My half-sister was dying of cancer, and she had one final wish: to steal my life.

She demanded my wedding, my fiancé, everything. So I watched as she walked down the aisle in the dress I designed myself, on the arm of the man I loved, into the wedding that should have been mine. For a dying woman, I could bear it.

But when she came for the heirloom bracelet my late mother left me, something inside me snapped. At the auction, I watched my ex-fiancé, Jasper, shield her as they drove the price up to a staggering 200 million. Bled dry by my own parasitic family, I was helpless, forced to see my last connection to my mother fall into their hands—

Until a calm, commanding voice cut through the room: “300 million.” The entire hall fell silent. Mack Ben, the notoriously private and influential head of the Ben family, had made the bid. “A gift,” he declared, his gaze finding mine, “for Miss Colby.”

After I retrieved the bracelet, I promised to repay him. “Mr. Ben, I’ll find a way to pay back the 300 million.” He simply studied my face, a slight frown creasing his brow. “Freya Colby,” he asked softly, “have you forgotten me?” Me: ?

Mack Ben sat in the VIP section above, his commanding presence filling the entire auction hall. When our eyes met across the crowded room, he gave me the slightest nod of acknowledgment.


Just moments before, I had been drowning in despair. Now I felt like I could breathe again.


Joy flooded through me as I smiled up at him from my seat below. My heart swelled with gratitude. Even if the bracelet would never be mine again, knowing it belonged to Mack Ben felt like the best possible outcome.


"Three billion! Do I hear three billion?"


"Three billion going once! Three billion going twice! Sold to Mr. Mack Ben!" The auctioneer's voice cracked with excitement as he brought down his gavel.


The room exploded. Everyone leaped to their feet, applauding and craning their necks to get a better look at the second floor. But Mack Ben remained perfectly still, accepting their reverence like an emperor receiving tribute from his subjects.


Chapter 25 - Chapter 25 The Price Of His Favor