CHAPTER1: Isabella's Encounter

Isabella Moore held onto the worn leather strap of her purse firmly while she stood in front of the large steel gates of the Peterson estate. The grand mansion loomed in front of her, resembling a sentinel, with its tall, polished ivory columns reflecting the fading sunlight. Her assumption of the luxury mansions in the estate cannot be overemphasized. 

Though she had been there before, that night felt unique. She found herself in a dire situation, forcing her to set aside her ego and confront the challenges directly, which made her show up that night as Clara Peterson's neglected poor relative.

She had no choices left due to her mother's worsening condition. The accumulating hospital bills were crushing her with their heaviness. The insufficient earnings from her part-time job as a seamstress were not enough. Isabella was in desperate need of money. The Clara Peterson invitation was her final hope.

Holding the card given to her by Clara with an innocent gesture, Isabella entered. Uncertain of what to expect at the grand gala, she was confident that Clara's invitation was not a gesture of kindness.

Upon entering the ballroom, she sensed the gaze of a hundred eyes upon her. As she walked by, murmurs spread through the crowd, with each word sinking in more deeply than the previous one.

"Is that Isabella?"

"Clara's cousin?"

"What is she wearing?"

Isabella straightened her spine and ignored the snide comments. Her simple navy dress, though outdated, was clean and carefully pressed. It wasn't designer, but it carried her dignity. She had no time for their games tonight.

Clara stood out from the crowd, appearing graceful in a crimson outfit that hugged her figure flawlessly. The bright golden curls reflected the chandelier's light, and her smile was as cutting as a razor.

"Isabella," Clara cooed, her voice oozing with insincere sweetness. "You did show up. You are so courageous.”

Isabella stated calmly to Clara that she was present based on the promise made.

Clara's grin grew wider. "Oh, no need to be concerned." We will address that later. Before anything else, why not socialize? It is a celebration who knows."

Clara redirected her gaze toward the audience and tapped her glass to get their attention. "Dear audience, it is my pleasure to introduce my beloved cousin, Isabella Moore. Her presence serves as a reminder to everyone about the sense of being generous.”

The laughter that ensued was harsh and continuous. Isabella's cheeks were aflame, yet she wouldn't do anything or let Clara see her collapse.

As the night progressed, Clara's insults and embarrassment became more cutting. She masterminds one humiliation after another, spilling wine on Isabella's dress, accidentally tripping her in front of a group of influential guests, and insinuating that Isabella is here to beg for money.

Isabella endured it all with a quiet dignity that only seemed to enrage Clara further. She knew the stakes were too high to walk away. She had to see this through.

When the crowd finally dispersed for dinner, Clara cornered Isabella near the garden terrace.

"Let's discuss your small demand," Clara uttered in a quiet and spiteful tone. "Do you need money for your mother?"

Isabella confirmed chin raised in defiance.

Clara grinned smugly. "What would I receive in exchange?". “Charity, as you know, can be quite exhausting. I like it when both parties benefit from the transactions.”

"What is it that you desire, Clara?" Isabella inquired, her stomach churning.

Before Clara could respond, a well-dressed man of considerable height made his way over. As he approached, his presence demanded focus, causing the room to fall silent.

The billionaire CEO, Alexander Steele, looked at Isabella with his icy blue eyes and then shifted his gaze to Clara with an indiscernible expression. "I hope I'm not disturbing."

"Not, Alexander," Clara said, her voice turning sweet all of a sudden. “Isabella and I were simply engaged in a conversation about business.”

"Really?" Alexander looked back at Isabella, making her feel vulnerable under his intense look.

Clara declared with a cruel chuckle that "she urgently needs money. I explained to her that she would have to put in effort for it".

Alexander raised one eyebrow. "How does one acquire charity?"

Clara's smirk deepened. "By entertaining an offer."Her hands balled into fists by her body. 

Alexander gazed at them and remarked, "Clara, if you have something to say, go ahead and express it."

Clara leaned in close, her voice a whisper meant for Isabella alone. "Marry Alexander."

The words hovered in the atmosphere like a dark cloud. Isabella looked at her cousin in shock.

"This is your idea of a joke?" Isabella hissed.

"Not at all," Clara said her smile widening. "You see, Alexander needs a wife to secure his inheritance. He needs someone to keep him occupied while he deals with a few business matters. “And you? You need money. It's perfect."

Isabella turned to Alexander, expecting him to protest, but his expression remained unreadable.

"Is this true?" she asked him.

Alexander's silence was answer enough.

Before Isabella could respond, Clara leaned back with a satisfied smirk. "Think about it, darling. Your mother's life or your pride. Which is more important?"

Isabella's mind raced as she considered the implications. Marry a man she didn't know. Tie herself to Clara's schemes? But could she walk away and let her mother suffer?

As the room swirled with laughter and music, Isabella felt the weight of the decision pressing down on her, and then Alexander spoke, his voice low and cutting through the noise. 

"Do you have what it takes to stay in my world, Miss Moore?"

The question echoed in her mind, leaving her breathless.

Would she risk everything for the chance to save her mother and perhaps, herself?