LOGINShare
26.
Last Updated:
2025-04-22 22:14:50
Related chapters
The Billionaire's Bargain 1.
PENNY The driveway is long and ridiculous. Trees darken the path to the house that rises like a green cloud in the evening sunlight. I prefer my little apartment with the view of the sprawling city but I make the trip to the countryside every other weekend. My car slows to a stop next to Maria’s and I step out into the warm air and make my way into the house. “Penelope!” I hear the excited squeal of a woman in bed, pale and thin but with a bright smile that can light an entire room. “Hey, Mom.” I return her smile, drop my bag, and give her a quick forehead kiss. “So how are you doing? Tell me everything.” She pats the space beside her happily.I laugh and sit down. “Where’s Maria?” My mother waves a dismissive hand. “She’s off somewhere trying to prepare another atrocious food for me to eat. Honestly, if the cancer doesn’t kill me her food will.” I laugh again. “I’m sure once you stop joking like that, not even cancer can kill you.” “Remains to be seen,” she says wistfully and
Last Updated : 2025-04-08The Billionaire's Bargain 2.
PENNYI roll over, force my eyes open, and slap off my alarm. The initial excitement from the news Jess broke last night has worn off after we spent the better part of the night planning and brainstorming. As it turns out, getting the space is the easy part. We need funding and my savings have been stretched thin to secure the space and Jess can't get any more loans. I rub my neck and slip out of bed to wash my face.I know Mom would love to help but I want to show her I can do this. But how? My shoulders deflate with a yawn as I push all things business out of my mind. This weekend is about spending it with Mom. I pad out of my room and stroll to hers. I promised I would be there when she woke up and Maria should be waking her up now.“Good morning,” Maria's chirpy voice sounds in the hall outside my Mom's room. “Hey, Maria.” She pushes open the door and we walk in. “What's on the list today?” I ask, moving for the curtains as she goes to the bed. “Estela wants to go outside to
Last Updated : 2025-04-08The Billionaire's Bargain 3.
PENNYWickedly smart. Insanely intelligent. Sexy and terrifying. Son of a senator. CEO of Hilton Tech and the most eligible bachelor under thirty. Christian Hilton is apparently a huge deal and now a giant wall standing between me, my inheritance, and opening my bakery. “The city’s leading man,” Jess reads off her phone beside me, then snorts. “I’ve never heard of him.” Which is the truth. He’s a stranger. An unknown and I’m expected to just marry him. I'm tempted to wonder if my mom lost her mind.Tiny rain droplets run down the car windows as I pull into a large parking lot. His office is at the top of the largest skyscraper in the city and I hope to find answers in there as to why my mom thought it was a great idea to demand such a thing from me. “But damn, he’s built like a sexy god,” Jess murmurs more to herself than me. “It doesn’t make any sense,” I say, my voice full of wariness. “Mom has never mentioned him and they did no business together.” I’ve spent the better part
Last Updated : 2025-04-08The Billionaire's Bargain 4.
CHRISTIAN Penelope Castillo. The name fills my mind with rage. I meant all I said back there and I sure as hell won't break my vow to see it through. What did she think would happen? That I'd welcome her with open arms? That I'll be glad to tie myself to a fucking nobody? Her life was over the moment I found out she's the daughter of that fucking woman! That bitch that was never far no matter how far she went. Even in death Estela is still fucking up my life. My fist clenches and releases as my anger builds like a crashing wave. “Are you really going to marry her?” Liam asks quietly, his voice pulling me back to reality in the descending elevator. My jaw grinds and my gaze hardens. “Yes. Father made it abundantly clear of the repercussions if I choose not to. And he won’t just fire us from his campaign, he’ll shut us down.” A company I built from the ground up. A place I poured my soul into. Father has some nerve. All for a fucking woman. “Can he even do that? He risks ex
Last Updated : 2025-04-08The Billionaire's Bargain 5.
PENNYThe smell of fresh paint and sawdust filled the air as I stepped into what will soon be my bakery. Well, ours. Jess and I have spent the last few hours unpacking, cleaning, and arguing over where to place things. The space is not so small but full of promise—large windows that would let in sunlight.Jess sat cross-legged on the floor, a hammer in her hand, squinting at a piece of furniture she’s been trying (and failing) to assemble for the past thirty minutes.“Why do all these stupid manuals have to be in another language?” she huffs, tossing the instructions aside.I grin, setting down a box of mixing bowls. “Because they assume people have basic common sense.”“Are you implying I don’t?” She glares at me, then groans dramatically. “Ugh. Just admit you should’ve let me hire someone.”Sitting on the counter, I stretch my legs out. “We’re saving money. We can’t afford to hire anyone yet, not until I get my inheritance”Jess sighs. “Yeah, yeah. We’re broke bakers trying to build
Last Updated : 2025-04-10The Billionaire's Bargain 6.
CHRISTIANLeaning back in my chair, my fingers tapped against my desk, waiting for a response from Liam.I stood up, walking towards the view of a window, staring down from my office on the top floor of Hilton Tech, I looked down at it all—the empire I had built, the empire I alone controlled.And yet, somehow, I had been forced into something beyond my control.A marriage.With her.Penelope Castillo.The name itself was an irritation, my jaw clenched at the mere thought of her. I could still see her standing in this office, stubborn and unyielding, with those too-bright blue eyes and that ridiculous messy bun. As if she belonged anywhere near me. As if she deserved the Hilton name.She didn’t.And I would make sure she never forgot it.A cruel smirk found its way to my lips as I thought of the house I had bought—far outside the city, isolated. No friends, no Jess, no one to run to when things became unbearable.She was about to step into hell.And I was going to enjoy every second o
Last Updated : 2025-04-10The Billionaire's Bargain 7.
PENNYLeaning against the counter, I watched Liam tighten the last screw on the bakery’s new doorbell chime.“Try it now,” he said, stepping back and wiping his hands on a napkin.Jess reached for the door handle, pushed it open slightly, and let it swing back.A pleasant jingle echoed through the bakery, she gasped dramatically. “We’re officially fancy!”I chuckled, shaking my head. “It’s a doorbell, Jess, not a Michelin star.”Liam smirked. “At least now you’ll know when someone sneaks in.”I nodded, appreciating his help more than I wanted to admit. He had done a lot—fixing up shelves, adjusting furniture, even helping unpack the last few boxes I had been dreading.At some point, we had ordered takeout, and now the scent of soy sauce and fried rice lingered in the air. Jess leaned back in her chair, rubbing her stomach. “I can’t move. Someone carry me.”“No one’s carrying you,” I said, amused. “But Liam can drop you home, seeing he's on his way out”Liam, who had been sipping his
Last Updated : 2025-04-10The Billionaire's Bargain 8.
CHRISTIANThe flashing cameras were relentless. The courthouse steps were packed with reporters, photographers, and onlookers, all scrambling for the best shot of the city’s most powerful businessman and son of a Senator tying himself to the late Estela Castillo’s only daughter.I barely acknowledged them, I had a feeling this was all my father, and we would have a chat about that soon.She stood beside me, silent, her posture stiff, her hands clasped in front of her. I didn’t look at her, didn’t acknowledge the way she was dressed in a soft blue outfit. None of it mattered.This wasn’t a wedding.This was a transaction.I was a Hilton.And so I performed.I placed one hand lightly on the small of her back, guiding her down the steps as the media frenzied. They shouted questions, their voices overlapping in a cacophony of nonsense."Mr. Hilton, how does it feel to marry the Castillo heiress?""Penelope, is this a love match or business?""Smile for the cameras, Mr. Hilton!"I did.A
Last Updated : 2025-04-10
Latest chapter
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
