That Billionaire is Mine

PREFACE The crowd stands frozen, mouths open in shock, as I confidently glide down the stairs, owning the moment. My dress—an exact copy of hers, but undeniably superior—cascades around me like liquid satin, drawing every gaze in the room. I revel in the surprised looks on their faces. I soak it all in. When I reach the bottom step, I pause deliberately beside her, enjoying the disbelief etched across her face. It's pure gold. With a dramatic twist, I throw my head back and unleash a perfectly wicked cackle, the sound slicing through the heavy silence that has blanketed the room. The tension builds as all eyes dart between us, trying to comprehend the madness of the moment. But I’m not concerned with them; my sole focus is on her. A sinister smile curves my lips as I lean in slightly, my voice low and dripping with mockery. “Did you really believe you could outplay me?—Your ego must be off the charts,” I whisper, punctuating my words with a playful, mocking laugh. “Every move I made was scripted from the very beginning. I had you dancing like a puppet on my strings, honey.” Her face crumbles with fear and anger, and I can hardly contain my glee. I chuckle. “You thought someone like you could ever win Alaric’s heart?” I scoff, looking down my nose at her with all the disdain I can muster. “Honey! The moment you set your sights on him, you instantly became nothing more than a joker in this game. Because the fact is undisputed: that billionaire is mine.” CHAPTER ONE RUBY The clock strikes twelve, and a heavy hush envelops the crowd. An echoing toll announces the presence of a bell somewhere behind the formidable wrought iron gates. I hold my breath along with the hundreds of girls around me—this is the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Would Principus College truly throw open its gates to mere commoners? Many of us look tattered; it's evident that the middle class didn’t buy into the nonsense about the school welcoming anyone other than the select upper class. Good. That should increase my chances and decrease the number of competitors. I can definitely outshine a good number of these girls. As my thoughts drift, I miss the grand gates swinging open. The collective gasp snaps me back, and my mouth drops open. What on earth is this place? A long, cobbled path winds gracefully through expansive grounds. It is lined with marble statues of historic figures that glimmers in what looks to be actual, solid gold. The air is rich with the scent of blooming jasmine and honeysuckle. In the distance, I think I spot a fountain sparkling in the sunlight. One of us—a girl in faded pajamas clutching a teddy bear, steps forward and walks past the gate. The rest of us collectively draw our breaths but she continues walking, curiosity overriding fear. When we see that she hasn’t been gunned down, we too tentatively make our way through the gates. We form a silent procession toward the fairy tale before our eyes. As one of the girls in front, I round the corner first, then stop dead in my tracks. Standing before the grandest building I have ever seen is a gathering of students and staff, regal and watchful as we approach. I slowly take in the sight. The skin of the girls dazzle in the sunlight, glowing softly. Some stand stock still, eyes roving over us—some curious, others visibly disgusted. For the second time today, I struggle to pick my jaw off the floor as I realize the people I’m facing: the elite of elites—daughters of millionaires. These people have never known a day of struggle. I smile, baring my teeth. I’d have fun crushing these ones. EDNA A woman steps forward, smiling warmly. “Welcome to Principus College. It’s a pleasure to have you here.” Despite her words, I shiver involuntarily at the cold expressions on the students’ faces behind her. I clutch my teddy tightly to my chest, wondering if I’ve made the right decision. The woman continues, “It seems quite a number of you have, um, shown up today.” She glances at us, looking overwhelmed by the sight of so many ragged girls on her pristine grounds. “This is, er... brave of you.” Faint and fanning herself, two young men quickly escort her away before she passes out. Without missing a beat, a younger woman steps in, looking sharp in a fitted black gown and stiletto red—bottom heels. “The principal isn’t accustomed to crowds—and filthy ones at that.” She doesn’t mince words. “I see few clean-looking ones, meaning some of you are capable of civilization.” Her eyes sweep over us as she nods to herself. “You’ll be divided into groups of twenty and led off to get cleaned and instructed. Do note that you’ll be attending your first ball tonight, so gather as much information from the staff as you can. It would be a shame if you got thrown out on your first day here.” She turns her back on us, signaling our dismissal. As other staffs approach us, the woman addresses the line of uniformed students instead. “The rest of you should find your way to your dorms and prepare for the ball tonight. No use pretending to welcome the newcomers.” With that, she stalks off in the direction the principal had taken, without a backward glance.