Episode 1
936 Words
Sold to the Ruthless Billionaire
The Day Everything Broke
The sharp sound of the slap echoed through the grand living room before Catherine Hart even realized it had landed.
Her hand flew to her burning cheek, her breath caught somewhere between shock and humiliation. The crystal chandelier above her glittered mockingly, casting light over the luxurious Hart mansion—a place she had lived in for years but had never truly called home.
Across from her stood Eleanor Laurent, her stepmother, elegant and cold, her sharp eyes filled with disappointment and disgust.
“How dare you?” Eleanor’s voice was low, but far more terrifying than a scream. “How dare you humiliate this family like this?”
Catherine swallowed hard, fighting the sting in her eyes.
“I didn’t do anything.”
From the velvet couch by the fireplace came a soft laugh.
Of course.
Chloe Hart.
Her stepsister sat there in a silk dress, legs crossed, looking like a queen watching a servant being punished. Her lips curled into a satisfied smile.
“She’s lying, Mother,” Chloe said sweetly. “I saw her with Daniel myself.”
Catherine turned sharply.
“That’s not true.”
Daniel.
Chloe’s fiancé.
The man everyone believed belonged perfectly beside Chloe—the beautiful golden couple everyone admired.
But last night, Catherine had only gone to return the bracelet Daniel had accidentally left behind after dinner.
That was all.
Nothing more.
But in this house, truth never mattered.
Only Chloe did.
Eleanor stepped forward, her heels clicking against the marble floor like a death sentence.
“Trying to steal your sister’s fiancé?” she said coldly. “After everything I’ve done for you?”
“I wasn’t trying to steal anyone!”
“Enough!”
The word cracked through the room like thunder.
Catherine flinched.
Eleanor took a slow breath, then spoke with terrifying calm.
“You will marry him.”
Catherine blinked.
“What?”
“This morning, the Blackwood family sent word. They want a marriage alliance, and you will be the bride.”
Her throat tightened.
“I thought Chloe was the one being considered.”
“She was,” Chloe replied, standing now, her smile widening. “But plans change.”
Catherine stared at her.
“What does that mean?”
Eleanor folded her arms.
“The Blackwood family requested a bride. Chloe has a future worth protecting, and frankly, your reputation is already damaged. You will take her place.”
The world seemed to stop.
The Blackwood family.
Everyone in the city knew that name.
Wealth. Power. Fear.
Their empire ruled everything—business, media, politics. And at the center of it all stood one man.
Sebastian Blackwood.
Cold. Untouchable. Ruthless.
People whispered stories about him in lowered voices. They said he destroyed enemies without mercy. That woman chased him, but no one ever kept him.
And now—
“No.”
Catherine stepped back.
“No, I won’t do it.”
Eleanor’s expression darkened.
“You think this is a request?”
“I’m not some object you can sell!”
The second slap came harder.
Catherine stumbled slightly, tasting blood.
“You are exactly what I decide you are,” Eleanor hissed. “Do not forget who fed you after your father died.”
Tears burned behind Catherine’s eyes, but she refused to let them fall.
This was how it had always been.
Her father died.
Eleanor took control.
Chloe took everything else.
Her room.
Her peace.
Her future.
And now, even her freedom.
“I hate you,” Catherine whispered.
Chloe smiled.
“Careful, sister. Brides should look happy.”
As if summoned by fate itself, the sound of car engines roared outside the mansion gates.
Everyone froze.
Eleanor frowned.
Several black luxury cars rolled into the driveway one after another, sleek and intimidating like a warning.
The household staff rushed toward the entrance.
Catherine’s heartbeat quickened.
The formal meeting with the Blackwoods was supposed to be tomorrow.
So why were they here tonight?
The front doors opened.
Heavy footsteps entered.
And then he appeared.
Tall.
Sharp.
Dangerously calm.
Sebastian Blackwood walked into the room like he owned the air everyone breathed. His black suit fit him like armor, his face unreadable, his presence enough to silence the entire house.
Even Chloe stopped smiling.
Even Eleanor looked nervous.
Catherine had seen him before—on magazine covers, at business galas from a distance, in whispered conversations she was never meant to hear.
But none of that prepared her for this.
Because in person, Sebastian Blackwood did not look like a man.
He looked like a mistake no one could survive.
His dark eyes swept across the room once.
Then stopped.
On her.
Not Chloe.
Not Eleanor.
Her.
Catherine’s breath caught.
The silence stretched painfully.
Then Sebastian spoke, his voice low and controlled.
“I believe,” he said, stepping forward, “there has been a misunderstanding.”
Eleanor forced a smile.
“Mr. Blackwood, what an honor—”
“I did not come for Chloe.”
The room froze.
Sebastian’s gaze never left Catherine.
“I came for Catherine.”
Chloe’s face drained of color.
Eleanor looked like she had been struck.
Catherine could barely breathe.
“What?”
Sebastian stepped closer until he stood directly in front of her.
Close enough for her to feel the danger.
Close enough to realize there was no escape.
He leaned slightly toward her, his voice quiet enough for only her to hear.
“You’re coming with me tonight, Mrs. Blackwood.”
And just like that—
Catherine Hart’s life was over.
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