Chapter 1: The Marriage Deal

The bright chandelier filled the ballroom of the Grand Hyatt with light.

Sarah held her portfolio tightly against her chest. Her heart was beating very fast.

Inside the leather folder were the fashion designs she had worked on for three years. She believed they could help her escape poverty and get away from her cruel stepfamily.

She had come to the hotel because her boyfriend, Jason, had promised to arrange a meeting between her and a powerful fashion investor.

But when Sarah walked through the VIP lounge, she suddenly stopped.

Jason was there.

He was sitting on a soft sofa with another woman. His arms were around her waist, and they were kissing.

Sarah's heart broke.

Then the woman pulled away and laughed.

Sarah's eyes widened.

It was Chloe.

Her wealthy stepsister.

"Jason, stop. What if someone sees us?" Chloe said with a giggle. She touched his tie. "What if your little charity-case girlfriend comes in?"

Jason laughed coldly and pulled Chloe closer.

"Sarah? She's a fool," he said. "I only stayed with her because I wanted her mother's old design journals. Now that I have given them to you, you're becoming famous in the fashion world."

Sarah could hardly breathe.

"She's nothing but a stepping stone."

The portfolio slipped from Sarah's hands.

It hit the marble floor.

Jason and Chloe turned toward her.

Chloe pretended to be shocked. Then a proud smile appeared on her face.

Jason simply stood up and fixed his jacket. He didn't look sorry at all.

"Sarah," he said coldly. "You're here. Good. That saves me the trouble of telling you."

"You... you stole my mother's work?" Sarah asked. Tears filled her eyes. "You used me?"

Before Jason could answer, the doors suddenly opened.

Sarah's stepmother, Eleanor, walked in with two large security guards.

Eleanor didn't even look at Jason or Chloe.

She stared directly at Sarah.

"Pick up your things and stand up straight," Eleanor ordered.

Sarah stared at her.

"The Vance family lawyers have finished the paperwork. Your father's company is bankrupt, and you are the price for saving it."

Sarah's face went pale.

"What are you talking about?"

"You're marrying the eldest son of the Vance family tonight."

Sarah stepped backward.

"What? No! I won't do that. I don't even know him!"

"You don't have a choice," Eleanor said.

She motioned to the guards.

They grabbed Sarah's arms.

"The Vance family elders are waiting upstairs. You will go there, sign the marriage contract, and save this family."

Sarah struggled against the guards.

"And if I refuse?"

Eleanor's eyes became cold.

"I will make sure every fashion company in this country refuses to work with you before tomorrow morning."

Jason stepped closer with a cruel smile.

"Stop fighting, Sarah. Marrying the Vance family's mysterious heir is probably the best thing that will ever happen to a poor girl like you."

Sarah glared at him.

Jason laughed.

"Think of it as my final gift to you."

Ten minutes later, Sarah was pushed into a quiet penthouse at the top of the hotel.

The large wooden doors closed behind her.

Then she heard the lock click.

She was trapped.

Sarah looked around.

In the middle of the room was a black wheelchair.

A man was sitting in it with his back toward her.

He wore a dark suit, and his shoulders were broad.

Sarah swallowed nervously.

This was Adrian Vance.

The man people called the Monster of the Vance Family.

He was said to be cold and dangerous. Years ago, he had been badly injured in an accident and had been using a wheelchair ever since.

Sarah clenched her fists.

She had been betrayed by Jason.

Her mother's work had been stolen.

Her family had sold her.

But she refused to break.

If Adrian wanted a weak and obedient wife, he had chosen the wrong woman.

"Mr. Vance," Sarah said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I'm here."

The man didn't move.

Sarah continued.

"Let's make one thing clear. This is only a business deal. I will give your family the marriage they want, but don't expect my heart."

A deep laugh filled the room.

Sarah froze.

The wheelchair suddenly moved.

Slowly, it turned around.

Sarah's breath caught in her throat.

The man facing her was young.

He had a strong jaw, dark eyes, and a very handsome face.

And he was smiling.

Sarah stared at him.

He didn't look like the monster she had imagined.

This was Adrian Vance.

The older brother Jason had always been afraid of.

"A business deal?" Adrian asked.

His voice was calm but powerful.

He leaned forward and rested his chin on his hands.

"I like a woman who knows her worth."

His eyes stayed on Sarah.

"Your ex-boyfriend thought you were weak."

His smile became darker.

"Let's show him what happens when he hurts someone who is stronger than he thinks."

Sarah couldn't speak for a moment.

Adrian Vance.

She had heard Jason talk about him many times.

Jason had always described Adrian as a dangerous and frightening man who hid from people because of his injuries.

But the man sitting in front of her didn't look frightening because of his wheelchair.

He looked powerful.

"You..." Sarah whispered. "You're Jason's brother."

"Half-brother," Adrian corrected.

He moved his wheelchair a little closer.

"And you are the woman he just threw away in the VIP lounge."

Sarah looked away.

The humiliation still hurts.

"You watched us?"

"I know everything that happens under my roof," Adrian said.

He pointed toward a glass table.

A leather document was lying on it.

A gold pen rested on top.

"I also know that your stepmother just traded you to my family's elders to pay a forty-million-dollar debt."

Sarah bit her lip.

She refused to cry.

"So you know I didn't come here willingly," she said. "Jason and Chloe stole my life's work. My family betrayed me."

She looked directly at Adrian.

"If you think I'm going to become a weak wife who sits quietly behind you, you chose the wrong woman."

Adrian smiled.

"Good."

Sarah frowned.

"Weak women are boring to me," he said. "And I have no use for a wife who spends all day crying."

He picked up the pen.

"Let me explain why this marriage is happening."

Sarah listened.

"My grandfather left a condition in his will. I must be married before I turn thirty if I want to remain CEO."

Sarah's eyes widened.

"If I don't marry tonight, the board will vote tomorrow. Jason's branch of the family will take control of the company."

Sarah suddenly understood.

Jason hadn't only betrayed her for Chloe's money.

He and Chloe wanted the entire Vance empire.

"So you need someone to protect your position," Sarah said.

Adrian nodded.

"And you need someone to protect you."

He looked directly into her eyes.

"Right now, you're a poor designer with a damaged reputation. Your stepmother can destroy your career. Jason can use your mother's journals to make Chloe famous."

Sarah remained silent.

"But if you become my wife," Adrian continued, "no one will be able to touch you."

He leaned forward.

"Sign the contract. For one year, you will pretend to be my loving wife."

Sarah's eyes widened.

"In return, I will pay for your fashion company. You will have all the resources you need."

He paused.

"And when Jason and Chloe think they are about to become powerful, you will help me bring them down."

Sarah stared at him.

It was a dangerous deal.

But she had no other choice.

If she walked out of the room, she would have nothing.

If she signed, she would have power.

Sarah slowly walked toward the table.

She picked up the gold pen.

Her hand shook slightly.

She looked at the contract.

The important words were clear:

Alliance.

Discretion.

Mutual Benefit.

One Year.

Sarah looked at Adrian.

"And what happens after one year?"

"We get divorced," Adrian answered.

"You walk away with your own fashion empire and five hundred million dollars in alimony."

Sarah stared at him.

"Do we have a deal?"

She didn't hesitate.

Sarah signed her name.

The moment she finished, Adrian picked up his phone.

"Bring them in," he ordered.

Less than a minute later, the doors opened.

Eleanor walked in.

Jason and Chloe followed her.

They all looked pleased.

"Mr. Vance," Eleanor said with a fake smile. "I hope my stepdaughter didn't cause any problems. She knows her place."

She took a step forward.

"Have the marriage documents been..."

She suddenly stopped.

Her eyes landed on Adrian's face.

Her smile disappeared.

Jason looked at him.

His face became completely pale.

"A-Adrian?"

His knees shook.

"What are you doing here?"

Adrian looked at him calmly.

"I live here, Jason."

Jason's mouth opened, but no words came out.

Adrian pointed toward Sarah.

"I was just finishing the paperwork with my new wife."

Chloe gasped.

"Your wife?"

She grabbed Jason's arm.

"But the elders said Sarah was marrying the mysterious heir of the main branch!"

Adrian looked at Chloe.

"I am the main branch."

Chloe's face went white.

Adrian reached out and took Sarah's hand.

His hand was warm and strong.

He looked at Jason.

"You should greet your new sister-in-law properly."

Jason stared at him.

Adrian smiled.

"Or perhaps you should start calling her Aunt Sarah."

Jason looked like he was about to be sick.

He finally understood what had happened.

He had thrown Sarah away because he wanted Chloe and the Vance family's power.

But instead, he had handed Sarah directly to the most powerful man in the family.

Adrian turned toward Sarah.

A dark smile appeared on his face.

"Welcome to the family, my dear."

His eyes moved toward Jason and Chloe.

"Let's make sure they never forget your name."