Chapter 1

I was the notorious troublemaker of Betrico's elite circles. My mom literally dragged me to a blind date.

When I pushed open the private room door, sitting at the head of the table was my lifelong archrival, James Kingston.

To really gross James out, I started making up ridiculous stories right in front of both our parents.

I said, "Honestly, I spend pretty much every night dancing in bars, and my biggest hobby is losing at poker.

"Oh, I used to steal stuff, but I've quit that now.

"And, I have crazy bad body odor. You don't mind any of this, do you?"

I thought I could piss them off and walk out.

But James shot me a sly grin and leisurely poured his mom a cup of coffee.

He said, "Mom, Dad, Ms. Sterling spends her days drinking and her nights dancing. She loves promoting poker, talks a good game, and even used to be a pro at stealing. Plus, she's got that irresistible feminine charm.

"I'm head over heels."

*****

The atmosphere in the private room was frozen for three whole seconds.

I stared at James, eyes wide. Was this jerk seriously out of his mind?

I trashed myself as absolute garbage, and he was still trying to turn it into a selling point?

James's mother, Lynn Kingston, blinked in surprise, then quickly slipped off the gorgeous imperial green jade bracelet from her wrist, grinning from ear to ear.

She said, "See? I told you Olivia is genuine. How many girls these days would actually admit to their flaws? James is right; this is what a genuine personality looks like."

Without giving me a chance to refuse, she grabbed my hand and jammed the bracelet onto my wrist.

The bracelet was way too small, and it dug painfully into my bones.

I tried to pull my hand back, but my mom pinched my thigh hard under the table, her face blooming with delight.

My mom said, "As long as you like her, that's all that matters. Olivia is too modest. Honestly, she only goes dancing to... to stay fit."

I grimaced from the pain, about to protest, when James suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist.

His fingertips, rough with calluses, gently traced the red mark the bracelet had left on my skin, his gaze dark and unreadable.

James said, "Mom, take it easy. Olivia's skin is really sensitive; if you hurt her, it'll break my heart."

I got goosebumps all over.

Was this really the same James who used to snatch my projects at work, compete with me for top grades in school, and every time we met, never missed a chance to call me big boobs, no brains?

I tried to yank my hand back, but it was like it was glued to his.

I hissed, "James, are you crazy? I said I used to steal stuff. And I've got body odor. Can't you understand?"

James leaned in, his breath warm against my neck, whispering so only I could hear, "Olivia, even if you told me you were an undercover alien, I'd still marry you today."

He straightened up, his face instantly shifting to a soft, doting smile.

"Mom, Dad, Olivia's a little shy. She said she wants to spend some time alone with me to get to know each other better, so we'll head out first," James said.

Before either set of parents could react, James hauled me out of my seat, wrapped his arm around my waist, and marched me straight toward the door.

I kicked and squirmed, my heels leaving two obvious streaks on the carpet.

I yelled, "I'm not going. Who wants to get close to you? Dad, Mom, somebody help!"

My dad lifted his glass, waving me off with a satisfied smile.

He said, "Go on, go on. Young folks need to be fearless. Don't worry about coming home tonight. I'll have the paperwork sent over to James."

I stared in despair as the private room door slammed shut, sealing me off from the circus of laughter and chaos inside.

Even as James shoved me into the passenger seat of his Maybach, I was still kicking at the door, trying to escape.

I said, "James, are you out of your mind? We're sworn enemies. Why would you want to marry me? Is it because I never shower? Or maybe you want me to rob your pantry?"

James buckled his seatbelt with deliberate calm, then casually hit the lock on the car door.

As the lock snapped shut with a sharp click, my internal alarm bells went wild.

James turned toward me, one hand resting on the steering wheel, the other braced against my seat, boxing me into a tight little space.

The cramped cabin was filled with his crisp, woody cologne; his presence felt overwhelming, almost suffocating.

"I'm after your stupidity," James said.

I was so mad I nearly lost it, lunging for his face.

"You're the stupid one. Your whole family's stupid," I snapped.

James caught my wrist with ease, pinning it above my head against the seat back.

He leaned in, his voice cold. "Olivia, the Sterling family's cash flow has collapsed. There's a billion gap. Your dad sold you to me for ten percent of the Kingston family's shares."

That wasn't just humiliating; it hit me like a bolt from the blue.

I froze, my struggles coming to an abrupt halt.

"What did you say?" I asked.

James's eyes glinted with a mocking edge. "Why do you think you were forced into this blind date today? Your dad's bastard son lost his mind gambling overseas and embezzled company funds.

"If you don't marry me, the Sterling family will be bankrupt by tomorrow."

I felt ice cold all over.

My useless little brother, the only son of the Sterling family, had been pampered since birth, treated like a prince.

And me? I busted my ass running the company, only to end up as nothing more than a patch for their mess.

The injustice hit me like a tidal wave, and my eyes burned red with tears.

But there was no way I was going to cry in front of James.

I took a deep breath, forcing my tears back, and snorted sarcastically.

"So, Mr. Kingston, are you here to do charity work? Dropping a billion to bring your arch-nemesis home and treat her like royalty?" I shot back.

James let go of my hand and fired up the engine.

"I need a shield, you need money. It's business," he replied.

The car shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.

I stared out the window as the scenery sped past, already plotting my revenge.

If I couldn't escape, then we would make each other miserable.

James thought he could use me?

Dream on.

I turned my head, fixing my gaze on his perfect profile, and said, "Fine. Let's get married. But don't say I didn't warn you. I'm a snorer, I grind my teeth, I fart in my sleep, and I have serious sleepwalking issues.

"Sometimes I wander around with a knife in my hand. So you'd better not sleep too soundly."

James kept his gaze fixed straight ahead, a faint, ambiguous smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

"No problem. I like a little chaos," he replied coolly.