A Deal with the Billionaire

the room, her fingers clutching the stem of an untouched champagne flute. She felt out of place amidst the grandeur, her simple emerald dress, though elegant, a stark contrast

er heels pinched her toes-a cruel reminder that tonigh

a few words with an older gentleman who looked eager to please. Sebastian's charcoal suit fit his lean, powerful frame like it had been stitched onto him, the crisp white shir

Men like him-the ruthless, untouchable kind-never cared about p

siastic laughter. As she approached, the faintest flicker of his gaze shifted to her, sharp and assessi

ce was steady, even if he

Up close, he was even more intimidating-tall, broad-shouldered

he said, his voice smooth and m

, straightening her shoulde

e curiosity-but it was gone as quickly as it came

sion in his tone but kept her composu

"What brings you here tonight, Ms. Parker

ed, holding his gaze.

mile-it was something colder, more calculating. "And what

as been sabotaging my organization. He's blacklisted us with investors, tanked our sponsorship dea

dered if he even cared. His expression remained u

can fix that?"

. "You have connections, influence. One endorsement from you could bring back the

musement and intrigue. "You make a compelling argument. But I don't make a habit of getting

ted this-Sebastian Cole wasn't known for his generosity. "Name your

most resembling interest. He stepped closer, and the world ar

But my terms aren't monetary, Ms. Parker. If I'm going

ckened. "What

precision of a man used to winning, he said, "I need

he room. Grace stared at

articularly old-fashioned investor. He values family and stability. A single man in my p

me to pretend to be engaged to you

just dropped a bomb on her life. "Exactly. It's a simp

audacity. But then she thought of the shelter, of the women and children who depende

.. arrangement last?"

on. "Long enough to finalize the deal

ause, not to sell her dignity to the highest bidder. But as much as

voice quieter than she inten

e first time, a genuine smile tugged a

al, nothing more. No lies, no manipulation, and no..." She fal

But I have conditions too, Ms. Parker. Starting with the fact that, from thi

r spine. Grace didn't know whether she'd just m