Chapter 1: An Offer You Can't Refuse

The New York night sky shimmered behind the glass window of the top-floor office in Alistair Vaughn's grand building—a billionaire whose name was both feared and respected in the business world. He stood tall, clad in a navy-blue suit that fit him to perfection. His sharp eyes scrutinized the young woman seated at the large desk before him.

"Celeste Carter."

His deep voice uttered her name with a tone of possession. Celeste swallowed hard. Not only because of the suffocating atmosphere in the room but also because of the man before her. From the beginning, Alistair Vaughn had never been an ordinary man. His gaze was piercing, his aura of power overwhelming, and most terrifying of all—he never accepted rejection.

Celeste knew that.

And unfortunately, she also knew that she had no choice but to accept the insane proposal he had just spoken.

"Marry me, Celeste," Alistair said with an absolute tone. As if his words weren't a request, but a command that had been predetermined from the start.

Celeste shook her head slightly, her heart pounding wildly. "You're insane," she murmured unconsciously.

A smirk formed on the man's lips. He stepped closer, leaning in slightly, bringing his body close enough that Celeste could feel his warmth.

"I have never been insane, Celeste. I simply take what I want."

Alistair reached for her chin, his touch gentle yet undeniably dominant. His cold fingers tilted her face up, forcing her to meet his gaze.

"And I want you."

Celeste's heart pounded. She tried to think clearly, but how could she? This man… He was like a dangerous trap ready to pull her into a world she didn't understand.

"I'm not someone you can buy, Alistair," Celeste said, her voice trembling.

Instead of anger, the man merely chuckled. His gaze deepened, as if stripping away every emotion Celeste desperately tried to hide.

"Oh, Celeste… This isn't about money." He leaned down slightly, whispering near her ear. "This is about obsession."

A shiver ran down Celeste's spine. There was something in Alistair's eyes that terrified her… and yet, it also drew her in.

She knew that from this night onward—her life would never be the same again.

Celeste felt the air in the room growing thinner. The ticking of the wall clock echoed in her ears, as if counting down the seconds before everything changed.

Alistair Vaughn hadn't moved from his position. His dark eyes remained locked onto Celeste, as if savoring every trace of panic on her face.

"You're not really serious," Celeste's voice came out faint, almost a whisper.

But Alistair's expression remained unmoved. Instead, he slid both hands into his pockets, his gaze deepening. "I'm always serious, Celeste. Especially when it comes to something that belongs to me."

Her heart plummeted. His words carried danger, a silent warning that she was already ensnared—with no escape.

"Why me?" she finally asked, though a part of her feared the answer.

Alistair didn't respond immediately. He took slow, deliberate steps, circling the large desk where Celeste sat—like a predator stalking its prey.

"Because I want you."

The answer was simple, yet held an undeniable force.

Celeste clenched her fingers against her lap, trying to steady the trembling in her body. "I am not yours, Alistair. You can't just decide this for me."

He stopped right behind her. Celeste could feel his breath ghosting over the side of her neck, sending shivers down her spine.

"I can, Celeste. And I will."

He lowered his head slightly, his lips nearly brushing the strands of her hair cascading over her shoulder.

"You don't understand what happens when something catches my attention. I don't let go so easily."

Celeste swallowed hard. She knew this man wasn't the type to be challenged. Once Alistair Vaughn wanted something, the world would kneel to give it to him.

Including her.

"I can't accept this," her voice was fragile, but she tried to sound firm.

Suddenly, Alistair crouched beside her chair, leveling their faces. His sharp, commanding eyes bored into hers, holding her captive.

"You can. And you will."

His cold fingers brushed against her chin, tilting it up ever so slightly.

"Because if you don't..." He smiled—a small, knowing curve of his lips, laced with danger. "I'll make sure you have no other choice."

Celeste froze. Her heart pounded erratically, her chest rising and falling in barely concealed panic.

Alistair Vaughn wasn't just a billionaire.

He was a predator.

And now, Celeste was nothing more than prey caught in his web.

Celeste felt the heat rising to her face as Alistair continued to stare at her, unblinking. The air between them grew heavier, almost suffocating. She wasn't used to being in a position like this—cornered and powerless before a man who held absolute control over everything.

"You can't force me," Celeste tried to defend herself, though her voice came out more like a desperate whisper.

Alistair's lips curled into a faint smile. He straightened with an effortless grace, unhurried, his fingers reaching for his tie and loosening it slightly—making him look even more dangerous.

"I don't have to force you, Celeste," he said softly, but every word carried an unspoken threat. "I only need to give you a reason not to say no."

Celeste's heartbeat pounded against her ribs. She knew this man never spoke without calculation. If he said something like that, it meant he had already prepared something.

And he had.

Alistair stepped toward his desk, picked up a black folder, and tossed it casually in front of her.

"Take a look," he said smoothly. "And then tell me if you still want to refuse my offer."

Celeste stared at the folder hesitantly before slowly reaching for it. As soon as her eyes scanned the first page, her breath caught.

No. Impossible.

Her gaze darted across the contents, absorbing every line. Her father's company name, financial reports, transaction records, and then… a bankruptcy warning.

"How did you get this?" Her voice trembled as she looked up at him, disbelief shining in her eyes.

Alistair leaned forward, planting both hands on the desk, closing the distance between them.

"I have access to everything, Celeste," he murmured, his eyes glinting coldly. "And I know that if I don't step into this game, your father will lose everything in a matter of months."

Celeste bit her lip. She already knew her father's business was struggling, but she hadn't realized just how dire the situation was.

"I can save him," Alistair's voice was soft, almost gentle—but laced with poison. "I can make sure that company stays afloat. I can erase all his debts. I can make it more successful than ever."

Then, he looked straight into her eyes, delivering his final blow.

"But only if you become mine."

Celeste's world shattered in an instant. This wasn't just an offer. It was an ultimatum.

Alistair Vaughn had backed her into a corner where there was no escape.

If she refused, her father would lose everything.

If she accepted… she would lose herself.

She closed her eyes for a brief moment, trying to silence the chaos inside her. But deep down, she already knew.

She had never really had a choice.