The Billionaire Who Hated Me

‎--- ‎ ‎The iron gates slowly swung open. ‎ ‎Adriana Smith tightened her grip on the worn strap of her backpack as the taxi rolled into a driveway longer than the entire street where she'd grown up. ‎ ‎Her lips parted. ‎ ‎"This... can't be real." ‎ ‎Towering oak trees lined both sides of the road, leading to a breathtaking mansion that looked as though it belonged on the cover of a luxury magazine. Crystal fountains sparkled beneath the afternoon sun while colorful flowers stretched across perfectly trimmed gardens. ‎ ‎She had seen houses like this only in movies. ‎ ‎Never had she imagined she would step inside one. ‎ ‎The taxi stopped. ‎ ‎Her heartbeat quickened. ‎ ‎"Miss, we've arrived," the driver said. ‎ ‎She nodded absentmindedly before reaching into her pocket. ‎ ‎"I'll pay..." ‎ ‎"It's already been taken care of." ‎ ‎She blinked. ‎ ‎"Oh..." ‎ ‎Of course it had. ‎ ‎People who lived in houses like this probably never worried about taxi fares. ‎ ‎The driver smiled kindly before driving away, leaving Adriana standing alone in front of the enormous mansion with nothing but two old suitcases and the backpack slung over her shoulder. ‎ ‎She suddenly felt... small. ‎ ‎Was she really supposed to live here? ‎ ‎Before she could overthink it, the massive front doors opened. ‎ ‎A middle-aged woman dressed neatly in a black-and-white uniform hurried down the marble steps. ‎ ‎"You must be Miss Adriana!" ‎ ‎Her smile was so warm that some of Adriana's anxiety melted away. ‎ ‎"I'm Martha," the woman introduced herself. "We've been expecting you." ‎ ‎Adriana smiled shyly. ‎ ‎"It's nice to meet you." ‎ ‎"Oh, sweetheart." ‎ ‎Without warning, Martha wrapped her in a gentle hug. ‎ ‎"You've become such a beautiful young lady." ‎ ‎Adriana froze. ‎ ‎When was the last time someone had hugged her like that? ‎ ‎She couldn't even remember. ‎ ‎After losing both her parents years ago, affection had become something she only watched other people receive. ‎ ‎"Come inside," Martha said. "Everyone has been waiting for you." ‎ ‎Everyone? ‎ ‎Her stomach twisted. ‎ ‎The grand entrance stole her breath away. ‎ ‎Marble floors reflected the dazzling crystal chandelier hanging overhead. ‎ ‎Elegant paintings decorated the walls. ‎ ‎A sweeping staircase curved gracefully toward the second floor. ‎ ‎Everything looked expensive. ‎ ‎Everything looked... untouchable. ‎ ‎Several housekeepers smiled as she walked past. ‎ ‎"Welcome, Miss Adriana." ‎ ‎"We're so happy you're here." ‎ ‎"If you need anything, just let us know." ‎ ‎Adriana kept thanking them until she lost count. ‎ ‎She wasn't used to people being this kind. ‎ ‎She wasn't used to anyone remembering her name. ‎ ‎"Mrs. Williams is in the living room," Martha announced. ‎ ‎The moment Adriana stepped inside, a graceful woman in her early fifties rose from the sofa. ‎ ‎Tears instantly filled the woman's eyes. ‎ ‎"Adriana..." ‎ ‎The older woman crossed the room and cupped her cheeks. ‎ ‎"You have your mother's smile." ‎ ‎Adriana's chest tightened. ‎ ‎No one had spoken about her mother in years. ‎ ‎Mrs. Williams pulled her into a hug. ‎ ‎"I promised your mother that if anything ever happened, you would never be alone." ‎ ‎Adriana finally let herself cry. ‎ ‎For the first time since the funeral... ‎ ‎She felt like someone wanted her. ‎ ‎After several minutes, Mrs. Williams wiped away her tears and smiled. ‎ ‎"From today onward, this is your home." ‎ ‎Home. ‎ ‎The word echoed painfully in Adriana's heart. ‎ ‎Could she really believe that? ‎ ‎Mrs. Williams held her hand. ‎ ‎"I'd like you to meet my sons." ‎ ‎Footsteps echoed from the staircase. ‎ ‎The first to appear was a cheerful young man wearing ripped jeans and a hoodie. ‎ ‎He flashed an easy smile. ‎ ‎"So this is Adriana?" ‎ ‎He walked over and stretched out his hand. ‎ ‎"I'm Chris." ‎ ‎His grin widened. ‎ ‎"The funniest brother in this house." ‎ ‎Another voice came from behind him. ‎ ‎"That's highly debatable." ‎ ‎A second young man descended the stairs, laughing. ‎ ‎He had soft brown eyes and a charming smile. ‎ ‎"I'm Alex," he said warmly. ‎ ‎"It's nice to finally meet you." ‎ ‎Unlike Chris's playful energy, Alex's calmness immediately put Adriana at ease. ‎ ‎Within minutes, Chris was already carrying one of her suitcases. ‎ ‎"I call dibs on showing her around!" ‎ ‎"You'll probably get her lost," Alex replied. ‎ ‎"I know where the kitchen is." ‎ ‎"You only know where the snacks are." ‎ ‎Their playful argument made Adriana laugh. ‎ ‎The tension she'd carried all day slowly faded. ‎ ‎Maybe... ‎ ‎Maybe she really could fit in here. ‎ ‎Mrs. Williams smiled as she watched them. ‎ ‎"There is just one more person." ‎ ‎The room suddenly became quiet. ‎ ‎Chris sighed dramatically. ‎ ‎Alex exchanged a glance with his mother. ‎ ‎Martha looked away. ‎ ‎Adriana frowned. ‎ ‎Why did everyone suddenly look nervous? ‎ ‎Then... ‎ ‎She was hearing footsteps of someone approaching. ‎ ‎Slow and measured.... ‎Every sound echoed through the silent mansion. ‎ ‎A tall man appeared at the top of the staircase. ‎ ‎Black tailored suit. ‎ ‎Expensive watch. ‎ ‎Sharp jawline. ‎ ‎Cold gray eyes. ‎ ‎He looked less like someone's son... ‎ ‎...and more like the man who owned the entire world. ‎ ‎He descended each step with effortless authority, never once taking his eyes off Adriana. ‎ ‎Something about that gaze made her uncomfortable. ‎ ‎Not curious. ‎ ‎Not welcoming. ‎ ‎Judging. ‎ ‎Mrs. Williams smiled. ‎ ‎"Max." ‎ ‎"This is Adriana." ‎ ‎Silence. ‎ ‎Adriana offered a polite smile. ‎ ‎"Hello." ‎ ‎Max didn't return it. ‎ ‎His expression remained unreadable. ‎ ‎"So..." ‎ ‎His deep voice sliced through the room. ‎ ‎"She's the girl." ‎ ‎Mrs. Williams frowned. ‎ ‎"Max." ‎ ‎"What?" ‎ ‎He folded his arms. ‎ ‎"This is the orphan you're moving into our house?" ‎ ‎The word hit Adriana harder than she expected. ‎ ‎Orphan. ‎ ‎Not Adriana. ‎ ‎Not guest. ‎ ‎Not family. ‎ ‎Just... ‎ ‎The orphan. ‎ ‎Mrs. Williams' voice hardened. ‎ ‎"Enough." ‎ ‎Max ignored her. ‎ ‎His cold eyes swept over Adriana's faded jeans, old sneakers, and cheap backpack. ‎ ‎Then he let out a humorless chuckle. ‎ ‎"I hope you understand something." ‎ ‎He took one step closer. ‎ ‎"You may have fooled everyone else..." ‎ ‎His gaze locked onto hers. ‎ ‎"But you won't fool me." ‎ ‎Adriana's brows knitted together. ‎ ‎"I don't know what you mean." ‎ ‎"I mean, girls like you don't suddenly appear in billionaire homes unless they want something." ‎ ‎The room went silent. ‎ ‎Chris sighed. ‎ ‎Alex rubbed the back of his neck. ‎ ‎Even Martha looked heartbroken. ‎ ‎Adriana swallowed the lump in her throat. ‎ ‎"I don't want your money." ‎ ‎"No?" ‎ ‎Max stepped even closer. ‎ ‎"Then don't touch what's mine." ‎ ‎Without another word, he brushed past her. ‎ ‎The expensive scent of his cologne lingered in the air long after he was gone. ‎ ‎The front door slammed shut. ‎ ‎She was pained. ‎ ‎Adriana forced a smile, though her chest ached. ‎ ‎"So..." ‎ ‎She whispered. ‎ ‎"I guess he doesn't like me." ‎ ‎Mrs. Williams squeezed her hand gently. ‎ ‎"Don't mind Max." ‎ ‎--- ‎But upstairs, standing on the balcony where no one could see him... ‎ ‎Max looked down at the girl clutching her old backpack. ‎ ‎His jaw tightened. ‎ ‎Another pretty face. ‎ ‎Another person after the Williams fortune. ‎ ‎I won't let her destroy this family. ‎ ‎No matter what it takes...... ‎