Chapter 1

•Daisy•

Six years later,

Vladimir Romanov; 28. Daisy Reynold: 24

“Are you sure she’s the perfect one for the job?”

The rich-looking, blonde-haired lady stared at me, her lips curled in skepticism.

“Yes, I can assure you of that. She’ll execute the mission flawlessly,” Matt spoke up, his eyes flicking to me.

I swallowed hard, fidgeting slightly. Matt was right, I could do the job. Heck, I’d do anything as long as it brought in enough money to fend for myself and my kids.

“Okay then, I’ll believe you,” the lady said with a soft chuckle. “You’ve never disappointed me before, you know?”

Her gaze shifted back to me. “Do you know what you’re here for?”

I quickly nodded.

“Good.” She reached into the designer bag on the seat beside her and pulled out a neatly folded paper. Placing it on the table, she slid it toward me.

“He’s not an easy person to deal with,” she warned, her sharp eyes locking on mine. “He’s dangerous… and seducing him might not be as simple as you think.”

Her words made my chest tighten.

“Can you still do the job?”

My gaze shifted to Matt, who gave me a small nod, urging me to accept it.

I should have rejected the offer the moment I heard I’d be dealing with a dangerous man… but I couldn’t.

Matt had explained when he first brought the job to me that the money involved could change everything… for me and for my kids. But it wasn’t going to be easy. The job was simple in words but complicated in execution: seduce a well-known man, make him fall in love with me, and then break his heart cruelly.

At first, I was stunned. Why would anyone spend so much money just to destroy someone emotionally? What could they possibly gain from it? Triple fold of the money offered to me?

Well… that wasn’t my business. My job was to do as I was told and get paid. Simple as that.

“Yes, I can,” I said finally, forcing a confident smile.

The lady nodded, clearly satisfied. “He’s here in Illinois for business, but he’ll be returning to his hometown in three days. Within those three days, you need to make sure he falls for you… hard. Then he’ll take you along to Russia.”

My brows shot up in confusion. “Russia?”

“Yes. Russia.” Her gaze flicked to Matt. “Didn’t you tell her about this?”

I turned sharply to Matt, waiting for his explanation, my patience already thinning.

“Actually… I forgot,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish half-smile. “But that shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

I sighed, glaring at him. Of course, it was a problem.

I’m a mother. A mother of two kids, actually. Who was going to take care of them while I went halfway across the world?

“Why? Is this going to be an issue?” The blonde lady whom I already know as  Scarlett's voice cut through my thoughts.

“It won’t,” Matt answered quickly before I could. “She’s just… processing it right now.”

Scarlett didn’t look convinced, but she let it go. “You’ll be meeting him tomorrow night at his penthouse. I’ll send the clothes and everything else you’ll need.” She leaned in slightly, her sharp gaze pinning me to my seat.

“Don’t forget the rule: seduce him, make him fall in love with you… and break his heart. Break it in the cruelest way possible,” she ordered sternly.

Still stunned, I nodded, unable to trust my voice.

Scarlett smiled faintly, grabbed her bag, and stood. She turned to Matt. “I’ll be in touch.” With that, she walked out of the restaurant.

As soon as she was gone, my eyes snapped to Matt, my expression hardening.

“Why didn’t you tell me about Russia? Why didn’t you say anything about leaving the country?”

Matt ruffled his hair, looking guilty. “I forgot—”

I scoffed, cutting him off. “You forgot? You and I both know that’s a lie, Matt.”

He hesitated, then sighed. “You’re right. I hid it from you on purpose.”

My eyes widened. “What?”

“If I’d told you from the start, you would have rejected the job,” he admitted quietly.

“And what business is it of yours if I reject the job?” I fired back.

“Because I know how badly you need the money!” he snapped, frustration flashing in his eyes. “Your rent’s overdue. The kids’ tuition fees are coming up next month. You’re jobless, Daisy, and the only restaurant you’re managing isn’t even active. I couldn’t just sit back and watch you drown, so yes. I hid it from you!”

I exhaled slowly, my anger dissolving into exhaustion. As much as I hated to admit it, Matt was right. My life was a wreck, one I’d been struggling to piece back together.

Still, I couldn’t help but feel trapped. I had one day to figure out what to do with my kids, and no idea how to even begin.

“Daisy,” Matt said softly, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. “This is a life-changing opportunity for you, and for your kids. Think about them.”

My throat tightened. “Where would I even put them, Matt? Of all places, it had to be Russia. What am I supposed to tell them? How do I explain this?”

“We’ll figure it out together,” he reassured me. “For now, you need to start preparing for the job. Scarlett will contact me soon, and everything you need will be provided. I’ll also transfer the advance payment to your account tonight.”

I nodded weakly, and he offered me a small, reassuring smile, smoothing down my hair like he used to when we were kids.

When I got home that night, the lights were on, which was strange. It was past 9 p.m., and Kaiden and Luna knew better than to be awake by now.

The living room was empty, which worried me for a moment. Dropping my bag on the couch, I was about to head toward the bedroom when the kitchen door opened, and Brynn, my younger cousin,  stepped out with a plate of toast in her hands.

“Was hungry,” she said casually, flashing a quick smile. “Had to make a snack.”

“What about my kids?” I asked, relieved to know they were safe and the house hadn’t been robbed. Not that there was much to steal anyway.

“They’re asleep,” she said, rolling her eyes playfully. “I tried taking them out for a late-night snack, but they flat-out refused. Said you’d scold them if they were awake past nine.”

A small smile tugged at my lips. The bedtime rule was 8:30 p.m. sharp, and Kaiden and Luna never dared to break it.

“You can say that again,” I giggled softly, sinking into the chair.

“So, where have you been?” Brynn asked, grabbing a glass of water and taking a gulp. “I checked the restaurant, but it was closed, and you weren’t home either.”

“Found a new job yet?” she asked after a beat.

“I… wouldn’t exactly call it a new job,” I muttered, tilting my head.

Brynn sat up instantly, curiosity written all over her face. “Tell me everything. I’m all ears.”

I sighed and explained the entire thing — every detail, including Scarlett, the seduction plan, and Russia.

Brynn blinked at me, her jaw slack. “That’s… insane. Completely crazy.”

“I know, right?” I muttered, rubbing my forehead.

“So… how much is involved?” she asked, biting into her toast.

“Two point five million dollars,” I said with a heavy sigh.

Brynn choked, instantly spitting crumbs of toast all over my lap. I shot her an irritated look as she gasped.

“Two point what?!” she yelled.

“You didn’t have to be so dramatic,” I muttered, grabbing a tissue to clean my clothes.

“Sorry,” she mumbled sheepishly, then grinned. “But, Daisy… 2.5 million? Are you serious?”

I nodded slowly.

“Girl, that’s life-changing! Why the hell are you even hesitating?”

I almost laughed at how fast she switched from disbelief to excitement. A few seconds ago, she thought the plan was crazy. Now, she was ready to pack my bags for me.

“Kaiden and Luna,” I whispered, pressing my fingers to my temples. “I can’t just leave them, Brynn. Russia isn’t exactly Kenilworth.”

“Well, I was already here for them before, so I guess it works even better,” she grinned, wiggling her brows.

My brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“Leave your kids with me, Daisy. I’ll take them to my house in Berwyn and watch them until you’re back, and you…” She moved closer and poked my cheek with a smirk until I frowned.

“You have no excuses anymore. So leave your doubts behind and embrace your new job!”