THE BILLIONAIRE'S CONTRACT BRIDE

THE HUMILIATION

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*CHAPTER 3: THE HUMILIATION*

The banquet hall was blinding.

Crystal chandeliers. String quartet. Rich people in diamonds that cost more than Esther’s old apartment.

Daniel’s arm was stiff under her hand. "Smile," he murmured, but his jaw was tight.

Esther smiled.

Then she saw her.

A woman in white. Red lips. Hair in a perfect bun. Holding a champagne glass and smiling like a snake.

Victoria Hart.

Daniel’s ex.

"Well, well," Victoria said, walking right to them. Her eyes dragged over Esther’s red dress. "Daniel. And who is this?"

"My wife," Daniel said. Cold. Final.

Victoria laughed. It sounded like breaking glass. "Wife? Oh Daniel. Since when do you marry secretaries?"

Esther’s face burned.

"Excuse us," Daniel said, pulling Esther away. But Victoria grabbed Esther’s arm.

"Wait. Let me welcome the new Mrs. Cole properly."

She leaned in close. Her perfume was expensive and sharp.

_You think this dress makes you belong here?_ Victoria whispered. _You’re just a 1-year rental. I’ve seen his contracts before._

Then she let go and walked away like nothing happened.

Esther wanted to disappear.

Daniel didn’t ask if she was okay. He just led her to a table and sat. Cameras flashed. Reporters.

"Mrs. Cole! How did you meet Mr. Cole?"

"Mrs. Cole, is it true your father was in debt?"

Daniel answered everything. "We met through business. Private matter."

He never looked at Esther.

Dinner was served. 7 courses. Esther couldn’t eat. Her stomach was in knots and Victoria was at the table beside them, laughing loudly with some men.

Halfway through, Daniel’s phone buzzed. He read it and his face went darker.

"I have to take this. Stay here."

He left.

The moment he was gone, Victoria was there.

"Lost already?" she said sweetly. "Let me give you advice, contract girl. Don’t drink the water here. And don’t touch Daniel’s food. People do things."

"What do you want?" Esther whispered.

"For you to know your place," Victoria said. "You don’t belong. This world will chew you up."

She walked away.

Esther sat there alone for 20 minutes. No Daniel. No Mia. Just stares.

When Daniel finally came back, his tie was loose. He looked furious.

"We’re leaving."

In the car, silence.

Finally Esther couldn’t take it. "Did you know she would be there?"

"Yes."

"And you still brought me?"

Daniel stared out the window. "It was a test. To see if you could handle it."

Esther turned away. Tears stung her eyes but she didn’t cry. Not in front of him.

Back at the mansion, Mia was waiting. "Are you okay, ma?"

Esther nodded and ran upstairs.

She locked the door and finally let the tears fall.

Her phone buzzed. Unknown number.

_Day 1 and you’re already crying. Cute. - V_

Esther threw the phone on the bed.

Downstairs, in his office, Daniel watched the security footage.

He saw Victoria corner her. He saw Esther not cry. Not beg.

He closed the laptop.

_Interesting,_ he thought.

*[END OF CHAPTER 3]*