The billionaire who tried to erase my fiancé

The first thing Daphne Beckett noticed when she stepped into the Grand Conservatory of the Royal Ontario Museum was how much everyone seemed to want something. She had learned that in these kinds of events, a smile was rarely just a smile.

People smiled because they had been invited. Others smiled because they had donated enough money to have their family name displayed somewhere in the museum. And some were there because they wanted access to Arthur Beckett; The powerful man behind Arkett Holdings and one of Toronto's most influential developers, or to the deals that would  be made between the wealthiest people in the city before the night was over.

Daphne had grown up around people like these.

She knew when to smile, when to hold back, and how to accept a compliment even when she knew she was being judged. She also knew how to stand beside her father without making it look like she was just his daughter.

Tonight, she wore a beautiful red gown her father had chosen for her. It was elegant, expensive, and nothing like what she would have chosen for herself.

“You look like you’re about to take over a company.”

Daphne turned and relaxed when she saw who it was.

Warren Sterling stood nearby with a glass of sparkling water. His dark hair was a little messy, and his tie was already loose.

You're late,” she said.

“I got stuck with a donor who wanted to explain urban planning to me.”

She smiled. “And what did you do?”

“I nodded when I was supposed to.”

She laughed softly.

Warren took her hand, his thumb brushing over her knuckles.

It was a simple gesture.

At a Beckett gala, nothing went unnoticed.

Daphne looked toward her father.

Arthur Beckett stood beneath the Arkett Holdings banner, surrounded by politicians, executives, and journalists. His silver hair was perfectly styled, and his suit was just as neat. He had a way of drawing attention without even trying.

Arthur looked over at Daphne and Warren.

He only looked at them for a second.

That was enough.

Warren let go of her hand.

“There he is,” he murmured. “The man who can walk into a room and make everyone uncomfortable.”

“Please don't start.”

I wasn't going to.”

“You say that like you’re completely innocent.”

“I just have a habit of answering back when your father insults me.”

“Warren.”

The teasing look on his face softened.

“I know. Tonight is important to you.”

The annual Arkett Foundation Winter Gala raised millions for housing, hospitals, and arts programs. Daphne had spent months working on the foundation’s new community housing project. It was one of the few things at Arkett that actually felt like hers.

She wanted affordable housing, input from the people who lived there, more green spaces, and protections for families who might otherwise be pushed out.

For once, she wanted to believe her family name could mean something good.

“I just don't want him to ruin tonight,” she admitted.

“He won't.”

“You can’t guarantee that.”

“No.” Warren looked into her eyes. “But I can promise you he doesn’t get to decide whether we have a good night.”

For a moment, nothing else in the room seemed to matter.

Warren had always made everything seem a little easier.

She met him two years ago at a public meeting about an Arkett redevelopment project. She came prepared with presentations and promises she had spent days working on.

Warren had torn the proposal apart in front of everyone.

He had questioned why there wasn't more affordable housing, what would happen to the residents who had to leave, and why so much space was being used for luxury parking.

Daphne had been furious with him.

Then she read his alternative proposal.

By the time they met for coffee to argue about it, she was already starting to fall for him.

“Daphne.”

Her younger sister, Lila, approached and slipped her arm through Daphne's.

“Father has been asking where you are.”

“Then he knows where to find me.”

Lila smiled at Warren, but only for a moment.

Before Daphne could say anything else, Lila's attention shifted toward the entrance.

Daphne looked in the same direction.

Mason Cooper had arrived.

Mason was tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in a sharp suit. He carried himself with the confidence of someone who was used to people listening when he spoke.

Sonwells Construction had grown really fast under his leadership. Arthur saw him as an important business partner.

Daphne had always found him difficult to read.

He spotted her almost immediately.

Then he also spotted Warren.

“Oh,” Lila murmured. “He's coming over.”

“Lucky us,” Warren said.

“Please.”

“I haven't said anything.”

“You've got a lot on your mind.”

Mason reached them.

“Daphne.”

He took her hand before she could decide whether to offer it.

“You look really good tonight.”

“Thank you.”

He kept looking at her for a moment.

“The room was noticeably less interesting before you arrived.”

Warren's expression remained polite, but Daphne felt the tension beside her.

Mason finally turned to him.

“Sterling. I heard you won the Riverside Commons competition. Congratulations.”

“A small project,” Mason added casually.

Warren's jaw tightened.

“Good work matters, regardless of size.”

“Of course.”

Mason turned back to Daphne.

“Arthur tells me you've been leading the foundation's community development expansion.”

“I've been working with the team.”

“That is modest.” His voice lowered. “You are the reason it's being taken seriously.”

Before Daphne could respond, a chime sounded.

The master of ceremonies stepped onto the stage.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the chairman of Arkett Holdings and founder of the Arkett Foundation, Mr. Arthur Beckett.”

Applause filled the room.

Arthur took the stage and gave the speech everyone expected.

He talked about Toronto’s future, helping vulnerable communities, sustainable development, and Arkett’s plans to build more housing.

Daphne tried to listen, but her attention kept going back to Warren.

Then Arthur looked directly at her.

“It would be wrong of me not to recognize my daughter, Daphne Beckett, whose dedication to the Arkett Foundation's community initiatives continues to make us proud.”

Applause rose.

Daphne smiled.

Arthur continued.

“Daphne has always understood the responsibility that comes with being a Beckett.”

The words sounded affectionate but they also sounded like a warning.

Arthur looked over at Warren.

“And we are pleased to welcome the many talented independent professionals whose perspectives contribute to our city's future.”

He didn't say Warren's name.

The speech ended.

Arthur immediately began accepting congratulations before making his way toward them.

“Daphne.”

She kissed his cheek.

“Father.”

“Mr. Sterling.”

“Mr. Beckett.”

Arthur studied Warren.

“I hope you're enjoying the evening.”

“It's generous of the foundation to support housing initiatives.”

Arthur smiled thinly.

“I imagine we may not always agree on what qualifies as support.”

Warren looked him in the eye.

“I imagine not.”

Daphne felt the tension instantly.

“Father, Warren's firm was selected for Riverside Commons.”

“I heard.”

Arthur's expression remained pleasant.

“Though I was surprised the committee chose such a young firm for a project that would attract this much attention.”

“The committee chose the proposal that offered the strongest protections for tenants,” Warren replied.

Arthur lifted his glass.

“An admirable sentiment. But sentiment doesn't hold up a building, Mr. Sterling. Capital does.”

“Integrity does.”

For a moment, neither of them said anything.

Daphne touched Warren's wrist.

“Please, not tonight.”

Arthur noticed the gesture.

His eyes dropped to their hands, then returned to Daphne.

“You should come speak to the Hollander group. They're considering involvement in the waterfront partnership.”

“I'll be there in a moment.”

“Alone.”

The word caught her off guard.

Daphne looked at him.

“Father—”

“Go,” Warren said quietly.

She hated leaving him.

But old habits were hard to break.

“I'll find you.”

“I'll be here.”

Arthur led her away.

They stopped near the bar, partly hidden from the crowd by a tall arrangement of orchids.

“You embarrassed him,” Daphne said.

“I tested him.”

“He isn't an employee you can test.”

“No. He's the man you're choosing to stand beside. I had to”

Arthur's voice lowered.

“You are the future of Arkett Holdings. Everything I've built will one day be yours to protect.”

“I know.”

“Do you?”

He looked toward Warren.

“A man like Warren Sterling may be talented. He may even mean well. But he doesn't understand what it means to be born into a family like ours.”

“He understands me.”

Arthur's eyes hardened.

“That is what concerns me.”

“You don't know him.”

“I know enough.”

Daphne finally lost her temper.

“He's never asked me for anything. He doesn't care about my family name or my money, and he certainly isn't trying to win your approval.”

Arthur's expression hardened.

“Maybe not. But he has something else.”

Daphne frowned. “What?”

“Your attention. Your loyalty. And now, apparently, your heart.”

Daphne swallowed.

She had spent years avoiding the truth, even with herself. But she was tired of pretending.

“I love him.”

Arthur went completely still.

For several seconds, he said nothing.

Then his voice became cold.

“You are being naïve.”

I'm twenty-seven, Father.”

“And you're still my daughter.”

The words carried a meaning that needed no explanation.

Arthur's expression tightened.

“You will understand eventually. Warren Sterling is not the right man for you.”

Daphne stared at him.

“What are you saying?”

Arthur's answer was quiet.

“I'm saying that if you continue this relationship, I'll have to decide whether to put your happiness first or do what's best for this family.”

Daphne's stomach tightened.

Because she knew her father.

And she knew he had never made an empty threat.