Chapter 1
Late at night in a dimly lit bar, a wealthy young man clad in designer threads slid a document across the table to Avery Carter.
"I'm engaged to Murphy's daughter. You're not their flesh and blood, so I need you to sign off on ending our engagement," he stated matter-of-factly.
"But hey, we could still mess around, right?" he added, his voice dripping with nonchalance.
Avery, dressed in a light blue linen dress, sat opposite him. Her long black hair fell over her shoulders, her skin porcelain-smooth, and her eyes gleamed with a quiet fire. As she watched him flaunt his riches, she couldn't help but think, Is this guy for real?
He pushed another document her way along with a key card and car keys.
"This is for a property transfer. Live in the apartment for five years, and it's yours. Oh, and that brand-new Maserati downstairs? It's yours too if you sign these."
Avery chuckled softly and then did the math. Five years as his side piece for a 600-grand apartment and a sports car worth 400 grand? That's barely 200 grand a year—less than 20 thousand dollars a month. And he expects gratitude for his 'generosity'?
Her gaze unnerved him. He grabbed a wine glass, sipping a 2,000-dollar mouthful of wine, before continuing.
"Look, I get it, you're a proud woman. Signing this might sting a bit. But let's be real—your folks are broke. Five brothers, all cramped in some tiny house in the old quarter," he pressed.
"Trust me, you wouldn't last a day in their shoes. Take the flat and the car. You're gonna need them."
Avery shot him a brief, scornful smirk, then leaned in to swiftly sign the documents. Lucas Harper's grandiose promises, made during their courtship, now seemed laughable and vile, especially after his rush to call off their engagement upon learning she wasn't a true Murphy. Sickened by his charade, Avery was ready to bolt after just a short while.