Sold To the Ruthless Billionair

Seraphina Vale had thirty days to save her family—or lose everything they had ever owned. The notice lay on the dining table, its bold red letters seeming to grow darker each time she looked at them. FINAL NOTICE OF PROPERTY SEIZURE. She read the words again, hoping they would somehow change. They didn't. Her fingers tightened around the paper. The Vale family had never been wealthy enough to compete with the richest families in the country, but they had always been comfortable. Their house, their reputation, and the company her late mother had helped build were the few things Seraphina had left of the life she once knew. Now, all of it was about to disappear. The sound of footsteps made her look up. Adrian Vale, her stepfather, entered the dining room, looking older than he had the previous evening. His usually neat shirt was wrinkled, and exhaustion shadowed his eyes. "What's this?" Seraphina asked, lifting the notice. Adrian stopped. "Where did you get that?" "It was delivered this morning. Why are we being threatened with property seizure? What's happening to Vale Holdings?" He pulled out a chair and sat down heavily. "It's a business matter, Seraphina. You don't need to worry about it." She stared at him in disbelief. "They are threatening to take our home, and you expect me not to worry?" "The company is going through a difficult period." "A difficult period?" Her voice trembled. "Then tell me how much we owe." Adrian looked away. That silence frightened her more than any answer could have. "How much?" she repeated. "Several million." For a moment, Seraphina couldn't speak. "Several million?" she whispered. "How did this happen?" "I made some bad decisions." "Bad decisions that could make us homeless?" His expression hardened. "I said I would handle it." "With what money?" Adrian pushed his chair back and stood. "Enough, Seraphina." She rose too. "I'm not a child. Whatever is happening affects me too!" He turned toward her, anger flashing across his face before something resembling fear replaced it. "Stay away from Blackwood Global," he said abruptly. Seraphina frowned. "What does Blackwood Global have to do with our debts?" "Nothing. Just stay away from them." "Why?" "Because I said so!" He walked out before she could ask another question. Seraphina remained beside the table, staring after him. Blackwood Global was one of the most powerful investment companies in the country. If anyone could help Vale Holdings survive, it was them. But why had the mere mention of the company frightened her stepfather? And what was he hiding? By noon, Seraphina had exhausted every option she could think of. The banks refused to extend another loan. Two business associates who had once praised the Vale family declined her calls. Even the company's legal adviser admitted that their situation was worse than she had imagined. When she finally called her closest friend, Evelyn Hart, her voice nearly broke. "I don't know what to do anymore." "Have you tried Blackwood Global?" Evelyn asked. Seraphina hesitated. "Adrian warned me to stay away from them." "Then there's probably a reason he's afraid of them. But if they're your only chance, you should at least find out what they can offer." By three o'clock, Seraphina stood before the towering glass headquarters of Blackwood Global. She had never felt so small. The receptionist listened to her request, made a phone call, and looked at her with renewed interest. "Mr. Blackwood will see you." Seraphina's heart skipped. Damien Blackwood. Even people who had never met the billionaire knew his name. He was famous for his ruthless business decisions, extraordinary wealth, and complete disregard for anyone who stood in the way of his ambitions. She followed an assistant into a spacious office overlooking the city. A man stood beside the window, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. He turned. His face was striking, his expression unreadable, and his dark eyes settled on her with unsettling intensity. "Seraphina Vale," he said. She stopped. "You know who I am?" "I know exactly who you are." Something in his voice made her uncomfortable. She forced herself to meet his gaze. "I'm here because my family's company is in financial trouble. I understand Blackwood Global may be able to help us restructure our debts." Damien walked toward his desk. "Your family owes several million dollars. The creditors are preparing to seize your assets, and your stepfather has exhausted most of his options." Seraphina swallowed. "Then you understand why I'm here." "Oh, I understand perfectly." He opened a folder and placed it on the desk. "Blackwood Global is acquiring your family's outstanding debt." Her stomach tightened. "What does that mean?" "It means I can settle the entire amount." Hope rose inside her, fragile but immediate. "You're willing to help us?" Damien's expression remained cold. "Not without conditions." The hope in her chest faltered. "What conditions?" He studied her for several seconds before delivering words that changed everything. "Marry me, Seraphina." She stared at him. "I'm sorry?" "A one-year marriage. You will become my wife, and I will settle your family's debts. At the end of the year, we will separate according to the terms of our agreement." Seraphina stepped back. "You cannot be serious." "I don't waste time making jokes." "Why would a man like you want to marry someone he barely knows?" A faint smile touched his lips, but there was nothing warm about it. "Perhaps you don't know me as well as you think." She shook her head. "There has to be another reason." "There is." He leaned forward slightly. "Ask your stepfather what happened between our families ten years ago. Then ask him why your mother's name still appears in records he has spent years trying to bury." Seraphina's blood ran cold. Before she could respond, Damien closed the folder. "Think carefully. You have thirty days before your family's assets are seized. My offer won't remain available forever." She left his office with her mind in turmoil. A marriage to Damien Blackwood could save her family, but his words had made one thing clear: this wasn't simply a business arrangement. It was personal. Her phone rang as she entered the elevator. Adrian's name appeared on the screen. "Seraphina, where are you?" he demanded. "Blackwood Global." Silence. Then he whispered, "Tell me you didn't speak to Damien." "I did. He offered to settle our debts if I married him." A sharp breath came through the phone. "Don't accept that offer!" "Why? What happened ten years ago? What does my mother have to do with him?" Adrian's voice cracked. "Your mother was the reason he lost everything." The call abruptly disconnected. Seraphina stood frozen as the elevator doors opened. Before she could call back, a message appeared from an unknown number. If you want the truth about your mother, come to Damien Blackwood's legal office tomorrow at nine. Come alone. A second message arrived moments later. It contained a photograph of her mother standing beside a younger Damien Blackwood. On the back of the photograph, someone had written five chilling words: SHE WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO KNOW. Seraphina stared at the image, her hands trembling. What had her mother done? And why did Damien Blackwood want to marry her?