Chapter1
1211 Words
Standing in the luxurious VIP room of the club, Isabella Hartwell nervously clutched her purse, looking submissive.
Her father was in the ICU, and her brother was sent to prison by her fiancé, Maximilian Ryder.
The Hartwell family was in decline, and everyone avoided her.
Now, Isabella sought help desperately, burdened with debts. If she couldn't secure financing, even the Unity Holdings Group founded by her father would fall into the hands of Maximilian.
The man in front of her, a Wall Street tycoon, was her only chance.
"Help you?" The man standing by the French window turned slowly.
"Why does Miss Hartwell think I would help you?"
Outside the window, neon lights cast a faint golden halo on the man's background. He stood there with refined facial features and a cold temperament. His face could overshadow even the top actors in the entertainment industry.
Seeing his face clearly, Isabella's heart tightened. She never expected that Dominic, a senior figure on Wall Street, was actually Dominic Kingsley, a prominent figure in Meadowbrook from her high school days.
Seven years had passed. The once handsome young man had matured. The aura of a person in power naturally emanated from him, and just standing there sent chills down her spine.
Isabella subconsciously took a step back, almost wanting to turn and run. But she couldn't run. At the moment, she was the last one left in the Hartwell family.
The current Dominic was the only person who could help her, the only one who dared to help her.
Taking a deep breath, she raised her head.
"As far as I know, Mr. Kingsley is planning to return to Canada for development, and Unity Construction is your best choice. If Mr. Kingsley is willing to cooperate, I can transfer all the Unity Holdings shares under my name to you for free."
The man's handsome face remained calm, and his tone was indifferent.
"As far as I know, Miss Hartwell is currently burdened with debt, and whether you can keep this 10% stake in Unity is still up in the air. Moreover... how do I know this isn't a trap set by you and Maximilian?"
Upon hearing Maximilian's name, Isabella's heart tightened instantly.
From her first year to her senior year, Maximilian had pursued her for four years.
At that time, Isabella naively believed that he genuinely liked her.
Now she understood that all the sweet words were just empty promises.
Her trusted man turned out to be a despicable scoundrel.
Thinking of her father in the ICU and her brother in prison, Isabella could hardly breathe.
If it weren't for her relationship with Maximilian, perhaps the Hartwell family wouldn't have ended up like this.
"We've already broken up."
Ding...
Dominic, holding a crystal glass, gently swirled it. The ice cubes in the whiskey hit the glass, creating a delicate ripple of dark gold.
With pursed lips, Isabella took a step forward.
"If you help me, I can... do anything for you."
At the moment, she had no bargaining power except herself.
Dominic raised an eyebrow, and waves of complexity flickered in his eyes.
"Anything?"
Isabella pursed her lips.
"Anything!"
"Good." Dominic walked over, pulled out a chair, and sat behind the desk.
"Then, Miss Hartwell, please prove it to me."
Proof?
"How do you want me to prove it?"
Dominic took a sip of whiskey, gazing at her face over the desk for a moment.
Biting her lips, Isabella stepped forward.
The man's handsome face remained calm, and his tone was indifferent.
"Good." Dominic walked over, pulled out a chair, and sat behind the desk.
"Then, kiss me.”
She hesitated to take a breath.
With both hands tightly grasping and releasing, she walked over and stood in front of Dominic.
The man leaned back in the chair, thick lashes partially hiding the shadows in his eyes.
Watching her face, his gaze was dark and unclear.
She dared not look into his eyes, reaching out to support his shoulder and bending down slowly. Her gaze fell on the man's lips, and she hesitated for a moment.
For her brother, for her father, for the Hartwell family...
She lowered her head and kissed his lips. She lacked experience. In three years of dating Mammalian, the most they did was hold hands and hug. Every time he tried to get intimate, she inexplicably felt nervous and repelled. This was the first time she initiated a kiss.
Isabella's lips trembled due to nervousness. Rather than a kiss, it seemed more like a light touch of the lips. Dominic leaned against the chair, as cold as a sculpture. His fingers holding the crystal wine glass remained unmoved.
"After all these years, did Mammalian not teach you how to kiss?"
Dominic's tone was mocking.
Sensing his playful intent, Isabella bit her lip, stood up abruptly, and rushed towards the bedroom door.
Just as her right hand touched the door handle, a hand suddenly reached from behind, gripping her wrist. In the next instant, she was pressed against the door.
Dominic's kiss descended, his lips cold, and the taste of strong liquor lingered between them.
The kiss was dominant, carrying a sense of punishment, bold and wild, almost suffocating her.
Pressed against the door, their bodies clung together.
His body temperature was scorching behind her thin autumn dress, causing her legs to weaken.
Her coat slid off her arms, and her purse dropped. Isabella's legs turned soft, and she could hardly stand.
His large hand gripped her delicate neck, and Dominic's forehead touched hers. Breathing heavily, his voice was low and hoarse.
"This is called a kiss."
Before Isabella could catch her breath, he kissed her again forcefully.
His hand slid under her wool sweater, the palm scorching against her shivering skin.
Subconsciously, Isabella reached out, grabbing his hand through their clothes.
"What... regretting it?" His voice echoed in her ears.
"No... no!" Isabella gasped, "Can you slow down? It's my first time."
Whether it was because of her words or Isabella's imagination, Dominic's movements seemed gentler than before. He didn't bite her painfully, but it was still uncomfortable.
Every touch from Dominic tugged at Isabella's nerves, like an invisible hand teasing her heart. She couldn't help but feel hot and soft.
His kiss nibbled at her neck, and Dominic's voice was somewhat muffled.
"Have you ever slept with Mammalian?"
"No... never."
"Good girl!"
Heart pounding in her chest, blood rushed to her ears. Isabella didn't catch his last words.
"What did you say?"
Dominic remained silent.
Suddenly, he took a step back and released her. Isabella leaned weakly against the door, breathless, looking at him in confusion.
He stopped abruptly, and she couldn't figure out his intentions.
Was it because he found her inexperienced and dull?
Grabbing the glass on the table, Dominic drained the drink in one gulp.
When he turned back, he had resumed his indifferent and cold demeanor, completely different from the man who had just been unrestrained with her.
If not for the lipstick on his lips, stained by hers, Isabella would almost doubt if what happened just now was her own illusion.
"I can cooperate with you, but... I have one condition."
"What condition?"
Dominic's sensual lips parted, and he spoke unhurriedly.
"M-a-r-r-y me."
- Writer
