The Billionaires Cinderella

The Scars She Hid From The World

REGINA MCBRIDE

The heavy iron gates of the Wilderness Correction Camp groaned as they released me after three years of state-sponsored hell. I stood on the dirt road, clutching a plastic bag that held my entire life, waiting for the family that claimed they sent me there for "rehab." My brother, Brady, picked me up in a luxury SUV only to throw me out onto a deserted highway in the middle of a brewing storm. He told me I was a "public relations nightmare" and that the rain might finally wash the "stink" of the camp off me. He drove away, leaving me to limp miles through the mud on a snapped ankle. When I finally dragged myself to our family estate, my mother didn't offer a hug; she gasped in horror because my muddy clothes were ruining her Italian marble. They didn't give me my old room back. Instead, they banished me to a moldy gardener’s shack and hired a "babysitter" to make sure I didn't embarrass them further. My sister, Kaleigh, stood there in white cashmere, pretending to cry while clinging to her fiancé, Ambrose—the man who had once been mine. They all treated me like a volatile junkie, refusing to acknowledge that Kaleigh was the one who planted the drugs in my bag three years ago. They wanted to believe I was broken so they wouldn't have to feel guilty about the "wellness retreat" that was actually a torture chamber. I sat in the dark of that shed, feeling the cooling gel on the cigarette burns that covered my arms, and realized they had made a fatal mistake. They thought they had erased me, but I had returned with a roadmap of scars and a hidden satellite phone. At dinner, I didn't beg for their love. I simply rolled up my sleeves and showed them the price of their silence. As the wine spilled and the lies crumbled, I sent a single text to the only person I trusted: "I'm in. Let them simmer." The hunt was finally on.

Modern Revenge Scheming

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“Alpha Austin, you’re...! You’re drunk,” Daenerys Dondarrion looked at the man blocking her path, her eyes showing a hint of panic.

Just a moment ago, she was watching TV when Austin William suddenly returned. Before she could go upstairs, he stopped her in the living room.

Austin often traveled for work and rarely came home, but whenever he appeared, it made her feel uneasy.

Austin stared at her without saying a word, his expression unreadable, which made Daenerys even more anxious.

Suddenly, Austin spoke.

“Are you afraid of me?”

Daenerys shook her head vigorously. “No, why would I be afraid of Alpha Austin?”

In reality, she was quite scared, but not because she feared Austin would harm her, but because his overwhelming presence made her feel uneasy.

“You little flatterer,” Austin lightly pinched her nose and playfully scolded her.

Daenerys’ heart raced from his action. “You...! Alpha Austin, you’re drunk. You should go upstairs and rest.”

“Yeah, help me to my room.”

“Alright.”

Daenerys bit her lip, took hold of Austin’s arm, and shakily helped him up the stairs.

Seeing her flushed face from the effort, Austin asked, “Am I too heavy?”

Daenerys nodded slightly, but whiffled her head. “You’re not heavy, it’s just that I’m too weak.”

Austin silently smiled and stood up straighter, no longer intentionally putting his weight on her.

Daenerys had just showered, and the faint scent of her shampoo wafted into his nose, making his gaze grow darker.

After helping him into his room, Daenerys placed Austin on the bed and prepared to leave.

But just as she reached the door, he called out to her.

“If I remember correctly, you’re about to apply to universities.”

Daenerys stopped and nodded in response. “Yes, I’ve already made my choice.”

“Which university are you planning to attend?”

“University B.”

Daenerys didn’t notice the displeasure in Austin’s eyes as she continued, “Jackson’s father wants us to attend the same university to strengthen our relationship. After we graduate, we’ll get married.”

Six years ago, after losing both of her parents, Austin took her into the Black Wolf pack, where he provided for her, even supporting her education. Eventually, by a twist of fate, she became the betrothed of Austin’s nephew, Jackson William, the future Alpha.

Now, her fiancé, Jackson, was attending University B.

Austin frowned. “You’ll be only 22 when you graduate. Don’t you think getting married that early is too soon?”

Too soon! At 22, she had experienced nothing yet, so yes, marriage was too early.

But...

At the moment, she didn’t have the energy to discuss this with him, so she casually replied, “I’m following Jackson’s father’s arrangements.”

Austin stared at Daenerys for a moment, his gaze deep and unreadable. The intensity of his look made her feel even more like a frightened deer, causing her to lower her head in worry.

“Don’t you have your own opinions?”

“I...” Feeling Austin’s anger, Daenerys was a bit confused, not understanding why he was suddenly upset.

Of course, she had her own thoughts!

In fact, her desire to attend University B wasn’t entirely because of Jackson’s father but also because attending University B had always been her biggest dream, a wish her late father had for her.

For the past three years, whenever the pressure of studying became too much, just thinking about getting into University B brought her happiness...

Austin coldly watched her, her fresh, makeup-free face glowing after her shower.

Her eyes were clear, characteristic of her 18-year-old innocence.

But as he thought about her marrying Jackson in a few years, his gaze grew more clouded, a wave of malice emanating from him.

Just as Daenerys felt she might suffocate under the weight of his glare, he said, “Come here!”

“Alpha Austin...”

Daenerys, startled, approached him.

She did not know why Austin was acting so out of character tonight.

“Change your application to University A,” Austin commanded.

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