Their Villain, The Mogul's Beloved

Chapter 2

Three days back, Olivia tracked down Natasha.

“You heard Lucas is gearing up to propose, right?” Olivia said.

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Her gorgeous eyes sparkled with jealousy and a nasty edge. “Rumor has it the family was ready to fast–track an engagement bash, but Lucas? He’s all about the big moment. Wants to hear you say ‘yes‘ with his own ears. Man, he’s really going all out, huh?”

“What’s your point?” Natasha shot back, cool as ice.

Olivia’s lips curled into a vicious smirk. “My point? Why does a trainwreck like you get to be happy, Natasha?”

“Wanna make a bet?” she sneered. “I’m calling it–this proposal’s gonna crash and burn in three days.”

Natasha locked eyes with Olivia. Everyone saw Olivia as this sweet, classy angel, but no one caught the poison in her gaze like Natasha did.

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Sure, Olivia could’ve nixed the proposal with one word, but she was playing the long game, waiting for the perfect moment to yank the rug out from under Natasha, just like always.

The proposal was a total flop. Sadie had just bolted after a frantic call from her family, her face pale as a ghost.

She’d offered to drop Natasha off–Natasha had ridden with Lucas–but Natasha overheard it was about her mom and told Sadie to go.

Now, with the place cleared out, Natasha stood alone, staring at the drooping flowers. Thinking back on the night’s pathetic proposal, she let out a dry, bitter chuckle.

It was late, the streets dead quiet. Instead of heading home, she wandered along the river, letting the chilly breeze clear her mind.

But it didn’t take long to sense something was wrong.

Someone was tailing her.

She faked a selfie, catching a glimpse of a few guys closing in behind her. Heart racing, she picked up her pace, but they stayed right on her tail.

Her fingers slipped, accidentally hitting the emergency contact Lucas had set up a year ago.

Back then, she’d gotten into it with some sleaze hitting on a girl, snapped his arm, and landed in

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8:16 pm

Chapter 2

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Lucas bailed her out, nagging her the whole time

call him if she was ever

first time

exhausted voice came

already at the hospital. The car crash wasn’t too serious, but Olivia–born premature, always delicate—had been rattled

out in the waiting room, and he’d just gotten Olivia to doze off when

following

long silence. “Natasha, I can’t do

thought she was pulling a fast one to

usual warm face now stormy with rage. “Natasha! Your sister’s in the hospital, and you can’t even bother to show up. Now you’re

Nobody’s leaving Olivia to deal with your crap tonight.

line

bed, spoke softly. “Mom, don’t be mad. What if

her face heavy with disappointment. “Trouble? The only trouble

isn’t her

ninth grade, Natasha had called home one night after study hall,

night, Olivia had a medical crisis, and the family was already

to a construction site near her school with the cash she’d demanded, only to find Natasha strolling out, totally fine, not a mark on her. No kidnappers,

Olivia had passed

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8:16 pm

Chapter 2

out, it was all a nasty prank by Natasha.The kidnapping? Totally

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the maid to ignore Olivia, knowing she’d be helpless when her condition flared up. By the time they got

in the hospital

sighed, wondering when her once–sweet, soft little girl had turned

The Clark family had been

they hired a

snuck in after school, bringing her snacks and telling dumb jokes to

bail on the proposal halfway through. No shock Natasha’s totally ticked

play her games. He’d smooth things over tomorrow

his phone aside and checked Olivia’s forehead. “Fever’s down. Get

half–hidden under the blankets, peeked out with worried eyes. “Lucas, I’m so sorry about