[Scene:] Alistair Thorne's Private Counsel Office. Austere, cold, and strictly transactional.
Alistair Thorne's private counsel office was the closest place to the core of power in the city. The air was thick with expensive leather and the smell of legal ink, completely devoid of any human warmth.
Eleanor Vance (Ellie) sat across the massive ebony desk, facing the Three-Year Thorne Heirship Contract. She knew the ultimate prize of this agreement was the ten-billion-dollar family inheritance. Her only weapon was her perfect façade.
"Before you sign," Alistair, the cold Tutor and nominal Patriarch, spoke without inflection, his gaze sharper than a laser, "Confirm that you understand Clause Seven: The Taboo."
Eleanor met his eyes. She knew Clause Seven: During the term of this contract, the Tutor and the Heir are absolutely forbidden from developing any personal feelings that supersede their roles. Violation results in immediate termination and forfeiture of all rights.
"I understand," Eleanor's voice was professional and steady.
"No, you don't." Alistair leaned slightly forward, like a predator cornering its prey. "Clause Seven is the only trap I've set for your 'ambition'. Eleanor, I suspect your motive is not the inheritance, but to exploit the 'special emotion' you hope I will develop for you."
Eleanor's heart skipped a beat. Had he already seen through her? Was her act of "worship and dependency" already exposed?
"Tutor," Eleanor offered a slight smile that didn't reach her eyes. Pushing her façade to the limit, she countered with brutal honesty: "You overestimate yourself. My ambition is only worth ten billion dollars. As for 'emotion,' that worthless commodity can be reserved for others."
Alistair's pupils constricted slightly, stung by her open contempt for feeling and her direct focus on money.
"Very well." Alistair picked up his pen and signed his name. "Then let us play a game. For the next three years, if you can make me fall in love with you while maintaining absolute rationality, you win everything."
He handed the pen to her, his voice dripping with dangerous temptation.
"But conversely," he stared into her eyes, "If you lose control, or if you fail—you will forfeit your ambition, and remain by my side forever."
"Do you dare wager your 'ambition' against my 'love'?"
Eleanor took the pen, her fingertips trembling slightly with excitement. The tip slashed across the paper, carving out her name.
"I dare." She looked up, her eyes holding no fear, only a hunter's fervor. "Tutor, let the games begin."
Thank you for reading the very first chapter of The Inheritance Betrayal (The Ten Billion Dollar Vow). This story is a high-stakes gamble built on forbidden love and ultimate power.
I promise you no slow burn—the game starts now. We've established the terms, and the taboo has been set. Alistair thinks he is the master, but Eleanor has already placed her pawns. Get ready for quick tension, deep betrayal, and a love that will either save or destroy them both.
By: KHChing