Billion Dollar Illusion
One week before her perfect wedding, Skylar Johnson finds her fiancé having wild, breathless sex with her sister in her parents’ winery.
She is left broken and humiliated.
But one reckless kiss with a stranger in an elevator changes everything, especially when that stranger turns out to be Carter Ford, a married mafia billionaire heir.
When their paths cross again, he offers her a position at his company, pulling her into a world of power, obsession, and deceit.
Behind the luxury lies a hidden empire, the American Mafia, waging a silent war against the Italian Camorra. And Skylar? She’s the perfect pawn.
What begins as passion spirals into obsession as Carter draws her into his illusion, remoulding her into the image of his first love.
By the time Skylar sees the truth, it’s too late.
She’s already his masterpiece and his prisoner.
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Chapter: 017Skylar’s POVI take Carter's hand, and his fingers wrap around mine firmly, warm against my skin. He leads me out of the mansion, out onto the open field behind it.The moon is brightly lit tonight, and the air feels so fresh and peaceful. I catch the faint sweetness of flowers blooming somewhere in the gardens.We walk in silence, further and further, until the mansion slowly disappears behind us, and all I can see are towering trees stretching toward the sky and a quiet lake reflecting the moonlight.The Ford mansion is literally so big, and it's crazy we're still on the same property.Neither of us says anything for a while. I don't even know what to say anymore. Everything that happened inside is still fresh in my head, and honestly... I think this conversation belongs to him now.Finally... Carter exhales, breaking the silence. "I know experiencing Amy might have been uncomfortable for you." His voice is calm. "She usually isn't like this.""Oh really?" I glance sideways at him.
Last Updated: 2026-07-09
Chapter: 016Skylar’s POV The closer the car gets to the Ford mansion, the more anxious I become, and I don't know why because, already, I'm dressed perfectly to the standard for a billionaire dinner but I think the problem is that my brain is genuinely struggling to process the fact that I’m on my way to have dinner with America’s unofficial royal family.That's huge.Once the car gets to the gate, it slowly slides open, and the driver pulls through.Damn! The mansion is enormous. Of course, it has to be. It glows with warm light against the night sky, exactly how it's portrayed in an old-money movie with the fountains, extensive gardens, and the long curvy driveway.Think The Great Gatsby.The car finally comes to a stop near the entrance, and I try to steady my breathing properly. The driver steps out first and opens the door for me politely.Immediately, I see Carter standing there waiting for me beneath the lights. I take a deep breath before stepping out in the blue dress, and Carter's eyes
Last Updated: 2026-07-08
Chapter: 015Skylar’s POVCourtney’s collaboration launch event finally comes to an end, and my brain relaxes a bit. At least I can leave this space of too many cameras and too many celebrities casually existing in the same room like this is normal life.The New York evening air hits differently as Carter and I step outside the venue. The city glows around us while luxury cars line the street waiting for important people.Carter walks beside me toward the waiting Tesla while security keeps photographers at a distance exactly like he promised earlier, so there won't be any internet humiliation on my side.I slide into the backseat beside him again, and the drive back to the residence is quiet. We're both exhausted.Courtney’s voice still rings inside my head, "Bring your plus one tonight."So I'm really going to the Ford mansion today. Crazy.I glance beside me briefly, and Carter’s looking through something on his phone while loosening his tie, and somehow, that tiny movement is so sexy.“You’re
Last Updated: 2026-07-06
Chapter: 014Skylar’s POVHow exactly am I supposed to say no to this?That’s the first thing running through my head as I stare at myself in the mirror of the restroom connected to the boardroom.What would Carrie do in my shoes? I've gotten my answer.Carter Ford didn’t even ask me properly, instead he concluded, like it was already decided.“You’ll be my plus one in an hour.”Normal people ask questions but billionaires... damn billionaires they just assign responsibilities.I smooth my hands down my skirt and I try to calm the panic building in my chest.His plus one.The Carter Ford’s plus one to a very public event.Oh my God! There are definitely going to be paparazzi there and I can already picture the headlines.AMY STONE ABSENT AS HUSBAND ARRIVES WITH UNKNOWN LADYI’m actually finished because this is how I lose my social dignity forever and the worst part is that I genuinely can’t tell if Carter understands how insane this looks or if rich people simply stop caring how the public view t
Last Updated: 2026-07-06
Chapter: 013Skylar’s POVIt's been a whole month now, and somehow, I’m still surviving Ford Corporation.Not like I ever expected the worst but I've been thriving a little compared to my first week here which consisted of getting lost in elevators, almost dying from sexual tension and accidentally meeting Amy Stone Ford while internally panicking over the fact that I once made out with her husband.But now? I've gotten the hang of things, and I'm familiar with almost all the floors now, and my legal team is surprisingly sweet and cooperative. Mr. Hargrove, the senior legal advisor, has been patient with me despite the terrifying amount of work this corporation somehow produces daily.I’m currently seated in my office, flipping through acquisition files while trying to ignore the tiny thought forming in my brain.It's about Carter. I haven’t seen him physically in almost four weeks.Not once.Well, the internet keeps everyone posted, and we know his father’s presidential campaign is consuming half
Last Updated: 2026-07-05
Chapter: 012Skylar’s POV By the time my first official workday finally ends, I genuinely feel like I’ve survived something. Indeed, I have.And honestly? My first day deserves historical documentation.Is it the awkward interaction with Amy Stone? Or the two elevator moments with Carter Ford?Nothing prepared me for them.The company car drops me back at the residence exactly the way Dan Wheeler said it would this morning. It seems Ford Corporation has every second of its employees' life scheduled.I step out of the car with my bag hanging off my shoulder and stare up at the building for a second.This is my life now.Crazy. From Carrie's cozy apartment in Atlanta to this? Life really changes in the twinkle of an eye.I step inside the elevator heading to my apartment, I pull my phone out to check my notifications and see if I have texts from Carrie because literally she is the only person I communicate with.Once I get inside my apartment, I kick my heels off and FaceTime her immediately. Carri
Last Updated: 2026-05-21
In Bed With Mr. President
Celeste Ian has made plenty of mistakes in her twenty-four years. Rehab was supposed to be her fresh start.
Instead, one favour for her older sister is about to ruin everything.
She never expected to meet Jordan Rogers, the ridiculously young presidential candidate, face-to-face. And now, the man America wants in the White House wants her, and he is meant to be completely off-limits.
But Jordan thinks she’s Ciara.
And Celeste is terrified of what will happen when he discovers the truth.
Because falling into the bed of the future President was never part of her plan, and neither was falling in love with him.
*
“In what world do I really have the balls to say I am sleeping with the President of the United States? This is a national scandal, and it is not my place to cause such. I’m too much of a regular citizen to even be involved.”
The Rogers? Jordan Rogers! The Republicans.
Ugh. This is literally world power.
And who am I?
Celeste. Celeste Ian.
Such a boring name to even make headlines.
How did he win? Nah, that isn’t the question.
How did I end up in his bed?Trust me, it wasn’t even at a party.
Now, listen. I’m about to tell you how…
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Chapter: 17. The Other JordanJordan’s POVLeah and I step into my office. The moment the door closes behind us, I turn to her. “Leah, you know I don’t have time for your little games.”She wears a smile as she walks over to the couch and sits down, crossing one leg over the other. “Oh, Jordan. You used to love my little games.”I almost laugh. Crazy how I understand the game she’s referring to is in the bedroom, but I’m talking about something much more serious.I sit at the edge of my desk, folding my hands together while keeping my eyes on her. Her blue eyes have always had a way of making people do whatever she wants.“Leah, why are you supporting me?” I ask directly.Her smile twitches, and then she coughs out a small laugh. “I see you don’t trust good gestures.”“I was almost assassinated.” I lean forward slightly. “I don’t trust anyone.”“Why are you acting like you don’t have your suspects on who wanted you gone?” Her eyes darken.That's is. I do have my suspects, and my people are already looking into it,
Last Updated: 2026-10-02
Chapter: 16. Wanna Play?Jordan’s POVLeah Winchester, soon to have been Leah Rogers. My damn beautiful ex-fiancée.I knew Leah was endorsing me after last night's Instagram Live, which literally came as a shock to me, but what I didn't expect was for her to show up at Rogers HQ the very next morning.I stare at the message on my phone for a few seconds before locking the screen. LEAH WINCHESTER HAS ARRIVED AT ROGERS HQ. She's here. Oh, Leah, now I'll have to face you again. Last night, I was at home when the notification popped up.LEAH WINCHESTER IS LIVE.I almost ignored it before I saw her name and then clicked. Within seconds, her face filled my screen. Blonde hair falling over one shoulder, pink blouse, simple makeup and the perfect smile. That's the charm.The number of views kept climbing, and the hearts floated up the screen so quickly that the comments barely had time to stay visible. I watched her smile at the camera as she spoke. Leah has always advocated for people. That's nothing new, but poli
Last Updated: 2026-09-29
Chapter: 15. LeahCeleste's POV San Diego was a success. I still don't know how I managed it, but whatever it was, there was no shooting and screaming, and that's what matters.I hope the rest of the campaign rallies, or anything Rogers-related, stays this way, but with Jordan's worry, he might get attacked again. We just don't know when or where.It's morning, and I'm back in Washington. My mind keeps going straight back to the fountain, with Jordan sitting beside me and the cigarette between his fingers. I picture the exact moment all over again. The way he admitted he didn't know if becoming president was even his dream. Not just anyone would admit that to a stranger. I wouldn't even admit that if I were him.Or aren't I a stranger to him? We've barely known each other for a week. He doesn't even know my real name. I'm literally the worst person for a presidential emotional bond.We sat there until he started looking sleepy, and eventually, we went back inside. I still don't know what to make of t
Last Updated: 2026-09-27
Chapter: 14. A Father's DreamCeleste's POV YOU UP? — JORDANDid Jordan mistakenly send me this text? I still stare at my phone screen, confused. Did he mean to text his significant other or whoever he's involved with because I don’t see any reason he would text me past ten at night. I'll just ignore him. He probably got the number wrong, or maybe he mixed up his contacts. I place my phone back on the bedside table. Maybe tomorrow he'll realise his mistake.My phone lights up again.? ? ? — JORDANDamn. He didn't send it by mistake. He knew exactly who he was texting. Wait a second. Is Mr. Rogers drunk?I pick up my phone again. I guess I'll have to text him back to find out.I type: heyAnd for the first time since forever, I'm nervous about a text back. Because what is actually going on?The three dots signalling that he's typing appear and then disappear. They appear again.NEED SOME AIR — JORDANWhat the hell does need some air mean?Is he drunk texting me? Should I switch off my phone and ignore him until
Last Updated: 2026-09-26
Chapter: 13. Dear GodCeleste’s POV Money really makes the world go round. I’m now interested in the breakdown of Jordan Rogers’ net worth. Two billionaires in his family. He and his father, Jorge Rogers. His mom, Heather, is a multi-millionaire too, and somehow they’re all linked to politics. Politics really has all the money? I thought it was fraud. Damn. I’m already in San Diego, California. Everyone has been up and active since ridiculously early this morning. My fellow campaign teammates and I had our own private jet, and we left Washington as early as six A.M. I’m still not used to saying things like this, private jet, campaign manager, San Diego. Truly, how am I now flying across the country for a presidential campaign? Life is really weird. The convention center we’re using this time is smaller than the one in Texas, but it’s already busy. People are moving chairs around, checking microphones, arranging banners, and going over security details. There are campaign posters everywhere, all car
Last Updated: 2026-09-25
Chapter: 12. Just for the MoneyCeleste's POV This apartment and room Jordan has arranged for me are way too luxurious compared to anywhere I've ever lived.I run my fingers over the soft duvet and look around the room again.He wasn't playing at all about providing me with everything I needed.A new phone. Clothes. Laptop. Every clean-girl essential. Even the apartment building I'm staying in looks like the kind of place where I would be too scared to ask how much the rent costs.I walk towards the window and pull the curtains open.Washington stretches out beneath me.Cars move along the streets, people walk in and out of buildings, and somewhere down there is the campaign headquarters where I'm supposed to show up before eight in the morning.I take in a deep breath.This is my new life, the one Ciara approved of. She really knew that it would get better.I've already spoken to her twice since I arrived.The first call lasted almost an hour because she had a lot to say about this job I was never qualified for. T
Last Updated: 2026-09-24
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