BETRAYED BY BLOOD, LOVED BY A BILLIONAIRE

The dazzling lights of the Grand Regency Hotel reflected against crystal chandeliers, turning the magnificent ballroom into a sea of gold and silver. The city's elite had gathered for one reason. Julia Mendoza. The youngest female CEO to build a billion-dollar empire before the age of thirty. Business tycoons, investors, celebrities, and politicians filled the room, each eager to congratulate the woman who seemed to have everything. Success. Beauty. Power. And a loving husband. Standing on the stage in an elegant emerald gown, Julia smiled as thunderous applause echoed throughout the ballroom. A giant screen behind her displayed the latest achievement of Mendoza Group. A multi-billion-dollar international merger. Another milestone. Another victory. The audience rose to their feet. Julia accepted the applause with grace. "Thank you, everyone," she said into the microphone. The room immediately fell silent. "Success is never achieved alone. Tonight's victory belongs to every employee, every investor, and every partner who believed in Mendoza Group." More applause followed. Julia smiled warmly. She genuinely loved her company. Unlike many CEOs who cared only about profit, Julia cared about people. That was one reason employees adored her. The other reason was simple. She had built the company from nothing. When her father passed away years ago, many competitors predicted the collapse of Mendoza Group. Instead, Julia transformed it into an empire. And tonight was proof. As she stepped down from the stage, countless guests rushed forward to congratulate her. Among them was her husband. Adrian Scott. Tall. Handsome. Charming. The perfect husband. At least that's what everyone believed. Adrian wrapped his arm around her waist. "You were incredible." Julia laughed softly. "You say that every time." "Because it's true." He kissed her forehead. The crowd smiled. Several women sighed enviously. The couple looked perfect together. Julia leaned into him. For a moment she felt grateful. She had worked hard. Very hard. And yet she never felt alone. She had Adrian. She had her younger sister Luna. She had everything she needed. Or so she thought. Across the ballroom, Luna Mendoza watched them. A smile rested on her lips. But hatred burned behind her eyes. The sight of Julia receiving praise made her stomach twist. Why was it always Julia? Why was Julia always the center of attention? Even tonight. Guests ignored Luna completely. They only wanted Julia. As a child, Luna had tolerated it. As a teenager, she had resented it. As an adult, she hated it. The applause continued. And with every clap, Luna's bitterness grew stronger Luna lifted a glass of champagne and took a slow sip. From a distance, she looked calm and composed. Inside, she was anything but. The applause that filled the ballroom felt like needles piercing her skin. Every compliment directed at Julia reminded Luna of everything she never had. When they were children, their parents always compared them. "Why can't you be more like Julia?" "Look at your sister's grades." "Look at how responsible Julia is." "Learn from your sister." The words had followed Luna throughout her life. No matter how hard she tried, Julia always shined brighter. Julia was the star. Luna was merely the shadow. And shadows were eventually forgotten. Her fingers tightened around the champagne glass. Across the room, Julia laughed as investors surrounded her. The sight made Luna sick. "Enjoy it while you can," she whispered under her breath. A waiter walked past. Luna set down her glass and discreetly checked her phone. One unread message. From Adrian. Room 1808. Ten minutes. A smile slowly appeared on her lips. This smile was genuine. Not because she was happy for her sister. But because she was about to meet her sister's husband. Her secret lover. Luna slipped her phone back into her purse and scanned the ballroom. Julia was still occupied with investors. Perfect. No one would notice her absence. Especially not Julia. Luna gracefully made her way toward the exit. Several guests greeted her. She smiled politely and continued walking. By the time she entered the private elevator, her heartbeat had quickened. Not from guilt. Not from fear. But from excitement. The elevator doors closed. As it ascended, Luna stared at her reflection in the mirrored walls. She looked beautiful. Her fitted red dress hugged every curve. Her makeup was flawless. Her dark eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Why should Julia have everything?" she murmured. The elevator stopped. The doors opened. Luna stepped into the quiet VIP corridor. A few moments later she arrived at Room 1808. She knocked twice. The door immediately opened. Adrian stood there. The moment their eyes met, the world seemed to disappear. Without saying a word, he pulled her inside. The door shut behind them. Their lips met instantly. Months of secrecy had only intensified their desire. Luna wrapped her arms around his neck. Adrian pulled her closer. For several moments, neither cared about consequences. Neither cared about betrayal. Neither cared about Julia. When they finally separated, Luna smirked. "Miss me?" Adrian chuckled. "Always." Luna walked toward the window overlooking the city. The skyline glittered beautifully beneath the night sky. Everything looked so peaceful. So perfect. But beneath the surface, a storm was forming. And they were the ones creating it. Adrian poured two glasses of wine. He handed one to Luna. She accepted it. "How much longer?" she asked. Adrian took a sip before answering. "Soon." Luna rolled her eyes. "You've been saying that for months." "This time I mean it." She studied him carefully. "What changed?" Adrian smiled. A cold smile. A dangerous smile. "I finally have access." Luna's eyes widened. "Access to what?" "Mendoza Group." The wine glass nearly slipped from her hand. "You're serious?" Adrian nodded. "Julia trusts me completely." Luna laughed. "Of course she does." The irony amused her. Julia trusted the two people plotting against her. Adrian leaned against the table. "She's been signing documents without checking every detail." Luna's pulse quickened. "What kind of documents?" "Corporate restructuring." "Investment transfers." "Asset authorizations." Every word increased Luna's excitement. "Can she reverse them?" Adrian shook his head. "Not once everything is finalized." Luna smiled. For the first time, she could see the future she wanted. A future where Julia lost everything. A future where she stood at the top. A future where Adrian belonged entirely to her. "No more living in her shadow," Luna whispered. Adrian approached her. "No more." He lifted a hand and brushed a strand of hair from her face. "You deserve better." Luna laughed softly. "No." Her eyes darkened. "I deserve what should have been mine from the beginning." Adrian didn't argue. Because deep down, he wanted the same thing. Power. Money. Control. And Julia possessed all three. For now. A loud knock suddenly echoed through the room. Both froze. Luna's face turned pale. Adrian immediately moved toward the door. "Who is it?" he asked. No response. Another knock followed. Louder this time. Luna's heart pounded. Could it be Julia? Had she followed them? Had she finally discovered everything? The possibility sent panic through her veins. Adrian slowly approached the door. He looked through the peephole. Then relaxed. "It's housekeeping." Luna released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. A few minutes later, after ensuring the hallway was clear, they left separately. Neither noticed the small figure standing at the far end of the corridor. Watching. Observing. Recording. The person quietly raised a phone. Click. A photograph captured Adrian and Luna together. Another click. Then another. Evidence. Dangerous evidence. The figure lowered the phone and disappeared into the shadows. Meanwhile, back in the ballroom, Julia checked her watch. A small frown appeared on her face. Where was Adrian? He had been gone for nearly thirty minutes. She excused herself from a conversation with investors. "I'll be right back." The guests nodded. Julia walked toward the hotel lobby. Something felt strange. Not wrong. Just strange. Perhaps it was exhaustion. The past few months had been incredibly busy. The merger alone had required countless sleepless nights. She rubbed her temple. Maybe she simply needed a vacation. Her phone vibrated. A message from Luna. Everything okay? Looking for Adrian? Julia smiled. How did Luna always know? She quickly replied. Yes. Have you seen him? A few seconds later Luna responded. I think he went outside to take a business call. Julia nodded. That made sense. Adrian was always working. Even during celebrations. She headed toward the outdoor terrace. The cool evening breeze greeted her immediately. The city lights stretched endlessly across the horizon. Beautiful. Peaceful. She leaned against the railing. For the first time all night, she allowed herself a moment to breathe. Her life had been moving at an impossible pace. Perhaps too fast. The success. The responsibilities. The expectations. Sometimes she wondered if she was doing enough. Whether her father would be proud. Whether she was truly worthy of the empire she now controlled. A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts. "Thinking too much again?" Julia turned. Adrian. Relief immediately washed over her. "There you are." He smiled effortlessly. "Miss me?" She laughed. "A little." "A little?" "Maybe a lot." He wrapped his arms around her waist. The city lights reflected in her eyes. For a moment, Adrian almost felt guilty. Almost. But guilt didn't pay bills. Guilt didn't create wealth. And guilt certainly didn't grant power. He buried the feeling quickly. Julia rested her head against his shoulder. Completely unaware of the truth. Completely unaware that moments earlier, he had been kissing her sister. "If Dad could see this," Julia whispered. Adrian looked at her. "He'd be proud." She smiled. "I hope so." Her father had always believed in her. Even when investors doubted her. Even when competitors mocked her. He had always said she was destined for greatness. And Julia had spent years trying to prove him right. Tonight felt like validation. Everything was finally falling into place. Or so she believed. Far away, hidden within the darkness of another building, the mysterious figure reviewed the photographs. Photo one. Adrian entering the suite. Photo two. Luna entering moments later. Photo three. Both leaving separately. The evidence was undeniable. The figure stared at Julia standing happily beside her husband. A woman completely unaware that her world was about to collapse. The figure hesitated. Then dialed a number. The phone rang twice. A deep male voice answered. "Did you find anything?" The figure looked at the photographs again. "Yes." A pause followed. Then the figure spoke quietly. "I think Julia Mendoza is in serious danger." The city slept beneath a blanket of lights. Traffic moved like rivers of gold through the streets while towering skyscrapers glittered against the night sky. From the terrace of the Grand Regency Hotel, Julia Mendoza stared at the breathtaking view. She had spent years building her empire. Years sacrificing sleep. Years sacrificing relationships. Years proving that she deserved her place in the business world. Tonight should have felt like the happiest night of her life. Yet a strange feeling lingered in her chest. A feeling she couldn't explain. "You're quiet," Adrian said. Julia turned toward him. He looked handsome as always. His tailored black suit fit perfectly. His smile remained as charming as the day they met. For a brief moment, Julia wondered how she had gotten so lucky. "I was just thinking." "Dangerous." She laughed. "Very funny." Adrian pulled her closer. His touch felt familiar. Comforting. Safe. At least to Julia. If she could see the truth hidden behind his eyes, she would have run. But love had a way of blinding people. Especially good people. Especially people who trusted completely. Julia had never imagined that the greatest threat to her life wasn't a rival company. It wasn't a business competitor. It wasn't a stranger. It was the two people she loved most. Her husband. And her sister. Neither deserved the trust she gave them. Yet she offered it freely. Because betrayal never announces itself. It hides behind smiles. Behind promises. Behind the people we least expect. "Come on," Adrian said. "The guests are waiting." Julia nodded. Together they returned to the ballroom. The celebration continued for another two hours. Champagne flowed endlessly. Music filled the room. Guests laughed and danced. Everywhere Julia went, people congratulated her. Some praised her intelligence. Others admired her leadership. A few openly admitted they envied her success. Julia accepted every compliment politely. She never allowed success to change her. That was one reason people respected her. Across the room, Luna watched silently. The more praise Julia received, the more bitter she became. A middle-aged woman approached Luna. "You must be so proud of your sister." Luna forced a smile. "Of course." "She's extraordinary." "She is." The woman continued talking. But Luna barely listened. Extraordinary. Brilliant. Amazing. Successful. She was tired of hearing those words. For years they had followed Julia everywhere. Nobody ever used those words to describe Luna. Nobody saw her. Nobody noticed her. Tonight was simply another reminder. Another reminder that she would always be second. Unless she changed that. A dark smile appeared on her lips. Soon she would. Soon everything would change. Soon Julia's perfect life would become her own. The thought brought satisfaction. A dangerous satisfaction. One capable of destroying entire families. --- Near midnight, the event finally ended. The guests slowly departed. Luxury cars filled the hotel's entrance. Drivers opened doors. Valets hurried between vehicles. The city elite returned to their mansions and penthouses. Julia stood near the entrance saying goodbye to several important investors. When the final guest left, exhaustion hit her immediately. She sighed. "What a night." Adrian smiled. "You did great." "I need a month-long vacation." "Just one month?" She laughed. "Maybe six." They walked toward their car. The driver opened the rear door. Moments later, they were heading home. Julia leaned against the window. The passing city lights blurred together. She felt happy. Tired. But happy. The merger had been successful. The company was growing faster than ever. Her marriage seemed strong. Luna appeared supportive. Everything was perfect. At least that's what she believed. Across town, another luxury vehicle moved through the darkness. Inside sat Luna. Unlike Julia, she wasn't tired. She was excited. Her mind replayed every conversation she had shared with Adrian. Every promise. Every plan. Every secret. A message suddenly appeared on her phone. From Adrian. Did you get home safely? Luna smiled. Already missing me? The reply came almost instantly. Always. Luna's smile widened. She looked out the window. Soon. Very soon. They wouldn't need to hide anymore. --- The Mendoza mansion overlooked the city from a private hillside. The property was enormous. Elegant gardens surrounded the estate. A grand fountain decorated the front entrance. Security guards monitored every corner. The house itself looked more like a palace than a home. Julia had purchased it shortly after becoming CEO. Not for luxury. But because it had been her father's dream. She stepped inside and immediately removed her heels. "Finally." Adrian laughed. "Tough night?" "My feet are suing me." He chuckled. The sound felt genuine. Natural. The sound of a loving husband. A performance he had perfected. Julia headed upstairs. Halfway to her bedroom, she paused. A framed photograph sat on a nearby table. Her father smiled proudly from the picture. Julia picked it up. Her eyes softened. "I miss you." The words escaped before she realized it. Adrian approached quietly. "He'd be proud." Julia nodded. "I hope so." "You don't have to hope." She smiled sadly. Some losses never truly healed. Her father's death remained one of them. No matter how much success she achieved, she still wished he were here to see it. To celebrate with her. To tell her she had done enough. Because deep down, Julia still felt like the little girl trying to make her father proud. --- Later that night, Julia changed into comfortable pajamas. She stepped onto the balcony attached to their bedroom. The cool air felt refreshing. The city sparkled beneath the stars. For a moment everything seemed peaceful. Beautiful. Perfect. She closed her eyes. A soft breeze brushed against her skin. Inside the room, Adrian watched her. His expression unreadable. There had been a time when he truly loved Julia. Or at least he thought he had. But love faded. Greed remained. And greed was powerful. More powerful than loyalty. More powerful than marriage. More powerful than conscience. The company was worth billions. The assets alone could secure several lifetimes of wealth. Why settle for being the CEO's husband when he could own everything? The thought no longer felt wrong. It felt inevitable. Soon. Everything would belong to him. And Luna. The balcony door opened. Julia turned around. "What are you thinking about?" Adrian smiled instantly. "You." She laughed. "Liar." "I mean it." He walked toward her. His hand gently brushed her cheek. For a moment, guilt flickered again. Only for a moment. Then it disappeared. Julia smiled. Completely unaware that the man touching her face was already planning her destruction. "I love you," she whispered. The words should have hurt him. They should have made him stop. Instead, they made him feel trapped. And Adrian hated feeling trapped. "I love you too," he replied. The lie came easily. Too easily. --- Across the city, the mysterious figure sat inside a parked vehicle. Several photographs lay scattered across the dashboard. Photographs of Adrian. Photographs of Luna. Photographs of secret meetings. Photographs that could destroy lives. The figure stared at one image for a long time. Julia smiling beside Adrian. A woman who had absolutely no idea what was happening behind her back. The phone rang. The same deep voice answered. "What now?" "I confirmed it." A pause. "You were right." Silence. Then the man spoke. "How bad is it?" The figure looked down at the photographs. "Worse than we thought." Another pause followed. "What do you want to do?" The figure hesitated. "We should warn her." "No." The answer came immediately. "Not yet." The figure frowned. "Why?" "Because if we're right, this is bigger than an affair." The figure's eyes widened. "What do you mean?" The deep voice grew colder. "Dig deeper." The line went silent. The call ended. The figure stared at the dark screen. A chill ran down their spine. Bigger than an affair? What exactly had Adrian and Luna planned? The answer would change everything. --- Inside the Mendoza mansion, Julia finally fell asleep. She rested peacefully beside Adrian. Trusting him. Believing in him. Loving him. The moonlight illuminated the bedroom. Everything looked calm. But elsewhere, danger was already moving. Waiting. Preparing. And by the time Julia discovered the truth, it would be far too late. Because somewhere in the darkness, hidden inside a locked office drawer, was a document carrying Julia Mendoza's signature. A document she had signed weeks ago without reading carefully. A document Adrian had personally prepared. A document capable of destroying her entire empire. And Adrian had just received confirmation. The final approval had gone through. His phone vibrated. A message appeared. TRANSFER AUTHORIZED. Adrian stared at the screen. Slowly. Very slowly. A smile appeared on his face. The first phase of the plan was complete. He looked at the sleeping woman beside him. The woman who trusted him more than anyone else. The woman whose life was about to be shattered. Then he whispered four chilling words. "You're already losing, Julia." END OF CHAPTER 1 CLIFFHANGER: Adrian quietly locked his phone and slipped out of bed. Downstairs, hidden inside his briefcase, was a confidential document carrying Julia's signature. A document worth billions. A document she never remembered signing. And by sunrise, the first piece of Julia Mendoza's empire would no longer belong to her...