The Billionaire in oily-stained hands 의 모든 챕터: 챕터 1 - 챕터 10

Chapter 1 Fafane I woke with a gasp, my chest burned as I clawed at my throat, expecting to feel the cold edge of a knife. There was nothing, no blood, no pain, no ropes, just the frantic beat of my heart. “What?”My breathing came in short, uneven bursts as I looked around the leather seats, at my favorite vanilla air freshener. With the half-empty bottle of water rolling across the passenger seat, I was in my car. My hands tightened around the steering wheel while memories crashed into me like a tidal wave.Henry, my sister's laughter while she was holding the knife under my neck, and the people I had called Mom and Dad standing there, watching me die without lifting a finger.A sob escaped before I could stop it. “No.” I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to convince myself it had all been a nightmare. It wasn’t; I remembered every second, every betrayal and lie, all the promises that turned into a weapon. My trembling fingers reached into my purse for

. Chapter 3Quashawn “You don’t have to stay late, boss.”I looked up from beneath the hood of the pickup truck and smiled at Ross, one of the younger mechanics in the shop. “I know.”“You’ve got somewhere to be.” He pointed out. “I do,” I said calmly, because that's nowhere I wanted to be. “Then go,” he finally said. I tightened the last bolt before lowering the hood with a soft thud. “I will after I make sure this truck starts.”Ross shook his head. “You’re impossible.”“So I’ve been told.” A few minutes later, I turned the key, and the engine roared to life without a single sputter. A relieved sigh escaped the elderly customer standing nearby.“I thought I was going to miss my wife’s doctor’s appointment tomorrow,” he said. “Thank you, son.”I wiped my hands with a rag before handing him the keys. “You’ll make it.”He reached for his wallet. “How much do I owe you for staying after hours?”I smiled. “The shop has already closed. Tonight’s on me.”Hi

. Chapter 5Fafane The next morning, I couldn’t stop smiling, thinking about the blind date, even as I brushed my teeth or searched my closet for something to wear. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Quashawn’s stunned expression after I’d told him to meet me at the courthouse. “Let’s get married.”I covered my face with both hands and groaned. “Oh, my God.” What was wrong with me? The poor man looked as if his soul had left his body.A laugh escaped my lips. “I almost gave him a heart attack.” It had been a joke, at least that’s what I’d wanted him to think, but somewhere deep down, a part of me hadn’t been joking at all.After dying once, life didn’t feel as complicated anymore. Why spend years wondering whether someone was worth loving?Last night, Quashawn had shown me more kindness in two hours than Henry had shown me in months. Before we left the restaurant, we’d exchanged phone numbers; there was no promise for a second date or any attempt to rush anythi

Chapter 8Quashawn“You’ve been distracted.”I looked up from the engine I was working on to find my cousin, Malik, leaning against the garage door with a grin that said he was about to annoy me. “I’ve been working.”“You’ve been thinking,” he said with a cheesy smile. “Same thing.” I kept my eyes on the engine. He snorted. “No, it isn’t. You’ve rebuilt the same engine twice.”I tossed the wrench onto the workbench. “What do you want?”He folded his arms. “I heard you went on a date. Is that why you're looking into the Louis woman?” Of course, he had. News traveled fast within the Baker family. “I only asked for a background check.”“You don’t spend money investigating random women.” He said like he knows. “I do when someone dies,” I said.Malik studied me for a moment. “So, is she the same woman?” I didn’t answer.That was enough to answer. “You like her.”“I barely know her.” My mind went back to the date briefly. “But you want to,” he said with a

Chapter 10QuashawnThe folder my mother had given me sat at the corner of my desk; it was thick with information about twelve women, those she believed would make the perfect wife. They were beautiful and successful women from influential families; on paper, they were everything a man in my position was supposed to want.I flipped open the first profile, a corporate attorney with no scandals and an excellent reputation. I pulled out my phone and made a call: “Run a full background check.”“Of all twelve, Mr. Baker?” the person on the other end of the line said. “Every single one,” I confirmed. “Anything specific?” He asked. “Everything. Financial history, business interests, criminal records, public reputation, and anything they may be hiding.” I will explain. “Understood.” After hanging up, I leaned back in my chair, trusting that wasn’t something I gave freely. If I were expected to marry someday, I wanted facts, not polished biographies and family r