Sold as a Substitute Bride, Claimed by the Ruthless CEO

Chapter 10

Word Count: 790 | Released on: Today at 10:24

ing, Eliana w

banquet, a collective gasp went through the crowd. His possessi

Melinda were utterly stunned. It

l of effort suppressing the scandal caused by Annabell's breakdow

ed control of the situation-until El

ed to use as a pawn would return in the most i

went pale with shock and fear. The small, vicious pleasure Eliana felt at seeing their express

ver. But Branson led her directly to his car

of a classic, old-

pectfully. The theater was empty, t

ng her but guiding her, steering her, as h

e. It showed a deep, silent field of sta

ating romance. But this romance felt like a b

, oversized seats in

dim, celestial light. His gaze was intense, invasive, like a collector

ence. She opened her mou

d her, closing the space

oped her. His breath was a warm whisper against he

l. She tried to pull back, but her shoulders hit t

his voice a low, husky rumb

o meet his gaze. "Mr. Holloway, I don

, his fingers toying with a str

ng just an inch from hers. "Perhaps

rifying and, to her shame, electrifying. In that s

oment, a vibration came from the small pocket hi

ck, and pushed him away,

f distress. "I'm so sorry, Branson, I... my friend Amy,

reated as a last resort, an emergen

s before, turned to ice. He studied her, h

n her eyes, her voice trembled. "She's all alone

ate, pleading wea

t moment. Finally, he stood up, hi

ress in Brooklyn she h

of the anonymous apartment building, he watched her hurry

e Bentley's taillights vanished around the corner. She slid to the

ranson took o

sly quiet. "Find out everything there

Chapter End

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Sold as a Substitute Bride, Claimed by the Ruthless CEO

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“To pay for my grandmother's medical bills, my stepmother forced me to be a substitute bride for a notorious, ugly old man from the wealthy Holloway family. When I tried to escape, my stepsister deliberately tricked me into entering the wrong hotel suite. Instead of the old man, I stumbled into a hostage situation and was saved by a terrifying, icy billionaire-Branson Holloway, the king of New York. He didn't let me go. Instead, he pinned me down, his cold eyes locked onto a hidden childhood scar on my wrist as if he recognized me. Back home, my stepmother showed me photos of a hired thug standing over my frail grandmother's hospital bed, warning me to obey. I was completely trapped, a pawn in their cruel game. Then, Branson unexpectedly demanded that I attend his birthday banquet as his personal date. Insanely jealous, my stepmother and stepsister conspired to drug my wine at dinner, hoping to ruin me so my stepsister could take my place in Branson's bed. I didn't understand why this dangerous, powerful man was suddenly so fixated on me. Why did he know about my secret scar? What did he want from a pawn like me? I secretly swapped the drugged glasses, watching my stepsister make a complete fool of herself. But my small victory vanished when Branson cornered me in a private study, declaring that the marriage deal had changed. He wasn't just a powerful stranger; he was my new groom. Trapped beside him in a dark, empty movie theater later that night, I slowly pulled out my phone, ready to play a dangerous game of cat and mouse to escape the devil himself.”