Chapter 3 - The Devil's Proposal
Elena stared at the screen in absolute horror.
She had walked straight into a meticulously planned trap.
“You are a monster,” she whispered, her voice trembling with rage.
Alex casually sipped his champagne.
“I prefer the term visionary,” he replied.
He handed her a thick prenuptial agreement that had clearly been drafted weeks ago.
Elena realized this was never about a random bet in the ballroom.
He had orchestrated this entire evening just to corner her.
She snatched the pen from his hand and signed her name with aggressive strokes.
“You might own my hotel and my name for a year, but you will never own me,” she stated.
Alex took the document, his eyes lingering on her fiery expression.
“We’ll see about that,” he murmured.
The next morning, the news of their sudden engagement broke across every major media outlet in the country.
Elena was forced to stand beside Alex at a massive press conference in the hotel lobby.
She wore a diamond ring that felt heavier than a pair of handcuffs.
Reporters shouted questions about their whirlwind romance.
Alex played the part of the smitten billionaire perfectly, wrapping a possessive arm around her waist.
Elena forced a dazzling smile and recited the scripted lies she had memorized.
Just as the press conference was wrapping up, a loud voice echoed from the back of the lobby.
“This engagement is a fraud!”
The sea of reporters parted to reveal a tall, striking man in a tailored suit.
Alex’s grip on Elena’s waist tightened painfully.
“Security, remove him,” Alex ordered immediately.
The man dodged the guards and held up a thick manila folder.
“My name is Julian Vance,” the man announced to the flashing cameras.
Elena gasped, recognizing the last name instantly.
May you like
Julian looked directly into Elena’s shocked eyes.
“I am your older half-brother, Elena, and according to our father’s true will, this hotel belongs entirely to me.”
