Tempting the Rude Billionare

Serena hated it. Every hungry gaze from men she didn't know and the way she swayed her hips to entice their desire, Serena absolutely loathed it. Stripping had started to feel empty lately, and she only continued to sway her hips for a hundred dollars, stacking those hundreds just to survive. She only needed to work one night a week, but the club kept calling her almost every day because the customers knew her as "The Queen."

Serena didn't understand why she was called that, but she suspected it started after she lounged casually on stage, helping her friend with a pole dance. In truth, Serena hated dancing-she wasn't skilled in the art.

"Yeah, I like that move..."

Again, the man moaned to himself in his chair as Serena descended from the stage and approached him.

"It's already ten o'clock, dude. The session's over."

The man glanced at his watch and realized. "Oh, right. Are you really just going to leave?"

Serena grabbed her coat, covering her exposed body that was barely concealed by strips of cloth. She had to stop working like this-she needed to find a new, more respectable place soon.

"Yeah, Patrick. See you around."

"Serena, you know? You could do better than this."

Serena gave him a faint smile before stepping outside, feeling empty inside.

Broadway was still busy and bustling. Everyone seemed to be living their lives without a care, while Serena could only bow her head, feeling her whole body ache for the sake of a hundred dollars.

Serena exhaled and looked up at a huge billboard showing a video of a handsome man with a stern face and lazy hazel eyes gazing into the camera. Serena's lips curled into a slight smile.

It was the wealthy Edgar Graham. Everyone in New York knew who he was. Like Gucci or Hermes, Graham was the man who built the major fashion brand called The Lux. That brand was where Serena's aspirations had first begun.

She had to learn modeling to land a good agency and work for Graham.

Her phone rang in her pocket. Serena quickly answered when she saw the name on the screen. Her smile broadened.

"Hello, sir! Do you have good news?"

"Oh, of course, my dear. You've been accepted for a one-week trial shoot here. Can you come tomorrow?"

Serena's eyes widened in awe at the news. She almost jumped in excitement.

"Re-really, sir? Oh, thank you! Of course I can come! Tomorrow morning?"

"Yes, glad to hear you're so eager."

"Thank you, sir. I'll be there tomorrow!"

After hanging up, Serena's chest swelled with happiness. She felt like the happiest person on Broadway.

*

"What? They still haven't sent the model?"

"Yes, sir... sorry, but we've contacted the agency, and there's no answer."

"Damn it." Edgar Graham grabbed his phone and coldly spoke to someone on the other end.

"Get the car ready and bring some people for Michael."

After the terse command, no one dared to raise their heads or argue. Edgar walked out of his office, followed by a line of assistants and workers who worshipped him like a king. He slipped his hand into his pocket and gazed at all the workers waiting.

"I'm sick of these incompetent agencies. Open up the registration for all candidates. I'll choose the model myself."

That statement shocked everyone.

"But sir, what about Samantha? Isn't she supposed to be the main model for this winter project?"

Edgar looked indifferent. "Samantha needs a break. She's been working for almost a year-"

"Who said that?" a voice interrupted, and everyone turned to the source. A tall, slim woman with long hair walked confidently toward them. Edgar turned away, trying to avoid the protesting gaze of Samantha.

As a senior model, Samantha worked outside agencies. She had become an independent model with several managers handling client requests. Samantha's name as a judge on modeling shows had also boosted her fame. For the company, Samantha was a major asset, helping to drive sales even higher.

"Edgar," Samantha called him by his first name, glaring at him. "We need to talk."

Samantha quickly dragged him into a nearby room and shut the door. Edgar stood with his back to the woman, indifferent.

"I don't have much time, Samantha-"

Samantha stood on her toes and pulled Edgar in for a kiss. Edgar clenched his eyes shut, pushing Samantha's shoulders, but she held on. She finally broke the kiss and looked at him in frustration.

"Why is it so hard for you to just love me, Edgar?"

Edgar sighed and stepped back, gazing at the slim, blonde-haired, green-eyed woman for a moment. "I'm polite to you because you're a senior model, Sam. I'll fire you if you try that again."

"Then don't stop me! I still want to work for you!" Sam shouted as Edgar turned in frustration.

This was all his mother's fault. That stupid arranged marriage brought up because of business. Everything had become so complicated, and Edgar hated being dragged into such pointless matters.

"I only care about The Lux, Sam. You know that. If you still want to work, then work. But I will still find a new model for the next project."

"This is so unfair, Edgar! You want to fire me because of our parents' arranged marriage, don't you?"

"Yes." Edgar replied quickly and coldly. Glancing out of the corner of his eye, the woman looked distressed and desperate. "I won't marry a model, Sam. I'm sorry."

With that, Edgar stepped out and waved toward his assistant in the corner. The assistant nodded and issued commands as coldly as Edgar strode out of the office.

"Get the car ready; the boss is leaving."

*

The modeling agency was quite large, having produced several famous models. Serena entered the building, feeling a little awkward when she noticed there was no receptionist at the lobby desk.

The door behind the desk opened, and a middle-aged man in formal attire smiled broadly.

"Oh, you must be Miss Bloom?"

Serena nodded. "That's right. And you are...?"

"Alex." He approached and shook Serena's hand with a firm grip. "Come on in."

The man guided Serena through a narrow hallway to a small meeting room. When she saw how shabby the room was, Serena hesitated.

"Um, sir, where are the other models?"

The door locked behind her. Serena froze when she turned around and saw the man's face had grown cold and serious. His eyes landed on Serena's chest, hunger filling his gaze. Instantly, her blood ran cold.

"They all left and called me a fraud. Damn sluts. Will you think the same?"

Serena's eyes widened as the man grabbed her shirt and tore it.

"What are you doing?!" Serena screamed. She was a sex worker, but never had she been treated like this. She struggled to break free, kicking whatever she could reach, but she was trapped in Alex's grip.

"Do you want me to force you? You'll be just like those runaway models, you whore."

Alex's lips closed in, and Serena screamed, kicking him hard in the groin. He groaned and collapsed to the floor.

Using what little strength she had left, Serena scrambled toward the door. Her legs felt like jelly, her breath labored, and her vision blurred with tears. How had she ended up in such a situation? Serena often satisfied clients, but she had never been threatened like this.

Dear God...

Her fingers trembled as she tried to unlock the door. Just as she was about to bolt out of the room, she landed in the arms of someone standing behind it.

"Oh my God!" exclaimed the man. Serena fell to the floor, and she saw Alex lunging at her from behind, knocking her to the ground. Serena screamed, grabbing Alex's face and holding him off with all her might-luckily, before Alex could force himself brutally onto her, the man who had collided with her at the door pulled Alex off and shoved him to the ground.

Another man grabbed Alex's collar and punched him hard. Blood splattered onto the floor, and Serena gasped. Tears welled up, and without realizing it, her whole body shook as she looked up.

Those hazel eyes pierced her with a mix of confusion and concern. Serena tried to get up, but the man grabbed her arm again.

"Let me go!" Serena cried, trying to pull herself free.

"Ben," said the man to the one still beating Alex senseless. Serena tugged on her arm, but the man locked her in place. Her energy was almost drained from fighting off that pervert.

In Ben's grasp, Alex was barely conscious. His eyes were closing, blood pouring from his eyes, nose, and the corner of his mouth. He looked half-dead, but the threat haunted Serena to the point where she broke into sobs.

"Sir?" Ben turned and looked at Alex for a moment before releasing him. Serena tried to break free, but the grip of the man called 'sir' didn't loosen.

"Take her," he said flatly. Serena's eyes widened as she stared at the green-eyed man.

"What are you going to do?! Let me go! Let me go!" Serena struggled as she was passed into Ben's much stronger hold. Her body was lifted onto his shoulder, and Serena shook even harder, hoping she could free herself. But no matter how hard she fought, it was useless-Ben, Edgar Graham's bodyguard, had her locked in his grasp.

*

Serena's breath hitched. She sat on a plush sofa, placed in a large office on the outskirts of the city. Her eyes were locked on the hazel-eyed man, who had already removed his jacket. He rolled up the sleeves of his black shirt and leaned against the door. The door was locked, and Serena knew that Ben was likely waiting outside.

"What do you want?" Serena asked, resigned, desperate, and exhausted. She didn't know why this well-dressed, beautiful-eyed man had shown up at Alex's place just as she was trying to escape. He could be one of Alex's friends... but if that were the case, why did Ben beat Alex up?

Serena's mind felt overwhelmed; she couldn't think straight after what had just happened.

"Are you the model Alex was supposed to send to me?" the man asked coldly.

"What?"

The man approached, grabbing Serena's chin and forcing her to look up. Serena retaliated, gripping his wrist.

"Let go-"

The man's fingers pressed into her cheekbones, making Serena wince.

"Answer me, or I won't let you speak."

"I don't know what you're talking about, you bastard!" Serena pushed the man's hand away with all her strength, succeeding.

The man's green eyes flashed slightly. "Why did you run away from Alex's place?"

Serena narrowed her eyes. "Why did I run away? That bastard almost raped me! You think... you think I wouldn't run if I met a man like that?"

"Alex said you worked at a club. You should be grateful he accepted you-"

"Screw that! Alex deceived me! That wasn't a modeling agency, it was a cage for his own pleasure! Why do you believe Alex, for crying out loud?" Serena's breath quickened. She didn't understand why this man was suddenly defending Alex, especially after having just beaten him up.

"Alex is the head director of that modeling agency. Even though it's small, I recruit many new models from there for my clothing line."

"Your clothing line?" Serena frowned, suddenly piecing things together. Her eyes scanned the photos and decor around the room. Everything had the logo 'The Lux' written in elegant typography.

Serena's eyes widened. "You... Edgar Graham?" Her voice trembled as she said it, but she forced herself to be brave.

Edgar stepped closer, his sharp gaze unwavering. "Because of you, my entire division has to redo the model selection process. Do you think I'll let you go just like that?"

Serena's throat tightened. She stared at Edgar, panic creeping over her face. "What are you going to do?"

"Alex kept me waiting too long; I have no mercy for him. But you..." Edgar's eyes trailed down Serena's neck and body. "You will work for me."