Bought by the Billionaire18

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.