with calculated ease. A tech startup-one that aimed to create affordable software solutions for small businesses. Not bad. In fact, it was impressive.
But that wasn't what held his interest. She did.
Elena shifted impatiently. "Look, I know men like you don't waste time. Just give me a yes or no, and I'll leave you alone."
Damian exhaled slowly. Then, without breaking eye contact, he snapped the folder shut.
"No."
She blinked. "Excuse me?"
"I won't invest in your company." He watched as frustration flashed across her face, her hands clenched into fists. Then, before she could storm out, he added smoothly, "But I have a counteroffer."
Elena froze. "A counteroffer?"
A slow, deliberate nod. "You need funding. I need a fiancée."
The room felt like it dropped ten degrees.
Victor's head snapped toward him in silent shock, but Damian didn't waver. His gaze remained locked on Elena, waiting for her reaction.
She laughed, but there was no humor in it. "You're joking."
"I don't joke about business."
Elena stared at him, disbelief evident in her hazel eyes. "You're insane."
"Not insane," he corrected. "Strategic." He leaned back in his chair, fingers steepling. "You need money. I need a woman who isn't easily manipulated. Someone who doesn't want me but can play the role convincingly."
She opened her mouth, then shut it.
She couldn't find the right words.
Elena couldn't believe her ears, what is wrong with this man? She came here for the funding of her company and now this?
"You play along for six months," he continued, voice smooth as silk. "In return, I'll fund your company. Fully."
Silence.
Elena's expression shifted-a war between temptation and common sense. He could practically see the wheels turning in her mind.
Six months. A fortune in funding. But at what cost?
Does this man really expect me to accept this offer? Or is this some kind of sick joke?
I expected a yes or no as an answer, but a counteroffer? I definitely didn't expect anything close to that. And to think I'm expected to fake being his fiancée for the whole world to see, unbelievable.
"I should walk away," she muttered.
"You should," Damian agreed. Then, tilting his head, he asked, "But will you?"
I could give this man a punch in his face right now, why would he do this to me? Elena thought to herself.
"Why would he put me in a situation like this?"
Elena's heart pounded in her chest.
She had expected rejection. She had even prepared for it. But this? This was something entirely different.
A proposal. Not of investment. Of marriage.
How was this going to work?
This was a huge task, would she be able to handle it?
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