Their Villain, The Mogul's Beloved

Chapter 1

Bang-

The door to the private room slammed open, hard enough to rattle the walls.

A frantic figure rushed in, shouting, “Olivia’s in trouble!”

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That one line sucked the air out of the room. The place, decked out with flowers and streamers for a proposal, went from warm and celebratory to dead quiet in a heartbeat.

At the center of the crowd, Lucas Wright–the guy of the hour, down on one knee with a ring in his hand–spun around, stunned. “What the hell did you just say?”

Matthew Hill, the guy with the loud blue hair, rushed forward, his voice urgent. “Mrs. Clark called. Olivia’s been in a car accident, she’s at the hospital right now.”

And just like that, chaos erupted. Everyone bolted for the door, tripping over each other to get out.

Olivia Sutton was the group’s untouchable queen. Gorgeous, sweet, crazy talented, and stuck with a fragile body that made everyone want to protect her.

Now that she was in trouble, no one cared about the proposal anymore. It was like the whole room lost interest in the whole thing.

Even the groom–to–be just turned and left.

“Lucas-“A soft, almost dreamy voice called from behind.

The room froze. Everyone suddenly realized the other star of this show–the girl Lucas was proposing to–hadn’t said a single word.

In the scramble, someone must’ve hit the light switch, because the bright room dimmed to a faint glow from some amber fairy lights.

Natasha, pushed to the corner, stood there, her face half in shadow. That stunning face of hers, always a head–turner, was weirdly calm. No emotion, no nothing.

“You didn’t even wait for my answer,” she said, voice steady,

Just minutes ago, Lucas had dropped the big question. “Will you marry me?”

His tall frame stopped dead in the doorway, like it just hit him he was about to bail on his almost- fiancée without a word.

He didn’t answer her. Instead, he softened his tone, trying to smooth things over. “Natasha, I’m

babe. I gotta get to the hospital. Just… head home, okay?”

sorry,

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didn’t waver, but it had a bite.

Lucas.”

“Natasha, come on. This isn’t the time to

or never.” Her words

brow furrowed. Something about

she’d be throwing a fit by now, maybe tossing out some snarky jab about Olivia, like hoping she’d stay in the hospital for

chill, like she’d seen this whole

reason, that made

his eyes. “Come on, Natasha. You’ve been stuck to Lucas like glue for twenty years. You’re head over heels for the guy. You were probably losing it when he popped the question. No way you’re

seriously. It’s just a proposal. You can do

tie the knot. This

Her sharp eyes stayed locked on

a heavy sigh and stepped closer, doing what he always

good, alright?” he said. “Don’t make a big deal outta this. Olivia could be in real danger. This isn’t the time to throw a

old song and dance. Whenever she and Olivia butted heads, he’d apologize to Olivia without a second thought, then turn to Natasha–fuming like a wildcat–and talk to her like she was being

anger was cute, not serious.

motions. Lucas never even thought she’d say

nonsense! A furious voice exploded behind Natasha. Sadie Torres, her ride–or–die bestie, had

she was over it. “Lucas, what are you, her personal EMT? Why’s it always you running to Olivia’s rescue? And how freaking convenient is it that she picks

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now it’s your damn proposal. What, she can’t wait five

her heart into helping

once again, Olivia had swooped in and wrecked

jerk move,

turned on the crowd. “And you guys! Why’re you all

out the door? What’s the rush–visiting Olivia or picking out her

hospital, you’ve probably spent a fortune on

Lucas’s usually chill face turned stormy, his

his last breath. “You’re o

darkened, but before he could say

voice was calm, final. “You walk

dead silent. Lucas’s frown deepened. He glanced

stuff you’ll regret, Natasha. I’ll be back, and we’ll sort

turned and strode

hurt?‘ he wondered. ‘When I get back, I’ll make it up to Natasha