Setting: Grand Royale Hotel – Night of the Engagement Party
The chandeliers glittered like fallen stars, their golden light cascading over the lavish ballroom of the Grand Royale Hotel. Sophia Carter, dressed in an elegant white gown, stood in the center of the room, her heart pounding with excitement.
Tonight was supposed to be the happiest night of her life—her engagement party with Nathaniel Greyson, the man she had loved for years.
The air was thick with the scent of expensive champagne and roses, and the murmur of elite guests filled the hall. Sophia's father, Richard Carter, stood with a proud smile as he mingled with powerful businessmen, while her stepmother and stepsister played the role of the perfect family.
But something felt off. Nathaniel had been missing for almost an hour.
She clutched the delicate engagement ring on her finger, a creeping sense of unease settling over her. "Maybe he just needed fresh air," she reassured herself.
Then, whispers reached her ears.
"Did you hear? Nathaniel disappeared with his fiancée's stepsister earlier." "I saw them heading toward the VIP suites upstairs. How scandalous!"
Sophia's blood ran cold. Her grip tightened around the crystal flute of champagne, and her heart pounded with dread. It couldn't be.
But she had to see for herself.
With trembling hands, she lifted the hem of her gown and made her way toward the elevators.
---
The Betrayal Unfolds
The penthouse suite was dimly lit, the scent of expensive cologne and wine lingering in the air. Sophia's fingers shook as she reached for the doorknob, her breath shallow.
The door was slightly ajar.
And inside, her world shattered.
There, tangled in silk sheets, was Nathaniel Greyson—her fiancé—holding another woman in his arms.
Her stepsister, Emily Carter.
Their bodies pressed together, Emily's laughter like poison in Sophia's ears.
_"I told you she was too naive," Emily purred, tracing a finger down Nathaniel's chest.
"She actually believed you loved her."
Sophia's breath hitched. Her throat tightened, her heart twisting painfully.
Nathaniel smirked lazily, as if this betrayal meant nothing. "Come on, Sophia, don't look so shocked. Did you really think I would settle for a woman like you?"
Her fingers curled into fists. "How long?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Emily sat up, not bothering to cover herself. Her green eyes gleamed with triumph. "Since the beginning, dear sister. You were nothing more than a stepping stone for Nathaniel's ambitions."
Tears burned in Sophia's eyes, but she refused to cry. Not in front of them.
Nathaniel sighed as if she were an inconvenience. "Sophia, just be smart about this. Your father's business is crumbling, and I was just playing along for the deal. Now that I have what I want, you can disappear quietly."
Her nails dug into her palm.
"Disappear?" she repeated, a bitter laugh escaping her lips.
Emily smirked. "We'll even let you keep the dress."
Something inside Sophia snapped.
She strode forward, grabbed the bottle of champagne from the nightstand, and with all her strength, smashed it against the wall.
Glass shattered. The scent of alcohol filled the air.
Nathaniel shot up, his expression darkening. "What the hell—"
Before he could finish, Sophia slapped him. Hard.
The sharp sound echoed through the room.
"You're nothing but a pathetic coward," she hissed, her voice trembling with rage.
Nathaniel's eyes blazed with fury. He grabbed her wrist roughly. "Don't test me, Sophia."
Emily giggled. "Oh, Nate, don't be so hard on her. She was always so weak."
Sophia yanked her arm free, her heart thundering. Weak?
No. Not anymore.
Without another word, she turned on her heels and stormed out.
---
The Encounter: Meeting the Devil
The night air was cold against her flushed skin as she stumbled out of the hotel, the world around her spinning.
Her chest felt tight. She needed to breathe.
How could she have been so blind? She gave Nathaniel her love, her trust—only to be discarded like trash.
Tears pricked her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.
As she walked down the empty street, a sleek black car pulled up beside her.
The window rolled down, revealing a man with piercing gray eyes and an aura of pure dominance.
Alexander Blackwood.
The ruthless billionaire. The undisputed king of the underworld.
He regarded her with cold amusement, tapping his fingers against the leather steering wheel. "Rough night?"
Sophia's lips parted in shock. Of all people to see her in this state—why did it have to be him?
Alexander was not just any businessman. He was feared. Respected. Untouchable.
And yet, he was here. Watching her.
"I don't need your pity," she spat, trying to walk away.
But in an instant, he was out of the car, moving with terrifying grace.
Before she could react, his fingers wrapped around her wrist—firm, possessive.
"You're right," he murmured, his deep voice sending a shiver down her spine. "I don't do pity."
He studied her, his gaze sharp, calculating. "But I do deals. And I think you just became interesting to me, Miss Carter."
Her breath hitched. What did he mean?
Alexander smirked. "How about a proposal that will ruin your ex-fiancé... and make you untouchable?"
Sophia's heart pounded. What kind of deal did he mean? And why did she feel like stepping into his world would change her forever?
---
End of Chapter 1