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2025-04-16 16:43:20
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The Billionaire's Bargain 11.
PENNYThe air smelled of freshly baked bread, vanilla, and cinnamon.I stood behind the counter, wiping my hands on my apron, watching as the crowd outside my bakery grew larger.It was bigger than I expected.Way bigger.People had lined up across the sidewalk, some holding their phones up to take photos, others talking excitedly, pointing at the sign above the door that read:Sweet Delights Bakery – Grand OpeningPride swelled in my chest.This was my place.My dream.And yet, even as I stood there, taking in the moment, my mind drifted elsewhere—back to last night, back to the conversation I had with my husband.I sighed, rolling my shoulders as I arranged the last of the freshly baked goods onto the display shelves.Croissants, buttery and golden brown.Pain au chocolat, filled with rich dark chocolate.Strawberry danishes, their centers glistening with jam.Soft, fluffy cinnamon rolls drizzled with vanilla icing.Perfectly baked loaves of sourdough, brioche, and baguettes.Chocol
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-04-16The Billionaire's Bargain 12.
PENELOPEThe estate was silent when I got home.Not in the peaceful, relaxing kind of way—but in the isolating, hollow kind of way that made it very clear I was living in a stranger’s house.Christian wasn’t home.I didn’t know if that was a relief or an inconvenience.Letting out a breath, I kicked off my heels, stretching my sore feet before heading to my room. The moment I stepped in, I grabbed a towel and went straight to the bathroom.The warm water did wonders for my muscles, washing away the exhaustion from the long day.The opening had been a massive success, and I wished my mum had been alive a little longer to see it.Despite the media circus. Despite the lingering weight of Christian’s words from the night before."Who else would want to be with someone like you?"Why can't I get that particular line out of my head! He didn’t matter, I shouldn't let his words affect me.At least, not in the way he wanted it to.Wrapping a towel around me, I padded back into the room, chang
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-04-19The Billionaire's Bargain 13.
CHRISTIANBusiness didn’t stop because of a wedding. Deals didn’t pause for a honeymoon. And I sure as hell wasn’t the type of man to sit around playing house.I haven't found my reason to, yet.Vladimir Divostok had been hounding me for days, demanding results, insisting that his wife's runaway lover be found. I hate desperate men.But I had found him, and now it was time to collect.I picked up my phone, dialing his number as the call was answered on the first ring.“It’s done,” I said simply.“You have him?” His gruff voice filled the line.“I have a contract in your name, transferring sixty percent of your shares to me like we discussed, and you can come pick him up.”“Ah, Hilton, you’re a devil.” he let out a satisfied chuckle.Taking a slow sip of whiskey. “And you’re a fool if you think I work for free.”He laughed again. “No complaints here. Send the contract.”I hung up, sending the document within seconds, that smile of victory, but as quickly as it came, it was interrupted
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-04-19The Billionaire's Bargain 14.
PENNY I exhaled slowly, adjusting the hem of my knee-length purple dress, my six-inch heels clicking against the marble floor as I entered the room.Today was the day, I take over from where my mother left off, the day I inherit everything, the day I miss her the most.“You can do it Penny, before Hilton, you are a Castillo first, you can do this” Jess’s words echoed loud and clear in my head with her pep talk earlier this morning.I hope this goes well, so I can tell her tomorrow morning how rich we are now, and we don't have to worry about anything for the bakery.Nodding. “Open it” I told the security standing outside the door as he did, walking in.Everyone's gaze turned toward me, some were curious, others skeptical.I was Estela Castillo’s daughter. The woman they had worked under for years. The woman who built an empire and left it all in my name.Clearing my throat, offering a smile. "Good evening, everyone. Sorry for the delay, I had to close from work first" referring to ‘S
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-04-19The Billionaire's Bargain 15.
CHRISTIANThe room was filled with the usual executives sitting around the long glass table, their eyes fixed on the presentation in front of them. Graphs, numbers, projections—things I usually found interesting, but today, I barely listened.Liam sat beside me, flipping through reports as he spoke. “…with the acquisition of Divostok’s shares, our expansion into Eastern Europe has already shown a fifteen percent increase in market valuation,” he explained. “And if we move forward with the investment proposal from the Russian sector, we could see a twenty-five percent growth by the next fiscal quarter.”I leaned back in my chair, adjusting the cuff of my sleeve. “And what’s the risk?”Liam sighed. “You already know the risk. Their government policies are unstable. It could go either way.”“Then I’m not interested.”One of the executives, Daniel Monroe, cleared his throat before speaking up. “But, Mr. Hilton, if we abandon the Russian sector, we risk losing a foothold in a market that
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-04-19The Billionaire's Bargain 16.
CHRISTIANShe had been in my mind all day, yet I didn't have the courage to call to check in. I left for work before she was even out of bed, gave strict instructions to Alfred to make sure she ate before leaving, and had Tom report back when he dropped her off at work. But she had come home earlier than expected.Why?I should have ignored it, should have told myself I didn’t care.Yet here I was, driving home at 12:30 AM, hoping she was still awake.And why in the fuck was I hoping?I knew what this was—sexual frustration. Mine. Hers. Ours.Once I got her out of my system, this attraction would die. It always did.And the sooner I did, the better.The house was quiet when I walked in, except for the soft clink of a spoon from the kitchen. The smell of freshly made coffee lingered in the air.Coffee? At this hour?I made my way toward the kitchen, running a hand through my hair. It had been a long day filled with idiots trying to piss me off—men who thought they had leverage when th
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-04-19The Billionaire's Bargain 17.
PENELOPEThe usual morning rush kept me and Jess on our toes as we served customers, took orders, and kept everything moving smoothly. I didn't even know, night had come by so quickly, but my mind was somewhere else.On last night.On Christian.On the way he looked at me, touched me, the way he spoke, full of vulgarity, in that taunting voice that sent a shiver down my spine. The heat, the tension, the way he made me feel—like I was standing on the edge of something dangerous but thrilling.I caught myself blushing.“Okay, that’s it,” Jess said suddenly, slamming the cash register shut and turning to me with narrowed eyes. “You’ve been blushing all day. Spill. Did you win the lottery? Did someone propose to you—wait, no, you’re already married. Oh my God, did Christian do something?”“Oh, it’s nothing,” I said quickly, turning to wipe down the counter, but Jess wasn’t having it.“Oh, it’s nothing,” she mimicked in a high-pitched voice. “Lies. Your face is giving you away, Mrs. Hilto
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-04-19The Billionaire's Bargain 18.
CHRISTIANI heard the car pull into the driveway.I had been waiting.Not intentionally. I didn’t care what time she came home. I didn’t care that it was late. And I sure as hell didn’t care that she had been out with another man.And yet, here I was, standing by the window of my study, whiskey in hand, watching as she stepped out of the car, her movements slower than usual.Even from here, I could see it—the slight pause before she grabbed her bag, the way her shoulders tensed as if mentally preparing herself for something.For me. And I found it quite amusing. I turned away before she entered the house, walking toward my desk and setting my glass down. I was still in my work clothes—black dress shirt, sleeves rolled up, tie loosened around my neck. The clock read 1:45 AM.I too was getting home not too long ago. But she was late, Tom should know better.The sound of her soft footsteps filled the quiet hallway, and I waited, listening.Would she come straight to me? Would she try to
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-04-19
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The Billionaire's Bargain 26.
PENELOPEThe past few days had been absolute chaos. Reporters stationed outside the bakery, people online debating whether I was actually talented or just a “passing trend,” and Samantha Elliott enjoying every second of it.But if there was one thing she had underestimated, it was me.I wasn’t just some privileged rich girl who stumbled into baking. I had put time into learning and I built this from the ground up, with Jess by my side, and no one—not Samantha, not the press—was going to take that away from me.So, if she wanted a war, she was going to get one.Jess and I sat at the bakery counter, a laptop open between us, creating Sweet Delights’ official Instagram page.“This is long overdue,” Jess muttered, typing furiously. “We should’ve started this sooner. I can't believe we had to wait for one old hag to rile us.”“I know,” I admitted, scrolling through the pictures we had taken of our pastries, the sign outside and photos of Jess and I. The lighting was perfect, and the photos
The Billionaire's Bargain 25.
PENELOPEIts been two weeks since Christian left, and the silence had been… refreshing, the house was a lot quieter, less tension, no Christian Hilton to ruin the atmosphere with his brooding figure.I had thrown myself into work, and it had paid off. The stand at Eve’s foundation was now fully set up and running smoothly. Business was thriving, and seeing people enjoy our pastries every day has its own kind of satisfaction.Everyday, I just wished my mother had been alive longer to witness it all happen. Shrugging the thought off, today was a good day, not a sad one, I needed to be happy.Jess and I were currently restocking the display case at the bakery after opening later than usual this morning.“You know,” Jess started casually, wiping down the counter, “it’s been two weeks.”“And?” wondering where she was going with that.“And you haven’t mentioned Christian once.” She smirked. “No calls? No texts? No ‘oh my God, Jess, I miss him so much’?”I scoffed. “Please, why would I miss
The Billionaire's Bargain 24.
CHRISTIANTwo weeks.Two weeks since I left.Two weeks, and she hadn’t bothered to call me.Not once. Not even by mistake. I shouldn’t care. I told myself I didn’t. But the fact that Alfred had been the one keeping me updated on her well-being instead of hearing from her directly? That annoyed me more than it should.Apparently, she was doing just fine. More than fine.“Mrs. Hilton has been keeping busy, sir,” Alfred had informed me this morning. “She accepted Mrs. Hilton’s offer to set up a stand at the foundation’s cafeteria. Business is booming at the bakery. And yesterday, she came home… excited.” A pause. “And rather intoxicated.”I had frowned. “Drunk?”“Yes, sir. She and her friend, Miss Jess, went out shopping. For a car, again”A car. Penelope bought a car again?The first time had been expected. Alfred had told me she got something sleek and practical—a Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe. A safe choice.But the second one?“She seemed particularly excited about this one, sir,” Alfred
The Billionaire's Bargain 23.
PENELOPEEve’s office was just as elegant as her house—warm-toned furniture, fresh flowers on the desk, rare art hung everywhere in her office. She smiled warmly as she poured us both a cup of coffee. “So, Penelope, I assume you’ve given my offer some thought?”I nodded, taking a sip before setting my cup down. “Yes, I have. And I’d love to set up a stand at your foundation’s cafeteria. It’s a great opportunity, and a nice step to take, I’m really grateful.”Her eyes lit up with approval. “That’s wonderful to hear. I have no doubt your pastries will be a hit. The cafeteria is always packed, and I think the visitors and staff would love something fresh and homemade.”I smiled, already feeling the excitement buzz beneath my skin, it sure will be an amazing way to show Samantha Elliott that I won't back down easily. “I’ll handle everything—menu, supplies, logistics. I’ll also have my team manage the stand, so it runs smoothly, and you don't have to worry about anything”“That sounds pe
The Billionaire's Bargain 22.
CHRISTIAN“…We’ve held off on the Tokyo expansion long enough. Our market value has remained steady, but if we delay any longer, we risk losing momentum. Japan is a major player in the tech industry, and if we establish our tech there, we’ll solidify our hold in Asia before our competitors do.”I tapped my fingers against the table, already knowing where this was headed. “So you’re saying it’s best to kick off the Tokyo launch now?”Liam nodded. “Yes, and the sooner, the better.”I exhaled, leaning back in my chair. I had already anticipated this. It wasn’t a matter of if—I knew I would eventually have to leave.“Fine,” I said simply. “I’ll leave for Tokyo tomorrow. And it's been a while I paid Ryuji a visit ”Just as Liam was wrapping up, my phone buzzed in my pocket. Pulling it out, I frowned at the unknown number.“Hilton,” I answered.“Mr. Hilton, this is Ms. Adams, Senator Hilton’s secretary. The senator has requested your presence at the White House. It’s urgent.”I sighed. “Of
The Billionaire's Bargain 21.
PENELOPEStanding behind the counter, I watched Jess animatedly talk about some reality TV show she had been obsessing over.“…And then, get this, the guy proposed to her sister instead! On live TV! Can you imagine?”I gasped, half listening, half kneading dough. “Wait—what? That’s insane.”Jess huffed. “I know, right? If that happened to me, I’d be in prison for murder.”I laughed, rolling my eyes. “You and me both.”Mondays were always our busiest days, but today felt different—calmer. Peaceful.Until the bell chimed, indicating a customer.A woman stepped in, her heels clicking sharply against the tile floor. She was tall, slim, with a sleek brown bob and a perfectly tailored beige dress that screamed money.Her eyes scanned across the bakery, taking in every detail with a barely concealed look of distaste. She didn’t belong here.Jess and I exchanged a look. “Good morning,” I greeted with a polite smile. “What can we get for you today?”She didn’t respond at first. Instead, she to
The Billionaire's Bargain 20.
PENELOPEThe ride home was silent and it wasn't the comfortable kind, it was that thick suffocating kind. I hadn’t known how strained Christian’s relationship with his father was, not until tonight. On the surface, they were composed—civil, even. But beneath that, it was clear.If they were in each other’s presence too long, they were at each other’s throats.His grip on the steering wheel was tight, his knuckles flexing, his jaw clenched. His eyes stayed fixed on the road, sharp and unreadable, but the energy radiating off him was sheer anger.Was it because of his father? Or… was it because of me?I shifted in my seat, folding my hands neatly in my lap, staring out the window. I didn’t want to get caught up in their Father–Son feud, but I also couldn’t stop thinking about the way he had been watching me all night.Was it my dress? Was it inappropriate? Or was it something else?Did he feel it too? The tension. The heat.I bit my lip, squeezing my legs tight as warmth pooled low bet
The Billionaire's Bargain 19.
PENELOPEChristian's parents lived in a mansion that could’ve passed for a presidential estate—grand gates, perfectly trimmed hedges, a circular driveway big enough to fit twenty cars. Security guards stood at every entrance, bodyguards stationed like statues.It was intimidating.The driver opened the door for me, and I stepped out, smoothing my red thigh-high slit dress, suddenly wondering if it was too much. Everyone was dressed elegantly, but my dress made me feel... noticed.Christian was already walking ahead, buttoning his suit jacket like he hadn’t just dropped a bomb on me by firing Tom last night.The entrance doors were already open when we reached them, and Eve Hilton greeted us first, a warm smile on her face. “My darlings, you’re here!”She pulled me into a hug, her scent a mix of jasmine and something expensive. “Oh, Penny, look at you, stunning as always.”“Thank you, Mrs. Hilton.”“Oh, please, it’s Eve, darling.”Edward Hilton stepped forward, offering a firm handshak
The Billionaire's Bargain 18.
CHRISTIANI heard the car pull into the driveway.I had been waiting.Not intentionally. I didn’t care what time she came home. I didn’t care that it was late. And I sure as hell didn’t care that she had been out with another man.And yet, here I was, standing by the window of my study, whiskey in hand, watching as she stepped out of the car, her movements slower than usual.Even from here, I could see it—the slight pause before she grabbed her bag, the way her shoulders tensed as if mentally preparing herself for something.For me. And I found it quite amusing. I turned away before she entered the house, walking toward my desk and setting my glass down. I was still in my work clothes—black dress shirt, sleeves rolled up, tie loosened around my neck. The clock read 1:45 AM.I too was getting home not too long ago. But she was late, Tom should know better.The sound of her soft footsteps filled the quiet hallway, and I waited, listening.Would she come straight to me? Would she try to
