I was seated in the back of an opulent auction room, my eyes caught a priceless painting being bid on by the most powerful elites of New York City. But I was not here as a bidder, I was here as an art consultant for one of the biggest collectors. This was the job I took after my life fell apart, the scene brought memories back to me. I felt like an outcast, a once-privileged heiress now barely holding her life together.

My pulse quickened when the auctioneer called for a higher bid, my thoughts drifted to my late father, the founder of Collins Interior which was stolen after his death.

“Please welcome Trevor Barnard to the stage” The auctioneer announced and my eyes prickled with tears. I would never get used to seeing my ex-boyfriend and my stepmother going around to claim what was not theirs. I watched his arrogant back as he walked up to the stage and of course, Vivian was his handbag.

I snarled at him and went on with my job, I had to be strong if I wanted revenge, but how? I was not even close to the lowest position in the company. My worst fears were confirmed as I spotted him arm-in-arm with my stepmother chatting with several powerful CEOs. My fists tightened as I carefully listened to them as they boasted about their plans for the company my father built, the one Vivian stole.

“Collen’s interior will be unmatchable and to think all was needed was to push that miserable Lily out of the way,” Vivian said with laughter that made my body shudder. I heard Trevor respond,

“She was too innocent and naive to believe I loved her. But it worked perfectly, didn't it?”

My stomach churned as I listened to them, my hands holding onto the chair tightly, I heard Trevor casually mention a project that would seal Vivian’s position permanently and it fueled a fire within me.

My hands clenched together as I stood on the balcony of the hall, it was trembling but it was not from sadness this time. It was fury, I stared at the beautiful lights of the city and silently vowed to take everything back from them even though I had no plans. I had no resources or connections to go against Vivian and Trevor.

“You look like you are about to break your fingers” A deep hoarse voice jotted me from my thoughts causing me to turn my head. My lips parted as I saw Adrian Cole, a handsome billionaire I had recognized from magazines. I have heard rumors about how cold, aloof, and intimidating he was but I had never been in the same space with him.

I giggled bitterly at his joke “I wouldn't do that”

There was still a lot to do with my fingers but he didn't need to know that. Adrian leaned against the railing and I felt his eyes on me causing me to gulp nervously.

“I would love to help you,” He said, his voice steady and firm. I raised my eyebrows with confusion before I responded,

“What are you talking about, CEO?

He looked into my eyes “Call me Adrian, you can’t be too polite if you want my help”

I scoffed hard at his words, “I never asked for your help, where is that coming from?

He moved closer to me, his scent clouding my nose.

“I overheard the little exchange in there. If you want to take them down, you need someone with the means to fight on your level”

I was beyond speechless, no words were able to form. His voice sounded again, this time impatient.

“But since you don't need my help, I will leave you now mademoiselle” And without waiting for my response, he began to walk away.

“Wait!” I called out to him and he stopped in his tracks, “And why would you want to help me?

He turned his head and smiled faintly at my narrowed eyes, “Let's just say I have my reasons. But it won't come for free”

Adrian proposed a deal to me, he was under pressure to marry and secure his business empire because of the meddling of his board directors.

“I need a fake fiancee to make them back off while I strengthen my power” He proposed and in return, he would help me with my revenge, money, connections, and other things I needed to bring those two down.

I furrowed my forehead together and hesitated, Adrian was a stranger to me but his offer was tempting, and now I was stuck between my instincts and anger.

“I don't have much time to give, darling” His voice jotted me from my thoughts, I curled my lips in slight annoyance, and he giggled.

I bit my lips with confusion but as my eyes caught Vivian and Trevor laughing and talking in the distance, I made my choice.

“Deal,” I said to him smiling, and extended my hand to shake him.

Adrian took my hand in his, his grip firm. “You won’t regret this”

I nodded at him when a question popped into my head and I asked subconsciously “Why did you choose me though?

“You have something I need and vice versa” He responded coldly.

“What do I have?

He closed his hands and opened his arm which I quickly put mine in. “Don’t be too nosy”

I rolled my eyes and we walked in, my lips curled into a smile, but it was not one of happiness. It was a smile of determination, I felt like I was back in control for the first time in years.

As we walked arm-in in arm-out of the auction, other guests murmured and whispered among themselves. I felt the weight of their stares but I kept my head high. We passed Vivian and Trevor, and I heard their little whispers,

“What is she up to now?

I didn't look back, for the first time, I wasn't just surviving, I was fighting back.

I walked into Adrian’s headquarters, an imposing glass tower that depicted wealth and power. I was dressed in one of the luxurious outfits I refused to sell to survive, my mind wandered to how I was sent away and maltreated by my stepmother but I was more fueled to ruin Trevor because he played with my heart.

I entered his private office on the top floor and my eyes met him. He was standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, his silhouette sharp against the city skyline. He looked intimidating but the faint smirk on his lips as he turned to me set my nerves on the edge.

“Miss Lily” Adrian called smoothly. “I was sure you wouldn't come”

I shrugged my shoulders “I don't back out of a deal and besides I need this”

“And I need you to understand the terms” He went straight to the point as he gestured for me to sit. His hands opened a document and I wondered if he was always this uptight.

He stretched a paper to me which I believed was my copy of the agreement and my eyes went through it. It was my first time dealing with something like this, my lips parted as I read them to myself,

“I will attend high-profile events together with him or on his behalf, I will live in his penthouse to make the arrangement convincing” I narrowed my eyes at the second term but it was quite reasonable,

“In return, he would give me access to his lawyers, investigators, and funds to help destroy Trevor and Vivian” My lips curled up with excitement, that was the part I had been waiting for but just before I closed the document, my eyes caught the last term.

“No love, just strictly business”

I snarled and raised my eyebrows at him “Of course I know it's just business”

He stared at me for a while “Not my fault, girls flock around me”

“Well, I'm not one of them. I don’t go for looks only” I retorted, my face reddened with anger. He adjusted his sleeves revealing his thick veiny arms “Good then. Now this isn't just about showing up and smiling” He warns coldly “You will need to convince everyone that you are crazily in love with me, I value my reputation greatly”

I raised an eyebrow “And what about my reputation? I'm taking a risk also, Adrian”

He leaned back on his chair, his piercing gaze on me “Fair, I will ensure no one and I mean no one questions your intentions. I will play according to you and make everyone believe you are the player in this relationship”

I sensed a deeper meaning in his words and I decided to let it go but I wasn't the one to be cowed “Adrian, I will make sure to play my part but I won't give up my freedom”

His eyes shone with amusement “I don't expect anything less. Fine, you have your freedom but you will also need to deal with my world….Lily, it can be intolerant ”

He slides a thick contract cover to me “Read it carefully again, my legal team is on standby if you want to adjust anything”

“I will see to that,” I said to him, and he responded with a serious gaze,

“Make sure you use my resources well, I can't wait to see you prevail”

The fire of revenge once again ignited within me, I have resources and I have someone at my back rooting for me. There was no other reason to back out and act like a coward.

I smiled at him faintly “I won’t let you down” I should have stood up and left but my curiosity wouldn't let me.

“I don't understand why you have to get married before you—”

“This is about power,” He said, his tone getting colder, “They want leverage over me and only a stable family man will keep them in check. That is why this pretense must be flawless”

I nodded in understanding “What about us when all this is over?

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he walked back to his window, his back at me “We will sort that out when the time comes”

As I left his office, the weight of the arrangement sunk in. I clutched the contract in my hands, knowing the deal was the only way to regain what I lost —but at what price?

In the elevator, my phone buzzed with a notification. It was a news alert, Vivian and Trevor were photographed in front of Collins’s interior headquarters, announcing their upcoming project. Their smug faces filled my screen fueling my determination.

My landlady's notification further fueled my anger, my rent was due and I needed to pay for some bills. My job hasn't been enough to cater to all my needs, I have received so many humiliating comments and treatment in companies all because I turned into a pauper overnight. I was used to crying myself to bed thinking about my Father, it had been so hard for me, making it difficult to accept my fate and just let go of things. Vivian and Trevor played me, and I never saw it coming.

We were always loving up in public and making people jealous and now I was the only one suffering for it. I glanced at the contract once again and walked out of the building to get a taxi. I looked up to the mighty building and it felt like my backbone. I couldn't wait anymore to wipe those smirks and smiles off their faces, I was the only heiress of Collins and I would be the only one in charge of his investment.

My resolve set back, if Adrian could help me destroy them, I was willing to risk everything. It wasn't just about me anymore, my father’s dignity was on the line.

BACK IN THE OFFICE

Adrian stared at Lily as she left through the glass walls, a tiny unreadable smile curled on his lips. “I can't wait to see what you are capable of, Miss Collins”

I had just packed into Adrian’s penthouse, it was huge and beautiful but I didn't have the time to explore because he sent me a gift box. I opened the box inside the room that was arranged for me, it was a luxurious red gown designed with gold glitter and there was a matching heel and a tiny expensive necklace. My mouth parted with shock, as I stared at it. My eyes caught a card and I read it out,

“Be ready by 7, Miss Lily”

I squinted my eyes and wondered what it was all about when I remembered seeing a Gala ceremony that was scheduled to happen tonight. It was a ceremony held for businessmen to celebrate and connect. It was all about a search for power and getting into the right league. My father never attended such an event but I was going on his behalf tonight. I could not help but feel proud of myself, his usual words popped into my head….. “Use what you have to get what you need”.

I stared at my beautiful figure in the mirror, the dress fitted perfectly, and the tiny gold necklace complimented it. It was almost 7 when I got Adrian’s message and walked out to the parking lot where I saw him stand against his car. He looked sharp and his hair was perfectly styled. His eyes wandered around me as he walked closer to me and extended his hands, “Please miss”

I offered him a tiny smile and placed my hand on his as he led me into the car.

“You look beautiful,” Adrian suddenly said to me with a tiny smile on his lips.

“All thanks to you, Adrian” I smiled at him but in reality, my heart was pounding due to being close to him and I was going to a big event, not as an employee this time but as the biggest CEO’s fiancee.

My nervousness slightly grew as we got out of the car and the camera flashed on our faces, Adrian was holding my hands in his and we walked arrogantly into the hall. A luxurious ballroom filled with high society figures, chandeliers, and an air of power and wealth.

I felt resolved as my eyes wandered around the room to spot Vivian and Trevor, I was here only because of them.

“Be confident, darling. You can do this” I heard Adrian whisper to me, he was composed and authoritative. I smiled confidently but narrowed my eyes when I saw them, they were giggling and clicking their glasses together. I calmly left Adrian’s shadow and he gave me a tiny nod, I went through the crowd and positioned myself beside Vivian ensuring she noticed my presence.

Vivian’s eyes flashed with shock but she quickly masked it and feigned a smile.

“How have you been, stepmother? I asked her with a smile as I took a glass of champagne from the waiter. Her lips slightly trembled, her eyes flickering around my outfit.

“Why are you here?

I stared at her and feigned ignorance “What do you mean, Mother?

Her face reddened with annoyance and I chuckled “I’m not your mother, you bastard!”

I nodded, I wasn't expecting less from her “My bad, my mother isn't a gold digger”

“You—!” She could not say a word and just stared at me with disgust, her fists tightening as she was trying to maintain her composure. “I'm sure you stole this outfit or it's fake”

I smirked hard and stared at her without wavering, I didn't know where I got the confidence from but a tiny part of me knew Adrian was there for me. “Are you that sure?

“Leave before I embarrass you for wearing a fake gold necklace and dress” She threatened with her flared nose.

I moved closer to her “I think you will have more to worry about soon, than my outfit” I gave her a wink when Trevor appeared.

“What is going on, Vivian? His disgusting voice sounded behind me.

Vivian suddenly smiled seeing him, and her confidence rose. “Trevor darling….”

I felt disgusted at her words, “Come and see who decided to embarrass herself tonight” she continued, and Trevor stepped in front of me. His eyes flickered with surprise as he stared at my appearance.

“Try to be less obvious, Trevor,” I said to him and sipped my wine. He was poor in concealing his surprise and I giggled hard.

His face instantly turned red with anger “How can you be here?

“Exactly, I'm here to tell you to watch your back” I replied, keeping my face straight and unreadable.

Trevor laughed slightly and put his arm over Vivian and I knew it was all pretense. He was trying to mask the effect I had on him “What can you do?

I wanted to reply to him when I felt a large palm on my waist and that familiar scent.

“Are you okay, darling? He asked me, his voice deep and hoarse.

I played along and smiled at him “Yes”

His presence exuded dominance and confidence and I could see the unsettledness on their faces.

“Mr. Trevor, nice to see you here,” Adrian said to Trevor coldly and I wondered what he was up to. Trevor tried to mask his nervousness but I could see through him,

“Mr. Adrian, you shouldn't be seen with someone this lowly” Trevor mocked and I swallowed hard, it was difficult being referred to as a low person.

Vivian laughed loudly pulling people's attention to us, stares were now directed towards us. I could hear whispers about Adrian holding my waist. I began to feel like a loser but Adrian saved the day.

“Mr. Trevor, I will advise you not to speak so lowly of my fiancee. Soon to be Miss Cole and I, won't be so forgiving next time” He said a bit high and cold, gaining murmurs and gasps from the audience.