All Chapters of Sold To The Sleeping Billionaire .: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

The words on the other end of the phone hit Richard Lawson like a freight train."...pray you aren't already too late."For a moment, he couldn't breathe."What happened?" he demanded, rising so abruptly that his chair scraped across the polished conference room floor.No one dared speak.The directors of Lawson Biotech watched their CEO's face lose every trace of color."Richard," Grandma Eleanor said quietly, her voice trembling despite her effort to stay calm. "Evelyn collapsed."His heart stopped."What do you mean she collapsed?""She isn't responding.""No..."He grabbed his car keys without ending the meeting."I'm on my way.""Richard..."But the line had already gone dead.---"Sir?"His assistant hurried after him."The investors are waiting.""I don't care.""The merger documents—""I said I don't care!"It was the first time anyone had ever heard Richard Lawson raise his voice at work.He sprinted through the lobby, ignoring the curious stares of employees.Outside, rain h

The journey from Willow Creek to New York was the longest trip Nadia had ever taken.She sat quietly in the back seat of her father's SUV, hugging the small backpack Grandma Eleanor had packed for her.Inside it were only a few things.Her favorite storybooks.A framed photograph of her and her mother.The silver locket Grandma Eleanor had slipped into her hand.And the pink ribbons Evelyn had promised to use on her next birthday.Nadia held the locket tightly throughout the drive.Whenever she felt like crying, she squeezed it until the tears went away.Richard glanced at her through the rearview mirror several times.She hadn't spoken in almost four hours.Not once.Not even to ask if they were there yet.The silence frightened him more than tears would have.He cleared his throat."Are you hungry?"Nadia looked out the window."A little.""We'll stop and get your favorite burgers."She nodded politely."Okay."That was all.Richard sighed.Before Evelyn died, Nadia would have fille

Richard had expected the conversation to end after a polite introduction.Charity galas weren't exactly the kind of place where strangers became friends. Most conversations lasted a few minutes before everyone drifted away to greet someone more important.But somehow...He found himself reluctant to walk away."Ladies and gentlemen," the master of ceremonies announced, his cheerful voice echoing through the magnificent ballroom. "Dinner is now served. Kindly proceed to your assigned tables."Soft applause rippled through the hall.Guests rose from their seats, smoothing expensive gowns and tailored suits before making their way toward the grand dining room.Nadia looked up at her father."Dad...""Hmm?""Do you think we're sitting with Miss Victoria?"Richard chuckled."I don't think we get to choose, Princess."Victoria smiled as she walked toward the seating board placed beside the entrance.Rows of elegant ivory cards displayed every guest's name.She slowly scanned the list before

Three days later...Richard Lawson had almost forgotten about the charity gala.Almost.Work had once again consumed every hour of his day. Meetings replaced meals, conference calls replaced rest, and by the time he returned home each evening, Nadia was usually curled up on the couch with a book in her hands.Life had returned to its usual routine.Or so he thought."Sir..."Michael stood outside Richard's office, trying very hard not to laugh.Richard looked up from his laptop."What is it?""You may want to see this."He placed a glossy magazine on the desk.Across the front page was a photograph taken during the charity gala.It showed Richard, Nadia and Victoria standing together while Nadia laughed at something Victoria had whispered.The headline read:**WHO IS THE MYSTERY WOMAN BESIDE BILLIONAIRE CEO RICHARD LAWSON?**Richard sighed."They're unbelievable."Michael chuckled."It gets better."Richard opened the magazine.According to the article...The city's most eligible wido