His Hatred

The $300 Husband Is A Zillionaire

Nap Regazzini

I woke up in a blindingly white hotel penthouse with a throbbing headache and the taste of betrayal in my mouth. The last thing I remembered was my stepsister, Cathie, handing me a flute of champagne at the charity gala with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. Now, a tall, dangerously handsome man walked out of the bathroom with a towel around his hips. On the nightstand sat a stack of hundred-dollar bills. My stepmother had finally done it—she drugged me and staged a scandal with a hired escort to destroy my reputation and my future. "Aisha! Is it true you spent the night with a gigolo?" The shouts of a dozen reporters echoed through the heavy oak door as camera flashes exploded through the peephole. My phone lit up with messages showing my bank accounts were already frozen. My father was invoking the 'morality clause' in my mother’s trust fund, and my fiancé had already released a statement dumping me to marry my stepsister instead. I was trapped, penniless, and being hunted by the press for a scandal I hadn't even participated in. My own family had sold me out for a payday, and the man standing in front of me was the only witness who could prove I was innocent—or finish me off for good. I didn't have time to cry. According to the fine print of the trust, I had thirty days to prove my "rehabilitation" through a legal marriage or I would lose everything. I tracked the man down to a coffee shop the next morning, watching him take a thick envelope of cash from a wealthy older woman. I sat across from him and slid a napkin with a $50,000 figure written on it. "I need a husband. Legal, paper-signed, and convincing." He looked at the number, then at me, a slow, crooked smile spreading across his face. I thought I was hiring a desperate gigolo to save my inheritance. I had no idea I was actually proposing to Dominic Fields, the reclusive billionaire shark who was currently planning a hostile takeover of my father’s entire empire.

Modern Mystery Multilinear narration Drama Comeback One-night stand

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"Boss, forgive me. I will not commit this sort of mistake again." He pleaded, kissing the floor as he begged for his life. Fear was evident on his face. He regretted betraying the greatest mafia boss in the country. It was the biggest mistake of his life, and he was paying dearly for it now.

"You won't live to make this mistake again, Peter. I never spare a traitor, and you know that very well," Dominic said, waving his gun around and blowing cigarette smoke into his face, making Peter even more nervous.

Peter held Dominic's feet and begged, "Forgive me, boss. I promise I won't make such a mistake again. I have a family."

"You should have thought about all this earlier," John growled. "It's too late now."

Peter's face contorted in desperation. "Have mercy on me, Boss."

Arthur stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "You were passing our information to our enemies; don't you think this mistake is too serious to be forgiven, Peter?"

Peter's voice cracked. "I... I was helpless. Those people threatened to kill my family and sell my daughter to a brothel."

Max's voice dripped with malice. "Jenna, 25 years old, beautiful. Can I make her my slave?"

Dominic's gaze never wavered from Peter. "Do whatever you want with her, Max."

Then, his attention snapped back to Peter. "I won't leave you unpunished."

John's anger flared. "I suspected you for a long time; even if you were forced, you should have remained loyal. Do you think those people are more dangerous than us? We are the most powerful mafia in this country. How did you forget this? Betrayal from us after working for us for 7 years."

Peter's eyes pleaded. "I'm sorry for what I did, but—"

Dominic cut him off. "If I had not married your daughter, you would have fallen here in pieces by now."

Peter's voice barely audible. "I'm sorry..."

The office door swung open just then. Valerie's gentle voice cut through the scene: "Dinner is served."

Every head turned toward the door. Valerie's eyes popped when she registered the room atmosphere. "Dad?"

Dominic had an angry face, but in his eyes flickered a warning. He nodded subtly to Kael.

Kael moved toward Valerie in smooth strides. "Val, let's go."

He placed a gentle hand on her elbow, ushering her out of the office. The door fell shut behind them, leaving muffled sounds of raised voices.

Valerie quivered as she asked Kael, "What's going on? Why's Dad kneeling over there?"

Kael's expression softened, but his eyes remained guarded. He offered a gentle smile. "You don't need to worry about him, Valerie."

Valerie's concern deepened. "But what's happening?"

Kael's tone turned cold. "Anyway, that man doesn't deserve anyone's concern."

Valerie's eyes widened. "That man is my father."

Kael's jaw clenched. "That man was neither a good father nor an honest man. He's getting what he deserves."

Suddenly, a bullet fired with a sharp crack through the air. The sound made Valerie's eyes go wide, and she took a step forward, but Kael held her hand tightly and pulled her back.

"Don't go there, Valerie," said Kael in a hushed, urgent voice. "The boss is very pissed off. It's not safe."

Tears welled in Valerie's eyes, spilling down her cheeks. "He was my father," she whispered with a breaking voice.

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