Chapter 1

Genevieve POV

“You promised me!” I yelled as his eyes turned cold and before I realized what was happening, his hand struck my face.

The slap echoed through the hallway as pain spread across my cheek instantly.

I stared at my father in shock as he adjusted his suit calmly. “Plans have changed.”

That was all he said, then turned and walked away, leaving me standing there humiliated, heartbroken and furious.

A few minutes earlier…

“Ladies and gentlemen.” The room erupted into applause.

“I want to thank all of you for joining us tonight to celebrate my daughter’s birthday.”

More applause followed as I smiled proudly.

“Genevieve has worked very hard throughout her life.” My chest filled with pride. Coming from him, those words meant everything.

The photographers moved closer as camera flashes lit the ballroom.

Then my father lifted a thick folder into the air. My pulse quickened immediately knowing that’s the stock transfer document.

I could recognize it anywhere! This was really happening!

I took a deep breath and prepared to walk onto the stage once I’m called by my father.

My father smiled toward the audience. “I would now like to invite the next owner of Beaumont Holdings to join me.”

I was grinning and very ready to step forward when everything changed.

“Franklin Beaumont.”

My smile disappeared as the ballroom became silent. For several seconds, nobody moved.

Not even me as I stared at my father intently. Surely I must have heard wrong.

Then Franklin stood up and my entire body froze. “No, no! This wasn’t possible.”

Franklin calmly walked toward the stage while whispers spread through the room. He was my father’s illegitimate son. He had never been considered an heir.

I watched in complete disbelief as my father handed him the documents, Franklin accepted them and signed every page then my father presented him with the official certificate of ownership.

The applause started slowly before becoming thunderous.

My ears rang as the applause was supposed to be for me. The congratulations belonged to me! The cameras should have been pointed at me!

Instead, everyone rushed toward Franklin. People shook his hand, they hugged him, and they congratulated him.

Within seconds, I had become invisible. I forced myself toward the stage. “Father.”

He totally ignored me but I pushed forward again. “Father!”

Security stepped in front of me. “I’m sorry, Miss Beaumont.”

“I need to speak with him.”

“You cannot approach him.”

I stared at the guard. “Move.”

“I’m afraid I can’t.” The guard said and I looked past him toward my father but he acted as though I didn’t exist.

Tears threatened to spill, but I swallowed them back. Then suddenly my father stepped back onto the stage.

He tapped the microphone again. “Oh, before I forget.”

Everyone looked toward him. “This concerns my lovely daughter.”

I frowned as my stomach tightened awaiting his next word.

He smiled before saying, “I am pleased to announce that Genevieve has been betrothed to my oldest friend and business partner, Patrick Hyde.”

The ballroom erupted into applause again. I couldn’t breathe.

Patrick Hyde stepped onto the stage with a huge smile as he waved proudly. “I look forward to our union.”

Disgust instantly rose inside me. He was old enough to be my grandfather!

I turned and ran.  

“Genevieve!” Patrick’s voice followed me.

I ignored him completely. Finally I found my father walking down one of the private hallways.

I rushed after him. “Father!”

He stopped as I grabbed his arm. “What is going on?”

He calmly removed my hand. “Lower your voice.”

“You promised Beaumont Holdings to me.”

“I did.”

“Then why did you give it to Franklin?”

His expression remained emotionless. “I changed my mind.”

“What?”

“I changed my mind.” He repeated again.

My anger exploded. “I gave my entire life to this family!”

“So?” He asked, acting all nonchalant.

I stormed back into the ballroom as journalists were everywhere. Cameras turned toward me immediately and I wanted them to record everything.

I climbed onto the stage while Patrick Hyde smiled at me. “My dear—” he immediately started saying.

“I will never marry you!” I cut him off and the room fell silent with every camera pointed directly at me.

I glared at Patrick. “You should be ashamed of yourself for accepting this madness!”

His smile disappeared as I continued. “You’re old enough to be my grandfather!”

Gasps echoed through the ballroom. “I would rather die than marry you!”

My father’s furious voice sounded from behind me. “Genevieve!”

I ignored him and continued. “This marriage will never happen!”

Without another word, I stepped down from the stage and walked straight out of the mansion.

I heard Evelyn, my best friend calling after me. “Genevieve! Wait!”

I didn’t stop. I couldn’t because I needed air before I exploded.

I reached the private porch overlooking the gardens and paced back and forth angrily.

Everything I had worked for was gone. My father had stolen my future in a single night.

Then movement near the driveway caught my attention as someone stood near the entrance looking tall, elegant and wearing a perfectly tailored black suit.

I narrowed my eyes on seeing Elijah Harrington, he’s the Beaumont family’s greatest rival.

What on earth was he doing here? I marched toward him.  “What are you doing in my family’s mansion?”

He looked at me calmly. “What are you doing outside your own party?”

I frowned. “I asked first.”

“So did I.” He said and I looked him up and down suspiciously.

His clothes looked too expensive for someone sneaking into a mansion. He looked more like a guest than an intruder.

For one brief moment, I wondered if he planned to steal confidential information or assassinate someone but somehow that didn’t seem likely.

Instead of calling security, I walked toward the outdoor bar and poured myself a drink. A second later, Elijah poured himself one too.

Neither of us spoke as we simply drank in silence. My anger toward my father grew stronger with every passing second.

Then suddenly, an idea entered my mind. A completely insane idea.

If my father had betrayed me… Then maybe I should betray him too.

I slowly turned toward Elijah, Looking him straight in the eyes, I asked,

“Would you like to marry me?”