Bought by my brother-in-law's friend

her. The estate, while luxurious, felt more like a gilded cage, each room a reminder of her captivity. She moved through the halls l

was a welcome change from the oppressive atmosphere inside. She wandered among the flowers, her mind racing with thoughts of escape

ootsteps approaching. She straightened up and turned to s

is tone light. "I though

plied, her voice sharp. "I

of amusement in his eyes. "I came to inform you that I h

to do that?" she shot back,

he replied, his tone taking on a more serious note. "And because I can

h as she despised the idea of attending a gathering filled with strangers

ctantly. "But don't e

with a mix of challenge and intrigue. "Oh

e. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, and for a brief moment, she felt a flicker of con

the door, dressed in a tailored suit

plied, forcing hers

The grand room was filled with elegantly dressed guests, laughter echoing off the high ceilings.

sensing her discomfo

muttered under her breath

already seated. "Everyone, this is Isabella,"

ng the urge to retreat. As they began to mingle, Isabella felt

pered in her ear. "You

nning the room. "I'm sure every

conversation," he said, his tone light but his ey

rying to mask her discomfort. She learned that many of them were influential figures in the busines

on his face. "You're doing well," he said, lean

though she couldn't help but feel a

and her smile was thin. "Marcus, darling, I didn't know you had a new toy," s

arcus introduced, his tone co

rk, her gaze raking over Isabella. "Tell me, how does it

he maintained her composure. "I'm not a collec

, how charming! But we all know how Marcus likes to play

low and dangerous. "Isabella is off-limi

us. I'm just having a little fun. After all, who wouldn

sked her surprise with annoyance. "I can handle myself, Marcus," she

arned, but she did

ike one," she retorted, her voice steady. "If I'm

thought she saw a flicker of admiration in his eyes. But

clipped. "But don't forg

room, her interactions growing bolder as she began to enjoy the game of socializing. She

t," he said later, when they found a momen

l," she replied, rolling her eyes. "I

nto something more playful. "You're right. But I must a

ention. A group of men had gathered, and Isabella recognized one of them as Marcus's business pa

" Marcus said, his e

ced as she caught snippets of conversation about a deal gone wron

u went behind my back!" Ethan shout

s trying to save the deal!" the oth

arm tighten as they approached. "St

scalated. The tension in the room was palpable, and s

was a glimpse into the darker world Marcus inhabited. She could feel the weight of his pr

?" she asked, turning to him, h

"This is just a taste. It's a ruthless world, and

part of this," Isabella admitt

ied, his gaze unwavering. "But I w

s erupted. Isabella instinctively grabbed Marcus's arm, her heart rac

ordered, stepping in fr

as the men exchanged blows. It was a brutal reminder of the worl

ella, his expression serious. "This is what I meant when I said you're

art still pounding. "I get it now.