A Baby for the Billionaire

THE FIRST TRAP

The drive back to Blackwood Mansion

was unusually quiet.Amelia stared out of

the window as the city lights blurred past.

Ethan was awake. His surgery had been

successful. For the first time in days, she

felt as though she could finally

breathe.Beside her, Damien remained

focused on the road ahead, his expression

unreadable.

You’ve been quiet,” he said.Amelia smiled

faintly.I’m just relieved Ethan is getting

better.

He’ll make a full recovery.She turned to

him.You sound very certain I only hire the

best.Despite herself, Amelia laughed softly.

Do you always answer like a businessman?

Damien glanced at her, the corner of his

lips lifting almost imperceptibly.It’s the

only language I’ve ever been good at.For a

brief moment, the silence between them

felt… comfortable.The moment they

entered the mansion, Mrs. Hughes hurried

toward them.Mr. Blackwood, your

grandmother is waiting in the family

lounge.

Damien nodded.I’ll be there.

As Amelia turned to head upstairs,

Sophia’s voice stopped her.

Not so fast.”

Amelia looked back.

Sophia walked over carrying a neatly

wrapped gift box.A warm smile spread

across her face.It was the first time Amelia

had seen her smile.I owe you an apology,

Sophia said.

“I judged you too quickly.”

Amelia blinked in surprise.

“You… did?”

“I did.”

Sophia held out the gift.

“I’d like us to start over.”

Mrs. Hughes looked pleasantly

surprised.That’s very thoughtful, Miss

Sophia.

Amelia hesitated before accepting the box.

“Thank you.”

Sophia’s smile widened.I hope you like

it.She turned and walked away.The

moment she disappeared around the

corner, the smile vanished from her

face.Instead, she pulled out her phone.It’s

done,she whispered.Inside her room,

Amelia carefully unwrapped the gift.It was

a breathtaking emerald-green evening

gown.Its delicate embroidery shimmered

beneath the light.A small handwritten note

slipped onto the floor.Wear this to

tomorrow night’s family dinner.

Sophia

Amelia smiled to herself.

Maybe…

Maybe Sophia was trying to change.She

had no idea she had just walked into a

trap.

The following evening…Blackwood

Mansion hosted one of its most important

annual charity galas.Business leaders,

politicians, celebrities and influential

families filled the grand ballroom.Crystal

chandeliers sparkled overhead while a live

orchestra played softly in the

background.Mrs. Hughes helped Amelia

into the emerald gown.“You look

beautiful,” she said sincerely.Amelia stared

at her reflection.She barely recognized

herself.As she descended the grand

staircase, conversations throughout the

ballroom faded.Every eye turned toward

her.Damien looked up.For a moment…He

forgot the conversation he was having.She

looked breathtaking.His grandmother noticed

the expression on his face and quietly smiled

to herself.Perhaps fate had its own plans after

all.Damien walked toward Amelia.

“You look…”

He paused.

“…beautiful.”

A blush crept onto Amelia’s cheeks.

“Thank you.”

Just as Damien offered her his arm—A

loud

ripping sound echoed through the

ballroom.

Riiip!

Amelia froze.

Gasps filled the room.

The elegant gown suddenly tore from her

shoulder all the way down her side,

exposing far more than she intended.She

instinctively covered herself as cameras

flashed wildly.

Whispers spread through the crowd.

Was that dress defective?

How embarrassing…

“Did she do that on purpose?

Tears of humiliation filled Amelia’s eyes.

Before anyone could say another word,

Damien removed his tuxedo jacket and

gently wrapped it around her shoulders.

His gaze swept across the room like a

blade.If I see one more camera pointed at

her…His voice was deadly calm.

every photo taken tonight will become

the last photograph your company ever

profits from.”

The photographers immediately lowered

their cameras.The ballroom fell silent.

Damien placed a reassuring hand on

Amelia’s back.

“Come with me.”

As they walked away together, Sophia

watched from across the room, hiding a

satisfied smile behind her champagne

glass.

But she didn’t notice one person watching

her.

Grandmother Blackwood.

The older woman’s sharp eyes shifted

from Sophia… to the torn dress… then

back again.

For the first time that evening, suspicion

crossed her face.

Maybe…

The enemy wasn’t outside the Blackwood

family after all.

Upstairs, inside Damien’s private study,

Amelia finally broke down.

“I’m sorry,” she sobbed.

“I ruined your event.”

Damien closed the door behind them.

“You ruined nothing.”

“They were all laughing at me.”

“They were laughing because someone

wanted them to.”Amelia looked up.

“What do you mean?”

Damien walked to the torn gown lying on

the sofa.Carefully, he examined the seam.

His expression darkened.

“This dress…”

He looked straight into Amelia’s eyes.

“…was cut before you ever put it on.”

Amelia’s breath caught.Someone hadn’t

wanted to embarrass her.Someone had

planned it.And they had come frighteningly

close to succeeding.