Bound to Vasiliev
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Kiara Colón
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Chapter 1
UNKNOWN
William Moore had been a big shot in Chicago for as long as anyone could remember. He was a business tycoon, just like his dad before him. His wealth and influence were unmatched, and he was the heartbeat of the city.
He ran Moore’s Tech, a company that built computer parts for planes. He was ruthless in his pursuit of success, even resorting to bribes to ensure his company stayed on top.
As he gazed out of his office window at the afternoon sky, a glass of brandy in his hand, he was in the middle of a crucial meeting with his best friend, Andrei Vasiliev. If all went well, Andrei would soon be his business partner.
“I’m glad you could make it, Andrei,” he said, settling into his leather chair. He crossed his leg over his knee and took a sip of his drink. “I hope this offer marks the start of something new.”
William was a formidable figure. His tall stature, black hair peppered with gray, icy-blue eyes, and dark mustache were enough to intimidate anyone.
“Andrei, your call sounded urgent, so I hopped on the first flight here,” the short, stout Russian man replied in a thick accent. He made himself comfortable in the chair across from William’s desk.
“I assure you, Andrei, this will be worth your while. It’ll benefit both of us in the long run. Or at least for a year.” He smirked, taking another sip of brandy before setting it down on a coaster. “We’re just waiting on one more person.”
Just then, William’s assistant walked in, followed by a man in a sharp suit who looked puzzled about why he’d been summoned to his future father-in-law’s office.
He had a date with his fiancée, and she was a stickler for punctuality.
“Eric, please have a seat next to Andrei. I have an offer you won’t be able to refuse.” William got straight to the point, gesturing to the empty chair.
“With all due respect, Mr. Moore. I have to pick up your daughter for our date, and if I’m late, she’ll have my head,” Eric said, a hint of nervousness in his voice. That was the effect William had on people.
Eric García had been with the company for three years. He’d fallen for the boss’s daughter and started dating her, despite William’s disapproval.
But today, William saw an opportunity to get Eric out of his daughter’s life. “I promise this won’t take long. I want you to relay a message to my daughter.”
Eric sat down, his attention on William but aware of Andrei’s presence. He had a gut feeling that this wouldn’t end well. But he waited for William to continue.
“Now that we’re all here, I can present the offers,” William said, pulling out a folder with several documents and handing one to Eric. Eric’s eyebrows shot up as he read the header.
“Official break-up contract? Is this a joke? What kind of sick game are you playing?” he asked, throwing the papers back onto the desk, repulsed by what William was suggesting.
“I suggest you read the whole thing. There’s a substantial compensation involved.” William turned to Andrei. “Your son is still single, isn’t he?”
Andrei nodded, intrigued by the question.
“He is. The boy refuses to settle down. He’s not a playboy, but he’s one grumpy ass.”
William chuckled and raised his glass in a toast, giving Andrei an approving nod.
Eric’s face fell as he read the contract. Even the large sum of money he was being offered didn’t bring him any joy.
“Well, Eric. What do you think? Would you break my daughter’s heart for that amount of money?”
He scoffed, throwing the papers back onto the desk and standing up. “I won’t do this to her. Your daughter means everything to me, and I won’t be bullied into leaving her.”
“Very well.” William pulled out a black folder from his drawer and handed it to Eric. His smirk was a clear sign of his power.
“Those are some compromising pictures. If my daughter saw them, I’m sure you’d regret not taking the offer. I’d rather be hated for breaking up with her than for cheating on her.”
Eric’s eyes widened as he looked at the pictures. He’d been caught, and no matter how careful he’d been, William Moore had outsmarted him.
“You can’t do this, Mr. Moore. Losing Gianna will destroy me.”
“Save it, Mr. García. Those pictures don’t exactly scream loyalty. So, either sign the contract, or I’ll make sure these pictures get to her at the hospital. You know how she struggles to focus when she’s upset.”
“No, sir,” Eric replied, defeated. He reached out for a pen. William, victorious, handed him his best one.
Eric hesitated for a moment before finally signing his name, giving up his future with the woman he “loved.”
“Good job, young man,” Andrei said, reading his part of the contract. A contract that wasn’t meant for him, but for his son, the heir to his company.
Eric didn’t even bother to look at either of them as he stormed toward the door. But William’s deep voice stopped him in his tracks.
“Make sure you tell my daughter you’re leaving her. And don’t you dare breathe a word of this. That ten-million-dollar offer won’t come around again.”
With that, Eric stepped out the door, his heart heavy and his nerves frayed. How was he supposed to break it to Gianna that they couldn’t be together?
Once Eric was gone, William turned to Andrei. Both men wore smug smiles. Andrei set the contract down on the desk, leaned back in his chair, and took a leisurely sip of his brandy.
“So, what are you going to tell your daughter?” Andrei asked, his curiosity piqued. William looked at him, a spark in his eyes.
“The same thing you’ll tell your son. There’s a contract to sign and a wedding to plan.”
