The Bargain of the Billionaire's

the morning sun cast its golden light over the city streets. Her mind kept replaying the events of the previous night at The Vel

e way he had handled the situation without a trace of fear. It was clear he was a man used to power, to getting what he wanted. T

she looked up to see Michael Ramsey himself standing there, a faint smile playing at his lips. He looked

you?" he asked,

nodded, feeling flustered

briefcase on the floor beside him. He studied her for a

feeling tod

little shaken up last night, bu

t. I apologize if I startled you by showing up unannoun

sity piqued.

his chest. "I understand you're working multiple jobs.

widened. "

d, after all. I've always made it a point to know about the

, that's true. My father has cancer, and his treatment is

ant. But working three jobs is hardly sustainable, especi

kipped a beat.

usiness proposition that I think could benefit us both. I need someone I can trust, someone with a clean slate, to

yet here he was, speaking as if they shared some kind of unspoken bond. "What kind

rity in the business world. His wedding is set to take place in two and a half months. The thing is," he paused as if trying to choose

hat does that ha

st about his intentions or activites. I need someone on the inside to observe him, to ensure that she is not being misled into this marriage. I

in. The idea of working for a billionaire, spying on him, felt su

no hidden agendas. Aiden won't suspect you. And you're desperate enough to take the job. I'm offering you five thous

months working all three jobs. It could cover a significant portion of her father's medical bills, give her the

ust observe. Report back to me. If Aiden is truly innocent, that is, not cheating on his fi

mpletely different direction. She thought of her father, of his tired eyes and frail han

ed, her voice barely a whisper. "W

nocent girl like you. Besides, he won't know. You'll just be another assist

had no idea what kind of man Aiden Sinclair was, or what kind of game she was stepping i

nally, her voice st

morrow. I'll have a resume and background ready for you. All you need to do is show up at Sincl

de her choice. There was no turning back now. Michael reached into

payment, as promis

er hands. She tucked it into her bag, feeling a sense of

e all business now. "And Lily... tha

n at her coffee, the steam curling into the air. The right thing, he had said. But as Lily sat there,

heart. She was stepping into a world she knew nothing about, driven by desperation. And as she left the café t