Chapter one

In a stately mansion in Chicago stood two couples in the grand living room, where the floors were made of gleaming hardwood and the windows were draped with heavy and luxurious curtains. 

The air around them seemed dark and intense and behind the large double door stood Sasha eavesdropping on their conversation. 

“ We can't let our daughter get married to someone like him, he is dangerous and might end up hurting her ”.

Mrs Elizabeth Sebastian Cried out with her jaws tightened, revealing those wrinkles above her eyelid. 

She was in her late fifties but was still a beauty with fair and smooth skin, although her shape was slacked a little, her waist was still curved and hung firmly around her sequin gown. 

“ What do you expect me to do, he is a dangerous man and there is no way we will be able to raise the money we owe him, this is our only option”. Her husband Mr Alex Sebastian who was in a dilemma ran his finger through his gray hair as he sighed loudly. 

“ Never! I would rather go down the grave than be alive and see our daughter get married to that dangerous man, while that illegitimate daughter of yours gets to enjoy all the luxury that we have worked for ”.

She yelled out and just then, it seemed like an idea struck her as she widened her eyes 

“ What about Zoey? ”.

“ What about her? ”.

“ She should get married to him, after all, she is also your daughter”.

“ Yes…. But the agreement was on my first daughter”.

“ He doesn't know who the first daughter is right? ”. Alex remained calm as he stared into blank space for a while before his lips finally curled into a dark smile. 

Alex Sebastian collected a huge amount of Loan from Clint Empire twelve years ago when he started his company and could not pay it back. 

Ten years ago, Gabriel Clint who was the founder and CEO of CLINT EMPIRE lost their first son and the second had to go to jail for the murder of his only brother, this left the parents devastated and when they could not bear it, they lost their life as a result of the shock. 

When Gabriel's younger brother took over the company, Alex Sebastian felt elated feeling that he no longer had to pay the loan. 

But to the astonishment of everyone, The murderous son who was convicted of ten years in imprisonment comes back after five years, Cruel, brutal, and ready to take down anyone who dared stand in his path. 

Within five years, he had taken the company to the highest dimension which no one fathomed, and now he was coming for Alex Sebastian and was coming pretty hard at him and the only way out was offering his daughter as a wife to the ruthless CEO. 

Just then, Sasha stepped out behind the curtain, she had artificial long and thick lashes on, her light face covered in makeup with red lipgloss that radiated her entire face. 

“ Daddy! Were you going to give me out to that murderer? ”.

“ I am sorry dear, but we are in a dilemma right here and I don't assume that I was thinking straight”.

“ Zoey is just the right fit for him”.

“ But mother, what if he ends up killing her? ”. Sasha wondered. 

“ Then that is just perfect, we can finally have a moment of relief in this house and her mother will vanish into thin air with no trace or anyone asking about her! ”.

 A Smile filled with disdain occupied her entire face as she spoke and Sasha chuckled lightly. 

“ I still am not sure if she would agree to this, Zoey is a stubborn girl and only listens to her mother”.Alex expressed. 

“ Then we will influence her mother to make the decision, you can call her and send her back home”.

 There was an air of satisfaction that filled the room, his only problem was finally getting a final solution that didn't involve destroying his family or business. 

***** 

Zoey was twenty-six years old and a chef who worked at a famous hotel in Chicago, She started living with the Sebastians and took over their last name when she was twelve years old. 

Clara lost her business and there was no way she would be able to raise her only child, she wanted to give Zoey the best life she could afford and she knew that the only way she would be able to give her daughter the life she desired was through her father. 

Alex got her pregnant while she was working as a cleaner at the company where he worked, but he rejected the pregnancy and stashed some money in her to get rid of the baby, Clara was so scared for her life and could not get rid of of the baby, hence she kept the child and raised her until now. 

But when she was twelve years old, she could no longer afford anything to raise the girl so she was left with no choice but to take her back to her father who accepted her. 

But as time went by, things changed drastically and Zoey was left to fend for herself while treated as a housekeeper. 

Zoey strides into the living room after receiving a call from her father who had requested to see her immediately. 

Her father Alex, his wife Elizabeth, and their daughter all sat in the living room, a gloomy look on their face and Zoey knew that instant that something was wrong. 

“ Father! You sent for me? ”.

“ Yes I did, there is something that I need to tell you, and believe me when I say that it is the best news you will ever receive in your entire life”.

 Zoey let her eyes scan around the three people in there searching for a clue on what was going on, but they all had blank expressions, except for Sasha who was glaring at her with a smirk on her lips. 

“ What Is it father, what is this good news that couldn't wait until I am dismissed from work”.

From the mysterious expressions on the faces of her father and stepmother, Zoey already knew that whatever her father was about to say would never bode well.

Dread crawled up her spine and her stomach tightened with tension.

Finally, he dropped the bomb that shattered her entire world to pieces;

“You will be getting married to Zander Clint. The wedding is in three days.” He announced and she felt her entire world crumble right before her.