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: ?

"No, no, that's not what happened." I waved my hands frantically, stepping closer while stealing glances at Mack Ben.


Please let it be anyone else driving that Bentley that night. Anyone but Millie Dean.


Mack caught my strange expression. He opened his mouth to speak, then stopped, finally asking, "Have you encountered Millie lately?"


That question confirmed my worst fears.


I wanted to disappear completely, to evaporate into nothing.


"Did Mr. Dean mention something to you?" After the chaos in my head settled, I decided to face this head-on.


Mack's lips pressed together slightly. His handsome, aristocratic features showed traces of awkward amusement.


"You mean when you were fighting with Jasper Tristan, claiming you slept with me repeatedly?"


"Careful." Mack caught my arm just in time.


Chapter 50 - Chapter 50 Speak of the Devil