Imperial Love: The Billionaire's Obsession

On a tumultuous night, lightning flashing and thunder crashing, Seraphina made a desperate dash towards the ornate iron gates that were slowly closing.

"Caleb!" she cried out.

But she was just a second too late. The gates shut with a resounding clang. Seraphina couldn't stop in time and collided head-first into the cold metal. As she fell backward onto the wet ground, her elbow scraped, drawing droplets of blood, which were quickly washed away by the pouring rain.

"Seraphina, have you lost your mind?" a voice echoed, filled with unprecedented rage.

Emerging from the mansion with an umbrella, Dorian walked up to her. "Stopping cars during the day, running into gates at night-if you want to die, do it somewhere else!"

Drenched, with rain blurring her vision, she disregarded her injured elbow, struggled to her feet, and staggered a few steps forward. Her hands shot out between the gate bars, gripping his sleeve as if it were her last lifeline. "Caleb, my mother's ill. The doctor said..."

"We've broken up, Seraphina!" Caleb cut her off, a hint of disgust flashing across his handsome face. "You'd best not come around anymore, or my girlfriend will be upset."

Girlfriend? Her gaze shifted slightly upwards and through the blurry rain veil. She saw a woman's silhouette by the French windows on the balcony. They had only broken up three days ago.

"That's none of your concern!" Caleb snapped, clearly irritated. "Just leave and never show your face again."

Thunder rumbled loudly, and a streak of blue lightning illuminated her tear-streaked face. The once-proud heiress of the Seraphina estate was now faced with her family's bankruptcy. With her mother in the hospital, she desperately needed $150,000for the surgery, or she might lose her.

Pride? Dignity? She was ready to forsake it all for her mother's sake.

"Caleb..." Seraphina's voice trembled with anguish. "Please, I'm begging you. Lend me the money, and I promise... I'll leave you alone."

"$150,000?" Caleb laughed sarcastically, "The once untouchable Miss Seraphina begging me for a mere $150,000? How the mighty have fallen. Even if you were asking for $3 million, I could easily provide it. But, I won't give you a penny."

His words stung deeper than the loudest thunder. Crushed, she realized his affections were never genuine. However, bitterness wasn't her immediate concern. She needed the money.

"Caleb, please..."

"Caleb." A gentle, melodious voice interrupted her plea. Seraphina followed the sound and spotted a drenched girl nearby. In the dim light from the mansion, the newcomer wasn't exceptionally pretty, especially compared to Seraphina. However, she had an air of vulnerability, making one want to protect and cherish her-a quality Seraphina lacked.

"What are you doing out here?!" Caleb exclaimed, frowning with concern. "You'll catch a cold. Get inside!"

Seraphina's heart constricted as she watched him leave. She instinctively grabbed his sleeve to keep him from departing. But he flung her off with disdain. As she fell to the ground, his voice dripping with contempt hovered above her, "Seraphina, I'll be sickened if I ever see you again."

He then rushed over to shield the girl with his umbrella, and the two walked back into the mansion, leaving Seraphina alone in the rain. The gates never opened again, seemingly separating two distinct worlds.

With tears blending with rain, Seraphina pounded on the gate, shouting, "Caleb... please help me..."

The elderly butler, who had been watching silently, finally spoke up, "Miss Seraphina, please go. He won't come out."

Yet, she persisted, "Caleb... I'm begging you..."

Shaking his head, the butler sighed and walked away, leaving Seraphina alone in the torrential rain. The lights in the mansion eventually turned off, plunging the world into darkness. Seraphina sat, drenched and defeated, until the soft barking of a stray dog roused her. Picking up the muddy pup, she whispered, "Are you homeless like me?"

The pup whimpered, and a faint smile touched her lips. "It's alright. We have each other now."

In the distance, a sleek black Rolls-Royce stood. Dorian leaned against the window, his captivating almond eyes as cold as frost. He watched the lonely figure in the distance – Seraphina. Once known as the capricious and wilful heiress of the Lys family in the city of Bridgeton, bankruptcy had now brought her to a state of pitiable vulnerability.

Coldly, Dorian watched as Seraphina clung to a stray puppy, struggling to her feet amidst the pouring rain. It seemed like with just one false move, she'd crumble. And, inevitably, she did – collapsing into a puddle, unable to rise.

"Mr. Dorian, has Ms. Seraphina fainted?" The driver, unable to bear the scene, cautiously inquired of the man seated in the back.

"Drive," was the cold command.

"What?" The driver was taken aback. Had they been waiting all this time just to witness this tragedy? Surely, that would be too cruel, even for the infamous Dorian.

"Drive!" Dorian repeated, his voice devoid of warmth.

"Very well, sir." The driver, choosing not to question Dorian's motives, complied. The black Rolls-Royce swiftly disappeared into the stormy night.

"Daddy... please don't leave..."

"Please... Don't abandon Mom and me..."

"Daddy – Daddy!"

Seraphina woke with a start, a thin layer of sweat on her brow, breathing heavily. The recurring nightmare of the Lys family's downfall and her father's heartless departure haunted her. Each night, she would plead, but to no avail. His cold, indifferent silhouette was all that remained in her memories.

Feeling groggy and a sore throat, she sat up, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. The opulent European décor, the extravagant chandelier, and the lavish leather sofas all bespoke a master's touch. She realized she was in the residence of a very wealthy individual.

Pieces of last night's events came back to her. Someone had rescued her, and it seemed they brought her to this place. Quickly dressing in the clothes left for her on the vanity, she decided she needed to thank her mysterious savior and be on her way.

As she stepped out of her room, an enchanting floral scent greeted her. A maid, uniformed and holding fresh flowers, greeted her warmly, "Good morning, Ms. Seraphina. The master is in the dining room; to your right down the stairs."

Descending the grand staircase, she was met with more friendly greetings. Yet, the mystery deepened. Who was this 'master'?

Upon entering the dining room, the answer became painfully clear. There, casually having breakfast while reading a newspaper, was a man with an effortlessly aristocratic aura. Even in his casual attire, his noble bearing was evident.

A familiar face. One she could recognize even if he turned to dust.

It was Dorian. The most coveted man in Bridgeton. The same Dorian who had once taken advantage of her youth. The very Dorian who, five years prior, had held her by the throat, commanding her to vanish from his life forever.

She wanted to flee, but her feet wouldn't obey. The room felt like it was spinning.

A butler swiftly ushered her to sit, asking, "Good morning, Ms. Seraphina. Would you prefer a Western or Chinese breakfast?"

She declined, but a steaming bowl of bird's nest porridge, along with shrimp dumplings and various desserts, was still placed before her. Without appetite, she simply stirred the porridge absentmindedly.

Throughout, Dorian never once looked up from his paper or acknowledged her. To him, she seemed to be as inconspicuous as the air.

In Bridgeton, everyone knew of Seraphina's fearless reputation. Yet, she had one vulnerability: Dorian. Just the mere mention of his name could send shivers down her spine.

Her heart felt like it was frying in hot oil, flipping and searing, over and over.

Seraphina sat across from Dorian in a small upscale cafe. The place hummed with soft conversations and clinking china. She knew how much he loathed her, which made it even harder to break the stifling silence between them. The weight of the atmosphere pressed down, making it feel as if they were trapped beneath a storm cloud.

After what felt like hours, Seraphina finally found her voice, "Mr. Dorian... could I perhaps borrow $150,000?" The trembling fingers of her hand barely held onto the spoon.

Her long lashes cast shadows over her eyes, almost as if she were hiding behind them.

"Because of my association with Alex," she whispered, "no one dares to lend me money. Could you perhaps help me?"

The hope in her voice was clear, and as if to preemptively fend off a rejection, she hastily added, "I'm graduating soon. As soon as I do, I'll work hard and pay you back, I promise."

Dorian, with his piercing eyes focused on a newspaper, didn't reply or even acknowledge her. The restaurant fell into a deafening silence again, save for the occasional rustle of a page turning.

Beads of perspiration formed in Seraphina's palm, and she could hear her own heart pounding in her ears, its rhythm echoing loudly. It seemed even the world had paused to await his answer.

At last, when she felt the weight of the tension might suffocate her, Dorian lowered his paper and locked eyes with her. She met his gaze, startled, and found those captivating eyes even colder than they had been five years ago. He finally spoke, a single word laced with unmistakable disdain. "Leave."

He still wouldn't help her. Even after five years, he still hated her.

Seraphina felt like she had been thrown into an abyss, the pain so raw it threatened to tear her apart.

Clenching her hands to distract herself from the heartache, she fought back tears that threatened to spill. In a shaky voice, she murmured, "Can't you consider... what happened that night... and help me?"

The sharp sound of shattered porcelain interrupted her words. Dorian had smashed the bowl of porridge beside her, splattering its contents onto her pants.

Before Seraphina could react, Dorian's hand seized her wrist, yanking her up from her chair. He dragged her toward the exit, his grip painfully tight. "Stop! It hurts, Dorian, let go!" she cried.

He remained indifferent, pulling her along until he finally thrust her outside and slammed the door behind her. As the door shut, the last thing Seraphina saw was Dorian's chilling, murderous gaze. It shattered any lingering hope she had about him.

She shouldn't have asked. She knew what he was like...