CLAIMED BY THE BILLIONAIRE

Rain lashed against the windows of the tiny apartment as Ava Carter stared at the eviction notice lying on her coffee table. The bold red letters blurred before her eyes as tears threatened to fall again. FINAL NOTICE. She had exactly twenty-four hours to leave. The apartment had never been much—a cramped one-bedroom with peeling wallpaper and a leaking ceiling—but it had been home. It held every memory of the life she had built with her mother. Now even that was about to disappear. Ava inhaled shakily and forced herself to fold the paper. Crying wouldn't pay the rent. Her phone buzzed. She grabbed it immediately, hoping it was another company calling her back after one of the dozens of job applications she'd submitted. Instead, it was another bank notification. Payment overdue. She laughed bitterly. "Of course." Everything had started falling apart three months ago when her mother passed away after a long illness. The hospital bills had swallowed every penny they had. Ava had sold her mother's jewelry, their old family car, even her laptop. It still wasn't enough. Now she was drowning in debt with no family willing to help. Her aunt had already made it clear. "You're an adult now. Figure your own life out." Those words still echoed in her mind. A knock sounded on the apartment door. She froze. Another knock. Louder this time. Ava slowly walked toward the door and opened it just enough to peek outside. Her landlord stood there with crossed arms. "I hope you've packed." Ava swallowed. "Please... just give me another week." He sighed impatiently. "You've been saying that for a month." "I know, but I'm trying to find work." "Trying doesn't pay rent." His voice softened only slightly. "I don't enjoy doing this, Ava, but I have another tenant ready to move in." She lowered her head. "I'm sorry." "I'll be back tomorrow morning." He walked away without another word. The apartment suddenly felt colder. Ava closed the door and leaned against it, finally allowing herself to cry. Not because she was weak. But because she had run out of options. --- Across the city... Inside the tallest skyscraper, everything was the exact opposite. Luxury. Power. Money. Employees hurried through polished marble hallways, afraid to make the smallest mistake. On the top floor sat Ethan Blackwood. At only twenty-nine years old, he had become the youngest billionaire in the country. His sharp grey eyes scanned the financial reports spread across his desk. Nothing escaped his attention. Nothing. A knock interrupted his thoughts. "Come in." His assistant, Liam, entered carefully. "Sir... the board meeting starts in ten minutes." "I'm aware." "There is... another issue." Ethan looked up. "What now?" Liam hesitated. "The shareholders are demanding that you settle down." Silence. Then Ethan chuckled. "They're discussing my love life again?" "They believe a married CEO appears more... stable." Ethan closed the report. "So they want a wife." "Yes." "They're welcome to find one." Liam smiled nervously. "I don't think they're joking." Neither was Ethan. Marriage. Love. Relationships. He had no interest in any of them. The last woman he had trusted had only wanted his fortune. Never again. If he ever married... It would be nothing more than a business arrangement. Nothing else. --- Meanwhile... Ava stepped into the rainy streets carrying a folder filled with résumés. One interview. Just one. That's all she needed. She stopped outside a luxury hotel where another company was conducting interviews. Inside, dozens of applicants waited. Hours passed. Finally, her name was called. She entered the office with a hopeful smile. The interviewer barely looked at her résumé. "I'm sorry." "What?" "We've already chosen someone." "You... you called me here." "It was a formality." Her heart sank. She thanked him politely before leaving. Outside, the rain had become heavier. She had exactly forty-two naira left in her purse. Not enough for dinner. Not enough for transport. She began walking home. Halfway across the busy street, the sound of screeching tires shattered the air. A black luxury car sped toward her. Ava looked up. Everything happened too fast. She slipped on the wet road. The headlights grew brighter. People screamed. The driver slammed the brakes. The car stopped only inches from her. Her heart pounded violently. The rear door opened. A tall man stepped out wearing an expensive black suit. His expression was cold enough to freeze the rain itself. Ethan Blackwood. His icy gaze met Ava's frightened eyes. For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Neither realized that this single accident would bind their lives together in a way neither could have imagined. Their first meeting had begun... And fate had already made its move.