The Billionaire's Bargain
Nora Ashborne · Completed · 177.5k Words
Introduction
But Desmond has secrets of his own. Behind his modest facade lies a billionaire with the power to change her fate and expose the family that wronged her. When Sandra discovers his true identity, everything shifts. Love and vengeance collide as she sets her sights on reclaiming her dignity and bringing the Saunters to their knees.
In a world where lies run deep and loyalty is a luxury, will Sandra find healing in Desmond's hidden heart... or will the past tear them apart before love has a chance to bloom?
Chapter 1
SANDRA’S POV
“I’m offering you a deal, Sandra,” Desmond said, his piercing eyes burning with intensity, “Marry me for a year and I will give you all that you desire.”
His voice was husky, yet it sent shivers down my spine. I raised a brow, staring at him, incredulous.
“You can’t be serious,” I said and laughed. But Desmond’s expression remained serious.
"Is this some twisted game?" I asked, my voice laced with skepticism. "Or is this your warped way of flirting with me?"
Desmond’s gaze did not waver.
“I need a wife, and it has to be you, Sandra,” he said, with a tone that sounded like a challenge.
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. "Why me? Why not some socialite or a supermodel?" I asked, my voice dripping with disdain.
Desmond’s smile was mischievous and predatory "Because, my dear Sandra, you're the only one who can help me achieve my goals. And as for age . it's just a number." His eyes seemed to bore into my soul, as if daring me to refuse.
I hesitated, weighing my options. Marrying Desmond would be a means to an end – a way to exact revenge on my family, the Saunters, for their past betrayals. They had destroyed me, left me for dead. Now that I had risen from the ashes, I was ready to strike back.
"I'll do it," I said finally, my voice firm. "I'll marry you."
Desmond smirked and said, his voice laced with satisfaction, “Then, I will begin making arrangements for our wedding immediately, my dear wife."
It all started a few weeks ago, when Desmond and I had first met.
It had been 10:30 am.
I sat in my office, tapping my foot on the floor as I waited. The CEO of DesmondCorps had still not arrived. What the hell was keeping him?
I had heard a lot about Desmond Willis , the dashing silver fox billionaire, aged forty five but still in his prime, a famous heartbreaker from his younger days till now, who did not believe in love and only saw women as objects to satisfy his sexual desires.
Like me, he had built his company from scratch despite having a rich background. He was also in the tech business and a world-renowned tech genius like me.
His company was behind so many popular inventions as of late and they made billions like it was paper. Every tech company in the industry looked up to them and people were rushing to secure deals with them.
And at the helm of it all was the charismatic Desmond Willis . He had started his company a long time before I started mine, though, probably when I was still in high school and he was miles ahead of me in the business world. I needed his partnership. His company had been the reigning company for almost two decades and it had taken me months to even get to meet them. One
of their executives commented that the only reason they’d agreed to do business with me was because I owned one of the fastest growing tech companies in the country and that I had potential.
My work phone rang, and I picked it up.
“Ma'am, the CEO of DesmondCorps is here,” Leo told me.
“Good. Send him in.”
As soon as I dropped my phone, the door to my office flew open and in came a man.
No, not a man, a prince.
Never in my entire life had I seen a man as handsome as this. He was about six feet tall, had grey, shiny hair and piercing eyes that stared unto your soul. He had a few wrinkles here and there on his face but he still looked good.
He had a smirk plastered on that sexy lips of his as he approached me with his confident gaze.
He stopped right in front of my desk and held out his hand for a handshake, the sweet scent of his expensive cologne filling the air of my office.
“Miss Sandra, we finally met. I've heard so much about you.”
I slowly took his hand, still mesmerized by his face.
Snap out of it, Sandra! What was wrong with you?
My heart was racing as I stared at this attractive man.
Luckily, I had learned how to make my face cold, devoid of emotions, even if I felt the opposite.
I shook his hand, scowled, and introduced myself.
“Sandra Saunters. And you are late.”
The meeting ended faster than I expected. Desmond was strangely accepting of all my ideas. All the men I had dealt with in this business had always looked down on me because I was a woman, so I was prepared for Desmond to give me the same attitude, considering that I heard he only viewed women as objects.
But he was strangely cooperative, and we made a profitable business deal.
The rumors of him being a playboy were, however, true.
He kept staring at me and flirting subtly throughout our meeting.
“I heard you are a no-nonsense boss. Might you also be a no-nonsense boss in the other room?
As I sat across from Desmond, I couldn't help but notice the way his eyes sparkled as he spoke. They were an intense, piercing brown that seemed to see right through me.
“Damn, your eyes remind me of the obsidian necklace my sister auctioned last summer. Dark, gCrawfordous, and rare.”
“Mr. Desmond, you are here to discuss our new business deal and not to flirt. Let's focus on what's important first,” I said.
I was attracted to him, alright. I admit it.
He was handsome and cheesy, but it didn’t mean I was falling for him.
When we finally concluded the meeting, Desmond held onto my hand and wouldn’t let go.
“Mr. Desmond, you said you only wanted a handshake.”
He smiled wryly, let go of my hand, winked, and walked out of my office.
Such a silly man.
The next day was a weekend and yet my thoughts were full of Desmond Willis .
I sat in front of my luxurious mansion, enjoying the warmth radiating from the sun on my skin. I sighed in delight.
The waves of the sea crashed continuously on the shore, its sound evoking a strange feeling in my body as I rested.
It was good I had gotten a house by the seaside.
My grandmother was right beside me, knitting a blanket.
I looked at her.
“Grandma, you are still not finished with that?”
My grandmother smiled warmly. The wrinkles on her head were etched deeper in her forehead. She looked so much older now.
“Don’t worry. I'll soon be done with it. Then you can have a blanket around your neck when winter arrives.”
I giggled, rising from my chair and hugging my grandmother.
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