Revenge on the Billionaire
Автор
Heather Teston
Прочтений
860K
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Chapter 1
The sky was growing dark, a storm was on the horizon. Amy felt the first drops of rain on her face, mixing with the tears that had been falling freely as she stood by her father’s grave.
In her hand, she held a crumpled letter from Rodriguez Investment Company. It was the reason her father had suffered a heart attack, the reason he was now six feet under.
The letter was a notice that Rodriguez was demanding repayment of the loan her father had taken to keep his Texas ranch afloat.
Her father hadn’t been able to keep up with the payments or clear the loan, and the ranch had been foreclosed. It had shattered his heart and his will to live.
Amy was left with no home and barely any money. She had no other family. Her father was all she’d had.
The thunder rumbled, and the sky let loose, drenching her. She fell to her knees, her fingers digging into the wet earth.
She looked up at the sky, rain washing over her face, and screamed a vow that she would make Rodriguez pay, somehow, someday.
***
Amy was a twenty-three-year-old legal secretary in her small hometown.
She’d spent hours online, digging up everything she could about Christian Rodriguez.
From what she’d found, he fancied himself a playboy, using women for his pleasure and then discarding them like trash.
He was quoted as saying he was a committed bachelor, insisting he didn’t believe in love and would never be tied down to one woman.
“Men weren’t designed to have one mate their whole life. We were built to enjoy the flesh of many females, not just one, which is not normal.” This was another of his quotes that had only fueled Amy’s disgust.
The articles also painted him as ruthless and cruel in both business and personal life. He was born and raised in Spain but had moved to America when he was twenty-one.
After amassing his first few billions, he’d purchased a small castle in the South of France, which was now his home base when he wasn’t globetrotting for business or pleasure.
She couldn’t find a picture of Rodriguez or his age anywhere. It was said he valued his privacy and never allowed his picture to be taken.
So, she could only guess he was an older man and probably not very attractive.
One article mentioned a party he was hosting at his castle.
It was being touted as the party of the century, an exclusive event for the wealthy and high society. Guests from all over the world would be in attendance.
“Well, Mr. Rodriguez, guess who’s coming to dinner?” she muttered to herself as a plan began to take shape in her mind.
She would take a leave of absence from her job, use the small inheritance she’d received when her mother had passed away five years ago, and head to France.
She would find a way to crash his party and infiltrate his home, where she would find something she could use to ruin him and his reputation.
It was the only way to make him pay for destroying her father.
***
After booking her flight to France, she packed her bags, deciding to buy whatever else she needed once she arrived.
During the flight, she once again scoured the internet. It was crucial to learn everything she could about the man. After some time, she managed to find a few more articles.
They mentioned his favorite dining spots and his taste in women. Apparently, he had a thing for blondes with ample bosoms.
Looking down at her own chest, she had to laugh. Well, she was blonde, but her breasts…not so ample.
When she found the hotel where he often stayed and dined, she knew that was where she’d have to stay if she had any hope of bumping into him.
She knew she’d have to act fast once she got there. The hotel would be her biggest expense. The money she had would have to stretch, and her only hope was that she’d run into him sooner rather than later.
Amy was sound asleep when the plane landed. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she collected her bags. She stepped outside and hailed a passing cab.
She gave the driver the address, then leaned back and closed her eyes. She hadn’t slept much in the past few days, and she was yearning for a warm bed to crawl into.
She must have dozed off because she was jolted awake when the cab pulled up in front of the Grand Hotel. She paid the driver, hopefully giving him a decent tip, then stepped into the hotel.
She was awestruck as she took in her surroundings. It was stunning and elegant, but of course it would be, since only the very wealthy could afford to stay there.
Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and the floor was marble. Genuine leather sofas and chairs were scattered around.
Even the staff was impeccably dressed, their uniforms without a wrinkle and not a hair out of place.
“How long will you be staying with us, miss?” the woman behind the counter asked, giving her a friendly smile.
“I’m not really sure yet. A few days, maybe less,” she replied, returning the smile. “Could you tell me if Mr. Christian Rodriguez will be dining here anytime soon?”
“Mr. Rodriguez dines here every Monday and Friday evening. Are you a friend of his, miss?” she asked, giving Amy a once-over.
Amy noticed the woman sizing her up. She knew she didn’t look like she belonged in a place as posh as this, but she shrugged off the feeling and met the woman’s gaze.
“Yes, in a manner of speaking,” she replied, and headed toward the elevator.
She was grateful now that her parents had insisted she learn French as a second language. Little had she known then that one day, it would come in handy.
After being shown to her room, she explored it. She’d never stayed in such a beautiful room before.
The carpet was so plush and soft under her bare feet. A large window offered a view of the streets below. She went over to the bed and sat down. It felt like she was sitting on a cloud.
Lying back, she thought she’d close her eyes for a few minutes before getting ready for dinner, but within minutes, she was fast asleep.
She woke up in a panic when she realized it was dark, and she’d overslept. She turned on the bedside lamp and saw it was nearly 8 p.m.
She jumped out of bed. She had to hurry to get to the dining room.
It was Friday, and Rodriguez might be there. She didn’t want to risk missing him, or she’d have to wait until the following Monday.
Since red was his favorite color, she’d bought an expensive red dress. It was short, and it had a plunging neckline—one that showed off her cleavage.
Her breasts weren’t large, but they were firm and perky. The dress she wore fit her like a second skin, accentuating her curves perfectly.
Her hair was down, styled with a curling iron to add a bit of bounce.
Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she couldn’t help but smile. She looked good. She hoped the old man would keel over from a heart attack, saving her the trouble of dealing with him.
The thought of him dropping dead in front of her brought a wicked satisfaction.
Now, to catch his eye, she thought as she stepped into the dining room.
Once seated, she scanned the room for an older man. Not spotting anyone who could be Mr. Rodriguez, she asked the waitress if he had arrived.
“Yes, miss, he’s at his usual table by the window,” the waitress discreetly pointed him out.
Amy turned to look and was taken aback. This wasn’t what she had expected.
The man was tall, dark, and incredibly handsome. His clothes hinted at a well-toned, muscular body. He was engrossed in some papers, his brows furrowed in concentration.
A smirk played on her lips. Seducing and ruining him would be far more enjoyable than dealing with a creepy old man. “Alright, it’s showtime,” she muttered to herself, making her way towards his table.
As she reached his table, she let her purse slip from her grip, falling to the floor.
Being this close to him, she felt a wave of nervousness. She almost backed out, but before she could, he made a move that stopped her in her tracks.
