Tempting the Rude Billionare

Serena hated it. Every hungry gaze from men she didn’t know and the way she swayed her hips to entice their desire, Serena absolutely loathed it. Stripping had started to feel empty lately, and she only continued to sway her hips for a hundred dollars, stacking those hundreds just to survive. She only needed to work one night a week, but the club kept calling her almost every day because the customers knew her as "The Queen."

Serena didn't understand why she was called that, but she suspected it started after she lounged casually on stage, helping her friend with a pole dance. In truth, Serena hated dancing—she wasn’t skilled in the art.

“Yeah, I like that move…”

Again, the man moaned to himself in his chair as Serena descended from the stage and approached him.

“It’s already ten o’clock, dude. The session’s over.”

The man glanced at his watch and realized. “Oh, right. Are you really just going to leave?”

Serena grabbed her coat, covering her exposed body that was barely concealed by strips of cloth. She had to stop working like this—she needed to find a new, more respectable place soon.

“Yeah, Patrick. See you around.”

“Serena, you know? You could do better than this.”

Serena gave him a faint smile before stepping outside, feeling empty inside.

Broadway was still busy and bustling. Everyone seemed to be living their lives without a care, while Serena could only bow her head, feeling her whole body ache for the sake of a hundred dollars.

Serena exhaled and looked up at a huge billboard showing a video of a handsome man with a stern face and lazy hazel eyes gazing into the camera. Serena’s lips curled into a slight smile.

It was the wealthy Edgar Graham. Everyone in New York knew who he was. Like Gucci or Hermes, Graham was the man who built the major fashion brand called The Lux. That brand was where Serena’s aspirations had first begun.

She had to learn modeling to land a good agency and work for Graham.

Her phone rang in her pocket. Serena quickly answered when she saw the name on the screen. Her smile broadened.

“Hello, sir! Do you have good news?”

“Oh, of course, my dear. You’ve been accepted for a one-week trial shoot here. Can you come tomorrow?”

Serena’s eyes widened in awe at the news. She almost jumped in excitement.

“Re—really, sir? Oh, thank you! Of course I can come! Tomorrow morning?”

“Yes, glad to hear you’re so eager.”

“Thank you, sir. I’ll be there tomorrow!”

After hanging up, Serena’s chest swelled with happiness. She felt like the happiest person on Broadway.

*

“What? They still haven’t sent the model?”

“Yes, sir… sorry, but we’ve contacted the agency, and there’s no answer.”

“Damn it.” Edgar Graham grabbed his phone and coldly spoke to someone on the other end.

“Get the car ready and bring some people for Michael.”

After the terse command, no one dared to raise their heads or argue. Edgar walked out of his office, followed by a line of assistants and workers who worshipped him like a king. He slipped his hand into his pocket and gazed at all the workers waiting.

“I’m sick of these incompetent agencies. Open up the registration for all candidates. I’ll choose the model myself.”

That statement shocked everyone.

“But sir, what about Samantha? Isn’t she supposed to be the main model for this winter project?”

Edgar looked indifferent. “Samantha needs a break. She’s been working for almost a year—”

“Who said that?” a voice interrupted, and everyone turned to the source. A tall, slim woman with long hair walked confidently toward them. Edgar turned away, trying to avoid the protesting gaze of Samantha.

As a senior model, Samantha worked outside agencies. She had become an independent model with several managers handling client requests. Samantha’s name as a judge on modeling shows had also boosted her fame. For the company, Samantha was a major asset, helping to drive sales even higher.

“Edgar,” Samantha called him by his first name, glaring at him. “We need to talk.”

Samantha quickly dragged him into a nearby room and shut the door. Edgar stood with his back to the woman, indifferent.

“I don’t have much time, Samantha—”

Samantha stood on her toes and pulled Edgar in for a kiss. Edgar clenched his eyes shut, pushing Samantha’s shoulders, but she held on. She finally broke the kiss and looked at him in frustration.

“Why is it so hard for you to just love me, Edgar?”

Edgar sighed and stepped back, gazing at the slim, blonde-haired, green-eyed woman for a moment. “I’m polite to you because you’re a senior model, Sam. I’ll fire you if you try that again.”

“Then don’t stop me! I still want to work for you!” Sam shouted as Edgar turned in frustration.

This was all his mother’s fault. That stupid arranged marriage brought up because of business. Everything had become so complicated, and Edgar hated being dragged into such pointless matters.

“I only care about The Lux, Sam. You know that. If you still want to work, then work. But I will still find a new model for the next project.”

“This is so unfair, Edgar! You want to fire me because of our parents’ arranged marriage, don’t you?”

“Yes.” Edgar replied quickly and coldly. Glancing out of the corner of his eye, the woman looked distressed and desperate. “I won’t marry a model, Sam. I’m sorry.”

With that, Edgar stepped out and waved toward his assistant in the corner. The assistant nodded and issued commands as coldly as Edgar strode out of the office.

“Get the car ready; the boss is leaving.”