CROOKED VOWS:The billionaire's thirst for revenge

Rachel's POV “Find a husband tonight or else our family will be ruined.” My father's words echoed in my head as I gracefully walked into the banquet hall, heart in my throat but conviction planted deeply within me. On my face was a full beat of makeup, my height accentuated by my nine-inch heels, and my red dress clinging like a second skin while showing off a generous amount of cleavage, in my opinion. I clutched my purse. “Here we go,” I whispered to myself as I glided into the social circle consisting of the crème de la crème of society. No surprise, this banquet was being held by the most influential man in the city; in the previous years, his name had become synonymous with wealth and power. Ethan Maxwell, CEO of Maxwell Industries. He stood at the top of the food chain, looking like a delectable piece of art. But of course I, the daughter of a small company on the verge of financial bankruptcy, couldn't be so audacious as to approach a man like that. Besides, he was already swarmed by admirers. Everything from sought-out high fashion models to heiresses who would inherit millions of their families' fortune. Compared to them, I…I was nothing spectacular. Not to punch myself down or anything, but I knew I looked like a bombshell right now; at least the several drooling faces that followed me around were enough to tell. But looks weren't enough to get into the favor of a man like Ethan Maxwell. Without doubt he was the most desirable bachelor in the city. But I didn't need the most desirable man. Just anyone with pockets full enough to help my family. Pathetic, we wouldn't be in this predicament if they had just listened— “Now what is a fine young lady like you doing all by yourself?” The third gray head of tonight approached me; he had a green hat that almost went past his ears and silvery hair that had been balding for a long time. I smiled politely. “I'm not alone; I'm just waiting for my boyfriend…” He chuckled. “Young women these days are always playing hard to get. I'll play along…” He came a little too close for comfort, and I shifted backwards. I mean, I was desperate for a man to settle down with. But not that desperate. Heck no. This man had divorced dad vibes all over him. “Actually I—” “There is no doubt that your parents owe me an apology; they completely understated your beauty.” Just like that I feel like the rug had been pulled from right under my feet. “My parents?” I repeated after him and forced my voice to stay steady. “Yes,” he nodded enthusiastically, “... From the way they spoke about you, it would seem like you were not much to look out for, but clearly they…” The more he spoke, the more I felt like the ground should just open up and swallow me whole. It was bad enough that I would have to marry purely for money and nothing else, but being pimped off like a s*x worker by my own parents to a man who looks like he had one foot in the grave grated at me. But while I was disappointed, I was not surprised. “Rachel I don't know why you are wasting your time going to college; the best suitors come when you are younger, not when you are a wasted old spinster with nothing but cats in your house.” That was what my mom said to me before I left for college. I always knew they were like this. Maybe I should just leave… “Now where are you going to, sweetheart?” He came forward, and to my surprise, his grip was tighter and stronger than I expected, especially from a man his age whose bony fingers dug into my wrist. “I want to go back home; I'm tired,” I said politely. He frowned and raised an eyebrow. “But we were just getting to know each other; however, if you want to leave so badly, we can—” The innuendo in his eyes made my stomach twist. “I'm sorry, but I'm not interested. I—” He growled, his own mask slipping as he whispered fiercely with the appearance of a vulture. “Too bad; you better be interested after all the money I've already given your parents.” Unbelievable! They had already signed up for everything; they just needed me to show up to pretend like I had something resembling choice, but from the start everything had been picked for me. “Sir, please…” I stood as a wall appeared between the two of us, forcing the old p*****t to let go. Taking a closer look and blinking away my shock, I saw that it wasn't a wall. Rather a man. His body stood in front of mine, broad shoulders and chest blinding the man from seeing me. “M-Mr. Maxwell?” The old man blurted out, and I covered my mouth in shock. Mr. Maxwell didn't even have to say a word. By the time he turned around, the old gooner was gone. What a relief. “Thank you,” I said and meant it. “I don't accept ‘thank you’; you'll have to do something else to prove you're grateful.” For a second that stretched into years, I was scared that I had moved on from one perfect to another, with the only difference between them being their age. That was until he held out his muscular arm for me, wrapped like a gift inside his suit. I took his hand, feeling like I was in a dream. Ethan Maxwell came to save me. I was tempted to pinch myself. Maybe this one moment was all of the luck in my life that I haven't used ever since I was born. “What do you want?” I asked as he guided me through the room . He leaned close, a flood of masculine musk cologne flooding my nostrils. “Just for tonight, can you pretend to be my girlfriend?”