Bankrupt Heiress: Stealing the CEO's Heart

Chapter 1

After my family went bankrupt, I still received a gold-rimmed engagement invitation from Bianca Sterling—an acquaintance from the social circuit.

I knew she wanted to watch me squirm.

Who wouldn't want to see the once-extravagant Miss Ashworth brought low?

Especially since I'd mocked her nouveau riche taste before.

But I accepted the invitation gladly.

I wasn't afraid of embarrassment. I just wanted to steal her man.

The hidden camera in the storage room was linked to the main screen. I'd just seduced her fiancé into dropping his pants—

When the power cut out across the entire venue.

The grand hall plunged into darkness. Chaos erupted.

This wasn't part of the plan.

How could the timing be so perfect?

Suddenly, someone hoisted me up. A large hand clamped over my mouth, and the scent of aquatic cologne filled my nostrils.

That scent... I'd smelled it somewhere before.

I was still panicking when I was tossed roughly into a car. The dome light flickered on, and the man sneered:

"Miss Ashworth, from such a respectable family. Seducing the groom at someone else's engagement party—have you no shame?"

In the dim parking garage, weak light carved out half his face while shadows swallowed the rest. But that profile—I recognized it instantly.

William Lawson. One of the groomsmen. He'd asked for my number earlier, but I hadn't given it to him.

Handsome, sure. But he didn't even register on my gold-digger radar.

Just another pretty boy with a bruised ego.

I fixed my hair in the mirror. "What's it to you?"

William grabbed my chin, his gaze cutting right through me.

"I can't stand how you weaponize your looks. You just wrecked someone's engagement with your little seduction act."

I smirked.

"Bianca invited me here to watch me humiliate myself. I simply returned the favor by showing her what kind of man she was marrying. I did her a favor."

William muttered under his breath, "Shameless."

I traced a finger along his jaw, leaning in close.

"Are you really upset for Bianca's sake, or just mad that I ignored you?"

He flinched, meeting my eyes for a split second before looking away.

"Bankruptcy is just bankruptcy. Even a sinking ship has salvageable parts. You've got two hands—why stoop to this?"

My temper flared. "When I was throwing money around, I had friends everywhere. Now? Everyone treats me like I'm contagious."

"I've never stolen, robbed, or scammed anyone. Why should I suffer? A woman's youth is currency—why let it go to waste?"

His expression twisted with disgust at my shamelessness.

I leaned closer, letting my hair brush against him. "Didn't you drag me to your car because you thought I was pretty?"

He had no comeback.

After a long pause, he managed, "Trashing your own reputation won't get you a better price."

I laughed out loud.

I pulled out a compact from my clutch and touched up my makeup, completely unbothered.

"William Lawson, don't think a designer suit transforms you from a poor boy into Prince Charming."

He froze, knuckles whitening on the steering wheel.

"Three years ago, when you were scrounging for investors, you came begging to my family. I humiliated you then. Did you think I'd forgotten?"

The car filled with his heavy, suppressed breathing.

There's something captivating about a handsome man seething with rage.

But my heart was dead water now.

I snapped the compact shut and flashed him a dazzling smile.

"Relax. Even if I were selling myself, you wouldn't make the cut. I have standards—I don't take money from broke men."

He slammed his fist on the steering wheel, then grabbed my throat and yanked me toward him.

I froze. I hadn't expected such raw strength from someone so polished.

Our eyes locked. The fury in his gaze sent ice down my spine.

Maybe I'd pushed too far.

His breath was hot against my face. "Your intel is outdated. I'm now the largest shareholder of White Group. I could buy you three times over."

This time, I was the one stunned.

"So—will you sell yourself to me in this lifetime?"

His cold tone dripped with dark allure, his breath carrying a clean, masculine scent.

I searched his eyes for mockery but found none. Only a flicker of conflict.

A player would never show hesitation like that.

I pushed him away and steadied my breath.

"William, we're not meant to be. It has nothing to do with your money."

I yanked the door open to escape, but he grabbed my arm and sneered,

"What, playing hard to get now? Name your price."

I spun around and bit the flesh between his thumb and finger. He released me with a hiss, and I bolted from the car, stopping a few feet away.

"You can take the boy out of poverty, but you can't take the poverty out of the boy. I won't tolerate it."

He gritted his teeth. "Serena! Three years ago you bullied me because you had power. Now you're still acting high and mighty. Don't think I'll let this go!"