All Chapters of The Billionaire's Bargain: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

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

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

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

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

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