The ballroom shimmered with golden chandeliers, laughter floating in the air like champagne bubbles. Sienna Carter had no business being here. The grand gala at the Blackwood Hotel was for the elite—the kind of people who could spend her entire year's rent on a single bottle of wine.
She adjusted her black dress, a thrift-store find that, thankfully, looked expensive under the dim lighting. Beside her, Lily, her best friend and co-worker, whispered excitedly.
"I still can't believe we got in," Lily said, eyes wide as she scanned the room. "One minute we're delivering flowers for the event, and the next, we're mingling with billionaires."
Sienna wasn't mingling. She was blending into the background, hoping no one would notice she didn't belong. The only reason she was here at all was because of a last-minute request to decorate the event with her floral arrangements. When the hotel's event planner had offered them tickets as a thank-you, Lily had practically dragged her inside.
"I just want to take one look at Damien Blackwood," Lily gushed. "The billionaire himself! I hear he's ruthless, arrogant, and so ridiculously handsome it should be illegal."
Sienna sighed. "Let's just stay out of trouble."
But trouble found her first.
A firm hand clasped her wrist. She turned, startled, only to be met with the piercing gaze of a tall, impossibly handsome man in a sharp black suit.
Damien Blackwood.
Sienna had seen pictures of him in magazines, but nothing compared to the real thing. He had the kind of presence that made the entire room fade away. His chiseled jaw was set in a hard line, and his storm-gray eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that made her breath hitch.
"You're late," he said coolly.
Sienna blinked. "Excuse me?"
His grip tightened slightly, his gaze scanning her face as if searching for something. A flicker of something—recognition? Relief?—crossed his expression, but it was gone in an instant.
"Not here," he said, his voice low. "Come with me."
Before she could protest, he was already leading her away, weaving through the crowd with the ease of a man who was used to being in control.
Lily's stunned face disappeared in the sea of guests as Sienna stumbled to keep up, her heels clicking against the marble floor.
"Wait, I think there's been a mistake," she said breathlessly.
"I don't have time for this." Damien barely glanced at her as he led her to a quiet hallway, away from the main event. "Just smile and nod."
"What? No, listen—"
Before she could finish, they stepped into a smaller, private lounge. A group of well-dressed executives turned to them, their sharp gazes landing on Sienna.
An older man, his suit impeccable, arched a brow. "Damien. We were beginning to think you made her up."
Damien's lips curved into a faint smirk. "Would I do that?"
The man chuckled. "You, no. But we've heard nothing about this mystery woman of yours. And with the media digging into your personal life, we started to wonder if the engagement was just a business move."
Engagement?
Sienna's stomach dropped.
Damien's fiancée. They thought she was Damien Blackwood's fiancée.
She opened her mouth to correct them, but Damien's arm slid around her waist, his touch warm and firm. His grip tightened—just slightly—as if warning her to stay quiet.
"Sienna prefers to stay out of the spotlight," Damien said smoothly. "You know how the press can be."
The older man gave her an appraising look. "Well, it's good to finally meet the woman who managed to tie down Damien Blackwood."
Sienna forced a smile, her heart hammering. What was happening? Why was he pretending she was his fiancée?
The men murmured their approval, turning back to their conversation.
As soon as their attention shifted, Sienna leaned in, whispering sharply, "What the hell are you doing?"
Damien's jaw tensed. "Saving my company."
"That's not an answer."
He exhaled, his gaze flicking around the room before settling on her. "I'll explain later. Just play along."
Sienna narrowed her eyes. "I don't even know you."
"Then consider this your introduction." His smirk was maddeningly calm. "Sienna, meet my business partners. Business partners, meet my future wife."
Her stomach flipped.
Future wife?
Sienna didn't know whether to slap him or faint.
Damien Blackwood was the most powerful businessman in the city. Why would he—of all people—need to fake an engagement?
And more importantly…
How was she supposed to pretend to be engaged to a man like him?