SEASON 1: ( Chapter 1— The Betrayal)
Serena Bennett smiled as she looked around the beautifully decorated ballroom.
Tonight was supposed to be the happiest night of her life.
Crystal chandeliers glittered above her. Soft music played in the background, while hundreds of guests from the city’s most powerful families filled the room.
Everyone was here to celebrate her engagement to Ethan Miller.
The man she had loved for three years.
The man she believed she would spend the rest of her life with.
Serena looked down at the diamond ring on her finger and smiled.
She had no idea that, within minutes, her entire world would fall apart.
“Serena.”
Her best friend’s voice suddenly sounded nervous.
Serena turned around.
“What’s wrong?”
Her friend didn’t answer.
Instead, she stared toward the entrance of the ballroom.
Serena followed her gaze.
And froze.
Ethan was standing there.
But he wasn’t alone.
A beautiful woman was wrapped around his arm.
Sophia Carter.
Serena knew her.
Everyone did.
Sophia was the daughter of one of the city’s richest businessmen.
But that wasn’t what made Serena’s heart stop.
It was the way Ethan was looking at her.
The way his hand rested on Sophia’s waist.
The way Sophia leaned against his chest as if she belonged there.
Serena’s smile disappeared.
“Ethan?”
The music seemed to fade.
Everyone turned to look at them.
Ethan didn’t move.
Sophia smiled.
It was a small, cruel smile.
Serena slowly walked toward them.
“What is this?”
Ethan sighed.
“Serena, don’t make a scene.”
Her heart cracked.
“Don’t make a scene?”
She stared at him.
“Tonight is our engagement party.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you standing here with her?”
Ethan looked away.
That was when Serena knew.
He wasn’t going to deny it.
Her fingers trembled.
“How long?”
Ethan remained silent.
“How long have you been cheating on me?”
Sophia answered for him.
“Almost a year.”
Serena felt the room spinning.
A year.
Almost a year.
She had spent the last twelve months planning a future with a man who had already chosen someone else.
Tears filled her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.
She looked at Ethan.
“Is she telling the truth?”
Ethan finally looked at her.
“Yes.”
One word.
That was all it took to destroy everything.
Serena slowly removed the engagement ring.
She placed it in his palm.
“Then we’re done.”
Ethan frowned.
“Serena—”
“No.”
Her voice shook, but she didn’t stop.
“You don’t get to explain.”
She turned around.
And walked away.
But before she could reach the exit, another voice stopped her.
“Wait.”
The voice was cold.
Deep.
Powerful.
The entire room suddenly became silent.
Serena turned.
A tall man stood near the bar.
Black suit.
Cold eyes.
An expression that made everyone instinctively move out of his way.
Damian Cross.
The youngest billionaire in the city.
CEO of Cross International.
A man known for destroying companies without blinking.
A man people called ruthless behind his back.
His eyes were fixed on Serena.
He walked toward her.
One step.
Then another.
Until he stood directly in front of her.
Serena wiped away a tear.
“What do you want?”
Damian studied her for a moment.
Then he said four words that changed her life forever.
“Marry me, Serena Bennett.”
The ballroom went completely silent.
Serena stared at him.
“Excuse me?”
Damian didn’t repeat himself.
Instead, he leaned slightly closer.
“Your father’s company is going bankrupt.”
Her blood ran cold.
“How do you know that?”
“I know everything that matters.”
Serena’s heart pounded.
Damian’s expression remained emotionless.
“Your father’s creditors will come for him within days. His company will collapse. His properties will be seized.”
Serena shook her head.
“No.”
Damian looked into her eyes.
“I can stop it.”
She stared at him.
“Why would you?”
His eyes darkened.
“Because I want something from you.”
“What?”
“You.”
Serena swallowed.
Damian continued.
“One year.”
“One year of what?”
“Marriage.”
She stared at him as though he had lost his mind.
“You want me to marry you for one year?”
“Yes.”
“And what happens after one year?”
“We walk away.”
Serena laughed bitterly.
“You’re insane.”
“Perhaps.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black card.
He handed it to her.
“Think about it.”
Serena didn’t take it.
Damian stepped closer.
“And Serena?”
She looked up.
His voice became colder.
“Don’t mistake this for kindness.”
Serena’s chest tightened.
“What does that mean?”
For the first time, something dangerous flashed in his eyes.
“Your family took something from mine twenty years ago.”
Serena frowned.
“I don’t understand.”
“You will.”
Damian turned and walked away.
Serena stood frozen.
Behind her, Ethan was still watching.
Sophia was smiling.
And Damian Cross had just offered her a marriage that could save her family.
But Serena didn’t know one thing.
Damian wasn’t planning to save her.
He was planning to destroy her.
And marrying Serena Bennett was only the beginning of his revenge.
