OUR BILLION DOLLAR LIE

The rain fell in relentless sheets, drumming against the glass walls of the Grand Crescent Hotel. Luxury cars lined the entrance one after another, their polished bodies reflecting the golden lights spilling from the ballroom. Men in tailored suits escorted elegantly dressed women across the marble steps while photographers shouted for their attention. Inside, the elite of the city gathered to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of Ashford Group. Outside, one woman stood frozen. Aria Bennett tightened her grip on the invitation in her trembling hand. She wasn’t here to celebrate. She was here to remember. Her gaze settled on the enormous banner hanging above the entrance. ASHFORD GROUP – TWENTY YEARS OF EXCELLENCE. The words felt like knives twisting in her chest. Three years ago, Bennett Technologies had been one of the fastest-growing companies in the country. Her father had built it from nothing. He had poured his life into it. Then, almost overnight, everything collapsed. Fraud accusations. Frozen accounts. Hostile takeover. Crushing debts. Her father died before he could clear his name. Her mother suffered a stroke from the shock and remained in a private hospital, where every passing day brought another mountain of medical bills. Aria had sold their mansion. Their cars. Even her mother’s jewellery. Yet it still wasn’t enough. She had spent three years believing one thing. The Ashford family had destroyed them. Her fingers instinctively reached into her handbag and touched the old silver fountain pen tucked inside. It had belonged to her father. The last gift he had ever given her. “Never stop searching for the truth,” he had whispered from his hospital bed. Those had been his final words. A gust of wind sent cold rain across her face. She blinked away the tears threatening to fall. “Tonight,” she whispered, “I begin.” Straightening her shoulders, Aria stepped towards the hotel entrance. A security guard immediately stopped her. “Invitation.” She handed it over. The man scanned the card before nodding. “Enjoy your evening.” If only he knew. The ballroom glittered beneath crystal chandeliers. Champagne flowed freely. An orchestra played softly in one corner while wealthy businessmen laughed over million-pound deals. Aria felt painfully out of place. Her navy-blue dress had been rented for one night. Her heels pinched with every step. She ignored both. She wasn’t here to impress anyone. She was looking for answers. “Miss Bennett?” She turned. A young waiter approached with a polite smile. “Someone asked me to give you this.” He handed her a white envelope before disappearing into the crowd. Confused, Aria opened it. Inside was a single card. Meeting Room 27. Fifth Floor. Come alone. No signature. Her heartbeat quickened. Was this connected to her father? Without another thought, she slipped away from the ballroom. The lift carried her to the fifth floor in complete silence. The luxurious corridor stretched endlessly before her. Room 27 stood at the very end. She hesitated. Then knocked. No answer. Slowly, she pushed the door open. The room was dark. “Hello?” Silence. She took another cautious step. Click. The lights switched on. Aria spun around. A man sat calmly in one of the leather chairs near the window, as though he had been waiting for her all evening. He looked to be around thirty. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Impeccably dressed in a black tailored suit. His sharp jawline and piercing grey eyes gave him a commanding presence that was impossible to ignore. He didn’t stand. He simply studied her. “You came.” His voice was deep and composed. Aria frowned. “Who are you?” “I’ve been called many things.” A faint smile crossed his lips. “But my name is Damien Ashford.” The world seemed to stop. Ashford. Of all people… Him. The billionaire CEO whose face appeared on magazine covers every month. The man everyone admired. The man she had silently blamed for her family’s destruction. Every muscle in her body tensed. “If this is some kind of joke—” “It isn’t.” “Why did you bring me here?” “I didn’t bring you.” “I invited you.” Her anger flared. “I have nothing to say to an Ashford.” She turned towards the door. “Sit down.” His calm command stopped her in her tracks. She hated herself for listening. “You’ve been investigating my family for three years,” Damien said. Aria’s eyes widened. “How do you know that?” “I know far more about you than you realise.” A folder slid across the table. Inside were copies of her job applications, hospital payment receipts, and photographs of her visiting old Bennett Technologies offices. Her breathing became uneven. “You’ve been watching me.” “I’ve been protecting you.” “What?” “You’ve asked questions that certain people don’t want answered.” Aria stared at him. Nothing he said made sense. “I don’t believe you.” “You don’t have to.” He stood for the first time. His height forced her to look up. “I’ll get straight to the point.” He walked towards the window overlooking the city. “My grandfather has given me thirty days to get married.” Aria blinked. “…What?” “If I refuse, I lose control of Ashford Group.” She let out a short, disbelieving laugh. “And why are you telling me this?” He turned. His expression remained unreadable. “Because I want you to marry me.” The room fell silent. Rain battered the windows. Aria could only stare. “Have you lost your mind?” “It would be a legal marriage.” “No.” “You’ll receive enough money to pay every one of your mother’s medical bills.” “No.” “I’ll restore your family’s house.” “No.” “I’ll help you uncover the truth about your father’s death.” Her breath caught. For the first time, uncertainty replaced her anger. Damien stepped closer. “I know you think my family destroyed yours.” His eyes never left hers. “But if you really want the truth…” He extended his hand. “Become my wife.” Aria looked at the hand before her. Then into the eyes of the man she had sworn to hate. Her heart screamed at her to walk away. Her mind whispered something else. What if this is the only chance you’ll ever get?