A Bargain Of Hearts

A Bargain Of Hearts

last updateTerakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-14
Oleh:  William Trey Quillbrook.On going
Bahasa: English
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Sienna Brooks, a famous actress, loses everything to a vicious lie and betrayal from people she trusts. Desperate and alone, she makes a deal with cold billionaire Maxwell Hollandale: a marriage of convenience to save both their reputations. But as they work to clear Sienna's name, old secrets and new enemies threaten their plan. With danger closing in, can Sienna and Max trust each other enough to survive? Or will their fake relationship crumble under the weight of revenge, family betrayal, and unexpected feelings?

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Bab 1

Chapter 1

Sienna's POV

A perceptible wave of tension and anxiety hung in the atmosphere, tainting the air with an iridiscent chill, the kind that mirrored the turmoil in my mind. I leaned on the headrest and peered out the window, letting the breeze from the wheezing cars on the road dry up the sweat on my face as heat coursed through my veins.

My body had an unusual way of reacting to anxiety. I would have numerous stomach aches, and since the anti nausea pills hadn't done their job, I sat straight in the backseat, and placed my hand on my stomach, an attempt to contend with the ache rippling through it.

"Gavin," I called out to my driver. "How long till we arrive at the court?"

"We're almost there ma'am," he answered slowly. "We'll be at the building in two hours."

My stomach rumbled again, my intestines twisting into knots as a patch of goosebumps suddenly broke out of my skin, covering me from head to toe.

Oh heavens. This was it. I said to myself as bile rushed to my throat. I placed my hand on my mouth to keep myself from vomiting again, but the bones in my body chattered within me. I suddenly felt this surge of unease,I wanted to sit, stand, run at the same time.

"I can't believe this is happening to me Gavin,my life is suddenly turning upside down and there is nothing I can do about it."

"Calm down Ma'am," Gavin said, turning to throw a sad smile at me. "Your lawyer is one of the best in the country and..."

"There is nothing else," I snapped, cutting him off. "I only have my lawyers, everyone in the world hates me. My Starspace account has lost all its followers and people have been campaigning against me. I am finished Gavin, this is the end"

The bald headed man heaved a deep sigh as tears welled up in my, causing a warm stinging effect. I shifted into my seat and peered outside again, but I wished I hadn't. Outside by the roadside,was a billboard which bore a huge photo of me.

I cringed immediately and tried to turn away, but I was stuck, the words my pictures were captioned with ran through my stomach like a knife.

SUPERSTAR ACTRESS, SIENNA BROWN TO FACE TO FACE THE COURT FOR ALLEGED BATTERY CASE, RACIST SLURS, AND MONEY LAUNDERING. THE WORLD HAS FINALLY DECIDED TO STAND UP AND FIGHT FOR WHAT IS RIGHT. THE TRIAL WILL BE HOLDING ON THE 23RD DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2024. IT WILL BE AIRING ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES AND YOUTUBE CHANNELS.

I closed my eyes and leaned on the headrest again, my heart had stopped beating now, my blood, slowly evaporating within my veins. My overly perfect life turned upside down within the space of three months, thanks to my jealous younger sister and my parents.

"Ethan has promised to show up as witness and defend you," Gavin said again. "You are not entirely alone Sienna, Ethan is your husband and he loves you as much as anyone would love themselves."

Those words brought peace to my chest instantly and I closed my eyes to savor them. Ethan was my childhood sweetheart, I had given up everything to marry him.

He refused the idea of defending me before, but now that he'd changed his mind,I could help but feel happy for myself. I might not have evidence to prove myself or followers to boost my confidence, but Ethan would defend me.

My tall and handsome husband would stand up and defend me against the world. I would no longer be tagged a bad person.

Ethan was all I needed now, husband would never tell lies against me. Even if the world decided to hate me, Ethan would always be with me and this was enough for me to feel happy about.

I finally reached for the food pack beside me and ate, the first food I would be eating in three days. Throughout the rest of the drive to the court,my heart found peace, I even started smiling.

Ethan had the evidence to prove the world wrong about me, he knew where I was on the day the incident occurred, as well as the source of my multimillion dollar wealth, so I felt at ease.

The court was a huge, white painted building which was situated by the roadside. As expected, it was crowded by irate people who were once my fans, paparazzi and a lot more.

The tension in the atmosphere mingled with anticipation as the car finally pulled to a halt in front of the giant building. I drew in a deep breath, as I put on my glasses and carried my handbag. I had become filled with a renewed hope and confidence, my husband has the one evidence that would set me free from the shackles of false accusations and hatred.

And he was here with me, waiting in the building.

The instant I stepped out of the vehicle, camera flashes began to rained on me as journalists rushed towards me. I adjusted my handbag and my glasses, trying to appear confident when I was actually the most hated woman in America right now.

"Sienna Brooks," a tall, dark skinned lady, called as she dashed towards me with a huge microphone. "Kindly explain to the world, the reason behind all your atrocities."

"What atrocities?"

My bodyguards stood like a giant before the journalists, but the reporters still managed to manoeuvre, screaming and jeering at me. Fearing that they might harm me,I jolted back, but the screaming continued.

My eyes had just begun to adjust to the blinding lights from the cameras when another journalist accosted me.

"Sienna Brooks, is it true that you became a famous actress by sleeping with all the producers in the movie industry?”

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31 Bab
Chapter 1
Sienna's POVA perceptible wave of tension and anxiety hung in the atmosphere, tainting the air with an iridiscent chill, the kind that mirrored the turmoil in my mind. I leaned on the headrest and peered out the window, letting the breeze from the wheezing cars on the road dry up the sweat on my face as heat coursed through my veins.My body had an unusual way of reacting to anxiety. I would have numerous stomach aches, and since the anti nausea pills hadn't done their job, I sat straight in the backseat, and placed my hand on my stomach, an attempt to contend with the ache rippling through it."Gavin," I called out to my driver. "How long till we arrive at the court?""We're almost there ma'am," he answered slowly. "We'll be at the building in two hours."My stomach rumbled again, my intestines twisting into knots as a patch of goosebumps suddenly broke out of my skin, covering me from head to toe.Oh heavens. This was it. I said to myself as bile rushed to my throat. I placed my h
last updateTerakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-16
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Chapter 2
"Were you truly engaging in masked porn?" Another reporter asked. "Did you really throw ableist slurs at deformed people,by taking a photo by a ramp and wearing the hijab as though it were an ordinary cloth?" "No," I muttered, even though the chattering of the angry crowd drowned my voice. "I never insulted anyone, these are all lies, a setup to put my career to an end. "Sienna Brooks, do you really abuse your manager, Miss Angela Devon and your cook, Mrs Rose Everton""Are you really on drugs? Are you really behind candy bars which have been mixed with cocaine? Sienna, are you really stealing money.?""Tell the world and your disappointed fans the reason behind your disgusting attitude." "Sienna Brooks, Sienna Brooks, slut, assaulter, thief, drug addict, porn star...." All these voices drowned in my head as guards tightened their grips around my arm to prevent me from stumbling and hurting my legs. I was caught in a web of lies and there was a high chance that I wouldn't get out
last updateTerakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-16
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Chapter 3
The next chain of events felt like a scene from a dystopian drama, and I stood there, dumbfounded and weak until two policemen nudged my shoulder and took me away. Edwina had finally won and the two people I called my parents gloated at me as though I was a common stranger. My heart sank down my stomach and I felt the weight of the words crashing on my shoulder. Ethan had betrayed me, and in the worst way possible. His last words rang in my ears, the English feeling weird for my analyzing ears until the flashing of camera lights jolted me back to life. The policemen were leading me through the crowd and the angry jeers erupting from them was something that would keep me up at nights. My acting career had been totally destroyed. I would have to pay numerous fines, my properties had been repossessed and all the money in my bank account was flagged as illegal. I can't believe Ethan did this to me, I can't believe I trusted him. The man I married had suddenly turned to a monster
last updateTerakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-16
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Chapter 4
"We were both drunk last night Max," I explained. "None of this is my fault and besides you also knew who I was beforemaking passes at me.” "Hmm," he scoffed, rolling his eyes distastefully. "You know what, just take the money on the dresser and leave." But I only rammed my leg into the sneaker, brushed past him and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind me. I refused to be treated like a common whore, picked off the streets. Tears blurred my vision as I descended the long staircase in the hotel, burning my cheeks as they finally rolled down. I didn't think there would have been a better description for shame and embarrassment. I had met Max at countless charity events, but I had never approached him or spoken to him. He had a reputation for being arrogant and stuck up and I didn't believe the assertion until now. I walked as fast as I could, fearing that people would now recognize me until I finally hailed a cab and went straight to my home. I regretted not acc
last updateTerakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-16
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Chapter 5
“You’re serious about this,” I said, staring at the stack of papers Max had placed on the table between us. “You want me to marry you?”Max leaned back in his chair, his expression calm but unwavering. “I don’t play games, Sienna. This is a business arrangement. You sign the papers, follow the terms, and we both get what we want.”“And if I refuse?”He smirked. “Then you’ll find yourself back in that cockroach-infested apartment with no money and a child on the way.”I bristled at his tone but kept my voice steady. “Fine. I’ll do it. But I won’t stay in the same house as you.”“That’s non-negotiable.” Max’s reply was immediate. “You’ll live with me. If we’re going to convince the world this marriage is real, you have to be in my home. End of discussion.”I folded my arms. “You think you can control every part of my life, don’t you?”“No, Sienna. I know I can.”Before I could argue further, Max’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, then gestured to the butler standing by the door.
last updateTerakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-25
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Chapter 6
Max's POV I should have known better than to let my guard down that night. One night of drinking to drown out my company’s losses and the pressures of my grandfather’s demands, and I ended up in bed with Sienna Brooks. Sienna Brooks. It wasn’t just her face plastered all over the tabloids that bothered me—it was her reputation. The stories about her being manipulative, violent, and a liar were impossible to ignore. I had no reason to doubt them, and waking up to her in my bed only confirmed what I thought: she was trouble. “Disgusting,” I muttered to myself as I adjusted my cufflinks in the mirror. But then came the twist I didn’t see coming—a child. My child. She hadn’t even been subtle about it, messaging me as if I would jump at the news. At first, I ignored her. What did I care about her or her sob story? But then I remembered my grandfather’s ultimatum. No trust fund unless I had an heir. And Sienna, whether I liked it or not, had handed me the perfect solution. I would marr
last updateTerakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-26
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Chapter 7
Sienna's POVI stood there, my hand in Max’s iron grip, as he delivered his glowing speech to the crowd. Every word felt like a knife twisting deeper into my chest.Love? Forgiveness? Redemption? What a load of crap.I forced a smile for the cameras, but inside, I was seething. This wasn’t a celebration—it was a circus, and I was the main attraction. Max had turned my life into a spectacle for his own amusement. I glanced at him, standing tall and confident, soaking up the gasps and murmurs from the crowd. He was enjoying this.“Smile, darling,” he whispered, his voice low and mocking.I bit my tongue, resisting the urge to yank my hand away and storm off. Instead, I tilted my head slightly, the smile plastered on my face so fake it hurt.The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur of forced grins and polite applause. As soon as we were out of the spotlight, I pulled my hand free and stepped away from Max.“Where are you going?” he asked, his tone calm but
last updateTerakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-26
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Chapter 8
Sienna's POVI kept my head down as I slipped out of the crowded garden and made my way toward the house. Every step felt heavier under the weight of the stares burning into my back. No matter where I turned, eyes were on me—judging, whispering, dissecting my every move.I reached the terrace, hoping for a moment of peace, when a group of journalists appeared, cameras at the ready. My stomach dropped.“Miss Brooks!” one of them called, hurrying toward me. “Can we have a moment of your time?”I hesitated, my instinct screaming at me to turn and leave. “I’m not giving any interviews,” I said quickly, keeping my voice calm.“Please, just a few questions,” another reporter chimed in, stepping closer. “We’d love to hear your side of the story.”My side of the story? That was a laugh. No one cared about my side.But as I looked at their eager faces, something inside me wavered. The questions didn’t seem hostile—at least, not yet. Maybe this was my chance to regain a bit of control.“Fine,”
last updateTerakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-27
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Chapter 9
Max’s POVIt’s not like I had not expected the reporters will snoop. I mean, that was the reason they were here in the first place. The plan was to get them all around her and then, just as I had done, I would be the Prince Charming to swing in and rescue her. Every now and then, to maintain balance, things like this needed to happen to remind her she badly needed me.“Harry,” I called as we reached one of the quieter rooms in the house.“Yes, sir?” my butler appeared almost instantly; his hands clasped behind his back.“Stay outside this door,” I instructed, gesturing to the room I’d just led Sienna into. “Make sure no one gets in unless I say so. And get her whatever she needs.”Harry nodded. “Understood, sir.”Sienna, standing by the window with her arms crossed, glanced at me suspiciously. “I don’t need a babysitter, Max.”“It’s not about what you need,” I said, keeping my tone even. “It’s about keeping people out. The last thing we need is anoth
last updateTerakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-27
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Chapter 10
Sienna's POVI stood by the window, staring out at the garden below. My parents were with Max, their body language tense even though their smiles were still plastered on. Max stood tall, his posture calm and unbothered as always. But there was something about the way he spoke—controlled, deliberate—that made me pause.He wasn’t just talking to them. He was defending me.Again!I could read it in the atmosphere. For a moment, I felt the strangest sense of relief. But it didn’t last long.What was I doing? Hiding up here, letting Max deal with everyone while I stayed out of sight? How long could I keep running like this? From the reporters, my parents, Edwina... even Max.My hands tightened around the edge of the window frame. Was I really going to let him take the reins of my life completely? That thought terrified me more than anything else.I exhaled slowly and squared my shoulders. No. I couldn’t let this become my reality. I couldn’t keep hiding.
last updateTerakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-28
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