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18. Bridging the Gap
Last Updated:
2025-03-22 04:46:44
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A DEAL WITH THE DEVILISH BILLIONAIRE 1. A TWIST OF FATE
Ava Hart stared at her computer screen, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she worked through the endless stream of numbers and calculations. The small accounting firm where she worked was quiet that evening; the hum of the fluorescent lights was the only sound aside from her typing.At twenty-six, Ava was brilliant with numbers, and it was a skill she had honed from an early age. Numbers were predictable and logical, and unlike life, they always made sense if you worked through the equation. But despite her talent, Ava’s life was anything but balanced.She lived modestly in a two-bedroom apartment with her parents, who had fallen on hard times after her father’s small construction business went bankrupt. Her mother, once a lively florist, had stopped working to care for her husband after his health began to fail. Ava had stepped into the role of breadwinner without hesitation.She didn’t resent the responsibility; she loved her family fiercely. Her father, Henry Hart, had always
Last Updated : 2025-01-22A DEAL WITH THE DEVILISH BILLIONAIRE 2. NO OTHER WAY
Ava sat on the edge of her bed, her laptop open in front of her, the screen filled with spreadsheets and overdue notices. She rubbed her temples, trying to will away the pounding headache that had been her constant companion since the previous night. The image of her parents tied up and terrified haunted her, and the men’s threats echoed in her ears.One week. That was all the time they’d given her to come up with an astronomical amount of money which was far more than she could ever hope to earn on her meager accountant’s salary.Her phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen. It was her best friend, Layla.“How’s it going? Have you figured out anything yet?”Ava sighed, typing back a quick response. “No. It’s bad, Layla. Really bad. Nothing is coming forth anywhere.”Within seconds, Layla was calling. Ava picked up, grateful for the sound of her friend’s voice.“Ava, talk to me,” Layla said, her usual confident tone replaced with concern.Ava let out a shaky breath. “They showed up
Last Updated : 2025-01-22A DEAL WITH THE DEVILISH BILLIONAIRE 3. THE DEVIL'S GAME
Damien Cross’s office was a fortress of glass and steel, a reflection of the man who ruled it. His reputation was legendary: a self-made billionaire who had built an empire from nothing. But beneath the polished exterior lay a man far darker than anyone could imagine. He’s a man who thrived on control, calculated ruthlessness, and the relentless pursuit of power.The marriage contract was just another tool in Damien’s arsenal. His board of directors had been growing restless, their trust shaken by recent scandals and the looming acquisition of TitanTech, a technology firm critical to expanding his empire. They wanted stability, a more humanized image of their aloof and cutthroat CEO. A wife, even a fake one, was the solution.Damien sat at his desk, the soft glow of his computer screencasting shadows on his face. Before him was Ava Hart’s profile, or rather, the one he had fabricated. The transformation was already in motion. She was no longer the struggling accountant from a lower-cl
Last Updated : 2025-01-22A DEAL WITH THE DEVILISH BILLIONAIRE 4. A DANGEROUS GAME
Ava stood in front of the ornate mirror in Damien’s penthouse, her reflection barely recognizable. The sleek, emerald-green gown she wore hugged her figure perfectly, its understated elegance radiating wealth and sophistication. A diamond necklace glittered at her collarbone, matching the earrings that dangled from her ears. Her makeup was flawless, and her hair was styled into a classic updo.She looked every bit the part of Ivanna Moretti, the enigmatic daughter of a reclusive oil tycoon. But behind the perfect exterior, her nerves were a raging storm.“I still don’t think this is right. I am stepping into the deep waters without any safety jacket. Any wrong move, I’d get eaten up by the dangerous creatures,” she muttered as she checked herself out in the mirror.For a slight second, she loved what she saw but her senses quickly brought her back to reality. The transformation made her curious about what the real Ivanna looked like and where she was.“Relax,” Damien’s deep voice cut
Last Updated : 2025-01-22A DEAL WITH THE DEVILISH BILLIONAIRE 5. BENEATH THE MASK
The ballroom was silent as Alessandro Rossi’s question hung in the air. His fluent Italian rolled effortlessly off his tongue, and Ava could feel the weight of every pair of eyes on her. Her pulse raced, and for a fleeting moment, panic threatened to overwhelm her.But then something clicked.Damien’s gaze bore into her, his expression unreadable, though she could sense the tension radiating from him. Whether it was adrenaline or sheer determination, Ava suddenly found herself speaking.She once had to learn Italian when her boss handed an Italian client over to her. The client had been a handful, and it was like a punishment, but she got through the pain, learned the language to a reasonable extent and was able to take care of the client. Who knew it would be helpful on a day like this?Her words came out with confidence she didn’t know she had, her Italian flowing smoothly as she answered Rossi’s query. She gestured delicately, mimicking the poise and sophistication Damien had drill
Last Updated : 2025-01-22A DEAL WITH THE DEVILISH BILLIONAIRE 6. POLISHED TO PERFECTION
The days following the engagement party were a whirlwind for Ava. Damien’s promise that the “real deal” had begun now felt like an understatement. Her life became a tightly choreographed routine, every hour of her day meticulously planned by Damien’s team.Ava woke before sunrise every morning, her schedule starting with lessons designed to transform her into the perfect high-society fiancée. Though she had initially agreed to this arrangement to save her family, she hadn’t anticipated how much of herself she would have to sacrifice in the process.****“Straighten your back, Miss Hart...no, Ivanna,” the etiquette coach corrected, tapping her spine with a thin cane. “A lady of your status must exude grace in every movement.”Ava bit her tongue to hold back a retort, her muscles aching from holding the rigid posture. She had spent the past two hours balancing a book on her head while walking back and forth across the marble floor of Damien’s study.“You slouch even a little, and they’l
Last Updated : 2025-02-19A DEAL WITH THE DEVILISH BILLIONAIRE 7. MORE RULES
Ava sat across from Damien in the dining room, the wealthy atmosphere of her surroundings starkly contrasting the tension in the air. Damien was reviewing a document on his tablet, his expression was sharp and unreadable as always. Ava shifted uncomfortably in her seat, waiting for him to speak.Finally, he set the tablet down and looked at her. “There are some things we need to clarify.”Ava frowned slightly. “More rules?”“Precisely,” Damien replied without hesitation. “This arrangement is strictly transactional. I don’t want you getting any ideas about what this is. You’re playing a role, and nothing more.”His words were clinical, devoid of emotion, and they stung more than Ava cared to admit. She kept her face neutral, refusing to show how much his coldness affected her.“What kind of rules?” she asked, crossing her arms.“For starters,” Damien began, leaning back in his chair, “you’ll submit a weekly report detailing how your week went. I want to know everything. Every interacti
Last Updated : 2025-02-20A DEAL WITH THE DEVILISH BILLIONAIRE 8. BEHIND THE MASK
Ava stood on the stone pathway leading to the sprawling garden behind Damien’s estate, the crisp morning air brushing her cheeks. She had discovered the garden during one of her rare moments of solitude and immediately felt drawn to it. It was vast and meticulously maintained, with winding paths, vibrant flowerbeds, and a tranquil fountain at its heart.Here, amid the manicured beauty, she felt a small sense of peace and a fleeting escape from the rigid demands of her new life.This morning, she had planned to spend an hour exploring the garden, hoping to gather her thoughts and center herself before another grueling day. As she walked, her heels clicking softly against the stone, she rounded a corner and stopped abruptly.There, seated on a wrought-iron bench near the fountain, was Damien.But this wasn’t the Damien she had come to know, not the cold, calculating man who ruled his world with an iron fist. This Damien was different. His suit jacket lay discarded on the bench beside hi
Last Updated : 2025-02-22
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A DEAL WITH THE DEVILISH BILLIONAIRE 18. Bridging the Gap
Ava’s decision to host breakfast for the staff had been a spontaneous one, born out of her desperation to connect with the people around her. She wasn’t sure what to expect, but the outcome was more than she could have hoped for.The staff, once distant and overly formal, began warming up to her in ways she hadn’t anticipated. Smiles that were once reserved became genuine, conversations became more personal, and the previously cold atmosphere in the mansion started to thaw.****In the days that followed, Ava began spending more time with the staff, learning from them as they went about their tasks.One of the housekeepers, Maria, taught her how to fold fitted sheets perfectly, turning a mundane task into an art form. In the gardens, the groundskeeper, George, showed her how to care for the delicate roses that lined the pathways. Even in the kitchen, where Ava had once felt completely out of her depth, the chefs were patient and encouraging.“You’re a quick learner,” Gabrielle said on
A DEAL WITH THE DEVILISH BILLIONAIRE 17. Finding Strength in the Chaos
Ava stood in the hallway outside Damien’s in-office, her arms crossed as she glared at the closed door. Moments earlier, his voice had thundered through the estate, demanding her presence. Whatever it was, Ava knew it would be unpleasant.When she finally stepped inside, Damien didn’t look up right away. He stood near the window, his back to her, tension radiating off him like heat.“You called for me?” Ava asked, her tone sharper than usual.Damien turned, his expression was filled with frustration. “Do you want to tell me what’s going on between you and Vanessa?”Ava stiffened. “I didn’t do anything to her. She’s the one constantly trying to humiliate me.”“And you let her,” Damien shot back, in a harsh voice. “You sit there and take it, and then sulk for days as if that’ll fix anything.”Ava blinked, caught off guard by his tone. “What do you expect me to do, Damien? She’s practically made it her life’s mission to destroy me and you are not doing anything about it!”Damien stepped
A DEAL WITH THE DEVILISH BILLIONAIRE 16. SUSPICION'S STORM
Damien's car roared through the quiet streets of the city. His grip was tight on the steering wheel as he sped past the street with his focus on getting home.Fury consumed his mind as he replayed the humiliating trap Vanessa had set for Ava. The sight of Ava’s tear-streaked face as she struggled to hold herself together at the party haunted him. Connor had briefed me on everything that happened, down to the emotional details.Vanessa had crossed a line, and he would definitely put her in the right place.She was lounging in her living room when Damien barged in without knocking. She barely had time to look up before he was upon her. His hand shot out, grabbing her by the collar of her silk robe and hauling her to her feet.“Damien!” she gasped, her hands clawing at his wrists. “What are you—?”“Enough!” Damien snarled, his voice was low and dangerous. His eyes blazed with fury as he tightened his grip just enough to make her squirm but not enough to harm her. “What the hell were you
A DEAL WITH THE DEVILISH BILLIONAIRE 15. THE PRESSURE MOUNTS
Vanessa sat at the head of her grand dining table, her perfectly manicured fingers tapping rhythmically against her wine glass. The urge of a mischievous smile danced on her lips as she finalized the details of her latest scheme.“I just can’t rid of that pest. She makes me boil anytime I see her” she muttered as she stared into space“It’s all Damien’s fault. How could he tell me that I wasn’t worth it? I will make sure to drag him through the mud” her resolved hardening with every moment.She had decided to throw a “ladies’ soiree” at her estate and, of course, included Ava on the guest list. The plan wasn’t to welcome her but to humiliate her in front of an audience.Vanessa’s carefully curated guest list included her closest friends, each fluent in a different language. Their instructions were clear, they were to engage Ava in conversation to test her linguistic abilities.“If she’s going to pretend to be a globe-trotting heiress,” Vanessa had said with a sly grin, “let’s see her
A DEAL WITH THE DEVILISH BILLIONAIRE 14. A SMALL GESTURE
Damien sat in his office, the city skyline sprawling behind him as he stared at his laptop, unfocused. He had been replaying Ava’s words in his head since their argument the previous evening."You treat me like I’m nothing more than a pawn in your game. Well, guess what? I’m human, and I’m allowed to feel hurt."She had snapped at him with a fire he hadn’t expected, and instead of dismissing her as he usually would, Damien found himself... conflicted. Her outburst had shaken something in him. She had every reason to feel hurt, yet he hadn’t known how to address her feelings without exposing his own.The truth was, he had been concerned when she had the allergic reaction at the gala. Seeing her discomfort and the way she had struggled to compose herself had stirred an unfamiliar emotion, one he had quickly masked with his usual cold demeanor. After all, showing vulnerability wasn’t part of the plan.“Dammit, I can’t seems to get her off my head,” Damien muttered, running a hand through
A DEAL WITH THE DEVILISH BILLIONAIRE 13. A BREAKING POINT
The sunlight streaming through the curtains did little to stir Ava from her bed. She had been awake for hours, staring blankly at the ceiling, her body was too heavy with exhaustion and her mind too clouded with doubt to move. The events of the previous night replayed in her head on an endless loop. From her embarrassing allergic reaction, Damien’s cold humiliation, to the silent judgment of the gala attendees.Nothing made sense anymore. This life she was living, this charade she was part of, had drained her of everything. It wasn’t just the physical toll of keeping up with Damien’s world; it was the emotional isolation that gnawed at her day after day.For the first time since she had arrived at Damien’s estate, Ava refused to leave her room. The breakfast tray left outside her door went untouched, and the knocks from the household staff were met with silence. Even Pierre, whose persistence often bordered on infuriating, was unable to coax her out.By midday, whispers began circulat
A DEAL WITH THE DEVILISH BILLIONAIRE 12. A HOUSE OF SILENCE
Ava wandered through the expansive halls of Damien’s mansion, her footsteps echoing faintly in the emptiness. Days had stretched into a lonely routine since Damien’s abrupt departure. He hadn’t mentioned where he was going, and no one in the household seemed to know either.At first, Ava relished the solitude, finding it a welcome reprieve from the relentless pressure of her role. But as the days dragged on, the silence began to gnaw at her. She realized that despite his aloofness, Damien’s presence had at least provided a distraction to the chaotic world she had stepped into.To stave off the loneliness, Ava decided to focus on herself. One evening, she sat at her desk, scrolling through online courses in accounting. Numbers had always made sense to her, providing a sense of control and logic that was missing in her current life.“If I’m going to survive this and go back to my world,” she murmured to herself, “I need to stay sharp.”She enrolled in an advanced accounting course, divi
A DEAL WITH THE DEVILISH BILLIONAIRE 11. A CALCULATED FALL
The morning of the golf outing dawned bright and crisp, with a soft breeze stirring the air. Ava stood in front of her mirror, dressed impeccably in a cream golfing outfit that Pierre had insisted she wear. The tailored pants and sleek visor screamed sophistication, but inside, she was a bundle of nerves.For the past few days, Ava had practiced tirelessly, watching online tutorials and attempting to master the basics of golf. However, her efforts had only highlighted how utterly hopeless she was at the sport. Each swing felt awkward, and her inability to hit the ball consistently had left her frustrated and embarrassed.Today’s outing was supposed to be her debut in Damien’s high-society world of leisure, and Vanessa’s probing gaze would undoubtedly make the experience unbearable. Ava couldn’t risk humiliating herself.As she paced the hallway, her plan began to solidify in her mind. It wasn’t the most honorable solution, but desperate times called for desperate measures.Ava descend
A DEAL WITH THE DEVILISH BILLIONAIRE 10. A GAME OF DOUBT
Vanessa Steele was many things. She was sharp, calculating, and relentless. She prided herself on her ability to read people, and Ava, Damien’s supposedly mysterious fiancée, was no exception. From the moment Vanessa met Ava, something about her didn’t sit right.Vanessa had seen plenty of heiresses from powerful families, and they all carried themselves with an air of entitlement and effortless grace. But Ava? She was different. There was a hesitation in her movements, a guardedness that Vanessa couldn’t quite place. It wasn’t just mystery; it was inconsistency.So, Vanessa decided to do what she did best to snoop out whatever they were hiding.Vanessa’s first move was subtle. She made it a point to linger in spaces where Ava was present, watching her interactions and studying her behavior. At one such gathering, Vanessa found her opportunity. A small group of Damien’s associates had gathered in the estate’s parlor, and Ava was seated with them, sipping tea.“Darling, I hear you’ve s
